Best time to post on YouTube in 2025

YouTube is one of the most powerful platforms for content creators, with over 2.7 billion active users worldwide. But posting content randomly won’t get you the engagement you need. Timing is everything. Posting at the right time can boost views, watch time, and subscriber growth, helping you rank higher in YouTube’s algorithm.

So, when is the best time to post on YouTube in 2025? The answer depends on your audience, industry, and location. This guide will break down the best posting times by day of the week, industry, and country, plus expert strategies to optimize your content’s reach.

Why timing matters on YouTube

YouTube’s algorithm prioritizes content that generates high engagement quickly. That means videos that get early views, likes, comments, and shares are more likely to rank on the homepage and in search results.

According to SocialPilot, strategic posting times can help you:

Increase impressions and click-through rates (CTR).
Get featured in the recommended section.
Reach your audience when they are most active.
Improve watch time and overall video performance.

Best time to post on YouTube by day of the week

Studies from Buffer, QuickFrame, and SocialPilot indicate that engagement levels fluctuate throughout the week. Here’s a breakdown:

Monday: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. – People catch up after the weekend.
Tuesday: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Steady engagement similar to Monday.
Wednesday: 4 p.m. – Midweek break encourages more views.
Thursday: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Increased engagement leading into the weekend.
Friday: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. – Users browse before the weekend.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Best time for weekend watchers.
Sunday: 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. – Viewers unwind and seek entertainment.

Best time to post on YouTube by industry

Your niche significantly affects when your audience is online. Here’s when to post based on your content type (source: SocialPilot):

Gaming: 3 p.m., 7 p.m., 9 p.m. – Most active after school/work.
Education: 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 6 p.m. – Aligns with study hours.
Fitness & Health: 6 a.m., 10 a.m., 7 p.m. – Ideal for pre/post-workout routines.
Beauty & Fashion: 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 8 p.m. – Best during lunch breaks and evening browsing.
Technology: 8 a.m., 12 p.m., 6 p.m. – Peaks during work breaks.
Food & Cooking: 11 a.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. – Matches meal planning times.
Entertainment: 1 p.m., 5 p.m., 9 p.m. – Viewers watch for leisure.
Travel: 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 6 p.m. – Popular among trip planners.
Business & Finance: 7 a.m., 11 a.m., 6 p.m. – Fits professional schedules.
Kids Content: 8 a.m., 3 p.m., 7 p.m. – Matches school and bedtime routines.

Best time to post on YouTube by country

Different time zones affect audience engagement. Here’s when to post based on your primary audience’s location (WordStream):

United States: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. EST
United Kingdom: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. GMT
Australia: 8 a.m. – 11 a.m. AEST
India: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. IST

Pro Tip: Use YouTube Analytics to determine when your specific audience is online.

Best time and day to upload YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts behave a little differently. They’re short-form, mobile-first and often go viral faster than traditional videos.

For Shorts, the best time to upload is:

Early mornings (6 AM – 9 AM) or
Late evenings (7 PM – 10 PM)

And the best days? Still Friday through Sunday, but also Monday, when people scroll for a mood boost.

Why? Shorts live on YouTube’s homepage, in search results and in the Shorts shelf, so they’re exposed to massive audiences quickly. Timing them when people are commuting or winding down helps them land in that first wave of views.

Not sure how to craft a great short? Check out this guide on editing YouTube videos for beginners – perfect for new creators or anyone leveling up their Shorts game.

How to analyze your audience’s best time to watch

To get customized insights for your channel, follow these steps:

Go to YouTube Studio → Click on Analytics.
Under Audience, check “When your viewers are on YouTube.”
Identify the darkest purple bars – those are your peak engagement times.
Experiment by posting one hour before peak times to maximize early engagement.

(Source: Buffer)

Boost your videos with eye-catching thumbnails

Your thumbnail is the first impression viewers get. According to SocialPilot, videos with custom thumbnails see a higher click-through rate (CTR) than those with auto-generated images.

Use Picsart YouTube templates for professional thumbnails

Creating professional thumbnails is easy with Picsart YouTube Templates. These pre-made professionally designed templates allow you to create YouTube thumbnails that stop people from scrolling and catch people’s attention.

How customizing thumbnails can increase Click-Through Rates (CTR)

Don’t settle for the auto-generated pictures that YouTube creates from your video. Instead, use Picsart’s online design tools to design thumbnails that result in increased CTRs.

Some simple tips for creating outstanding thumbnails that get clicks include:

Use bold typography with Picsart Fonts
Add vibrant colors with Picsart Colors
Enhance images with Picsart’s Photo Editor
Create images with powerful text using Picsart’s Text Editor.

By customizing thumbnails, you can create a visual representation of your video that entices viewers to click and watch. This can significantly increase your CTR and ultimately lead to more views, likes, and subscribers for your channel.

Conclusion

Posting at the right time makes all the difference. To recap, here’s what you need to do:

Post based on your industry & audience habits, publish at the right time during peak traffic hours, analyze your analytics to determine the best posting times and days, and continuously test and adjust.

By following these tips, you can maximize your video’s reach and engagement on YouTube. Remember, consistency is key – keep creating quality content and posting at optimal times for the best results.