Best Times to Post Videos on YouTube, TikTok 2024

Want more views? Post at the right time. Here's the scoop for YouTube and TikTok in 2024:

YouTube:

• Best overall: Friday, 3-4 PM EST

• Weekdays: 2-4 PM EST

• Weekends: 9-11 AM EST

• Avoid: 1-6 AM daily

TikTok:

• Weekdays: Outside work hours

• Top times: Tuesday 2 AM, Friday 5 AM, Sunday 4 PM

But remember: Your audience might be different. Here's how to find YOUR best times:

1. Check platform analytics

2. Test different posting times

3. Track results and adjust

Key takeaways:

• Consistency trumps perfect timing

• Content quality matters most

• Be ready to adapt as platforms change

Quick Comparison:

Use these tips as a starting point, but always tailor your strategy to your unique audience and content.

Related video from YouTube

How YouTube and TikTok Show Videos

YouTube and TikTok use different systems to decide which videos to show users. Let's break them down:

YouTube's System

YouTube wants to keep you watching. Their algorithm looks at:

• How long you watch

• Likes, comments, and shares

• How often people click on a video

• If viewers seem happy

YouTube tries to match videos with people who'll like them. Here's the key: early views and engagement matter A LOT.

Want YouTube to recommend your videos? Try this:

• Use clear titles and tags

• Make eye-catching thumbnails

• Post when your audience is online

• Ask viewers to engage

TikTok's System

TikTok's "For You Page" (FYP) is all about YOU. It looks at:

• How you interact with videos

• Video details (captions, hashtags, sounds)

• Your device and account settings

TikTok is FAST at showing new content. This means when you post can make or break your video's success.

To do well on TikTok:

• Post when your audience is active

• Use relevant hashtags

• Make content people want to interact with

• Try different posting times and see what works

Both platforms LOVE early engagement. Post at the right time, and you'll have a better shot at reaching more people.

When to Post on YouTube

Want more views on YouTube? Timing matters. Here's the scoop on when to share your videos:

General Tips

Post weekdays between 2-4 PM EST. This gives YouTube time to index your video before people finish work or school.

On weekends? Aim for 9-11 AM EST. People check YouTube earlier on days off.

Avoid posting from 1-6 AM any day. Views are usually low then.

Best Times by Day

What Affects Posting Times?

1. Your audience: Check YouTube Analytics to see when your viewers are active.

2. Content type: Gaming videos might do well late at night. Educational content? Try afternoons.

3. Global viewers: Got international fans? Consider their time zones.

4. Seasonal changes: Viewer habits shift during holidays or summer breaks. Keep an eye on your stats.

These are just guidelines. Test different times and track your results. Use YouTube's analytics to find what works for your channel and audience.

When to Post on TikTok

TikTok's algorithm loves fresh content. So, when you post matters. A lot.

Here's the scoop:

Post when your followers are scrolling. Sounds obvious, right? But it's key.

If you've got fans worldwide, think about time zones. And don't overdo it - 1-4 posts a day is plenty.

Now, here's a cheat sheet for the best times to post:

But remember, these are just general trends. Your perfect schedule might be different.

What else matters?

1. Where your followers live

2. What kind of content you're posting

3. When people use TikTok (hint: morning, lunch, after work)

4. Weekdays vs. weekends (weekdays often win)

Want to nail your posting times? Here's how:

1. Check your TikTok Analytics

2. Try posting at different times

3. Keep track of what works

4. Tweak your strategy

It's not rocket science, but it does take some effort. Get it right, and you'll see your TikTok game level up.

Posting Times for Different Topics

Want your content to shine on YouTube and TikTok? Timing is key. Here's the scoop:

Cooking and Recipe Content

YouTube chefs, listen up:

• Saturdays = most views

• Sundays and Wednesdays = most likes

• Sunday late morning/early afternoon = engagement goldmine

Why? Weekend meal prep, anyone?

Pro tip: Drop those cooking vids on Saturday afternoons. You'll catch weekend watchers AND ride the Sunday engagement wave.

Healthcare on TikTok

Hospitals, here's your TikTok schedule:

Mondays and Wednesdays are your best bets. Skip Sundays.

Restaurants on TikTok

Restaurant content is HOT right now. Post when it sizzles:

Avoid Mondays like week-old leftovers.

Education

TikTok teachers:

• Thursday is your day

• 10 AM to 1 PM is prime time

• Weekends? Not so much

YouTube educators: Stick to weekdays when brains are in learning mode.

Travel & Hospitality on TikTok

Thursdays and Fridays are your jam. Sundays and Tuesdays? Not so much.

Gaming Content

YouTube gamers: Late afternoon is your sweet spot. That's when the big channels drop their content.

Trending Topics

For both platforms: The early bird gets the views. Post ASAP.

Entertainment and Humor

Evenings and weekends are your time to shine. That's when people want to laugh and unwind.

Tools to Help Find Good Posting Times

Want more views? Post at the right time. Here's how to figure that out for YouTube and TikTok.

YouTube's Built-in Tools

YouTube Studio is your best friend here:

• "Audience" tab: See when your viewers are online

• "Reach" tab: Find your most-viewed videos

• "Realtime" report: Track new video performance for 48 hours

Use these to spot when your audience is watching.

TikTok's Built-in Tools

TikTok's got your back too:

• Get a free Pro Account for TikTok Analytics

• "Follower Activity": When are your followers online?

• "Video Views": Which posts do well and when?

Look for patterns in these numbers.

Other Helpful Tools

Want more? Try these:

These tools can help you dig deeper and know your audience better.

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How to Find Your Best Posting Times

Want more views and engagement? Post when your audience is active. Here's how to figure that out:

Check Your Audience Data

Use built-in tools to see when your viewers are online:

• YouTube Studio: "Audience" tab shows viewer activity over the last 28 days.

• TikTok Analytics: "Followers" tab in Creator Tools reveals follower activity times. (Note: TikTok uses UTC, so convert to your time zone.)

Test Different Times

Post at various times and compare results:

1. Pick 3-4 posting times

2. Post similar content at each time

3. Compare views, likes, and comments after 24-48 hours

Track Your Results

Keep an eye on video performance:

• YouTube: Use "Realtime" report for the first 48 hours

• TikTok: Check "Video Views" to spot high-performing posts

• Look for patterns in engagement across different times

Adjust your schedule based on what you learn. Keep testing and refining for best results.

Posting Regularly vs. Posting at Peak Times

For YouTube and TikTok, balancing frequent posts with peak viewing times can boost your content's performance.

YouTube: Stick to a Schedule

On YouTube, consistency trumps perfect timing:

• The algorithm likes regular uploads

• Viewers know when to expect new content

• You're more likely to show up in "Recommended"

But don't ignore peak times. Try to post when your audience is online:

TikTok: Post Often

On TikTok, frequency is king:

• More posts = more visibility

• Aim for 1-3 posts daily

• The "For You" page loves fresh content

But don't sacrifice quality for quantity. Better to post less if it means better content.

Find Your Rhythm

To maximize reach on both platforms:

1. Set a schedule

Choose posting times you can stick to, even if they're not always peak hours.

2. Check your analytics

Use YouTube Studio and TikTok Analytics to see when your audience is most active.

3. Experiment

Try different posting times and track results. Look for engagement patterns.

4. Balance quantity and quality

Find a posting rhythm that keeps your content good without burning you out.

How Seasons and Holidays Affect Posting Times

Seasons and holidays shake up when you should post on YouTube and TikTok. Here's how to tweak your schedule:

Seasonal Shifts

Spring: People head outdoors, but still want travel content.

• Post travel videos 7-9 AM as folks plan their day

• Share outdoor stuff 7-9 PM when people relax

Summer: Engagement dips as everyone soaks up the sun.

• Post 6-8 AM or 9-11 PM to catch users before and after their day

• Focus on summer themes: vacation tips, outdoor recipes, beach fashion

Fall: Online activity bounces back.

• Back-to-school content in August, weekdays 3-6 PM

• Fall-themed videos on weekends, 10 AM-2 PM

Winter: Holiday season boosts engagement.

• Gift guides in November, weekdays 7-9 PM

• New Year's resolution videos late December/early January, 8-10 AM

Holiday Posting Strategy

Smart Moves

1. Dig into trending keywords. Example: "Christmas decor" hit 58,122 YouTube searches last December.

2. Keep it short and sweet. Busy seasons? Aim for 30-60 second videos.

3. Play the nostalgia card. A classic Christmas movie compilation racked up 5.3 million YouTube views last year.

4. Get ahead of the game. Start prepping seasonal content a month early.

5. Watch those numbers. Use YouTube Studio and TikTok Analytics to see how seasons mess with your usual best posting times.

What Might Change in the Future

The social media and video content world never stands still. Here's what could be on the horizon:

AI Picks Your Posting Times

Soon, AI might choose when you post each video. It'll look at your audience's behavior, your content type, and what's trending. So, your "best time" could be different for every video.

Live Content Takes Over

By 2025, live streaming could be huge. This might shake up viewing times:

• People might watch at odd hours

• "Prime time" could shift for global audiences

Short Videos Rule

Micro-videos are becoming king. This could mean:

• Posting multiple times daily becomes normal

• You'll need to grab attention in seconds

Platforms Keep Changing

Social media never stays the same. For example:

• TikTok faces bans in some countries

• YouTube pushes long videos and Shorts

These changes could flip when and how often you post.

New Tech, New Habits

As tech evolves, so does how we watch:

• AR and VR might create new "peak times"

• Voice-controlled video could shift viewing habits

Global Audience Growth

As more people worldwide get online:

• "Best times" might spread across time zones

• Cultural events could create new posting opportunities

Wrap-up

Posting at the right time can boost your video's visibility on YouTube and TikTok. Here's what you need to know:

YouTube:

• Best time: Friday, 3-4 p.m.

• Other good times: Tuesday 2 p.m., Thursday 6 p.m.

• Avoid: 1-6 a.m. daily

TikTok:

• Top times: Tuesday 4 p.m., Friday 8 a.m., Sunday 2 p.m.

• Weekday afternoons and evenings often work well

But here's the thing: these are just general guidelines. Your audience might be different.

So how do you find YOUR best posting times?

1. Check your platform analytics

2. Test different times

3. Track results and adjust

Here's a secret: consistency trumps perfect timing. Post regularly, and your audience will grow.

And remember - social media is always changing. What works now might not work later. Be ready to switch things up.

One last tip: focus on making GREAT content. The best posting time won't save a boring video. Create stuff people WANT to watch, then use these timing tips to help them find it.

FAQs

What's the sweet spot for YouTube posting?

Weekdays: 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Weekends: Late mornings

That's what a Hubspot survey of 1,000+ marketers found. But here's the thing: YOUR audience might be different. Dive into your YouTube Analytics to see when your viewers are actually watching.

How often should I hit 'post' on TikTok?

TikTok says 1-4 times a day. Yep, that's more than Instagram Reels (3-5 posts per week).

But remember:

• Quality trumps quantity

• Stick to a schedule

• Experiment and see what clicks with your audience

Cracking the TikTok timing code?

Here's how to nail your TikTok posting times:

1. Check your TikTok Analytics for peak follower activity

2. Try these hot times (ET):

1. Keep tabs on how your posts perform

2. Tweak your schedule based on what works

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