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:
Check platform analytics
Test different posting times
Track results and adjust
Key takeaways:
Consistency trumps perfect timing
Content quality matters most
Be ready to adapt as platforms change
Quick Comparison:
Platform | Best Days | Best Times (EST) | Posting Frequency |
---|---|---|---|
YouTube | Friday | 3-4 PM | 1-2 times per week |
TikTok | Weekdays | Varies (see above) | 1-4 times per day |
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
Day | Best Time (EST) |
---|---|
Monday | 5 PM |
Tuesday | 2 PM |
Wednesday | 9 AM |
Thursday | 6 PM |
Friday | 3 PM |
Saturday | 4 PM |
Sunday | 11 AM |
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:
Day | Best Times (EST) |
---|---|
Monday | 6 AM, 10 AM, 10 PM |
Tuesday | 2 AM, 4 AM, 9 AM |
Wednesday | 7 AM, 8 AM, 11 PM |
Thursday | 9 AM, 12 PM, 7 PM |
Friday | 5 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM |
Saturday | 11 AM, 7 PM, 8 PM |
Sunday | 7 AM, 8 AM, 4 PM |
But remember, these are just general trends. Your perfect schedule might be different.
What else matters?
Where your followers live
What kind of content you're posting
When people use TikTok (hint: morning, lunch, after work)
Weekdays vs. weekends (weekdays often win)
Want to nail your posting times? Here's how:
Check your TikTok Analytics
Try posting at different times
Keep track of what works
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:
Day | Prime Time (EST) |
---|---|
Monday | 5-8 PM |
Tuesday | 4 PM |
Wednesday | 2-4 PM, 5 PM |
Thursday | 2 PM |
Mondays and Wednesdays are your best bets. Skip Sundays.
Restaurants on TikTok
Restaurant content is HOT right now. Post when it sizzles:
Day | Best Times (EST) |
---|---|
Tuesday | 3-5 PM |
Wednesday | 3-6 PM |
Thursday | 3-6 PM |
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
Day | Golden Hours (EST) |
---|---|
Friday | 2 PM, 4 PM |
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:
Tool | What It Does | Best For |
---|---|---|
Social Champ | Bulk uploads, tracks performance | TikTok scheduling |
Keyhole | Tracks competitors, analyzes hashtags | Finding hot topics |
SocialBee | AI captions, deep analytics | Content creation and analysis |
VidIQ | Optimizes content, analyzes competitors | YouTube strategy |
TubeBuddy | Tests titles and thumbnails | YouTube optimization |
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
Time | Views | Likes | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
9 AM | 1,000 | 50 | 10 |
2 PM | 1,500 | 75 | 15 |
8 PM | 2,000 | 100 | 20 |
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:
Day | Best Time to Post |
---|---|
Monday-Friday | 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. |
Saturday-Sunday | 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. |
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
Holiday | When to Post | What to Post |
---|---|---|
Valentine's Day | Feb 13-14, 7-9 PM | Date ideas, gift guides |
Easter | Week before, 10 AM-12 PM | DIY decor, egg hunt tips |
Halloween | Oct 25-31, 6-8 PM | Costume how-tos, spooky tales |
Thanksgiving | Nov 20-25, 11 AM-1 PM | Recipes, family activities |
Christmas | Dec 15-24, 8-10 PM | Gift wrapping, holiday traditions |
Smart Moves
Dig into trending keywords. Example: "Christmas decor" hit 58,122 YouTube searches last December.
Keep it short and sweet. Busy seasons? Aim for 30-60 second videos.
Play the nostalgia card. A classic Christmas movie compilation racked up 5.3 million YouTube views last year.
Get ahead of the game. Start prepping seasonal content a month early.
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?
Check your platform analytics
Test different times
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:
Check your TikTok Analytics for peak follower activity
Try these hot times (ET):
Day | Prime Time |
---|---|
Monday | 6 a.m., 10 a.m., 10 p.m. |
Tuesday | 2 a.m., 4 a.m., 9 a.m. |
Wednesday | 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 11 p.m. |
Thursday | 9 a.m., 12 a.m., 7 p.m. |
Friday | 5 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. |
Saturday | 11 a.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. |
Sunday | 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 4 p.m. |
Keep tabs on how your posts perform
Tweak your schedule based on what works