With the increasing popularity of YouTube’s answer to TikTok, YouTube Shorts, content creators everywhere are curious about the best time to post their videos to reach their target audience. Unlike TikTok, YouTube Shorts does not have a "For You" page that curates content for users, so the timing of your posts can play a vital role in determining the success of your Shorts.

While there is no magical one-size-fits-all answer, we’re here to help you understand that your audience's behavior and preferences hold the key to optimizing your post timing, and how to leverage them to your advantage.

Depending on factors including your target audience's location, age group, and interests, the best time to post YouTube Shorts will vary. The good news is that the competition on YouTube Shorts is less fierce than on TikTok, making it possible to experiment with different posting times and see what works best for your channel.

Does the timing of your YouTube Short matter?

The first few hours after posting are the most critical for your content. This is when YouTube’s algorithm will determine whether your Short is worthy of being seen on a large scale. Posting at a time when your target audience is the most active on the platform can improve the visibility of your video, increase engagement, and ultimately help you build a loyal follower base.

Researching your audience's demographics and behavior can help you identify the best time to post YouTube Shorts. You can also experiment with posting at different times and analyze the results to determine the optimal time for engagement.

When it comes to YouTube Shorts, the timing of your post can certainly play a role in its success, but believe it or not, it’s less important than other factors. The algorithm considers the bigger picture when determining the visibility of a video, including the relevance of the content, the viewer's interests, and existing engagement with the video.

When all is said and done, if you focus on creating high-quality Shorts and optimizing them to reach your target audience, the algorithm will reward you with more visibility and engagement.

The standards: What are the best times to post YouTube Shorts in general?

When it comes to the best times to post YouTube Shorts, it's important to consider your specific niche and target audience. However, on a large scale,  there are a few general guidelines that can help you maximize your views and engagement.

Sports and entertainment 🏀

For sports and entertainment content, the best times to post are typically during lunch or in the late afternoon. This is because people are more likely to be checking their phones during breaks at work or school, and are primed for a quick distraction or entertainment fix.

As many sports events take place in the evening, posting earlier in the day can provide viewers with a chance to catch up on highlights and news before the game or event starts.

Business, finance, and career 💼

The optimal time to post business, finance, and career-related content is typically first thing in the morning. Many people start their day by checking their email and social media and may be looking for motivation or insights to help them with their work or career goals.

In addition, publishing your content early in the morning also gives it a chance to gain traction throughout the day, as people share and engage with it.

News and commentary 🎙

When it comes to news and commentary-based content, the best time to post YouTube Shorts is also typically first thing in the morning. Many people start their day by catching up on the latest news and events and are more likely to engage with content that provides insights or analysis.

Posting early in the day gives your content a chance to be shared and discussed throughout the day.

Lifestyle 🧘‍♀️

If you’re trying to make a name for yourself in the lifestyle niche, the best time to post YouTube Shorts is typically in the evening. This is when most people are seeking entertainment and relaxation after a long day, and may be more likely to engage with content that helps them unwind or learn new skills.

In addition, posting your video in the evening gives your content a chance to be shared and discussed within their household while they’re spending time together before going to bed.

Gaming 🎮

When it comes to the world of gaming, the golden window for posting is also typically in the evening. This is because many gamers are students or have jobs during the day, and may be more likely to have time to watch and engage with content in the evening.

Posting gaming-related content later in the day provides an opportunity for it to be shared and discussed throughout the night, as viewers discuss strategies and tips for the games you're focusing on

For the best results, experiment with the help of the right tools

It's important to keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and the best times to post YouTube Shorts can vary based on your specific niche and target audience. For example, if your target audience is located in a different time zone, you may need to adjust your posting times accordingly.

Additionally, if you're just starting out and have a smaller following, it may be beneficial to experiment with posting a few hours earlier than the recommended times, as this can give your content a chance to stand out in a less crowded field.

Unfortunately, the manual process of posting Youtube Shorts can make it hard to get the most out of your post time experiments. To make the most of your experimentation, why not take an AI video editor like OpusClip for a test drive?  This intelligent platform can automatically schedule your content throughout the day, and test different posting times without the need to compromise your personal and professional commitments in favor of manually uploading each video.

How to find the best post time for your niche

In order to determine the best posting times for your niche YouTube Shorts, it's essential to conduct research and gather data to optimize your content's engagement and visibility. Here are some tips to help you find the best time for posting your YouTube Shorts according to your niche.

Size up the competition

The first step to finding the best time to post YouTube Shorts is to analyze your competitors. Research channels that have similar content and audience demographics to yours. Take note of their post times and engagement rates.

By doing this, you can get an idea of when your audience is most active and engaged. Learning from other creators who have already experimented with different posting times can give you a shortcut, saving time and energy in the trial-and-error phase.

Take advantage of YouTube Analytics

YouTube provides some of the most in-depth analytics of any content platform. Take advantage of this data to see which post times generate the most engagement for your Shorts. Analyze your engagement rates for each Short you've posted, and see if there are any patterns that emerge, in terms of which times of day or days of the week perform best. You may find that certain days or times consistently result in higher views, likes, and comments. Through an iterative process, you can use analytics to determine the best time to post YouTube Shorts for your niche.

Experiment, experiment, experiment

Once you've gathered data from your competitors and analytics, it's time to conduct your own experiment. Try posting your Shorts at different times of day, on different days of the week, and even on additional platforms such as TikTok or Instagram Reels. Monitor your results, track your engagement rates, and adjust your strategy accordingly.

Consider international time zones

Keep in mind that your audience may be located in different time zones. Be sure to post at a time that accounts for your target demographic's lifestyle. If your audience is made up of a significant number of viewers in other countries, you may need to adjust your posting schedule to accommodate multiple time zones.