Whether you're a content creator, marketer, TikTok user, or just a social media fan, you've probably heard the term "viral" being thrown around a lot. Going viral is the holy grail of online content creation, with the potential to skyrocket your views, followers, and engagement.
But what does it mean to go viral, and how can you achieve viral status? In this article, we'll discuss how many views are considered viral on different social media platforms and offer tips on how to become the next viral smash.
What Does It Mean To Go Viral?
Going viral means creating content that is so shareable and engaging that it spreads like wildfire across different social media platforms. When a video, image, or post goes viral, users like it, comment on it, and share it at a much higher than average level. That creates the potential for the post to reach millions of people, notch loads of watch time, and become a cultural phenomenon, as the platform algorithms react to the fast increase in clicks and expose the video to even more users.
Going viral can also have a significant impact on your content creation career - it can lead to more followers, sponsorships, and opportunities, and can even turn you into an overnight sensation.
How Many Views Count as Viral on Social Media Platforms?
The number of views required to go viral varies depending on the platform, the type of content, and its niche. Here's a breakdown of how many views are considered viral on some of the most popular social media platforms:
YouTube
For YouTube, a video that hits 1 million views within a week is often considered viral. But you don't need that many to become an internet sensation - the number of views required for a post to go viral varies based on the channel and its audience. In some niches, 100,000 views or even 50,000 views could be considered viral, while in other more competitive categories, it may take 10 million views to achieve viral status.
On Instagram, the number of views required to go viral depends on the type of content or niche; again, "viral" here differs based on context and potential audience size. An image or video post that gets 10,000 to 20,000 likes or views in the first 24 hours is often considered viral. For reels (Instagram's short videos), getting 100,000 views or more typically hits viral mode.
TikTok
TikTok's algorithm is particularly good at pushing content, so the number of views required to become a viral TikTok trend is generally lower than on other platforms. A video that gets 10,000 views within the first few hours can quickly go viral on TikTok, with some videos hitting millions of views in a matter of days. TikTok's FYP (For You Page) constantly presents curated TikToks to users, so if you can get traction on there it'll help your post keep moving toward viral territory.
Twitter (X)
Twitter differs slightly from other social media platforms since tweets can go viral even with just a few likes and retweets. However, tweets that get tens of thousands of likes and retweets are often considered viral, and can reach millions of people in a short time.
What Makes Online Content Go Viral?
We all know that going viral is the ultimate goal for any content creator. But what makes a video, image, or post go viral? Here are some factors that contribute to the virality of online content:
Understand the platform
Different social media platforms appeal to different audiences and have different requirements for viral content.
- TikTok videos tend to be shorter, more visually appealing and require more creativity in a more compact time frame - it’s all about views and that all-important retention.
- YouTube video content offers room to be longer and more informative, but that means you have to really hold your audience’s attention. Utilize thoughtful editing, quick cuts, and open-ended transitions (for instance, pose a compelling or important question in such a way that your viewers have to wait through more of the video before they get the answer.)
- Instagram focuses a lot on aesthetics and more of an artistic approach. Pay close attention to the quality of your visuals, and use tools like ManyChat to help drive engagement by interacting with your comments on your behalf.
- Twitter (X) is more fast-paced and can be haphazard at times. Keep your viewers involved by encouraging questions or “what would you do?” replies to get people to comment, and try to add a link in your main post.
Knowing your platforms inside and out is critical to creating content that resonates with their users; before you post, make sure you spend some time on each platform as a user to soak up those experiences from their side.
Get Trendy
Creating content that taps into current trends or viral challenges can significantly increase its likelihood of going viral. For instance, videos that leverage popular hashtags or memes perform well on social media. As a creator, you should always be monitoring what's hot and happening in your niche, so you can be prepared to interpret the newest trends in your own style.
Nail the Hook
People love to be entertained, and content that's humorous, impressive, or visually appealing tends to get more shares and views. A good story, hilarious meme, impressive dance routine, or catchy tune can also make your content more shareable and amp up your viral video potential.
What kind of reward is your audience getting for watching you? Teach them something new, introduce them to a new thing, connect them with a favorite song or pop culture moment - but make sure your content is sharp, includes clever commentary/references, and nails those hooks, so your post is all entertainment with no down time. It’s up to you to give your viewers the experiences that make them keep coming back to your channel.
Make Those Connections
Never underestimate the power of genuine human connection while making your content. Going viral can sometimes simply be about authenticity, as your content allows you and your viewers to share a common experience that evokes a specific, genuine emotion - for instance, the visual joy of an astonishing view, or the cozy nostalgia of bringing back a vintage trend.
Involving people in your content can also drive virality - engage and connect to your viewers directly by responding to their comments, asking them to reply to your questions, or participating in requests or challenges they post. Collaborate and cross-promote with other creators and influencers to expand those connections and help you both reach even wider audiences.
Express Your Creativity
Originality and uniqueness are always a plus when it comes to viral content. People appreciate fresh takes on familiar topics, and are more likely to share content that hasn't been seen before. If you have an idea for a video or a post, do a search for your idea, see how other people have presented it - and then do something completely different, with your own unique approach and vibe. If you find that no one's even done your idea yet, and it's a good one, you could be golden to go viral!
Be Shocking
Sometimes, creating content that's controversial or provocative can help it stand out from the crowd. However, it's worth noting even if you do go viral, that shock value can be a double-edged sword and may not always work in your favor. Make these choices carefully to weigh whether or not the potential long-term negative effects would be worth the risk.
Even something lightly controversial can work - people will often drop into the comments just to correct a misspelled word, increasing engagement.
Five Tips for Transforming Your Content into a Global Phenomenon
Here are five quick tips to help you achieve viral status on social media:
1. Make sure your video is engaging
Think content first! Engagement is key to going viral, and your content needs to be engaging enough to make people want to like, comment, and share it. Focus on creating content that's visually appealing, entertaining, and has a clear message or story.
2. Use data analytics to analyze posts
Platform-specific analytics tools like YouTube Studio, TikTok Business Suite, and Instagram Insights (found in your settings on their respective platforms) can provide valuable information regarding what content resonates with your niche and your audience. Use these alongside external tools like Google Analytics to track metrics like views, likes, comments, and shares, and adjust your content strategy accordingly.
3. Pay attention to video trends
Viral content often follows specific trends or themes that can come and go very quickly. Keeping up with these trends can help you create content that hits your target audience, capitalizes on trends, and increases your chances of going viral. Try tools like the TikTok Creative Center’s Trends tab, which also offers a Creative Assistant to help pinpoint trends and keywords.
4. Leverage influencer networks
Working with influencers in your niche can help your content reach a broader audience and potentially go viral. Collaborating with influencers can lead to shoutouts, reposts, and tags that boost your visibility and engagement.
5. Promote your content
Finally, once you've created your content, promote it across all your social media channels and email marketing campaigns. The more visibility your content gets, the more likely it is to go viral.
Don't Lose Momentum!
A pattern that often surfaces for creators is that they'll have one video or post go viral... and then are rarely heard from in any consequential way ever again.
When you get that viral video, don't lose momentum - be planning great videos and posts ahead all the time, with folders of drafts ready to go. You can easily use YouTube Studio's native features to pre-schedule videos; other helpful apps for planning your posts include Buffer, Later, Hootsuite, and Sprout Social.
It all boils down to being prepared. When you achieve that viral moment, you can immediately follow it up with more great content that supports the reason you became viral in the first place.
Monetize Your Viral Content With Fourthwall
Creating viral content is one thing - monetizing it is another. But with Fourthwall, you’ve got an excellent support structure - you can easily launch a website, sell products, and offer memberships to your supporters both old and new, all in one place. Having all of these things prepared is yet another way to fast-track the after effects of your viral video success.
Our platform is tailored to the needs of content creators, with features that empower you to monetize your work and spin those viral moments into a full career. Join Fourthwall today and start monetizing your viral content like a pro!
