going viral is a skill that can be learned

. That's what YouTube sensation MrBeast claims in 

That doesn't apply to small YouTube channels, especially those lacking millions of subscribers.

 work? What if we told you that viral YouTube videos aren't all that mysterious?

3 Ways to Discover Viral YouTube Video Ideas

Viral videos gain popularity through internet sharing, typically on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X. In fact, Harvard Business Review reported that videos reach their viral peak faster when shared within 

. Videos are considered 'viral' when they reach 2 million views (or more) in just a few days.

Let's return to the HBR article to answer this question. In the post, HBR shares interesting data from Unruly, a marketing technology company that has studied 430 billion video views. The findings suggested that 

 — a small group of people who share videos in the first 48 hours — kick start the viral process.

But why do they do this? Unruly noticed 10 motivators for sharing videos online.

Pie chart showing the top 10 motivations for sharing viral videos online according to Harvard Business Review research

Seeing what friends and family think about it

Viral videos evoke strong emotions which compel viewers to share them within their own networks. These videos have the potential to reach a 

 within hours or even minutes of being posted!

But viral content doesn't need to have a specific 'look' to attract views. Oftentimes, this is what a viral video looks like on YouTube:

Example of a viral YouTube video with 3.1 million views by Zackary Smigel

The important thing to notice here is the sheer difference between views and subscribers related to this video. This disparity means that the audience chose to watch the video for its content and not just the person behind it.

Creating a viral video takes more than luck, as YouTube educator 

. It's more like cooking. Some ingredients are nice to have, but you can only mimic a dish when you have the main ingredients.

Choose a topic that resonates with your target audience.

The first 8-10 seconds should grab the viewer's attention.

Keep viewers engaged throughout the video.

 The viewer leaves the video feeling transformed.

Key factors affecting YouTube video virality

Strategies for Making Your Videos Go Viral

Woman engaging with viral social media content on her phone with engagement emojis surrounding her

Strategy 1: Creating Compelling, Shareable Videos

The first step to creating a viral video is to ensure that it is compelling and shareable. People are more likely to share content that evokes strong emotions, etc such as laughter, awe, or surprise. So, try to be entertaining, informative, or thought-provoking while keeping the video short and concise to maintain viewers' attention.

What this typically comes down to is telling a good story

. Make viewers feel giggly, happy, or sad, but no matter what, make them feel something. You can even surprise them with plot twists and cliffhangers.

Social media platforms play a crucial role in making videos go viral. With billions of users worldwide, platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter offer a vast audience for your videos to be seen and shared. 

Collection of social media platform icons essential for cross-promoting YouTube videos to increase viral potential

To leverage social media platforms effectively, consider the following tips:

 Different social media platforms cater to different demographics and content types. Research your target audience and select the platforms that align with their preferences.

 Hashtags can help increase the discoverability of your videos on social media. Research popular hashtags related to your industry or topic and include them in your video posts.

 Responding to comments, messages, and mentions on social media shows that you value your audience's feedback and want them to engage with your content.

A search bar overlayed on top of the image of man typing

Search engine optimization (SEO) is a key aspect of virality. 

 for search engines can increase their visibility and improve their chances of going viral. If you've been putting a lot of effort into your videos, but they aren't seeing the big numbers, you could be lacking in SEO.

To optimize your video SEO, consider the following tips:

 Research keywords related to your industry or topic and include them in your video titles, descriptions, and tags.

Provide a comprehensive description of your video that includes relevant keywords, so search engines understand your content.

 Captions and subtitles make your videos accessible to a wider audience, including those who are hearing impaired or watching without sound.

 Design an eye-catching thumbnail that accurately represents the content of your video (thumbnails are shown on search pages).

Strategy 4: Analyze Performance and Apply New Insights

The final strategy for making your videos go viral is analyzing their performance and iterating on future content. By analyzing data such as views, engagement rates, and shares, you learn what works and what doesn't. 

To analyze and iterate effectively, consider the following tips:

 that tracks views, watch time, engagement rate, and audience demographics.

 Look for patterns or trends in your successful videos by carefully observing performance data.

 Adapt your content based on what performs well and discard strategies that don't produce results.

Timing and Trends: Strategic Publishing for Maximum Impact

 can make a big difference. Studies show that posting between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. ET on weekdays gets good traction. This slot grabs East Coast viewers and even catches West Coast audiences during their lunch break.

Using current trends can boost your reach. This means linking your work to subjects that your viewers care about right now. Being one of the first to cover a new trend can drive more interest in your content and build a strong viral YouTube video strategy. Consider checking tools that flag rising topics. This keeps you in tune with what’s hot and gives you a jump start starting with your viral video blueprint.

In the video above, Rob talks about five such trends that creators need to look out for in 2025 to go viral. Watch and learn!

Quite recently, one of our videos went viral on YouTube and is currently sitting at 

 and how he's grown his channel exponentially in 2023.

Our in-house expert, John, explained how he made it happen in a separate video (above), and here's what you need to know:

 Our viral adventure began with Sam Sulek, a rising YouTube sensation. We saw a potential story in his rising subscriber count and the authenticity trend that's been sweeping YouTube since the pandemic. Combining a trending topic with our audience's desire (YouTube growth) helped us produce an interesting video.

 As we know already, a video's success often hinges on its title and thumbnail. They're like the cover of a book, enticing viewers to dive in. We used the ICE method (Imagery, Curiosity, Expectation) to craft ours. Remember, your title and thumbnail should not only grab attention but also set the right expectations.

 Have you ever clicked on a video and realized it's not what the title and thumbnail suggest? Annoying, right? We made sure our content aligned with what our thumbnail and title promised. It's all about respecting your audience and delivering what you've promised.

 Our first cut for the video wasn't perfect. We had to re-edit to better match our title and thumbnail, but we didn't stop. Here's a golden nugget for you: 

. Your first draft doesn't have to be your final. Be open to feedback and willing to make changes.

 Initially, our video didn't do great. But then, the YouTube algorithm picked it up, and the views skyrocketed. So, focus on creating content that engages. Even if your video doesn't take off immediately, don't lose hope.

Check the video above to get a deeper understanding of how we made it all happen. And while you're at it, swing by the description box to get a free template for making viral YouTube videos!

YouTube Shorts has proven to be a quick route for many to achieve viral success. With billions of daily views, Shorts offer a chance to be seen even if you are just starting out. It’s a format that fits well with the fast pace of today.

Short videos are easy for viewers to watch and share. They help form a clear viral video blueprint with less effort compared to longer posts.

Some ways to make the most of Shorts include:

Stick to one clear idea that viewers get immediately

Grab attention in the first few seconds so people keep watching

Mix in popular sounds or tracks when they fit

Include captions to help those watching without sound

Finish with a call-to-action to keep engagement up

. Quality content that connects is crucial for YouTube viral content in every format.

identifying your unique voice as a creator

 leads to virality. Authenticity is the soul of what makes a video viral; it's what makes people relate to your content and share it with others. So, be yourself and let your unique personality shine through.

Creating a viral video might seem like finding a needle in a haystack, but it's not an impossible task. So, fellow creators, take heart. Your viral moment could be just around the corner, waiting for you to seize it!

Red keyboard key with "Go Viral" text and upward arrow symbol on black keys background.

Get proven strategies to make your YouTube videos go viral. Know the science behind viral content and actionable techniques to boost views and engagement.

How to Go Viral on YouTube: Proven Strategies for Content Creators

 exist on YouTube, and for once, we aren't talking about MrBeast!

, a YouTube creator and strategist. He started his channel with a friend back in 2018 (

) and was tasked with brainstorming viral, must-see videos. But where others may have taken years, Jamie only needed days. His second idea, "We Entered the World's Strangest Sport," got 

That sparked four years of fame, success, and virality. In fact, the channel is still thriving with over 1 million subscribers and 180 million views.

So, how does Jamie create viral ideas? He does a little something called 

. It's the art of finding patterns and trends within a successful video, then using them to brainstorm 

According to Jamie, there are three ways to extrapolate great ideas:

 Tweak an idea that's already working on YouTube.

 Build an idea around the emotional triggers in popular content.

The last thing you want to do is copy another creator's work, so try to pull inspiration from your own channel. Jamie recommends finding a video idea that performed well, then tweaking one thing about it to develop a new concept.

We use this strategy often at vidIQ, and it definitely works. For example, one of our videos — "Small Channels: Do This to Double Your Views in 5 Minutes" — got over 700,000 views. We wanted to 

 on that brilliance, so we remixed the idea using direct extrapolation.

To shake things up, we tweaked the concept to emphasize 

 rather than views. Our new title, "Small Channels: Do This to Double Your 

Combining two ideas is an easy way to make a popular video. With such a dynamic approach, your content is sure to stand out on YouTube and 

bring in hundreds or even thousands of views

Again, let's use the vidIQ channel as an example. Our viewers love watching videos about YouTube growth, but more specifically, they flock to these video titles:

"This Is the Biggest YouTube Update in Years": 67,000 views

"YouTubers, Do This and The Algorithm Will Love You": 232,000 views

When we blended these ideas, we created a video titled "Algorithm Update: Did This Stop You from Getting Views?" It did even better than the first two, raking in 

! Our strategy of mixing hot topics — YouTube updates and algorithm advice — paid off instantly.

3. Borrow Emotional Triggers from a Successful Video

This strategy is advanced, but it works wonders if you can pull it off.

First, study the YouTube channels within your niche. You're looking for popular videos that could have easily gone on your channel, or at least, videos that align with your core topic.

 in those videos, such as fear, nostalgia, or curiosity.

Once you have those puzzle pieces, build an idea using the same triggers from the video(s) you analyzed.

 went viral using a combination of triggers, like fear and curiosity. She ended up getting over 800,000 views with the title "10 Regrets After Moving to The Villages, FL."

And guess what? We used the same combination of triggers to build a fantastic idea: "5 Mistakes that Send Your Channel to YouTube Hell." It got 

because it pressed on a real fear and made viewers curious at the same time!

No matter which technique you use — direct, indirect, or abstract extrapolation — choose ideas that align with your channel. After all, you want to 

 so they keep coming back to watch more videos!

Need a few pointers? Watch this video for a detailed guide on crafting good ideas (that are original and not stolen from others!).

 have to come up with YouTube ideas. Artificial intelligence can do the heavy lifting for you and return precious brain power (and time) to your life. So if you have access to AI content tools, use them!

 is one of those power tools, and it's a great option if you want personalized video ideas for your channel. With this AI helper, you'll get new ideas every day that you can save for later or dismiss anytime.

Want to try it out? Sign up for a free vidIQ account and let the ideas flow!

Teen YouTuber filming a video in his room

Teen sitting on bed holding smartphone on selfie stick in modern bedroom interior

Before you can go viral on YouTube, you need an idea that appeals to the masses. Here are 3 ways to build that winning concept and snag a viral video!

Every creator needs a few things to build a successful YouTube video: a good title, an attractive thumbnail, an addictive hook, and, most importantly, some really dope, well-edited content! And this doesn't apply to just regular YouTube videos. You need these tools to create viral YouTube Shorts, too, except you only have 60 seconds to work with.

2 billion active monthly users and 15 billion views

 generated daily, YouTube Shorts is the golden egg you simply can't ignore. So, we picked out the most-viewed Shorts to understand how and why they viral in 2023. Let's begin!

How to Get More YouTube Shorts Views on Your Channel

A classic YouTube switch and bait, the title of this video is bound to infuriate viewers. But, by the end, the video takes a wholesome turn and we have our faiths restored! The storytelling in the video, accompanied by good music and simple editing, gives it a genuine feel, and we as viewers feel more emotionally invested.

Telling a wholesome story is great, but sprinkle some artistic talent on top, and voila, you have an instantly viral Short. This creator uses his spray painting skills to paint his daughters’ favorite cartoon. The reveal, along with the uplifting music, leaves us with no other choice but to leave this man a like!

Documents a creative process, behind-the-scenes style

If you’re addicted to watching cleaning videos on YouTube, then this one shouldn’t be surprising. Just look at how all that dirt washes off in seconds: Isn’t that so satisfying? The editing is crisp too, adding to the overall positive viewing experience.

One thing that rarely fails on YouTube, or any other social media for that matter, is achieving expertise in your skill. Couple that with a unique idea and some cool editing, and you have what it takes to make a viral Short. This man’s parkour skills will leave you wanting more!

Displays an exciting talent (parkour jumps)

Uses that talent to remix a popular game (tic-tac-toe)

Employs a level of creativity beyond most videos

What do you get when you mix two of the most popular search terms on YouTube? A viral Short! Food videos are great to watch, but adding that ASMR element takes it to the next level. The editing is absolutely world-class as well, giving us some awesome sound effects.

Efficient editing leaves no dulls moments

Prepares an unexpected treat (a three-layer s'more)

Fast-moving clips and sound effects command your full attention

Challenges, especially creative ones, seem to do well in all formats on YouTube. The stakes are high in this video, which keeps the audience hooked until the very end to see who wins the game. Challenges like these are fun to watch and can be remixed by any creator looking to reach more viewers on YouTube.

Shows a unique challenge with high stakes

Ends on a high note and plot twist (the winner doesn't like milk)

Another massively popular category on YouTube is comedy. Although funny Shorts may seem like a saturated niche, you can't fail when your story is original and relatable. In this video, a problem we have all faced before becomes an entertaining comedy skit!

The problem keeps escalating, making the Short even funnier

Another challenge video, but this time it’s physical sports. Watching this video will give you a rush of adrenaline as participants move through different stages of the race by playing popular sports we all love! The commentary adds to the hype of the video and keeps you glued to your seat.

Keeps you engaged with action-packed adventure

Motivational commentary hypes up the challenge

Shows a feel-good moment (the victor celebrating)

Want to create your own viral Short? It’s simple: Just become a master at editing! Here we have the king of transitions and mind-blowing edits himself, casually stealing the Big Ben, or so it appears. This Short reinforces the idea that if you can master a single aspect of YouTube creativity, viewers will flock to your channel!

Shows a familiar yet entertaining character (the pocket thief) 

Takes editing to a new level of excitement

Shows viewers a cool trick they've never seen before

You can't talk about the most-viewed YouTube Shorts, or any kind of video on YouTube, and not mention MrBeast! This Short reminds us that the fundamental aspect of what makes a good video, regardless of format, is good storytelling! The title makes you click, and the content makes sure you stay until the end.

Shows a cool plot twist (buying someone a Disneyland ticket)

Captures the emotional satisfaction of the recipient

Fast-paced editing leaves no dull moments

Capitalizing on popular trends is another great way to make your Short viral, especially now that trends migrate to every platform. Although some trends might originate from other platforms like Instagram or Tiktok, everything eventually comes to YouTube. And if you can add your unique twist, viewers might just repost your content!

Capitalizes on the trend of short reaction videos

Uplifting music makes the video enjoyable

8 Characteristics of Viral YouTube Shorts

So, there you have it. Shorts go viral on YouTube for a few reasons, but these are the most common:

The videos show a unique skill or talent.

There's a competition of some kind, often between friends.

The storytelling is on point (music, editing, special effects, etc.).

If you’re inspired by this list, get ready to upload your own Short! 

We've got you covered with 9 viral video ideas.

Magnified YouTube video views, likes, and dislikes count on computer screen close-up.

What makes a YouTube Short go viral? We analyzed the most popular ones in 2023 to find out!

Analyzing Popular YouTube Shorts: What Makes Them Go Viral?

Do you dream of your videos going viral on YouTube? Do you wish you could crack the code and find the secret formula for viral video success?

On this week's episode of TubeTalk, we talk to Cory Williams, the "world's first professional YouTuber," with several billion views to his name. He's found massive success with multiple videos, and he's going to share some of his inside tips and tricks with us today. 

Click on the podcast link above and take a listen!

Subscribe to TubeTalk: The Video Marketing Podcast!

TubeTalk has been informing video creators and marketers since 2014, and is one of the most respected and listened to podcasts in the online video industry. Subscribe today so you never miss an episode! You can find vidIQ's TubeTalk at:

If you want to take your YouTube channel to the next level and 

 then make sure to download vidIQ. Join over 1 million other users and use vidIQ to help you research YouTube, analyze videos, audit your own channel, and take actionable steps 

And if you’re really serious about growing your YouTube views and subscribers, sign up for exclusive access to the 

 and learn how to launch a successful YouTube Channel in just 30 days.

Smiling man with gray hair next to blue TubeTalk logo on white background

Have you ever wanted to know the secret sauce to viral video success on YouTube? Find out on this week's episode of TubeTalk.

The Secrets to Going Viral on YouTube [Expert Insights]

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Posts tagged with “Viral Videos”

How to Go Viral on YouTube: Proven Strategies for Content Creators

3 Ways to Discover Viral YouTube Video Ideas

Analyzing Popular YouTube Shorts: What Makes Them Go Viral?

The Secrets to Going Viral on YouTube [Expert Insights]