How to Schedule YouTube Videos (Step-by-Step Guide)

Yes—you can schedule YouTube videos in advance using YouTube Studio (free) or third-party tools that add batch uploading, cross-platform posting, and advanced analytics. In this guide, I'll show you exactly how to schedule YouTube videos, optimize your upload times, and maintain a consistent posting schedule that grows your channel.

If you're creating YouTube content, you know the struggle: filming, editing, writing titles, designing thumbnails, adding descriptions, tags, and end screens—all while trying to upload at optimal times (2-4 PM on weekdays). Manually uploading every video is time-consuming and makes consistency nearly impossible.

The solution? Schedule your YouTube videos in advance. Film and edit in batches, then schedule uploads weeks ahead. This guide covers YouTube Studio's free scheduler (desktop-only) and third-party tools that unlock batch uploading, mobile scheduling, and cross-platform posting to Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram simultaneously.

TL;DR

• Yes, you can schedule YouTube videos using YouTube Studio (free) or third-party tools
• Schedule any video type: tutorials, vlogs, reviews, livestream replays, Shorts (vertical videos)
• YouTube Studio lets you schedule up to 100 videos in advance (free)
• Third-party tools add batch uploading, cross-platform posting, and unified calendars
• AI-powered scheduling auto-generates video titles, descriptions, tags, and thumbnails
• Best times to upload: Tuesday-Thursday, 2-4 PM in your audience's timezone
• Batch scheduling saves 8-12 hours per week for consistent creators

Quick Jump Links

• Can You Schedule YouTube Videos? (Yes—Here's How)
• How to Schedule YouTube Videos Using YouTube Studio (Free)
• How to Schedule YouTube Videos (Step-by-Step)
• Third-Party YouTube Schedulers (Advanced Features)
• Best Times to Schedule YouTube Videos
• YouTube Video SEO Checklist
• Troubleshooting: Why My Scheduled Video Didn't Upload
• FAQs: Scheduling YouTube Videos

Save 8-12 hours weekly: Try PostEverywhere's YouTube scheduler to batch upload videos, schedule across platforms, and auto-post at optimal times. Start your free trial →

Why Schedule YouTube Videos?

According to YouTube's Creator Insider updates, channels that upload consistently (2-3 videos per week on the same days/times) see 40% higher subscriber retention than sporadic uploaders. But creating and manually uploading videos daily burns creators out.

Scheduling YouTube videos in advance solves this by letting you:

• Batch your entire workflow: Film 4 videos in one day, edit them in batches, then schedule for the entire month
• Upload at optimal times: Your videos go live at 3 PM on Tuesday even if you're traveling or in client meetings
• Maintain upload consistency: Never miss your Tuesday/Thursday schedule because of illness, vacation, or creative blocks
• Reduce upload stress: Set your content calendar once per month instead of scrambling daily
• Focus on quality over logistics: Spend less time on uploading, more time on scripting, editing, and audience engagement

For creators uploading 3+ videos per week, batch scheduling saves 8-12 hours weekly. That's 48+ hours per month you can reinvest in content quality, community engagement, or monetization strategies.

Learn more about content planning strategies.

Can You Schedule YouTube Videos? (Yes—Here's How)

Yes. YouTube Studio supports scheduling for all video types:

• Regular videos (tutorials, vlogs, reviews, how-tos)
• Shorts (vertical videos under 60 seconds) - see our Shorts guide
• Livestream replays (after your live stream ends)
• Premieres (scheduled watch parties with countdown)
• Made for Kids content (with restricted features)

What you can schedule:

• ✅ Upload videos up to 12 hours long (or 15 minutes for unverified accounts)
• ✅ Set exact publish date and time (up to months in advance)
• ✅ Add title, description, tags, thumbnail, end screens, cards before publishing
• ✅ Schedule up to 100 videos in YouTube Studio's queue
• ✅ Edit or delete scheduled uploads anytime before they go live

What you cannot do:

• ❌ Cannot schedule videos from YouTube mobile app (must use desktop/web)
• ❌ Cannot schedule Community posts separately (they auto-publish when video goes live)
• ❌ Cannot schedule Shorts with in-app audio (must upload pre-edited Shorts)

Third-party tools like PostEverywhere work with YouTube's API to add batch uploading, mobile scheduling, and cross-platform posting to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X simultaneously.

How to Schedule YouTube Videos Using YouTube Studio (Free)

YouTube's native scheduler is called YouTube Studio. It's free, works on desktop/web, and supports scheduling for all video types.

Requirements:

1. YouTube channel (personal or brand account)
2. Desktop or laptop (scheduling not available on mobile app)
3. Internet connection (videos upload to YouTube's servers)
4. Verified account (for videos >15 minutes; verify at youtube.com/verify)

Limitations:

• Desktop-only: Cannot schedule from YouTube mobile app
• One at a time: Must schedule each video individually (no bulk upload)
• No mobile editing: Cannot schedule videos created in YouTube mobile app with music (must pre-edit and upload)
• Limited analytics: No unified dashboard for scheduled vs published content
• No cross-platform: Cannot schedule to other platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn)

Workaround for batch scheduling: Use a third-party tool like PostEverywhere to batch upload 5-10 videos at once and schedule them with one click.

How to Schedule YouTube Videos (Step-by-Step)

Method 1: YouTube Studio (Free, Desktop)

Step 1: Prepare Your Video

Before scheduling, ensure your video is:

• Edited and exported (MP4 or MOV format recommended)
• Titled with a keyword-rich filename (YouTube reads this)
• Under 256GB file size (or 12 hours length for verified accounts)

Pro tip: Name your file with the video title before uploading. Example: How-to-Schedule-YouTube-Videos-Tutorial.mp4. YouTube uses this for initial metadata.

Step 2: Access YouTube Studio

1. Go to studio.youtube.com
2. Sign in to your YouTube account
3. Click "Create" (top-right, camera icon with + symbol)
4. Select "Upload videos"

Step 3: Upload Your Video

1. Drag and drop your video file OR click "SELECT FILES"
2. Wait for upload to complete (processing happens in background)
3. While uploading, YouTube shows a progress bar (large files may take 10-60 minutes)

Pro tip: Upload videos during off-peak hours (late night, early morning) for faster processing.

Step 4: Add Video Details

Fill in these critical SEO fields:

Title (100 characters max):

• Include your primary keyword near the beginning
• Make it clickable and benefit-focused
• Example: "How to Schedule YouTube Videos (Save 8+ Hours Weekly)"

Description (5,000 characters max):

• First 2-3 sentences appear in search results (include keywords here)
• Add timestamps for longer videos (improves watch time)
• Include links to related videos, playlists, your website
• Add call-to-action (subscribe, comment, check description)

Example description:

Learn how to schedule YouTube videos using YouTube Studio or advanced scheduling tools. This tutorial shows you how to batch upload videos, optimize upload times, and maintain consistent posting schedules.

🕐 TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 Introduction
0:45 Why schedule YouTube videos
2:15 How to use YouTube Studio scheduler
5:30 Best times to upload videos
8:20 Advanced scheduling tools

🔗 RELATED VIDEOS:
- How to Schedule YouTube Shorts: [link]
- Best Time to Upload YouTube Videos: [link]

📲 TOOLS MENTIONED:
- YouTube Studio: https://studio.youtube.com
- PostEverywhere YouTube Scheduler: [link]

👉 Subscribe for weekly YouTube growth tips!

Thumbnail:

• Click "Upload thumbnail"
• Use 1280x720 resolution (16:9 ratio)
• Under 2MB file size
• Eye-catching design with text overlay (70% of clicks come from thumbnails)

Pro tip: Design 3-4 thumbnail options in Canva, test which performs best, then use that style for future videos.

Step 5: Add Tags (Optional but Recommended)

• Click "SHOW MORE" under description
• Add 10-15 relevant tags (focus on long-tail keywords)
• Include your brand/channel name as a tag
• Example tags: "schedule youtube videos", "youtube scheduling tool", "batch upload youtube", "[your channel name]"

Step 6: Set Video Visibility

Instead of clicking "Public", select "Schedule":

1. Click the "Schedule" radio button
2. Choose your date (calendar picker)
3. Choose your time (hour and minute)
4. Select timezone (defaults to your account timezone)
5. Click "SCHEDULE" button (bottom-right)

Your video will automatically publish at the selected date/time.

Pro tip: Schedule videos for 2-4 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday for highest initial views (more on this below).

Step 7: Add End Screens & Cards (Optional)

While video is scheduled:

1. Go to "Content" tab in YouTube Studio
2. Find your scheduled video
3. Click "Details" → "End screen"
4. Add subscribe button, related videos, playlists
5. Click "Save"

End screens boost watch time and subscriber conversion by 20-30% for most channels.

Method 2: Third-Party Tools (Batch Scheduling)

Popular YouTube schedulers:

• PostEverywhere - Batch upload, cross-platform posting, unified calendar
• Hootsuite - Team collaboration features
• Buffer - Simple scheduling interface
• TubeBuddy - YouTube-specific optimization tools

Advantages of third-party tools:

• ✅ Batch upload: Upload 5-10 videos at once, schedule all in one session
• ✅ Mobile app: Schedule from phone while creating content on-the-go
• ✅ Cross-platform: Post to YouTube + Facebook + LinkedIn + Instagram simultaneously
• ✅ Unified calendar: See all scheduled content (YouTube, social media, blog posts) in one view
• ✅ Team collaboration: Multiple team members can schedule, approve, and manage uploads
• ✅ Advanced analytics: Track performance across platforms, identify best posting times

How PostEverywhere works:

1. Upload 5-10 videos at once
2. AI suggests titles, descriptions, tags for each video
3. Schedule all videos with optimized times (Tuesday 3 PM, Thursday 3 PM, etc.)
4. Videos auto-publish to YouTube, and teasers post to Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram

Try PostEverywhere's YouTube scheduler free for 7 days.

Third-Party YouTube Schedulers (Advanced Features)

Beyond YouTube Studio's basic scheduling, third-party tools unlock:

1. Batch Video Upload

Upload 5-10 videos simultaneously and schedule them for the entire week or month in one session.

Why this matters: Filming in batches is efficient (same location, lighting, energy), but manually uploading each video individually wastes hours. Batch uploading saves 4-6 hours per week.

How it works:

1. Select 5-10 edited videos from your computer
2. Upload all at once
3. AI auto-generates titles, descriptions, tags based on video content
4. Schedule all videos with optimal times (auto-suggests best days/times)
5. Videos publish automatically to YouTube

Tools with batch upload:

• PostEverywhere (5-10 videos)
• TubeBuddy (5 videos with pro plan)
• Hootsuite (3-5 videos)

2. Cross-Platform Video Posting

Upload once, publish everywhere: YouTube (full video) + Facebook (teaser) + LinkedIn (professional snippet) + Instagram Reels (short clip).

Why this matters: Repurposing video content maximizes ROI on production time. Instead of creating separate content for each platform, schedule one video to auto-adapt and post to 4+ platforms.

How it works:

1. Upload long-form YouTube video
2. AI extracts 60-second highlight reel for Instagram/TikTok
3. Generates platform-specific captions (professional for LinkedIn, casual for Instagram)
4. Schedules YouTube full video + social media teasers simultaneously

Tools with cross-platform:

• PostEverywhere (YouTube + 6 platforms)
• Hootsuite (YouTube + 3 platforms)
• Buffer (YouTube + 4 platforms)

3. AI-Powered Metadata Generation

Automatically generate:

• Video titles optimized for YouTube search
• Descriptions with timestamps, keywords, links
• Tags based on video transcript and trending keywords
• Thumbnail suggestions based on high-performing designs

Why this matters: Writing titles, descriptions, and tags for every video is tedious. AI can generate 80% of metadata in seconds, saving 30-45 minutes per video.

How it works:

1. Upload video
2. AI analyzes video content, audio transcript, and trending keywords
3. Generates 3-5 title options, full description with timestamps, and 15 tags
4. You edit and approve (or accept AI suggestions)

Tools with AI generation:

• PostEverywhere's AI scheduler (titles, descriptions, tags, captions)
• TubeBuddy (tags and title suggestions)
• VidIQ (keyword research and tags)

4. Mobile Scheduling

Schedule YouTube videos from your phone (most native YouTube app doesn't support scheduling).

Why this matters: If you film content on your phone, you can edit in mobile apps (CapCut, InShot) and schedule immediately—no need to transfer to desktop.

Tools with mobile apps:

• PostEverywhere (iOS + Android)
• Hootsuite (iOS + Android)
• Buffer (iOS + Android)

Best Times to Schedule YouTube Videos

According to Hootsuite's Social Media Trends Report and our analysis of 500+ YouTube channels:

Best Days to Upload:

1. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (highest engagement)

• Viewers are in "work mode" and searching for tutorials, reviews, educational content
• Less competition than Friday-Sunday (when entertainment videos peak)

2. Saturday, Sunday (longer watch sessions)

• Viewers have more free time for long-form content
• Great for entertainment, vlogs, storytelling content

Avoid Mondays: Lowest engagement (people catching up on work/emails after weekend)

Best Times to Upload:

Optimal upload window: 2-4 PM (in your audience's timezone)

Why this works:

• Videos index and start appearing in search/suggested within 1-2 hours
• By 5-6 PM (after work/school), your video is ready for prime viewing time
• Catches both afternoon viewers AND evening viewers

Alternative times:

• 12-1 PM: Lunch break viewers (good for short videos under 10 minutes)
• 7-9 PM: Evening viewers (good for entertainment content)

Avoid:

• Late night (11 PM-6 AM): Low viewership, videos "age" before prime time
• Early morning (6-9 AM): Viewers are busy with commute/work

By Content Type:

Content Type	Best Day(s)	Best Time
Tutorials/How-tos	Tuesday-Thursday	2-4 PM
Product Reviews	Tuesday, Wednesday	12-3 PM
Entertainment/Vlogs	Friday-Sunday	5-8 PM
Gaming Content	Friday-Saturday	6-10 PM
Educational/Documentary	Monday-Wednesday	2-4 PM
News/Commentary	Monday-Thursday	9 AM-12 PM

Pro tip: Check your YouTube Analytics → Audience tab → "When your viewers are on YouTube" to see your channel-specific peak times.

Scheduling Strategy for Growth:

Beginner channels (0-1,000 subscribers):

• Upload 2 videos per week (Tuesday 3 PM, Thursday 3 PM)
• Consistency matters more than quantity for small channels

Growing channels (1,000-10,000 subscribers):

• Upload 3 videos per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 3 PM)
• Add 1 Short per day for discovery (schedule Shorts at 7 PM)

Established channels (10,000+ subscribers):

• Upload 3-5 videos per week (consistent schedule, same days/times)
• Diversify content: Mix tutorials + entertainment + trending topics

Pro tip: Once you find a schedule that works (e.g., Tuesday/Thursday at 3 PM), stick with it for 2-3 months. YouTube's algorithm rewards consistency.

Learn more: Best Time to Schedule YouTube Videos

YouTube Video SEO Checklist

Before scheduling, optimize your video for discovery:

Title Optimization:

• Include primary keyword in first 5 words
• Keep under 60 characters (avoids truncation in search results)
• Use numbers, brackets, or parentheses for higher CTR
• Example: "How to Schedule YouTube Videos (Save 8+ Hours)"

Description Optimization:

• First 2-3 sentences include target keyword 2-3 times
• Add timestamps for videos over 5 minutes
• Include 3-5 internal links (to your other videos/playlists)
• Add call-to-action (subscribe, comment, visit website)
• Use bold or CAPS for important sections
• Include 3-5 hashtags at bottom (#YouTubeTips #VideoMarketing)

Thumbnail Optimization:

• 1280x720 resolution (16:9 ratio)
• Bright, high-contrast colors
• Readable text (even on mobile screens)
• Face with emotion (if applicable) - boosts CTR by 20-30%
• Consistent branding (same style/colors across videos)

Tags Optimization:

• 10-15 tags total
• Mix broad tags ("youtube tips") + specific tags ("how to schedule youtube videos")
• Include misspellings/variations ("youtube scheduling", "schedule youtube uploads")
• Add your channel name as a tag

End Screen & Cards:

• Add subscribe button (top-right corner)
• Link to 2 related videos (for binge-watching)
• Add playlist link (for topic-specific content)
• Include call-to-action ("Watch this next" or "Subscribe for more")

Troubleshooting: Why My Scheduled Video Didn't Upload

Common Issues:

1. Video Still Processing

• Problem: Large videos (1GB+) can take 2-8 hours to process
• Fix: Upload videos 12-24 hours before scheduled time, not 1-2 hours
• Check: YouTube Studio → Content → Video shows "Processing" status

2. Copyright Claim or Community Guidelines Strike

• Problem: YouTube flags video for copyrighted music, visuals, or policy violations
• Fix: Check email for YouTube notification, appeal claim, or re-upload without copyrighted content
• Check: YouTube Studio → Content → Video shows "Copyright claim" or "Restricted"

3. Account Not Verified (for videos >15 minutes)

• Problem: Unverified accounts cannot upload videos over 15 minutes
• Fix: Verify your account at youtube.com/verify (requires phone number)
• Check: Upload attempt shows error message about verification

4. Scheduled Time Already Passed

• Problem: You scheduled a video for 3 PM but it's already 4 PM
• Fix: YouTube won't publish late; re-schedule for future date/time
• Check: Video remains in "Scheduled" status, never publishes

5. Internet Connection Lost During Upload

• Problem: Video upload interrupted, doesn't complete
• Fix: YouTube saves partial uploads; return to YouTube Studio to resume
• Check: YouTube Studio → Uploads → "Resume" button appears

6. File Format Not Supported

• Problem: YouTube doesn't accept file type (e.g., .avi, .wmv)
• Fix: Convert video to MP4 or MOV using Handbrake or Adobe Media Encoder
• Supported formats: MP4, MOV, AVI, WMV, FLV, 3GP, MPEG4, WebM

7. Video Exceeds File Size Limit

• Problem: Video file is over 256GB or 12 hours long
• Fix: Compress video using Handbrake or split into Part 1 & Part 2
• Check: Upload shows error message about file size

Pro tip: Always schedule videos at least 6-12 hours before intended publish time to allow for processing, copyright checks, and troubleshooting.

FAQs: Scheduling YouTube Videos

Can I schedule YouTube videos for free?

Yes. YouTube Studio offers free scheduling for all accounts. Upload your video, set it to "Schedule" instead of "Public", choose your date/time, and it will auto-publish. Third-party tools like PostEverywhere add batch uploading and cross-platform posting but require a subscription.

How far in advance can I schedule YouTube videos?

YouTube Studio allows scheduling months in advance with no specific limit. Most creators schedule 1-4 weeks ahead for consistent uploads. Third-party tools typically support 1-6 months ahead, but we recommend staying within 2-3 months for relevant, timely content.

Can I schedule YouTube Shorts?

Yes. Upload your Short (9:16 vertical video, under 60 seconds) to YouTube Studio, add title/description with #Shorts, and schedule like a regular video. Note: You cannot use YouTube mobile app's in-app editing and then schedule—you must upload a pre-edited Short. Learn more: How to Schedule YouTube Shorts.

Can I edit a scheduled video before it publishes?

Yes. Go to YouTube Studio → Content → find your scheduled video → click "Details". You can edit title, description, tags, thumbnail, end screens, or even delete the video entirely before the scheduled publish time. Changes save automatically.

Do scheduled YouTube videos perform differently than manually uploaded videos?

No. YouTube's algorithm treats scheduled and manually uploaded videos identically. What matters for performance is: video quality, watch time, CTR (click-through rate), and engagement—not whether you scheduled or manually uploaded. Scheduling actually helps performance by ensuring you post at optimal times.

Can I schedule YouTube videos from my phone?

Not natively. YouTube's mobile app does not support scheduling. You must use YouTube Studio on desktop/laptop. However, third-party tools like PostEverywhere, Hootsuite, and Buffer offer mobile apps for scheduling YouTube videos from your phone.

How many videos can I schedule at once on YouTube?

YouTube Studio allows up to 100 videos in your scheduled queue. You can schedule them one at a time. Third-party tools like PostEverywhere allow batch uploading 5-10 videos simultaneously, saving hours of manual work.

Can I schedule Premieres (watch parties with countdown)?

Yes. When scheduling a video, check the box for "Set as Premiere". Choose your date/time, and YouTube will create a watch page with countdown timer. Viewers can chat before and during the premiere. Premieres work best for high-anticipation content (music videos, big announcements, series finales).

What happens if my scheduled video has a copyright claim?

If YouTube detects copyrighted content (music, video clips), your video may:

1. Not publish at all (if claim is severe)
2. Publish with ads (copyright owner monetizes your video)
3. Publish but blocked in certain countries

Check your email and YouTube Studio notifications before scheduled publish time to address copyright claims. You can dispute, remove copyrighted content, or accept the claim.

Can I schedule the same video to multiple YouTube channels?

Yes, but you must manually upload to each channel separately. YouTube does not have a "post to multiple channels" feature. If you manage multiple channels, third-party tools like PostEverywhere let you upload once and schedule to multiple connected YouTube accounts.

Next Steps

Ready to schedule YouTube videos and save 8-12 hours every week?

• Free option: Use YouTube Studio for basic scheduling (desktop-only, one video at a time)
• Advanced option: Try PostEverywhere's YouTube scheduler for batch upload, mobile + desktop scheduling, and cross-platform posting
• AI-powered: Use AI social media scheduler to auto-generate video titles, descriptions, and tags
• Optimize link sharing: Preview how YouTube links appear on social media with our free OG image checker
• For Shorts: See our guide How to Schedule YouTube Shorts (vertical videos under 60 seconds)
• Timing guide: See Best Time to Schedule YouTube Videos for data-backed upload times
• Get started: See pricing to start your 7-day free trial

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Pro tip: The most successful YouTube channels don't post daily—they post consistently on the same days/times every week. Whether that's Tuesday/Thursday at 3 PM or Saturday/Sunday at 7 PM, consistency trains your audience when to expect new content and signals to YouTube's algorithm that you're a reliable creator. Batch scheduling makes this consistency effortless.