Viral Video

What Is Viral Video?

The viral video definition is any clip of animation or film spread rapidly through online sharing. Put simply, it means content that captures attention and spreads fast across the Internet. Viral videos can receive millions of views as they are shared on social media sites, reposted to blogs, sent in emails, and so on.

What makes a video go viral is hard to predict, but one thing is clear: it connects with people. Whether it makes someone laugh, inspires, or touches their hearts, a viral video stands out and leaves an impression.

Thanks to smartphones and platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, anyone can create and share videos. These platforms also use algorithms to boost videos with lots of engagement, helping them reach even more people. This means that while anyone has the chance to go viral, it’s a mix of timing, creativity, and luck.

Also, tools like AI video generators make it much easier to create high-quality videos without needing advanced skills – so if you’re curious, check out the best AI video generators compared for 2025 to find the right tool for your projects.

Table of Contents Table of Contents

1. What Is Viral Video?
2. Key Takeaways
3. What Makes a Video Viral?
4. Types of Viral Videos
5. 5 Tips to Help Your Video Go Viral
6. Viral Video’s Pros and Cons
7. The Bottom Line
8. FAQs
9. References

Show Full Guide

Table of Contents

1. What Is Viral Video?
2. Key Takeaways
3. What Makes a Video Viral?
Show Full Guide
4. Types of Viral Videos
5. 5 Tips to Help Your Video Go Viral
6. Viral Video’s Pros and Cons
7. The Bottom Line
8. FAQs
9. References

What Makes a Video Viral?

In the end, what makes a video viral comes down to luck – there are no guarantees when it comes to virality. Having said that, there are several common aspects across videos that made it to viral status:

So, to define a viral video: it’s all about its ability to capture attention, evoke emotion, and inspire people to share it widely online. These elements help answer the question of what is considered a viral video.

Types of Viral Videos

Not all these types of videos are the same, and they can be grouped into several viral video types based on their purpose or content:

Unintentional Viral Videos

These are unscripted, everyday moments that go viral by accident.

Examples of unintentional viral videos include:

• “BBC Dad” Interview Interruption (2017)
• “Damn, Daniel” (2016)

Humorous Viral Videos

Designed to make people laugh, these videos often include jokes, funny stunts, or absurd scenarios.

Examples of humorous viral videos include:

• “Dude Perfect” Trick Shots (2015 onwards)
• “Yodeling Kid in Walmart” (2018)

Promotional Viral Videos

These are made by brands to create buzz around a product or message.

Examples of promotional viral videos include:

• Dove “Real Beauty Sketches” (2013)
• Old Spice “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” (2010)

Inspirational Viral Videos

These types of viral videos touch people’s hearts or motivate them.

Some of these videos include:

• My baby hears me for the first time and is almost moved to tears! (2017)
• Dear Future Generations: Sorry (2024)

Challenge-Based Viral Videos

These videos start as trends or challenges that encourage others to join in. They often bring people together and go viral because of their fun or meaningful nature.

For example:

• Bill Gates ALS Ice Bucket Challenge (2014)
• High School Mannequin Challenge 1500 Students – Maple Ridge Secondary School

Musical or Performance Viral Videos

These videos show amazing talent, creative performances, or unique skills that leave you thinking, “How did they do that?” People love watching and sharing these moments because they’re so impressive and fun to watch.

For example:

• Susan Boyle – Britain’s Got Talent First Audition (2009)
• Evolution of Music – Pentatonix

Awareness and Advocacy Viral Videos

These types of viral videos raise awareness for important causes like the environment, human rights, or social justice. They make you think, and feel and often inspire action.

Such videos include:

• KONY 2012 (2012)
• Greta Thunberg’s full speech to world leaders at UN Climate Action Summit

These various types illustrate the viral video’s meaning. There is no set formula for creating a viral video, but many successful ones share a quick pace and near-instant payoff as far as the first laugh that hooks people into watching the entire video.

5 Tips to Help Your Video Go Viral

Everyone dreams of creating a video that spreads like wildfire and gets millions of views.

While there’s no guaranteed formula, here are some simple tips to boost your chances of going viral:

When you break down what makes a video viral, it’s clear that a mix of creativity, emotional appeal, and timing is needed. Remember, the key is to connect with your audience and make content they can’t help but share!

What is Viral Video Success?

When content (such as videos, memes, articles, or tweets) spreads quickly online, it’s termed “going viral”. This means that the content has spread worldwide, and it has rapidly gained popularity via likes, shares, views, and mentions.

The thing is that going viral is also about cultural impact. How much did this piece of content manage to unite people across countries, religions, and other demographics to spark emotions, start conversations, or influence trends?

Viral content often stands out because of its originality, humor, emotional appeal, or relatability. Social media platforms play a huge role, using algorithms to promote engaging content to wider audiences.

While going viral can bring fame, increased visibility, or business growth, it can also attract criticism or backlash, showing the rewards and risks of online popularity.

Viral Video’s Pros and Cons

The Bottom Line

The viral video definition lies in its ability to go viral via the number of shares, likes, and comments. By doing so, a viral video becomes a part of culture and is able to spark conversations, influence trends, and become a part of people’s online lives.

When discussing what is considered a viral video, we think of uniqueness, emotional appeal, and relevance, using social media algorithms and easy sharing to gain popularity. By focusing on creativity, emotional connections, and timing, creators can create content that resonates with viewers and captures the moment.

While viral fame offers benefits, it also comes with risks, making it essential to weigh the pros and cons of navigating the world of viral content.

FAQs