Timing is important when it comes to YouTube. Whether you’re posting long-form videos or YouTube Shorts, knowing the best time to upload can significantly boost your views, engagement, and subscriber growth.
In 2025, YouTube’s algorithm still favors content that gets quick engagement, meaning when you post can impact how many people see your video.
This guide will break down the best times to post on YouTube, the differences between regular videos and Shorts, and how you can find the perfect schedule for your audience.
The Best Time to Post on YouTube (Videos & Shorts)
1. Best Time to Post YouTube Videos
If you’re uploading a regular YouTube video, the goal is to post when your audience is most active. Based on industry trends and analytics, the best times to post in 2025 are:
📅 Best Days to Post:
- Thursday, Friday, and Sunday tend to have the highest engagement.
- Tuesday and Wednesday can work well for certain niches but may have lower competition.
- Monday and Saturday often see lower engagement, but Saturday can work for entertainment or weekend-based content.
🕒 Best Time to Post (General Audience):
- 12 PM – 3 PM (Weekdays) – This ensures your video is available by peak viewing hours in the evening.
- 9 AM – 11 AM (Weekends) – People start watching earlier on weekends, especially for entertainment content.
Why?
- YouTube takes time to process and index new videos.
- Most users are active in the evening (6 PM – 10 PM), so posting earlier allows YouTube to recommend your video by peak time.
💡 Pro Tip: Check YouTube Analytics (Audience tab) to see when your specific viewers are online.
2. Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts
YouTube Shorts have a different algorithm than regular videos. They are pushed out in bursts over time rather than instantly ranking in search. Posting at the right time helps Shorts gain traction quickly.
📅 Best Days to Post:
- Monday to Friday (consistent engagement).
- Saturday & Sunday (higher chance of viral views).
🕒 Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts:
- 8 AM – 10 AM – Captures morning scrollers.
- 12 PM – 3 PM – People check their phones during lunch breaks.
- 6 PM – 9 PM – Prime time for Shorts as people relax after work/school.
💡 Pro Tip: Unlike regular videos, posting multiple Shorts per day can increase your chances of going viral.
3. How to Find YOUR Best Time to Post
Every YouTube channel is different. The best way to determine your ideal posting time is by using YouTube Analytics:
On Desktop (PC & Mac):
- Open YouTube Studio.
- Click on Analytics > Audience.
- Look for “When your viewers are on YouTube” (purple bars indicate peak times).
- Post 1-2 hours before peak times for maximum engagement.
On Mobile (YouTube Studio App):
- Open the YouTube Studio app.
- Go to Analytics > Audience.
- Find the peak activity times of your viewers.
💡 Pro Tip: If your audience is global, try posting at different times and check what works best.
4. Should You Schedule or Post Manually?
📌 For regular videos:
- Scheduling 1-2 hours before peak time is recommended.
- YouTube prioritizes videos that get early engagement.
📌 For Shorts:
- Posting manually at peak hours may help, but Shorts can still go viral even hours or days later.
YouTube allows scheduled uploads, so you can post at the optimal time without being online.
SEE ALSO:
Hashtags for Youtube Shorts (To go viral & grow your subscribers)
500 YouTube Channel Name Ideas: Unique and Amazing Names Divided into Categories
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but in 2025, the best posting times for YouTube videos and Shorts generally fall between 12 PM – 3 PM for long videos and 8 AM – 10 AM or 6 PM – 9 PM for Shorts.
However, the best way to grow is to test different posting times and track what works best for your audience using YouTube Analytics.
Want to boost your YouTube views? Start posting at the right time and watch your engagement soar! 🚀
Ankit is an engineer by profession and blogger by passion. He is passionate to do all the stuff such as designing the website, doing the SEO, researching for the content, writing tech blog posts and more.
