Picture this: You spent hours crafting the perfect YouTube Short. The editing is crisp, the hook is fire, and the caption is ready to convert. But if you don’t post at the right time, all that effort could go to waste.
YouTube’s algorithm favors videos with early engagement, meaning your post time can make or break your reach. Your audience has peak hours when they’re most active, and hitting that sweet spot can skyrocket your YouTube reach.
The worst part? Your competitors are posting at the right time and getting all the views.
This guide will discuss the best time to post YouTube Shorts for every day of the week, niche, and location.
Best Time To Post YouTube Shorts for Each Day of the Week
Your audience’s daily habits shape when they’re most likely to watch and engage. Let’s break it down day by day:
- Monday: Evening (9 PM – 10 PM)
- Tuesday: Late Afternoon (4 PM – 6 PM)
- Wednesday: Evening (5 PM – 9 PM)
- Thursday: Morning (6 PM – 9 PM)
- Friday: Night (6 PM-Midnight)
- Saturday: Morning (9 AM – 11 AM), Evening (4 PM – 8 PM)
- Sunday: Morning (9 AM – 11 AM), Evening (6 PM – 10 PM)
Pro Tip: Use SocialBu’s social calendar to schedule your YouTube Shorts at the best times and effortlessly boost engagement.
Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts on Monday
Mondays are chaotic, but you can leverage routines. Early birds check their phones during commutes, while post-work hours (5–7 PM) attract viewers decompressing. Avoid Mornings on Monday as people are too busy chugging coffee and dreading meetings.
What to post: Light-hearted content like funny fails, quick recipes, or Monday motivations.
The Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts on Tuesday
Tuesdays are the unsung heroes of the workweek. By mid-morning, people settle into their groove and take lunch breaks —perfect for a quick scroll. Evenings (8–10 PM) work too
too, as viewers finish dinner and dive into leisure time.
What to post: Quick hacks (e.g., “3 apps to make Tuesday less terrible”) or spicy takes to wake them up.
Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts on Wednesday
Lunch breaks on Wednesdays are golden—viewers seek entertainment while eating. Late evenings (8–9 PM) cater to night owls binge-watching content. However, avoid posting mid-afternoon when productivity peaks.
What to post: Midweek motivation (fitness challenges, study tips) or relatable humor.
Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts on Thursday
Thursday is Friday Eve. Energy is high, and viewers are planning their weekends. Post-work hours, from 6 PM onwards, are the best on Thursday. People research weekend plans, watch travel vlogs, or binge-watch entertainment. That said, late-night slots appeal to viewers indulging in “me time” before Friday.
What to post: Teasers for Friday content, polls (“Weekend plans?”), or upbeat challenges.
The Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts on Friday
Fridays are for celebration. Post during the post-work wind-down (or late-night when parties wind down and phones come out. You can skip Friday mornings as many people rush to finish weekly tasks.
What to post: Gaming highlights, late-night recipes, or weekend countdowns.
Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts on Saturday
Saturdays are all about lazy mornings and relaxed evenings. People often scroll through their phones while sipping coffee or after dinner.
Posting between 9 and 11 a.m. catches early risers planning their weekend, while 7 to 9 p.m. targets viewers unwinding after a day out. Avoid midday, when most folks are offline running errands or enjoying activities.
What to post: Share “night out” prep tips or family-friendly activities.
Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts on Sunday
Sundays blend relaxation with the Sunday Scaries (the dread of the pre-Monday period). Posting mid-morning (10 AM–12 PM) works well, as people lounge at home.
Evening slots (6–8 PM) tap into viewers procrastinating weekday prep. Skip late nights—many are prepping for Monday and are less likely to engage.
What to post: Meal prep tips, mindfulness shorts, or “weekend recap” montages.
The Best Time To Post YouTube Shorts for Different Niches
Your niche dictates your audience’s habits. Tailor your schedule like a pro:
1. Best Times To Post on YouTube Shorts for Entertainment and Media Genre
Entertainment thrives when people want to escape. Post during prime TV hours (7–10 PM) with memes, celeb gossip, or binge-worthy clips.
- Example: Drop a “Netflix spoilers in 15 seconds” series at 9 PM. Risky? Yes. Engaging? Absolutely.
2. The Best Time To Post YouTube Shorts for Fitness and Health Content
Fitness junkies are creatures of habit. Early birds crush workouts at 5-7 AM, while evening posters target post-gym viewers.
- Pro Tip: Use trending audio like “Eye of the Tiger” for sunrise workout Shorts.
3. Best Time To Post on YouTube Shorts for Education and Tutorials
Students and professionals sneak learning into lunch breaks in the 12–2 PM
Time slot. Post-bite-sized tutorials like “Excel hacks in 10 seconds” or language lessons.
- Hack: Add text overlays like “You’ll wish you knew this sooner.”
4. Best Time To Post YouTube Shorts for Gaming and Esports Content
Gamers are loyal but time-crunched. Post after school (4–6 PM) or during late-night marathons.
- Example: A popular streamer schedules funny gaming moments at midnight, capitalizing on night owl gamers and gaining a spike in views.
5. The Best Time To Post on YouTube Shorts for Tech and Gadget Reviews
Techies research purchases after work ( 7-9 PM). Post deep dives or comparison videos in the evening when they’re browsing upgrades. Unboxing videos are perfect for Friday nights.
- Consider this: “iPhone 16 leaks in 10 seconds” at 8 PM grabs viewers while scrolling during dinner.
6. Best Time To Post YouTube Shorts for Food and Recipes Channels
The “What’s for dinner?” panic peaks between 3 and 5 p.m. Post quick recipes, like “15-second pasta hacks,” to save the day.
- Smart Move: Posting “5-minute air fryer snacks” at 4 p.m. will catch busy professionals before they resort to takeout.
7. Best Time To Post on YouTube Shorts for Travel and Lifestyle Niche
Weekend wanderlust peaks mid-morning, between 9 and 11 a.m. (on Weekends). Post dreamy destinations or packing tips with vibrant visuals.
- Pro Tip: Use hashtags like #WanderlustWeekend to attract planners.
The Best Times to Post YouTube Shorts by Location
Location impacts time zones and cultural habits:
Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts in the US
- EST: 7–9 PM (post-work relaxation)
- PST: 4–6 PM (avoid traffic hour)
- Hot Take: Avoid posting during NFL Sundays—views tank faster than a fumbled touchdown.
Best Time to Post on YouTube Shorts in Europe
- UK (GMT): 6–8 PM (post-dinner scrolling)
- Germany (CET): 7–9 PM (family screen time)
- Pro Tip: Use local holidays (Oktoberfest, Carnival) for themed Shorts.
The Best Time to Post on YouTube Shorts in Australia
- AEST: 7–9 AM (“arvo tea” breaks) or 5–8 PM (post-beach relaxation)
- Example: Post “10-second surf fails” at 7 PM to tap into beach culture.
Best Time to Post on YouTube Shorts in India
- IST: 8–10 PM (family scrolling post-dinner)
- Hack: Use Hindi captions or Bollywood trends for regional appeal.
Overview of the Best Daily Posting Times for YouTube Videos
- Saturday: 4 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m.
- Monday: 5 p.m.
- Tuesday: 2 p.m.
- Wednesday: 9 a.m.
- Thursday: 6 p.m.
- Friday: 3 p.m.
Best Time to Post YouTube Videos on Saturday
Saturday afternoons are golden for long-form content. By 4 p.m., most viewers have wrapped up weekend chores or activities and are settling into relaxation mode. While lounging at home, they’re scrolling for deeper dives, like tutorials or vlogs.
Best Time to Post YouTube Videos on Sunday
Sunday mornings are quieter, but 11 a.m. hits the sweet spot. Families are home, coffee is being brewed, and people crave leisurely content—think recipe demos or inspirational talks.
It’s early enough to avoid the “Sunday Scaries” rush later in the day. Plus, viewers often watch together, boosting shares and comments.
The Best Time to Post YouTube Videos on Monday
Mondays are hectic, but 5 p.m. is prime time. People are done with work or school and scrolling to decompress.
They’re likelier to watch longer videos, like tech reviews or storytelling vlogs while unwinding. Avoid mornings—everyone’s buried in emails or to-do lists.
Best Time to Post YouTube Videos on Tuesday
By Tuesday afternoon, routines are back in full swing. Posting at 2 p.m. catches viewers during lunch breaks or mid-afternoon slumps.
Moreover, educational content, quick hacks, and productivity tips perform well here. They are a stealthy way to sneak into their day without seeming like a distraction.
Best Time to Post YouTube Videos on Wednesday
Wednesday mornings at 9 a.m. tap into the “fresh start” energy. People are caffeinated, focused, and open to learning—think skill-building videos or industry news.
Avoid late evenings; midweek burnout means shorter attention spans after sunset.
Best Time to Post YouTube Videos on Thursday
Thursdays at 6 p.m. ride the pre-weekend anticipation. Most people plan their Friday nights or weekend projects, making it ideal for “how-to” guides or product reviews.
They’re mentally clocking out but still engaged enough for detailed content.
Best Time to Post YouTube Videos on Friday
Fridays at 3 p.m. are all about escapism. Everyone’s counting down to the weekend but still stuck at their desks. Post entertaining or uplifting content—travel vlogs, comedy sketches, or feel-good stories.
It’s the perfect distraction before happy hour kicks off.
Steps to Discover the Best Time to Post YouTube Shorts
Posting at the right time can be a game-changer in getting those views and building an engaged audience.
In addition to understanding the general optimal posting times on YouTube, it’s essential to determine the most suitable posting schedule tailored to your individual YouTube channel.
Here’s a systematic approach you can explore to uncover the ideal time slots that can maximize the impact of your YouTube videos:
Step 1: Head Over to the Analytics Section
To access the analytics section on YouTube and identify the ideal time to post YouTube Shorts, follow these steps on your desktop:
Open YouTube on your desktop, click on your profile image and select YouTube Studio.
On your channel dashboard, click “Analytics” on the left-hand menu. This gives you access to data that helps you understand your channel’s performance.
However, if no graph is present, this indicates no viewership on your page for the last 28 days.
Next, click the “Audience” tab in channel analytics to analyze the best time to post YouTube videos. Here, you can identify information like returning viewers, unique viewers, and subscribers.
Step 2: Identify the Best Day and Time
The new “When your viewers are on YouTube” report makes finding the best time to post your YouTube shorts straightforward.
This displays a purple chart reflecting 28 days of activity tailored to your specific time zone and location. Darker purple segments highlight the times when your audience is most active.
Use SocialBu to Schedule YouTube
Why post manually when SocialBu will turbocharge your YouTube strategy? Plan Shorts around your audience’s prime hours, schedule them in bulk, and track performance—all from one dashboard.
With SocialBu, you can efficiently schedule and publish content across multiple platforms, including YouTube, ensuring timely and consistent engagement with your audience.
The intuitive interface makes post-creation, scheduling, and management easy, saving you valuable time. Moreover, features such as bulk uploading and a comprehensive social media calendar further assist in effectively planning and executing your social media strategy.
Conclusion
Finding the best time to post YouTube Shorts and videos isn’t an exact science, but data and audience insights can guide you. Peak hours, time zones, and viewer habits all affect how well your content performs. The key is testing, tracking, and adjusting based on actual results.
The key is testing, tracking, and adjusting based on actual results. But remember—timing alone won’t guarantee success. Pair it with high-quality content, intense engagement, and a consistent posting strategy, and you’ll be on the path to YouTube growth.
Try SocialBu’s 7-day free trial to schedule and optimize your YouTube posts effortlessly!
FAQs
What Is the Best Time for Uploading Shorts on YouTube?
The best posting times depend on your audience’s demographics, but they usually fall between 12 PM to 3 PM and 7 PM to 10 PM.
How to Go Viral on YouTube Shorts?
To go viral on YouTube Shorts:
- Create unique, attention-grabbing content
- Use catchy music and sound effects
- Time your upload strategically (see above)
- Engage with your audience through comments and responses
- Promote your Shorts on social media and other platforms
How to Get More Views in YouTube Shorts?
To get more views on YouTube Shorts:
- Optimize your title, description, and tags with relevant keywords
- Use a social media management tool such as SocialBu
- Use eye-catching thumbnails
- Create high-quality, engaging content
- Utilize YouTube’s features, such as polls, quizzes, and questions
What Are Peak Hours for YouTube?
Peak hours often range from late afternoon to early evening, around 2-4 PM or 6-8 PM, depending on your audience’s time zone.
How to Boost YouTube Views?
To boost YouTube views, create high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your target audience. Optimize your title, description, and tags with relevant keywords, and use eye-catching thumbnails to grab viewers’ attention.
Can I Upload 10 Shorts on YouTube per Day?
Yes, but it’s recommended to upload no more than 5-10 Shorts per day to avoid overwhelming your audience.
How to Get 3 Million Views on YouTube Shorts?
To get 3 million views on YouTube Shorts:
- Create unique, attention-grabbing content
- Utilize YouTube’s features, such as polls, quizzes, and questions
- Promote your Shorts on social media and other platforms
- Engage with your audience through comments and responses
- Collaborate with other creators or influencers
