Articles, images, videos, audio or any other types of digital files may all come under the category of viral content, if they gain popularity in a short span of time. The content which has a high acceptance rate on the internet and is shared by many users usually goes viral quickly. However, it can be ambiguous what has a ‘high acceptance rate’ and what doesn’t. That’s why in this article, we’re going to debunk what goes viral and what doesn’t.
Factors That May Lead to Content Being Viral on Internet
- Positivity or an optimistic message shared through your content can be spread faster online compared to the content that has negative impact on the audience.
- Sentimental message in content that is usually accepted easily by the online users. They believe in sharing it as well. Therefore, the probability of highly emotional content to gain popularity in short span of time is much higher. The emotional aspect could be negative, positive, or both.
- Informative and relatable content gets popular faster. For example, if you share a remedy in your content, it will go viral on the internet quickly, so will different tips and guidelines.
Major Classifications of Viral Content on Internet
1. List Type Articles
The list post shows the highlights of your content, therefore it is more likely to be followed. The reader immediately finds the central idea of the post and doesn’t have to go through the entire post. Hence they are highly valuable for the reader as he/she can get the required information quickly. These lists also specify the mentioned content.
Example: 20 strategies to make your business more productive on the internet!
2. Action Defining Content
The content which provides clear instructions to the readers will also be followed hugely online. These instructions could be related to anything. They can be about a workout, health care or guidance for any task of day to day life.
Example: How to lose 15 kg in 3 days.
3. Popular & Best Sources of Content
The messages or information which guides the reader about the best sources according to his/her requirements will get popularity at a fast pace. In such content the detailed description and specifications of the best sources are mentioned. Reader can get a clear idea and can easily make a decision.
Example: 10 Amazing Places in the world for Holiday Trip!
4. Research Content
The content can go viral on the internet if you have conducted a research yourself and developed a conclusion. Such kind of content can be useful and helpful for others to proceed with their research work. There are higher chances for the content to be shared among the online users.
Example: The effectiveness of onion in the summer and how it protects from heat!
5. Controversial Content
Readers are usually interested in finding out the latest updates on the most burning news and controversies. Content will be popular in no time, if you simply rewrite the same controversial news in a unique manner. You can be sarcastic. Provide arguments and bring the laid behind aspects of controversies in limelight. It also grabs the attention of your readers.
Example: Racial discrimination leads to societal disturbance!
6. Preaching Content
Information related to religious issues and matters also reads more repeatedly online. People consult the internet to find a solution to various issues. A well written piece of advice in accordance with the religious aspects spreads rapidly as well.
Example: Rights of Women – A Comparison of Teachings in Different Religions
7. Promising Content
The content which is informative and defines instructions along with guarantees is also read extensively. People would like to benefit from such advices on the internet and most of the times they work well for them.
Example: Easiest Ways to Get a Girlfriend in 14 Days
8. Urgent Attention Seeking Content
The attention grabbing content with an intense tag line or heading also grabs the reader’s attention quickly. Such messages are usually emotional and one can relate sentiments with his/her personal life. Hence, this is a major reason why such messages reach out to a broad audience.
Example: Young girl needs money for heart transplant!
9. Directory Content
You can collect the best available links on a certain topic and create a post on that. Such content is read commonly to help the reader save time in searching content on a particular topic.
Example: 20 articles on Child Abuse
10. Trend Alert Content
Latest updates about the latest trends and fashion updates. Adding images makes the content more attractive and increases the chances for the content to go viral.
Example: High Heels over Flat Soles
11. Videos & Memes
People always like to create their own videos and memes on the latest news or updates. They are always informative and hysterical about the same time. People believe more in messages given in a comic way than in a serious way.
Example: Look Tempting or Eat Tempting
Bottom Line
The more content there is the more chances there are that it will be shared online; it has more chances to go viral.
This is a guest blog post by Rob Greenberg, who works as a copyright consultant at a plagiarism checker software company.
