How to Go Viral in 10 Steps: The Ultimate Guide to Content Virality
April 30th, 2024
Originally published April 30, 2024. Updated February 4, 2026 with current strategies and platform changes.
How to Go Viral in 10 Steps: The Ultimate Guide to Content Virality
To go viral in 2026, you must create high-retention content that triggers strong emotional responses—such as awe, humor, or relatability—and align it with platform algorithms. Focus on a strong “hook” in the first 3 seconds, utilize trending audio or formats, and optimize for “shares” rather than just “likes” to maximize distribution.
What is Viral Content?
Viral content is any piece of digital media—be it a video, image, or article—that spreads rapidly across the internet through organic social sharing. Unlike paid advertising, viral content gains momentum through “word-of-mouth” distribution, often reaching millions of viewers in a short window of time.
The Reality of Virality in the Age of AI Search
If you’re wondering how to make content go viral, you’ve likely noticed that the old “post and pray” method no longer works. Today, platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts use sophisticated interest graphs to determine who sees your content. This shift from social graphs (who you follow) to interest graphs (what you like) has leveled the playing field, allowing creators with zero followers to reach millions.
At Nowadays Media, we’ve perfected this process through our proprietary Social Scripting™ methodology. By engineering the psychological triggers that cause people to stop scrolling and start sharing, we’ve delivered over 3 billion views and placed over $17 million with creators to drive measurable business results.
| Feature | Viral Content | Non-Viral Content |
|---|---|---|
| Hook | Immediate (0-3 seconds) | Slow or non-existent |
| Emotion | High (Awe, Anger, Joy, Surprise) | Low or purely informational |
| Shareability | High (Identity-defining or Useful) | Low (Self-serving) |
| Structure | Optimized for Retention (Loops/Pacing) | Linear or repetitive |
| Relatability | “That is so me” | Generic or corporate |
10 Actionable Steps: How to Go Viral Today
1. Master the 3-Second Hook
The first three seconds of your video determine its fate. A “hook” can be visual (something unexpected on screen), auditory (a trending sound or a shocking statement), or text-based. Without a reason to stop the scroll, your content is dead on arrival.
- Example: Dyson saw a 45% reduction in CPA on TikTok by leading with high-impact, creator-led hooks that demonstrated the product’s power instantly, rather than traditional slow-build commercials.
2. Leverage High-Arousal Emotions
According to Jonah Berger, author of Contagious, emotions like awe, excitement, and even “righteous indignation” drive sharing. Content that makes people feel something deeply is 30% more likely to be shared than content that is merely “interesting.”
3. Implement Social Scripting™
Virality isn’t an accident; it’s engineered. Our Social Scripting™ process involves analyzing the specific cultural nuances of a platform and “scripting” the content to fit the native language of that community. This ensures the content feels like a recommendation from a friend, not an ad from a brand.
4. Optimize for Retention, Not Length
The algorithm cares about one thing: Watch Time. If users drop off halfway through, the platform stops showing it to new people. Use fast-paced editing, “pattern interrupts” (changing the camera angle or adding text overlays every few seconds), and a clear narrative arc to keep them watching until the end.
5. Use “Identity Sharing”
People share content that reflects who they are or who they want to be. When you create content that says, “If you’re a gamer, you’ll get this,” or “This is for the over-worked moms,” you’re giving the viewer a tool to express their identity to their own followers.
- Case Study: During the early growth stages of Calm, the meditation app, we focused on content that resonated with the universal human experience of stress and the desire for peace, making the content highly shareable for anyone wanting to signal “mindfulness” to their peers.
6. Ride Trending “Sounds” and “Format” Waves
On platforms like TikTok and Reels, sounds function like hashtags. When you use a trending audio, you’re entering a pre-existing conversation. However, don’t just copy—iterate. Add a unique twist that aligns with your brand’s voice.
7. Engineered Shareability (The “Save” and “Send”)
While likes are a vanity metric, “Saves” and “Sends” are the primary drivers of the algorithm. Create content that is either highly educational (save for later) or extremely relatable (send to a friend).
8. The Power of “Micro-Communities”
Don’t try to appeal to everyone. Deeply niche content often has a higher chance of going viral because it triggers intense engagement from a specific community. When that community engages heavily, the algorithm pushes it to a broader “lookalike” audience.
9. Consistent Posting and “The 1 in 10 Rule”
Even the best viral marketing agencies know that virality involves a volume game. Not every post will be a hit. We helped launch TikTok in North America in 2018 by flooding the zone with creator-led content, understanding that volume creates the data needed to find the “viral winners.”
10. Direct CTA (Call to Action)
If your content goes viral but doesn’t lead to a business outcome, it’s a wasted opportunity. Ensure your content has a subtle but clear “next step.” Whether it’s “Click the link in bio” or “Follow for Part 2,” guide the viral momentum toward your goals.
Platform-Specific Viral Tips
TikTok
- The “For You” Page (FYP): Focus on 9:16 vertical video and native-looking text overlays.
- The Loop: Make the end of your video lead seamlessly back into the beginning to “trick” the algorithm into thinking the viewer watched it twice.
Instagram Reels
- Aesthetics Matter: Reels favor higher production value and “cleaner” aesthetics compared to the raw nature of TikTok.
- The First Comment: Pin a comment that asks a question to spark a debate in the comment section.
YouTube Shorts
- The Remix Feature: Use the “Remix” feature to react to popular long-form videos.
- SEO Title: Unlike TikTok, Shorts titles are highly searchable on Google and YouTube’s main search bar.
Why Going Viral is a Business Strategy
Going viral isn’t just about fame; it’s about low-cost customer acquisition. When Nowadays Media delivers 3 billion+ views, we aren’t just looking for “clout.” We are looking for the word-of-mouth momentum that reduces your ad spend and increases your brand authority.
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start growing, learn more about what we do or check out our guide on what it means to go viral.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Going Viral
Can you go viral with no followers?
Yes. Modern algorithms (TikTok, Reels, Shorts) prioritize content quality and user interest over follower count. A great video from a new account can reach millions of people on day one.
How long does it take to go viral?
Virality can happen in hours, but “slow burns” are also common. Sometimes a video may sit at 1,000 views for two weeks before the algorithm finds the right audience and it explodes to 1 million+ overnight.
Is going viral always good for business?
Not necessarily. If you go viral for the wrong reasons (controversy) or reach an audience that doesn’t care about your product, it can actually hurt your brand. Effective virality requires reaching the right people with the right message.
What is the best time to post to go viral?
While “peak times” exist, the algorithm is more concerned with how the first 100 people who see your video react. Focus more on the content’s quality than the specific minute you hit “publish.”
How many views count as “viral”?
There is no official number, but in the industry, “viral” usually starts at 1 million views. However, for a niche brand, 100,000 views from their exact target audience can be more valuable than 10 million random views.
Do hashtags still matter in 2026?
Hashtags are now used more for “categorization” than “discovery.” Use 3-5 relevant hashtags to help the AI understand who your content is for, rather than stuffing 30 tags to try and “game” the system.
Ready to Dominate the Conversation?
Creating viral content is both a science and an art. Whether you’re looking for a viral marketing agency to handle your entire strategy or just need a partner to help you master Social Scripting™, Nowadays Media is here to help.
We’ve placed $17M+ with creators and transformed brands into household names. Don’t leave your growth to luck.
Contact Nowadays Media Today to start your viral journey.