10 elements of viral-worthy content
Viral content often contains certain elements that make it more likely to spread.
1. Strong hook in the first 3 seconds
Viral videos grab your attention right away and keep you from swiping on to the next one. Picture a video that starts when someone opens a box and gasps, but you can’t see inside.
2. Emotionally charged (funny, inspiring, shocking)
Content that evokes an emotional response is likely to spread quickly. A video where a person gifts money to someone in need can pull on the audience’s heartstrings.
3. Easily shareable format (memes, short videos, text overlays)
Text overlays let the audience in on a key piece of information within seconds of seeing it. Imagine an Instagram Reel of someone about to start cooking with the text that says, “This 3-second hack changed my life!”
4. Relatable or trend-jacking
When people relate to your message, it can lead to viral moments. You might stop scrolling when you see someone ranting about the high cost of groceries when you were thinking the same thing when out shopping earlier that day.
5. High entertainment or informational value
Entertainment can take many forms, from daring stunts to life hack tutorials to funny skits. This content provides value through curiosity and fun, such as a TikTok where four teens perform choreographed dance moves.
6. Unexpected twist or surprise
People love to get shocked. Creating content that surprises people will set your work apart from the rest. Think of a prank video where the victim ends up playing a trick on the prankster.
7. Native to the platform
Content that a user designs specifically for a certain social media platform can help it succeed. For example, a video filmed vertically with quick cuts, text overlays, and a trending song tends to work well on TikTok.
8. Call to action (even subtle)
When done right, calls to action (CTAs) get people to, well, take action. A video might have a caption that reads, “Tag someone who needs to see this,” which gets viewers more likely to share it.
Certain types of content encourage participation, making the users more likely to create content. When a new Taylor Swift album drops, you’ll see a lot of reactions across all social media platforms. ‘s content creation tools are perfect for helping creators generate this kind of viral-friendly content.
10. Visually or tonally scroll-stopping
Something that stands out enough visually or audibly to make someone stop scrolling through their feed is stellar content. A drone shot of a beautiful waterfall in Indonesia that lowers to show a hidden cave behind it can cause many to pause on that scene.
You’ve got the ingredients—now bring them to life. Get started free with Social and create scroll-stopping content your audience can’t help but share.
