Why YouTube is different from TikTok or Instagram
YouTube videos have a much longer discovery tail than a TikTok or Instagram post, they can keep getting recommended weeks or months after publishing, especially through search and suggested video placement. That changes the calculus: the exact publish hour matters far less than on platforms with a short engagement window.
What actually predicts a video's reach
Click-through rate (ideally 4%+) and audience retention (ideally 50%+) are the two metrics YouTube weighs most heavily. A video with a strong thumbnail, title and opening hook will outperform a mediocre video regardless of when it was published.
A reasonable timing baseline anyway
General guidance suggests afternoons and early evenings, particularly Thursday through Saturday, tend to see solid initial viewership for many channels, since that's when audiences have more leisure browsing time. But checking your own Audience tab in YouTube Studio for when your specific viewers are online is more reliable than any generic recommendation.
Consistency compounds more than timing
A predictable upload schedule helps YouTube's recommendation system learn when to expect new content from your channel, and helps your audience build a habit around checking in. That consistency matters more than nailing an exact hour on any single upload.