Social Media

What is the best time to post Youtube Shorts?

By Bastien, on January 28, 2023, updated on October 4, 2023 - 6 min read

Thanks to their short format and their efficiency, Youtube Shorts are becoming more and more popular.

So it’s natural that many content creators are paying close attention to it.

However, although this type of video is very effective, it is important to choose the right time to publish if you want them to be as successful as possible.

Debugbar explains everything you need to know about when to post your videos.

  • YouTube Shorts are short videos (60 s. max) which look like TikTok or Instagram Reels ones .
  • The best hour to publish your videos is between 6 p.m & 10 p.m on the business days and between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. on the week-end.
  • If you want your videos to be seen as much as possible it’s better to upload them on friday, saturday or wednesday.

To cut a long story short, here are the best times to post on YouTube Shorts :

  • The best time to post YouTube Shorts is between 6 PM & 10 PM on the weekdays and between 12 PM and 6 PM on the weekend
  • The best days to post YouTube Shorts are Monday and Tuesday

In details:

Day of the weekBest time to post
Monday and tuesday6 PM to 10 PM
Friday6 PM to 10 PM
Saturday3 PM to 6 PM
Sunday12 PM to 6 PM

In reality, it can be a little more complicated than that. So let’s delve into the details to better understand it all.

Why is it important to publish your YouTube Shorts at the right time?

At first glance, you might think that once a video is published, it will be accessible to everyone, no matter when you post it.

However, it is really important to post your video when people are in front of their computer or phone because the algorithms take this into account to make your video appear in their news feed.

Posting at the right time will allow you to:

  • Maximize engagement: If you post your videos when many users are using social media, it will have more views and be more likely to receive comments, likes, and shares, which can increase the engagement and visibility of your content.
  • Enjoy better visibility: When you upload a video on the platform when there is less competition, you are more likely to be at the top of search results and video suggestions, which can increase the visibility of your content.
  • Get your video seen by as many people as possible: If you choose a high traffic moment to post your video, you are more likely to receive views. This way, you can increase the visibility of your content and improve your ranking in search results.
  • Increase video performance on recommendation algorithms: YouTube’s algorithms take into account the performance of videos to suggest them to users. By choosing a good time to post, you can increase the chances of being recommended by these algorithms.

When should I post my YouTube Shorts in general?

Peak hours are generally considered the best time to post YouTube Shorts, as this is when the most users are online, using the platform.

In general, the best times to post are :

Day of the weekBest time to post
Friday6:00 PM, 7:00 PM, 8:00 PM, 9:00 PM (EST)
Saturday3:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM (EST)
Sunday12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM (EST)

Of course, this table is only indicative of the overall trend and the optimal posting time can vary greatly depending on the specific target audience, the content of the video, and the region you’re targeting.

So, for various reasons, you can choose to post your YouTube Shorts at different times. Let’s take a look at the best times to post, depending on the situation.

What is the best time of the day to post on YouTube Shorts?

Let’s be honest, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The optimal time for posting YouTube Shorts will largely depend on the location of your target audience, their preferred type of content, and usual connection habits.

However, let’s dig into some intriguing data from a 2022 survey by HubSpot, a reputed CRM platform. This research involved over 300 US-based marketers:

  • A notable 31% of respondents preferred to post between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.
  • 23% leaned towards the 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. time window.
  • 19% recommended the slot from noon to 3 p.m.

Interestingly, about 40% of surveyed marketing specialists were located in the Eastern Time Zone.

Taking into account your target country’s location and the preferences of your audience will allow you to determine the ideal posting time.

To sum up : The ideal time to post on YouTube is after business hours, when people are back home and unwinding. For both long content and Shorts, the best posting times are:

DayBest times to post
Monday6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Thursday6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Friday4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Sunday12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

What days of the week should I post my YouTube Shorts?

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are the prime days to post YouTube Shorts.

  • During weekends, the exact time for uploading videos doesn’t seem to matter as much.
  • For business days postings (Monday through Thursday), it’s advised to steer clear of uploading before midday and anytime after 9 p.m. These perceived best times for posting are based on marketers’ understanding of their audiences, and not on any official data provided by YouTube.

Remember, these trends can vary depending on the specific target audience and the type of content posted.

To sum up: The days that users are most active also vary by region, but generally, it’s Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

However, if your niche has a specific audience that is active at different times – like weekends – it may be worth exploring this.

What Frequency should I post?

This is a common question many content creators grapple with. There are two schools of thought when it comes to posting frequency: “Quantity before Quality” and “Quality before Quantity”.

For rapid growth and the potential for going viral, the general advice is to post 2 to 3 times per day. This might sound daunting for smaller creators, but fret not! You can still grow even at a much lesser posting frequency.

The key message here is: Consistency is King! Find a posting routine that suits you and stick with it. If you are aiming for a loyal audience base that’s genuinely interested in your offering, it’s recommended to prioritize quality.

The minimum recommended posting frequency is at least three times per week for optimal results. YouTube Shorts provide an efficient way to churn out quick content and gain visibility for your channel.

In an ideal world, uploading videos daily is recommended to maximize their impact. However, due to busy schedules, daily posting might not always be achievable.

How to determine the best time to post a Youtube Short Video?

When trying to find the best time for your YouTube Short post, there are a few factors you should consider.

  • Understand who your target audience is.
  • Consider your target audience country and time zone.
  • Consider the content of your YouTube video.
  • Check out what your competitors are doing.
  • Use analytics tools.

Understand who your target audience is

The first step in planning your posting schedule is understanding your audience.

  • Who are they?
  • What are their interests?
  • When are they most likely to be online?

The key to effective content is creating for a specific audience rather than taking a shot in the dark.

The more you know about your viewers, the better you can tailor your content and post times to them.

For example, if your target audience consists primarily of students, they might be most active on social media during after-school hours or on weekends.

Consider your target audience country and time zone

Knowing where your viewers are located is crucial in determining when to post your YouTube Shorts.

  • If the majority of your audience is based in the U.S., consider the peak online activity times across different time zones (Pacific, Central, Eastern).
  • If your viewers are spread across various regions, try to find a middle ground or consider rotating your posting schedule to cater to different audiences. For instance, if you have viewers in both Australia and the U.S., you might want to alternate between posting times that suit one region or the other.

Consider the content of your YouTube Short

The content of your YouTube Short can also influence the best time to post.

  • If your short video is a quick how-to guide or an educational piece, posting it during the day when people are likely to be seeking such information could work well.
  • If it’s entertainment-focused, such as a comedy skit or a music video, then it might be better to publish it in the evening when viewers are unwinding from their day and seeking some light-hearted content.

Always align your posting schedule with not just when your audience is online, but when they are most likely to be receptive to your specific type of content.

Check out what your competitors are doing

Keeping an eye on the competition is a smart strategy. Consider when your competitors post their videos and note the days and times that seem to generate the most engagement for them.

Evaluate what works for them and adapt it to fit your own content strategy. Remember, this is not about copying, it’s about learning from others in your field.

Use analytics tools

Finally, remember to utilize the power of analytics tools. YouTube’s own analytics can provide valuable insights into your audience’s behavior, including what times and days they are most likely to engage with your content.

Regularly study these metrics and adjust your posting schedule as needed. Remember that algorithms change and viewer habits can evolve, so it’s important to stay adaptable. Making decisions based on data rather than guesswork will significantly improve your chances of reaching and engaging your target audience.

In a nutshell, the best time to post is…

The best time to post YouTube Shorts videos will always depend on the type of content you produce and the specific behavior of your audience.

  • YouTube Shorts is a social media where you can post short videos like on TikTok or Instagram.
  • However, as a general rule, the optimal times are between 6pm and 10pm on Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday nights.
  • Keep in mind, however, that there are exceptions to this rule depending on the type of content you are publishing and your target audience.
  • Each YouTube Shorts channel is unique, so simply observe what works for you over time to clearly identify the best time to post a YouTube Short.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are YouTube Shorts?

YouTube Shorts are a new form of content on the platform that are 60 seconds or less in length. They’re similar to TikTok videos, and serve as a way for creators to share quick, engaging content with their audience.

2. Do the same posting times apply to regular YouTube videos?

No, these recommended times apply specifically to YouTube Shorts. Regular YouTube videos typically perform best when posted in the afternoon hours, between 2 p.m and 4 p.m.

3. How can I find out when my audience is online?

YouTube provides an analytics tool which can give you insight into when your audience is most active on the platform. This can help you determine the best time to post your content.

4. Is it better to post YouTube Shorts daily or weekly?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question as it largely depends on your content and audience. However, maintaining a consistent posting schedule is critical for engaging your audience and growing your channel. Whether that’s daily or weekly will depend on what’s achievable and sustainable for you.

5. Can I schedule YouTube Shorts to be posted at a specific time?

Yes, you can! Just like regular YouTube videos, you have the ability to schedule your YouTube Shorts. This feature can be particularly handy if you’re looking to post at peak times for different time zones.

Bastien