13
TIL that timing your posts to 8 AM EST instead of random times doubled my engagement overnight
I used to just throw my stuff up whenever I finished it, usually around 10 PM or 11 PM my time (west coast). Then I noticed a buddy who posts fishing videos kept getting way more reach than me even with less followers. He told me he schedules everything for 8 AM Eastern. I tested it last Thursday with a short clip about tying a specific knot. Before that change, my average was around 120 views in 24 hours. That one post hit 800. Algorithm just seems to push morning posts harder, maybe because more people are scrolling then? Has anyone else found a specific time window that works better for their niche?
4 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In4 Comments
bailey.jennifer7d ago
This is interesting but I wonder if the 8 AM EST window works best for general audiences whereas niche communities like woodworking or fishing might actually peak later in the evening. The algorithm might push morning posts harder because that's when casual scroll traffic is highest, but dedicated hobbyists often dig into content after dinner when they actually have time to watch and interact. You might try a split test where you post one video at 8 AM and another at 8 PM and see which one brings in people who actually leave comments and follow back.
9
Right? I had the EXACT same thing happen with my gardening posts. I used to just drop them at midnight thinking nobody cares but then I tried 8 AM and suddenly people were actually commenting instead of just lurking. It's wild how much the timing matters even if the content is the same.
6
the_robin7d ago
Oh, I actually just heard about this on a podcast the other day. They said engagement peaks around 8-9 AM on weekdays because people check their phones during commutes before they get busy. But yeah, your point about hobbyists later in the evening makes sense too, I guess it really depends on who you're trying to reach.
1
anthonynelson6d ago
My buddy who runs a small motorcycle channel tried this exact thing. He had been posting at 9 PM Pacific after he got off his shift and was lucky to break 50 views. He switched to 8 AM Eastern and his next video about carb cleaning hit 2,000 views in the first day, which he still brings up every time we grab a beer.
1