In today’s society, video has become the most significant type of online content. Moreover, over 500 hours of video are posted to YouTube every single minute. That is a lot of content to compete with, right? But making great videos isn’t enough to grow your YouTube page; you also need to ensure people see them.
Have you ever thought that only a few people could make a video going viral on YouTube? Thankfully, this isn’t the case, and there are ways to boost your video’s chances of becoming viral.
This blog will delve into the fascinating realm of popular videos that go viral. What is a viral video on YouTube, why you might want to make one, and what factors are crucial for it to succeed — keep reading to discover.
What Makes a YouTube Video Go Viral?
Predicting which videos will gain massive views is a challenging task. Most of the time, chance or luck is what makes them go viral on the internet and become famous quickly. Although videos become viral for different reasons, they have certain qualities that define what is considered viral on YouTube.
Understanding the Elements of Viral Content
A video is considered viral if it experiences an exponential rise in views and interaction after being shared on social media. Such videos share several traits.
First, it receives many views from those who aren’t already subscribers to the creator’s channel. It accumulates a large number of views very rapidly. The term “viral” describes videos that receive two million views or more in a short period (like a couple of days). Finally, viral videos often receive a high level of engagement in the form of comments, likes, and shares.
Something about a viral video makes it stand out from the crowd and causes people to share it endlessly. This is why it sticks in people’s minds and makes them feel something, which in turn makes them want to share the video.
The Role of the YouTube Algorithm in Virality
The YouTube algorithm is the search engine that connects people to the videos they want to watch. In order to provide a user with the most relevant content to their query, it searches through millions of videos.
That is why you should be familiar with YouTube’s algorithm to know how to get viral on YouTube. Here is what you should focus on:
| YouTube Algorithm Element | Description |
| Relevance | It would be frustrating to see videos on auto mechanics instead of cookie recipes when you search for them. When assessing a video’s relevancy to a query, the YouTube algorithm considers both the title and description. |
| Content quality | The objective of YouTube is to increase the amount of time users spend on the website. High-quality videos increase those chances, so aim for that benchmark with yours. |
| User behavior | The amount of time users spend on the site is only one factor. The algorithm used by YouTube also considers the number of interactions a video receives. If there are many views, shares, and comments on your video, it is obviously well-liked. That’s something that YouTube is keen on promoting. |
How to Create a Viral YouTube Video
- Researching Trending Topics and Challenges
- Crafting an Irresistible Hook
- Optimizing Thumbnails, Titles, and Descriptions
- Best Practices for Promoting Your Video
- Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Viral Video Creation
- Success Stories: Viral YouTube Video Case Studies
Researching Trending Topics and Challenges
The internet is awash with trends and viral videos. Staying up-to-date on current events and trendy topics will help you know what your fans are thinking about right now. Before creating a video, ask yourself, “What is viral on YouTube today?” If you see a trend that could take off in the near future, seize the opportunity to make your own content that goes viral by capitalizing on it.
But how do you find what’s trending in your niche?
- Keep up with the latest events by using trending hashtags and memes.
- YouTube has a “trending” button in the left sidebar under the “Explore” header. Here, you can see the overall trending topics on the social media.
- Spending time and effort will be necessary to learn about the most recent trends in your industry. Stay informed about the most recent developments in your industry by reading marketing materials, taking part in discussions, and subscribing to newsletters.
Crafting an Irresistible Hook
How often have you clicked on a video to start watching it, only to quickly close it because it wasn’t interesting enough? Your audience is no different. Modern video viewers are picky; if you wish to hold their interest, you need to do it within the first five seconds.
So, when creating the video, focus on the hook that makes people want to keep watching in the first few seconds. This is how to make viral videos that will keep the attention. There are several ways to make an engaging hook. For example, you can hint at a reward at the end of the video, ask a question that you will answer in the video, or include something unexpected and humorous to trick your viewers.
Optimizing Thumbnails, Titles, and Descriptions
YouTube’s job is to show your video to people who might be interested in it.
Your task, in turn, is to stop them from scrolling, get them to click on the movie, and keep their attention.
How do you do that? Using three different approaches:
Video titles
The title of your video should be catchy and descriptive because it will be the first thing people see when they search for your content. “How to change the oil in your car in 15 minutes” perfectly sums up the video content: it’s a simple, understandable guide. On the other hand, the title of a video called “Oil Change” is purposefully ambiguous, leaving viewers unsure of what to expect.
Thumbnails
Ensure that the thumbnail you submit for your movie is eye-catching. Make use of striking colors, forceful language, and eye-catching imagery that accurately convey the information. Additionally, the thumbnail should be simple, visually appealing, and easy to read. Viewers’ first impression of the video is shaped by the thumbnail. Selecting a distinctive thumbnail that effectively presents your video and entices viewers to click on it is important.
Video descriptions
You should include comprehensive details about the video, including calls to action, key points covered, and other information in the description. It must be engaging, succinct, and contain the appropriate keywords. Your navigation can be improved by adding timestamps and links to additional content or pertinent resources.
Best Practices for Promoting Your Video
There isn’t a secret recipe about how to make your YouTube video go viral. However, the most successful artists engage in a few practices. If you want to increase the likelihood that your videos will go viral, try these.
Leveraging Social Media and Collaborations
It is always a good idea to collaborate on social media, but it is especially helpful if you want to get more views on YouTube. By inviting your rival to your YouTube channel and posting on theirs as a guest, you can become friends with them. Every collaboration exposes you to a new market. The best thing is that people are more likely to subscribe to your channel when they see you working with a content creator they already like and trust. The secret to a successful partnership is finding the proper partner. The best way to make your video seem authentic is to collaborate with content producers whose passions coincide with your brand.
Cross-Promoting on Multiple Platforms
On the first day after a video goes viral on YouTube, it may receive a flood of views. What if you do not have many YouTube subscribers to start with? You can still rely on your social media following to help you get more views. With billions of users worldwide, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok could provide you with a huge audience for your videos.
Here’s what you can do:
- Repurposing smaller clips for Instagram Reels or TikTok.
- Share the link on forums where your target audience hangs out.
- Putting hashtags in posts to connect with people on various social media sites.
Engaging With Your Audience Through CTAs
Including effective calls to action (CTAs) in your YouTube videos is essential for encouraging your audience to take specific actions. People can subscribe, visit your website, or watch more videos if you have the appropriate call to action. These prompts should be placed thoughtfully at key moments or at the conclusion of a video to encourage greater participation. A clear and concise call to action will help viewers understand what you want them to do. CTAs can be incorporated into your video in various ways, including through annotations, graphics, and spoken cues. To determine which positions and styles work best for your audience, try experimenting.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid in Viral Video Creation
Even the best-laid plans can backfire. Here are some significant and typical errors to avoid when looking for ways to go viral:
Using Misleading Clickbait Titles
In the modern digital world, where grabbing attention is essential to success, there is a strong temptation to use clickbait in YouTube titles to draw viewers. Despite being excellent for increasing visibility, clickbait headlines aren’t the greatest way to engage viewers more deeply. A video’s credibility is totally undermined, and it appears as though it fell short of expectations.
Here’s what bad clickbait means:
- The video is completely unrelated to its title.
- There is a brief mention of something that occurs in the video in the title and thumbnail.
- Dramatic phrases like “you won’t believe this” and “will make you cry,” which are used in the title, suggest that the audience is ready to feel the same way.
- A large number of commenters immediately labeled the video clickbait.
Ignoring Analytics and Viewer Feedback
YouTube is a social media platform; therefore, it’s critical to remember that it encourages social interaction. YouTube gives more credit to channels that get a lot of engagement, such as comments, likes, dislikes, and the amount of time spent on the channel. So do not forget to react to peoples’ feedback! Make it a point to reply quickly (if possible) to every comment, use discussion starters, and thank your viewers for their support. These actions not only create a feeling of community but also communicate to the YouTube algorithm how interesting your content is, which may lead to an increase in visibility.
Ignoring YouTube’s wealth of data is another possible cause of your not getting how to go viral. YouTube Studio lets you see video performance, audience demographics, and viewer behavior. But there’s a lot more to sort out. For example, search patterns, influencer engagement, and competitor action. In other words, you’re practically flying blind until you use this data to guide your plan.
Overlooking Video SEO Essentials
Optimization for search engines (SEO) is a key component of virality. By optimizing your videos’ search engine, you can increase their visibility and potential to go viral on YouTube. Your video content will likely become lost in the sea of videos if you ignore this, making it difficult to find and wasting opportunities to engage viewers.
Here is how to make a video viral using SEO optimization:
- Employ relevant keywords: Choose keywords related to your industry or topic and incorporate them into your video titles, descriptions, and tags.
- Add captions and subtitles: To make your videos accessible to a larger audience, including those who watch without sound or have hearing impairments, include captions and subtitles.
- Make an eye-catching thumbnail: Make a thumbnail that effectively conveys the information in your video.
Success Stories: Viral YouTube Video Case Studies
Over the years, many YouTube celebrities have accumulated a sizable fan base, but for some, their star power was cemented by a single video or moment. Examine the strategies these three leading YouTube creators used to maintain the virality of their content.
Lessons From Top Creators
The Try Guys
The Try Guys, a group of BuzzFeed employees that included Ned Fulmer, Keith Habersberger, Zach Kornfeld, and Eugene Lee Yang, produced videos chronicling their attempts at various challenges and tasks. Because of their witty, friendly, and encouraging performances, they amassed a sizable fan base. The Try Guys eventually made the decision to quit BuzzFeed and launch their own channel, which only grew. Their collaborative style has contributed to their popularity, and they have added podcasts and merchandise sales to their repertoire of content. This group exemplifies how to go viral on YouTube by collaborating to create a popular channel that enables them to pursue their interests and aspirations.
Casey Neistat
Entrepreneur, filmmaker, and vlogger Casey Neistat became famous for his daily videos. He attracted a sizable following because of his unique storytelling approach and unwavering perseverance. Casey goes above and beyond the usual vlogging style with his commitment to storytelling and cinematic excellence.
Casey’s love of filmmaking and dedication to making really good content got him deals and support from companies like Samsung and Nike. His creativity and consistency in content creation resulted in a dedicated audience that eagerly waited for his videos.
MatPat
Matthew Patrick, better known by his YouTube handle, MatPat, started two channels dedicated to film theory and game theory. He examines pop culture, movies, and video games using a methodical and scientific approach. Thanks to his extensive background in gaming and narrative, Mat launched a channel that caters to viewers interested in both amusement and deep thought. MatPat has discovered the key to how to become viral on YouTube and gain a sizable following by being committed to research and maintaining a consistent upload schedule. By starting a channel network called The Game Theorists, which addressed a variety of subjects pertaining to video games and popular culture, he enhanced his reputation.
His achievements prove that one may build a lucrative YouTube channel and brand by combining a strong interest with knowledge in a particular field. Enjoying his passion has brought him great recognition as a key player in the gaming industry and beyond.
The success stories of these YouTubers show how many different ways people have discovered to use the platform to gain popularity. Despite the fact that each story is unique, there are some common themes:
- Contributing: Having a strong sense of purpose and a desire to change the world can engage audiences, attract viewers, and result in brand collaborations.
- Quality and consistency: Maintaining a consistent upload schedule and producing high-quality work are essential for long-term success.
- Knowledge and specialization: You can draw in a devoted and engaged audience if you have a lot of experience in a certain field.
- Collaboration: Diverse content and business opportunities can result from networks and joint projects among creators.
- Trendy Topics: When a trend is already going on or just started, if you make content out of it, then you’ll obviously have more chances of going viral.
- Attractive Thumbnails: Make a thumbnail that people will want to click on and view the video.
- SEO: Improve the search engine friendliness of your content by including pertinent keywords in the title tags and description.
How Consistency and Creativity Drive Success
Being consistent and creative are the two most important factors in YouTube’s success. Consistency is key if you wish to become viral. For this reason, it is essential to establish and adhere to a reasonable publishing schedule. Once a week is a typical posting schedule, but you should make sure that’s something you can actually accomplish. Being consistent is more important than being frequent. If you can only post a video every two weeks, that is also fine. Maintaining a manageable routine will keep you from becoming overwhelmed and will increase the likelihood that you will continue on your creative path until you achieve your goals.
But keep in mind that being consistent isn’t the secret to being a fabulous YouTuber. It’s the content you post. Always prioritize producing high-quality, creative content that aligns with trending topics and the audience’s interests. Therefore, make an effort to create outstanding videos as often as possible to go viral. For example, instead of 20 videos a month, you may release one video per week.
