If you’re a budding Twitch streamer, you may be asking yourself, “When is the best time to stream on Twitch to get the most viewers?” Identifying the ideal streaming hours can be crucial to growing your audience and maximizing engagement. These so-called “Golden Hours” refer to the most popular times when people log in and view streams on the platform.
In this article, we’ll delve into the world of Twitch streaming and provide you with tangible advice on when to go live. By examining both accepted times and actual viewing statistics by the hour, we aim to give you a comprehensive understanding of when you should be hitting that “Go Live” button. Armed with this information, you’ll be well on your way to conquering the Twitch landscape and making the most of your streaming career.
Related: How to grow on Twitch
What are Twitch golden hours?
Twitch ‘Golden Hours’ is a term often used to describe the most popular and active hours on the platform when viewer count is at its highest. The idea behind this concept is that streaming during these peak hours can lead to increased visibility and more potential viewers, helping streamers grow their audience.
However, the term ‘Golden Hours’ can be somewhat misleading due to time zones. Since Twitch is an international platform with users from all over the world, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution to finding the best streaming times. The peak hours in one region may not necessarily align with the peak hours in another, so streamers must consider their target audience’s location and habits.
Furthermore, the ‘Golden Hours’ can be a double-edged sword for new streamers. While it’s true that there’s a higher viewer count during these times, it also means more competition among streamers. As a result, it may be challenging for newcomers to stand out and attract viewers, especially if they’re competing against well-established streamers.
This article aims to provide you with information on both concepts: the generally accepted ‘Golden Hours’ as well as the actual viewing statistics by the hour. By understanding the nuances of Twitch streaming and tailoring your approach, you’ll be better equipped to find the most suitable streaming times for your unique situation.
As an example, when we searched online for other website’s idea of the best time to stream on Twitch it was obvious there wasn’t a consensus and they all had different ideas. Here’s what we saw:
- 12 midnight to 8 am GMT – Stream Scheme
- This time period is equivalent to 12 am to 8 am UTC.
- 11 am to 2 pm PST – Hootsuite
- This time period converts to 7 pm to 10 pm UTC.
- 12 midnight to 8 am PST – Streamlabs
- This time period translates to 8 am to 4 pm UTC.
- 2pm to 10pm UTC – Twitch Tracker user stats
Nobody knows what the Twitch golden period is and none of them correlated with Twitch Tracker’s actual data on when viewers log in. Nobody knows what the Twitch golden hours are.
Best time to stream on Twitch when it’s busiest and how to make it work
The busiest time to stream on Twitch is generally between 2 pm and 10 pm UTC, with the peak hours occurring around 6 pm to 8 pm UTC. To help you better understand how these hours translate into different time zones, we’ve created a table that includes GMT, Eastern US Time Zone, Western US Time Zone, Central European Time Zone, Australia’s most populated time zone (Australian Eastern Standard Time), and Korea/Japan Time Zone.
| Time Zone | Busiest Streaming Period | Peak Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | 2 pm – 10 pm | 6 pm – 8 pm |
| Eastern US Time (EST) | 9 am – 5 pm | 1 pm – 3 pm |
| Western US Time (PST) | 6 am – 2 pm | 10 am – 12 pm |
| Central European Time (CET) | 3 pm – 11 pm | 7 pm – 9 pm |
| Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) | 12 am – 8 am | 4 am – 6 am |
| Korea/Japan Time (KST/JST) | 11 pm – 7 am | 3 am – 5 am |
Based purely on potential viewership, these are the golden hours. We’ve covered the most populated time zones – as you can see if you’re in the UK then you’ll stream in the afternoon and evening, if you’re in the States then it will be early start and if you’re in Australia or Korea/Japan then its the graveyard shift. And this is why, although accepted as the golden hours, simply won’t work for everyone.
Related: How to make a healthier streaming environment
As mentioned earlier, the busiest time on Twitch also means increased competition from established streamers. To make the most of this “Golden Period” and stand out from the crowd, consider these tips:
- Pick a niche game or category: Focus on streaming low-competition or niche games, as this can help you attract a dedicated audience looking for content in that specific area. By offering something unique or less common, you can differentiate yourself from other streamers in the busiest times.
- Stream during quieter days at peak times: If you don’t stream seven days a week, consider streaming on the quieter days (such as Tuesdays and Wednesdays) but during the peak hours. This approach can help you find a balance between viewer count and competition.
- Be realistic and adapt: It’s important to recognize that more viewers online don’t necessarily make it easier for new streamers to succeed. In fact, the increased competition during these hours can make it even more challenging. It’s essential to be flexible and adapt your streaming strategy based on the results you achieve during different time slots. Trial and error will help you find the best time that works for you and your audience.
Remember that while the busiest hours might seem like the best time to stream, it’s not always the case, especially for new streamers. It can be misleading and even counterproductive to believe that streaming during these peak hours guarantees success. Keep an open mind, experiment with different time slots, and focus on building your unique brand to help you stand out on Twitch.
We’re going to break this down some more.
Best Time to Stream on Twitch When It’s Quietest and How to Make It Work
When looking for the quietest time to stream on Twitch, consider streaming between 4 am and 12 pm UTC, some could argue that this period could be the Twitch golden hours. The off-peak hours during this period are 6 am to 11 am UTC. To help you better understand how these hours translate into different time zones, we’ve created a table that includes GMT, Eastern US Time Zone, Western US Time Zone, Central European Time Zone, Australia’s most populated time zone (Australian Eastern Standard Time), and Korea/Japan Time Zone.
| Time Zone | Quietest Streaming Period | Off-Peak Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) | 4 am – 12 pm | 6 am – 11 am |
| Eastern US Time (EST) | 11 pm – 7 am | 1 am – 6 am |
| Western US Time (PST) | 8 pm – 4 am | 10 pm – 3 am |
| Central European Time (CET) | 5 am – 1 pm | 7 am – 12 pm |
| Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) | 2 pm – 10 pm | 4 pm – 9 pm |
| Korea/Japan Time (KST/JST) | 1 pm – 9 pm | 3 pm – 8 pm |
The quietest streaming hours mean early starts for UK streamers, while Australia and Korea enjoy more manageable hours. This allows Australian and Korean streamers to maintain a regular sleep schedule while streaming during quieter times on Twitch.
To make the most of the quietest streaming hours on Twitch, consider these points:
- Playing popular games is more viable: As a new streamer, you can experiment with more popular games during quieter hours, since there’s less competition. However, attracting a massive viewership might be more challenging.
- Laying the foundation for success: Quieter hours can provide new streamers with the opportunity to build their initial audience, develop their skills, and establish a loyal community.
- Being an engaging host is crucial: During quieter hours, some viewers might be sleepy or disengaged. It’s essential to be an entertaining and interactive host to keep your audience engaged.
As with the busiest times, it’s important to be realistic. While there’s less competition during quieter hours, the potential rewards might also be lower. It’s all about finding the balance that works best for your unique streaming goals.
Finding the golden hours for YOUR game
SullyGnome (there are other tools) is a valuable tool that helps Twitch streamers and game developers analyze statistics and data related to specific games or channel types on the platform. By leveraging the Twitch API, SullyGnome collects information every 5 minutes and presents aggregated data, updated hourly or daily, to offer insights into the busiest and quietest times for a particular game or channel.
To find the unique “Golden Hours” for a specific game or channel, users can follow these steps:
- Visit SullyGnome.com and use the search bar to enter the game or channel type they’re interested in.
- Once the game or channel type is selected, users can explore various statistics, including viewer count, peak hours, and more, which can be filtered by different time ranges (e.g., last 7 days, 30 days, or 90 days).
- By analyzing this data, users can identify the best times to stream their chosen game or content, taking into account their target audience’s viewing habits and peak hours. Effectively, finding a more precise “best time to stream on Twitch” than the broad data we shared earlier.
With SullyGnome’s in-depth analytics and insights, streamers can make informed decisions about their streaming schedules and content strategies, ultimately helping them grow their audience and succeed on Twitch.
So, what is the best time to stream on Twitch and what are the golden hours?
Determining the best time to stream on Twitch and the true “Golden Hours” is not a one-size-fits-all answer.
Throughout this article, we’ve explored the concept of Twitch “Golden Hours,” the busiest and quietest times on the platform, and how these hours can vary due to factors like time zones, competition, and viewer preferences. We’ve also provided tips on how to make the most of both busy and quiet periods, highlighting the importance of being flexible, adaptive, and realistic in your approach.
Additionally, we introduced SullyGnome, a powerful tool that can help you find the best time to stream a specific game or channel type, allowing for a more tailored approach to your streaming strategy.
In conclusion, there is no definitive “best time to stream on Twitch” or universal “Golden Hours” applicable to every streamer. Instead, the key to success lies in understanding your target audience, experimenting with different time slots, and focusing on building a unique and engaging presence on the platform. By doing so, you’ll be well on your way to growing your Twitch community and maximizing your streaming potential.
