Best Times To Upload On YouTube

The optimal time to upload your YouTube videos can greatly influence visibility and engagement, but there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. General guidelines suggest uploading mid-week and targeting key timeframes like lunchtime or early mornings.

Best Times To Upload On YouTube

The optimal time to upload your YouTube videos can significantly impact their visibility and engagement. While there are general guidelines, the best time ultimately depends on your specific audience and niche.

While timing can influence your video's initial performance, it's important to remember that the long-term success of your channel depends on consistent, high-quality content. Building a loyal audience and engaging with your community are key factors in driving sustained growth.

Here are general timeframes (with example niches) to follow to help boost your content’s visibility:

Use YouTube Analytics:

The most accurate way to determine the best time to upload is to use YouTube’s Analytics feature. Under the "Audience" tab, it shows when your viewers are most active on YouTube, which can help you optimise your upload schedule. (Best to upload just before the peak times occur).

However, as a general rule of thumb, studies have shown that uploading videos between Tuesday and Thursday tends to yield the best results. Avoid uploading on weekends or Mondays, as these days tend to have lower engagement rates.

In addition to timing, consistency is key. Aim to upload videos regularly to keep your audience engaged and maintain a steady stream of content. A consistent upload schedule can help you build a loyal following and increase your visibility on YouTube.

It's important to understand your audience. By analyzing your audience demographics and preferences, you can tailor your content to their interests and optimize your upload strategy.

A YouTube Analytics screenshot showing viewer activity by time of day and top countries.
This YouTube Analytics graph shows when your viewers are most active on YouTube. It also highlights the top countries where your viewers are located.

It's important to know when and why your audience is on during certain times when deciding your upload schedule, so make sure to do your research! By analyzing your YouTube Analytics data, you can gain valuable insights into your audience's behaviour. This data can help you identify the optimal times to upload your videos, as well as the best days of the week.

Understanding your audience's demographics, peak viewing times, and video performance metrics can help you tailor your content and maximize your video's reach and engagement.

By following these tips and experimenting with different upload times, you can optimize your YouTube strategy and increase your chances of success. Remember, the best time to upload is the time that works best for your specific audience and niche.

Weekdays (Monday to Friday):

Best time: 12 PM - 4 PM (in your audience's time zone)
This is because most people check YouTube during lunch or later in the afternoon, as they finish their work or school day. By uploading mid-day, your video has time to process by the time peak viewership starts.

However, it's important to note that this is a general guideline, and the optimal upload time may vary depending on your specific audience and niche. You can use YouTube Analytics to determine the best time for your channel.

Weekends (Saturday and Sunday):

Best time: 9 AM - 11 AM (in your audience's time zone)
People are more active on YouTube earlier on weekends, especially during the mornings. Uploading videos during this time can maximise early viewership and increase your chances of being recommended on home pages throughout the day.

Many people use weekends to relax and unwind, and they often turn to YouTube for entertainment. Uploading during this time can capitalize on this increased viewership.

Peak Days for Engagement:

Thursday and Friday: Videos uploaded on these days perform well due to people anticipating the weekend and tend to engage more with content. This is a great time to release videos that are thought-provoking, informative, or require more in-depth viewing.

Saturday and Sunday: Ideal for entertainment and leisurely content, as people have more free time to watch and commit to content. Uploading during these days can be especially effective for content that requires longer viewing times, such as documentaries, tutorials, or in-depth reviews. Additionally, these days often have less competition from other creators, which can increase your video's visibility.

Niche-Specific Patterns:

For specific niches, audience behaviour may vary. For example:

Gaming: Weekends or after school/work hours. Gamers often have more free time during these periods, making it an ideal time to release gaming content. To maximize engagement, consider uploading your videos on Friday evenings or weekends when your target audience is most likely to be free and ready to dive into gaming content.

Educational: Best to post earlier in the week (Tuesday, Wednesday). This aligns with the start of the workweek when people are more likely to be focused on learning and professional development. Posting on these days can help your content reach a wider audience who are actively seeking knowledge and information.

Fitness/Health: Mornings or lunchtime. People often seek fitness and health content to start their day or during their lunch break. Posting during these times can capitalize on their motivation.

Travel: Weekend mornings. Weekends are often when people start planning their trips or are looking for travel inspiration. Posting during this time can capture their attention and encourage them to explore your content. Consider creating visually appealing and informative content to spark their curiosity

Finance and Business: Early mornings or weekdays. Professionals often consume financial and business news early in the morning before starting their workday. Posting during these times can reach a targeted audience and provide valuable information.


It's important to know when and why your audience is on during certain times when deciding your upload schedule, so make sure to do your research! By analyzing your YouTube Analytics data, you can gain valuable insights into your audience's behaviour. This data can help you identify the optimal times to upload your videos, as well as the best days of the week. Understanding your audience's demographics, peak viewing times, and video performance metrics can help you fit your content and maximize your video's reach and engagement.

However, it's important to remember that there's no one answer for every video. The best time to upload will vary depending on your specific niche, target audience, and content strategy. Experiment with different upload times and track your results to identify what works best for your channel. By continuously monitoring your analytics and making data-driven decisions, you can optimise your upload schedule and achieve your YouTube goals.