The Secret Sauce Behind Making Viral Content (And Why It Works)

The Secret Sauce Behind Viral Content: What Makes It Go Viral and How to Replicate It

You’ve seen it happen. One moment you’re scrolling through your social media feed, minding your own business.

The next? BAM! A clip of a cat in sunglasses riding a skateboard has 10 million views and climbing. Or perhaps it’s an ad campaign so smart that it’s become the talk of the water cooler at work. You can’t help but wonder: Why does some content go viral while others flop?

There are patterns, key ingredients of viral content, if you will that cause some pieces of content to spread like wildfire.

In this post, you will uncover what makes something go viral and how you can replicate this viral content that for yourself.

The psychology behind viral content: Why people share online

Let’s begin with a big question: Why do people share content stuff online?  What makes content go viral? Virality is driven by human behaviour. The answer lies in understanding the psychology of sharing. Here’s the deal:

Emotions Drive Shares

If they feel strongly about something, they share. Laughing, gasping, boiling, or crying, emotions lead us to hit the “share” button. Ever seen a tearjerker of a video and immediately forwarded it to five friends? That’s emotion at work.

Viral content marketing relies on emotional triggers.

Brands, take note: If you want your content to go viral, make sure that it triggers a feeling. Funny? Check. Inspiring? Double check. Boring? Nope.

We Share to Connect

Sharing isn’t just about the information — it’s about relationships. When you send someone a funny meme, you’re communicating, “Hey, you came to my mind.” Brands can capitalize on this by creating content that helps people connect. Think like relatable posts or in jokes that only your audience would find funny.

Pro Tip: Brands should create relatable content that sparks connection

Want to go deeper? Learn how to build a social media strategy that actually converts.

FOMO Fuels Virality

The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) is a force to be reckoned with. That’s because people share content when don’t want others to miss out on something cool. If your body of work comes across as exclusive or time-sensitive, it’s more likely that it’ll get shared.

The Key Ingredients of Viral Content Strategy

What’s the most viral marketing campaigns have in common?

Having done the psychology, let’s deal with the actual ingredients. What makes some videos, images, or articles more compelling than others? Spoiler alert: It is not random luck.

Relatability

Content that speaks to you is a true trato. You see yourself in it. A tweet such as “When you accidentally reply-all to an email” resonates with anyone who’s ever experienced that (this author included!).

Brands are about universal experiences, things you can nod along to in a social context. See how top brands used relatability in our brand campaigns case studies

Simplicity

It’s also all too common, simple viral content. It doesn’t require shiny graphics or elaborate plotting. Sometimes it’s just a catchy phrase or snippet of video. The “Distracted Boyfriend” meme, remember? Simple yet effective.

For brands, simplicity in visuals matters. Explore what’s next in video trends shaping 2025

Surprise Factor

People love surprises. People share content what surprises them. Surprises keep the attention focused. Now fast-forward to the commercial where the hero is also the villain or vice versa. Shock value is what keeps viewers watching and sharing.

Authenticity

Authenticity builds trust. Nobody wants a phony, who can smell phony from a mile away. Try to not overdo it but just be yourself. User-generated content goes a long way here. Get actual people to share their experiences of using your product. Learn how authentic animation in marketing can bring genuine emotion to campaigns

Timeliness

Timing matters. Viral trends are fleeting. You’ll probably have an easier time riding the wave when you hop on a trend early. Tune in to cultural moments, holidays, or current events. Just ensure that it matches your brand traits.

Why Certain Content Falls Flat on Its Face?

Not every bid for virality pays off. In fact, most fail. So what makes the winners different from the losers? Not all content becomes the next Ice Bucket Challenge. Here’s why:

Lack of Value

If your content doesn’t add value, the world does not give a damn. Value can be entertainment, education or inspiration. Without one, your post is dead on arrival. Check out why social media drives business growth when value is baked in.

Takeaway: Create content that offers real value – not just filler.

Overthinking It

Killing creativity is wanting too much. If your content shouts, “I’m trying to go viral!” people will ignore it. Adam A: “Develop and define: quality over gimmicks.

Takeaway: Focus on quality storytelling, not gimmicks.

Ignoring Your Audience

To be able to write better sentences, you need to know who you are writing for. What plays for Gen Z may leave Baby Boomers cold. Customize your content according to the interests and preferences of your target demographic.

Takeaway: Tailor your content to your audience’s preferences. What works for Gen Z may flop with Gen X.

How Brands Can Replicate Viral Content That Gets Success?

Alright, enough theory. Let’s get practical. What can you do as a brand to improve your chances of going viral? Follow these steps:

Step 1: Start Conversations

Rather than shouting your message, encourage engagement. Pose questions, do polls, or ignite arguments. Interactive content allows people to actively take part, which results in hype.

For example: Wendy’s Twitter account thrives on witty banter. Their playful roasts draw in followers and keep up the chatter.

Step 2: Leverage Influencers

Influencers have their fans hanging on their every word. Collaborate with influencers who share your goals. True partnerships tend to be less contrived and more meaningful.

Pro Tip: Micro-influencers (those with small but supremely-followed audiences) generally provide far better ROI than mega-celebrities.

Step 3: Develop Shareable Formats

You should facilitate the sharing of your content. Information-rich short-form videos, GIFs, and infographics are always popular with consumers because they easy-to-consume and visually engaging.

Need ideas? Check our social media video guide

Step 4: Experiment with Humor

Humor breaks barriers. Memes, for example, are shared more frequently because people like to share stuff that makes them laugh. Try different kinds of humor sarcasm, puns, slapstick to see what works.

Step 5: Monitor Trends

Here to see trends, trending topics and hashtags. Use tools like Google Trends and social listening platforms to find opportunities. Then tailor your content based on that.

Case Studies: Viral Content Examples That Nailed It –[Learnings from the Best]

Let’s take a look at a few actual examples of viral content, and delve into why they struck the right chord.

Old Spice’s “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like”

It had a perfect mix of humor, surprise, and absurdity. So who doesn’t remember a shirtless man upon a horse advertising deodorant? One thing that made it endlessly shareable was an unusual tone.

Dove’s “Real Beauty Sketches”

Dove appealed to raw emotion by addressing self-esteem issues. The message resonated with viewers, and it was shared and discussed far and wide. The key word here was authenticity.”

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

A fund-raising campaign that became a global phenomenon The Ice Bucket Challenge: Participants doused themselves with ice water to raise awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The challenge was easy and rewarding and involved the perfect amount of peer pressure all some of the components that helped it succeed.

Want campaigns like these? Pair creativity with our digital marketing services in Dubai and high-impact visuals from our video production company.

Final Thoughts: Viral Content Starts With a Great Idea

You might not nail it on your first try. But persistence pays off. Make sure to try it out and learn from failure.

You may not hit it the first time you try. But persistence pays off. Every viral hit began as an idea, just like yours. So go ahead. Take the leap. The internet is waiting.

Ready to make your brand’s content the next big thing? Start your viral campaign with us.