Why You Should Stop Posting Shorts at the Same Time as Regular Videos

The best time to post regular YouTube videos is not the same as the best time to post shorts, and I have the data to prove that. At Buffer, we just analyzed more than 2 million YouTube videos, both long-form and shorts, to find the exact times that people are most likely to engage. Our data pretty clearly shows that shorts and long-form videos probably shouldn't be posted in tandem. Long-form videos tend to peak in the morning, especially Sundays, but shorts are the complete opposite. Shorts tend to get more engagement in the evening, and Friday absolutely dominates. The top three slots for shorts are all on Friday afternoon and evening. It makes sense when you think about it. People are scrolling shorts to unwind. They're looking for idle entertainment rather than something specific. They probably watch long-form videos, on the other hand, with a purpose. So, they're more likely to do that with their morning coffee on a Sunday to learn a new skill or check in with their favorite creator. So, if, like me, you are posting both formats, schedule them at opposite ends of the day. If you need more ideal posting times for both long-form videos and shorts, head over to our YouTube channel or the Buffer blog for the full breakdown.