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The Best Time To Post on YouTube: Why Your Videos Are Getting Buried
Aaron Tran
May 27, 2025
The Ultimate Guide to Posting on YouTube
If you’re pouring time, energy, and creativity into your YouTube channel but your videos aren't getting the attention they deserve, there’s a silent killer at work... your timing.
You could have the most valuable, engaging, binge-worthy video on the internet... but if you post it when your audience is asleep, in meetings, or offline entirely, it won’t matter.
Timing isn’t just a detail, it’s one of the most critical factors in growing a successful YouTube channel. And if you ignore it, you're throttling your channel’s potential reach and missing out on thousands of views, likes, and subscribers.
This isn’t a fluff piece. In this comprehensive guide, you're going to learn:
Exactly how the YouTube algorithm works and how it favors videos published at the right time
The best times to post depending on your niche, content type, and audience location
How to read your analytics like a pro to unlock hidden timing patterns
The worst times to post (and why they’re silent view-killers)
Tactical scheduling strategies that save time and skyrocket consistency
Let’s dig in.
What Is YouTube’s Algorithm Really Looking For?
YouTube’s algorithm is designed to keep viewers engaged on the platform for as long as possible. It does this by promoting videos that:
Earn high click-through rates
Keep people watching longer (retention)
Spark interaction (likes, comments, shares)
Show strong performance shortly after being published
That last one is crucial. YouTube wants to serve fresh content to users when they’re actively watching. If your video gets strong engagement right after it goes live, the algorithm starts showing it to even more people.
So timing isn’t just important, it’s foundational.
Use YouTube Analytics to identify when your audience is most active. You can find this under Audience > When your viewers are on YouTube. Post right before your audience peaks so your content lands just as they're logging in.
When Is the Best Time To Post on YouTube?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. But after analyzing data from thousands of creators, here’s what tends to work best:
Weekday evenings (between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. local time) see higher engagement. People are off work, on their phones, and ready to unwind.
Saturday and Sunday mornings (between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.) are also excellent. Viewers are relaxed and more likely to explore new content.
But here’s the key: post 1–2 hours before peak viewing times. This gives YouTube time to index and test your video before your audience logs on.
Also consider these variables:
Your audience’s time zone. Are most of your viewers in the U.S., UK, or split across continents? Always post in their prime time, not yours.
Age demographics. Teens may watch after school; professionals during lunch or late evenings; parents after kids go to bed.
Track your analytics, test different time slots, and let performance data guide your strategy.
How To Analyze Your Audience To Find the Perfect Posting Time
Generic timing tips can only take you so far. Your best results will come from understanding your audience.
Here’s how to uncover that:
Open YouTube Studio and go to your analytics dashboard.
Under the Audience tab, look for the purple bar chart titled When your viewers are on YouTube.
Study this chart. Find the days and hours with the darkest purple bars—that’s when most of your audience is online.
Post at least 30 to 60 minutes before that window starts.
Also look at:
Geography. Use the “Top geographies” section to identify where your viewers live.
Age ranges. Understand if you're reaching students, working professionals, or retirees.
Device usage. Mobile-heavy audiences may be more active during commutes or breaks.
When you post based on real data instead of guesswork, your video has a higher chance of ranking and performing well.
Best Posting Times Based on Content Type
Different video styles perform better at different times. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Tutorials and Educational Content: Post on weekdays, preferably between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. when people are actively searching for help.
Vlogs and Lifestyle Videos: These work best on weekends when people have more time to watch casually and binge.
YouTube Shorts: Since they’re fast and fun, aim for lunch breaks (12 p.m. to 1 p.m.) or early evenings (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.). These time slots catch viewers when they’re scrolling for quick entertainment.
Whatever your format, test your publishing times and compare analytics across different days.
The Worst Times To Post
Posting at the wrong time can crush your video’s potential before it even gets a chance. Here are the worst times to avoid:
Before 8 a.m.: Most users aren’t checking YouTube first thing in the morning, especially on weekdays.
After 11 p.m.: Late-night uploads get buried in the next day’s content surge.
During traditional work hours (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.): Unless your audience is students or freelancers, these hours tend to underperform.
During major events or holidays: Don’t post during the Super Bowl, major awards shows, or national holidays, your content will likely get drowned out.
Posting at these low-traffic times can cause your video to start slow, and the algorithm will assume it's less relevant.
Scheduling Like a Pro
You don’t need to be glued to your screen to post at the perfect time. Let automation do the heavy lifting.
Use YouTube Studio’s built-in scheduler. Upload your video, set the title, thumbnail, description, and schedule it to go live when your audience is most active.
Use social media scheduling tools. Apps like SocialPilot, Hootsuite, or HubSpot allow you to schedule content across platforms, plan video rollouts, and coordinate launches.
Why scheduling matters:
It keeps your uploads consistent, which builds audience trust.
It saves you time and mental energy.
It boosts your video’s initial performance because you’re publishing strategically, not randomly.
Consistency plus timing equals algorithm love.
It’s a Growth Strategy.
If you're serious about building a high-performing YouTube channel, you cannot afford to guess when you post. The difference between going viral and vanishing can come down to a single hour.
Use your analytics. Understand your audience. Test, refine, repeat.
Once you nail the best time to post, you'll start to see your views, engagement, and subscribers climb steadily.
Want to take this further?
Join House of Founders and get a complete system to grow your channel, monetize your expertise, and turn attention into income. Apply for your custom action plan today, and get our free newsletter packed with proven creator strategies.
No more guessing. No more wasted uploads. Just strategic growth, step by step.
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