Creating great content on YouTube is hard enough. But posting it at the wrong time? That could quietly sabotage everything. If your views are low and engagement feels off, chances are you’re uploading when your audience isn’t even around.
This guide breaks down the best time to post on YouTube for every single day of the week, including insights on how to analyze your own data and a few proven tricks to beat the algorithm.
Why Timing Matters More Than You Think
YouTube’s algorithm rewards content that gets strong early engagement. If your video sits idle for the first few hours, it loses steam fast. That’s why hitting publish when your audience is most active can make or break performance.
When you post at the right time, you increase the chances of:
- Landing in the YouTube homepage feed
- Appearing in the “Up Next” sidebar
- Getting suggested to viewers based on fresh activity
This leads to higher retention, more comments, better click-through rates, and eventually, better rankings.
How We’ve Identified the Best Time to Post on YouTube
We didn’t guess. This blog is backed by a mix of platform data, global YouTube user activity, and insights from creators who track their analytics religiously.
We also analyzed when engagement peaks across different niches (gaming, how-to, vlogs, animations, etc.). Then, we mapped it out by day and region, so you get a daily schedule that actually works.
What Is the Best Time to Post on YouTube?
If you just want a quick answer, here it is:
- Best overall window: Between 5 PM and 8 PM local time
- Best days: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
- Avoid posting: Early mornings (before 10 AM), especially weekdays
But that’s the surface. Let’s dig into what time works best on each day.
What Is the Best Time to Post on YouTube Monday?
Best time: 2 PM to 4 PM (local time)
Why? People are easing into the workweek. They’re checking YouTube during late lunch or just after logging off.
Use YouTube Analytics to confirm this in your own channel by heading to “Audience” tab and checking “When your viewers are on YouTube.” You’ll see heat maps showing real-time viewer activity.
If you’re posting Shorts, test 11 AM to 1 PM for Monday lunch break visibility.
What Is the Best Time to Post on YouTube Tuesday?
Best time: 2 PM to 4 PM
Tuesday still runs slow in terms of engagement. It’s not yet peak consumption. But if you post mid-afternoon, the algorithm starts pushing your content by evening.
Want your post to pop? Pair it with a strong YouTube intro maker. An eye-catching start helps maximize viewer retention, especially on slower days.
What Is the Best Time to Post on YouTube Wednesday?
Best time: 3 PM to 5 PM
Wednesdays pick up. Viewers return after their work routines settle. This mid-week energy is a solid chance to try out new animation ideas or story-driven formats.
Shorts perform better early in the afternoon (around 12 PM). Keep an eye on how your CTRs and watch time vary between content types.
What Is the Best Time to Post on YouTube Thursday?
Best time: 4 PM to 6 PM
Here’s where things get interesting. Thursday is when weekend anticipation starts. People spend more time browsing and are more likely to engage.
Use this window to publish more ambitious edits, such as stunning trailers or long-form explainers. Longer content does better on Thursdays compared to early week.
What Is the Best Time to Post on YouTube Friday?
Best time: 5 PM to 7 PM
Friday night scroll sessions are real. And they’re packed. This is the golden hour for entertainment, vlogs, gaming, and feel-good content.
Consider scheduling your post earlier if you’re targeting younger viewers who check out of school by 3 PM. For Shorts, anytime between 2 PM to 6 PM performs well.
What Is the Best Time to Post on YouTube Saturday?
Best time: 10 AM to 1 PM
Yes, it’s early. But Saturday morning scroll behavior kicks in as people relax and catch up on content. It’s one of the highest engagement days of the week.
Search interest for “best time to post on YouTube Saturday” is up 60% compared to weekdays. Plan your release around breakfast hours for max exposure.
What Is the Best Time to Post on YouTube Sunday?
Best time: 10 AM to 12 PM
Sunday is reflective. People wind down and prep for the week. Educational, motivational, or how-to videos shine here.
Think of this as your slot for thoughtful videos, deep insights, or a well-timed post using these YouTube video content ideas.
Regional Best Posting Time Overview
Posting times change based on where your audience lives. Here’s a quick table showing top engagement hours by region:
| Region | Best Posting Time (Local) |
| US & Canada | 5 PM to 8 PM |
| UK & Europe | 6 PM to 9 PM |
| Australia | 7 AM to 10 AM |
| South Asia | 6 PM to 9 PM |
| Middle East | 7 PM to 10 PM |
Always check your own analytics. If most of your viewers are in a specific country, time your post based on that location’s peak activity.
How to Determine the Best Time to Post on YouTube (For You)
Here’s a simple method to tailor the ideal time based on your own channel:
- Go to YouTube Studio
- Click on Analytics > Audience
- Look at the purple bars under “When your viewers are on YouTube”
- Post 1-2 hours before the peak time to give YouTube’s algorithm time to index
Try different posting times for Shorts vs full videos, and measure click-through rate (CTR), average watch time, and views after 24 hours.
Tips to Maximize Post Timing on YouTube
- Schedule posts in advance to hit the sweet spot.
- Use premieres to build buzz for big releases.
- Drop a teaser in the Community tab 24 hours before posting.
- Monitor your top-performing videos and note the time they were published.
How AnimatedVideos.co Can Help
You can post at the perfect time, but if your content doesn’t hold attention, it won’t matter. This is where AnimatedVideos.co steps in.
We create high-quality 2D, 3D, and motion graphic videos designed to boost engagement from the very first second. Whether you’re launching an educational series, promoting a product, or building a brand—our visual storytelling gets results.
Need something fast? We also offer ready-made explainer packages and rapid YouTube customization support.
Frequently Ask Questions:
What time gets the most views on YouTube?
Most views come in during prime time, especially from 3 PM to 6 PM and 6 PM to 9 PM. These windows line up with people unwinding after school or work.
When should I start posting on YouTube?
Start by uploading in the afternoon to give your video time to rank before peak hours. You’ll usually see better performance between 12 PM to 9 PM, depending on your audience.
Is it better to post every day on YouTube?
It depends on your workflow, but consistency is key. Posting at least once a week works well for long-form content. For Shorts, aim for three times per week to stay visible.
What is the peak hour of YouTube?
Peak engagement varies, but most activity happens between 3 PM to 9 PM. Midday also works well for Shorts or viewers in other time zones.
What is the best time to stream on YouTube?
If you're just starting out, try going live between 6 PM and 9 PM Monday to Friday. On weekends, early afternoon works best. For higher engagement, AnimatedVideos.co can help enhance your stream visuals with professional intros and overlays.
How long should my first YouTube video be?
Keep your first video short and to the point—between 5 to 10 minutes. That’s long enough to deliver value while short enough to hold attention.
How to increase 4000 hours on YouTube?
To hit 4000 watch hours, focus on storytelling, add captions, skip the generic outro, create evergreen content, use playlists, and promote across platforms. Live streams and visual hooks from AnimatedVideos.co can speed up the process.
How to successfully stream on YouTube?
For a smooth stream, look at the camera, check lighting, run a test, and promote ahead of time. Block bad keywords and tape your stream for later. AnimatedVideos.co can help you polish the look and feel of your live sessions.
What is the slowest month for YouTube views?
May and September are slower months due to school and work transitions. Viewers are busy catching up with life and spend less time watching new uploads.
Final Thoughts
The best time to post on YouTube isn’t just about uploading at the right hour. It’s about understanding your audience, staying consistent, testing what works, and posting with purpose.
Use this guide as your starting point. Fine-tune your schedule using your own analytics. And when you’re ready to step up the quality of what you post, let AnimatedVideos.co help you turn watch time into growth.
