YouTube can be overwhelming. With millions of people uploading and watching videos, making your video stand out seems like an impossible task. There are a few things you can do, though, to give your videos, and your channel, an edge among all the other videos out there. Beyond simply producing engaging content, you'll need to know what your audience is looking for, and when they're doing it. In short, the best time to post to YouTube is when your audience is there to find it.
So when is that?
Timing matters
Timing when to post your YouTube video might be the last thing on your mind, but it is something that you need to consider when uploading your content. Just like anything else, YouTube's viewership ebbs and flows through peak times. Recent studies have found that YouTube's best and busiest times are anywhere between Thursday night and Sunday night.
That tracks with YouTube's audience, who are mostly school-age teens or young adults. Thursday night through Sunday night are their free time, for the most part.
There are also times of the year when YouTube's viewership falls a bit. Usually once in May, and again in September, during traditional times when people are transitioning from school, or back to school.
To take full advantage of YouTube's peak viewing times, you need to tailor your uploads to reach the audience at the right time.
Best times to post
Typically, you want to post just before the peak viewing times in order to get on feeds when people are looking for things to watch. Most of your audience is going to be on YouTube any time between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., so you'll want to get your video up and ready for them shortly before that.
YouTube needs some time to get your video out to suggested pages, as well. This is where you get new subscribers, so you want to take full advantage of that time.
The best time to post is between 2 and 4 p.m. on Thursday or Friday afternoons. If you must post on weekends, then post before 9 a.m. Viewers are not watching as late on weekends, typically.
Be consistent
Whenever you decide to upload your videos, do it at the same time every week. That consistency will keep you front and center in the viewer's mind, and on their feeds.
YouTube even has a scheduler that will help you keep on track, so it's best to have several videos ready, and waiting, to upload at any given time. Make use of the scheduler; it is one of YouTube's best tools to gain and keep subscribers.
Viewers like to know what's coming, and by being consistent about your videos, you give them something to look forward to. Even those who haven't subscribed yet will start seeing your videos consistently pop up on their feeds.
Post multiple times a week if you have the content for it. More videos increases your chances of being seen. Taking advantage of weekday evening viewers by posting on Thursday afternoon, and then posting again on Saturday or Sunday morning will give you the best chance of being seen.
Tell your viewers when you will be posting. It creates anticipation, but don't skip a scheduled upload time unless you tell your viewers that you won't be posting that day. Viewers are more likely to subscribe, and stay subscribed, if they know that they can count on you for consistent content.
In short, it does matter when you post, if you want to be seen during peak viewing times. (And that should be your goal!) Posting consistently, and often, will go hand in hand with doing so during the best times.
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