How to Find Viral Content Using the Best Tools

julie

·January 15, 2025

·17 min read

Creating viral content can feel like striking gold. It grabs attention, spreads like wildfire, and boosts your visibility. But how do you uncover those golden ideas? That’s where the right tools come in. They help you spot trends, track popular topics, and understand what resonates with your audience. Instead of guessing, you’ll know how to find viral content that works. These tools simplify the process, saving you time and effort. With the right approach, you can turn your content into something truly viral.

What Is Viral Content?

Definition of Viral Content

You’ve probably heard the term "viral content" thrown around a lot, but what does it actually mean? Viral content refers to any material—like videos, articles, memes, or campaigns—that grabs massive attention online and spreads rapidly across social media and other digital platforms. It’s the kind of content that gets shared over and over, creating a snowball effect of exposure and engagement. Think of it as a digital wildfire, where one spark can ignite a massive blaze of interest.

The magic of viral content lies in its ability to grow exponentially. It doesn’t just reach a few people—it reaches thousands, sometimes millions, in a short period. Viral marketing, which is closely tied to viral content, works by encouraging people to share messages or products within their networks. This organic sharing leads to rapid dissemination, increased brand awareness, and often, customer growth. And the best part? It usually requires minimal investment compared to traditional advertising.

Key Characteristics of Viral Content

So, what makes content go viral? While there’s no guaranteed formula, viral content often shares a few key traits:

Emotionally Engaging: Viral content tugs at your heartstrings, makes you laugh out loud, or leaves you in awe. For example, Dove’s "Real Beauty Sketches" campaign resonated deeply with viewers by addressing self-image insecurities. It became the most-watched video ad of all time, with over 163 million views.
Highly Shareable: Simplicity and relatability are crucial. The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge worked because it was easy to participate in and share. Plus, it encouraged others to join in, creating a ripple effect.
Unique and Unexpected: People love surprises. Old Spice’s "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" campaign stood out with its humor and unpredictability, making it unforgettable.
Personalized or Interactive: Content that feels personal or interactive often performs well. Spotify Wrapped, for instance, gives users a personalized summary of their listening habits. It’s fun, shareable, and taps into people’s desire to express their identity.

These characteristics make viral topics and campaigns stand out in a crowded digital space. When you understand what makes content viral, you’re one step closer to creating your own success story.

Why Finding Viral Content Matters

Benefits of Viral Content

Finding viral content can transform your online presence. When your content goes viral, it doesn’t just reach a few people—it explodes across platforms. This kind of exposure can bring several benefits to your brand or business.

First, viral content boosts your visibility. It puts your name in front of thousands, sometimes millions, of people. This kind of reach is hard to achieve with regular posts. Viral content also drives engagement. People love to comment, like, and share posts that resonate with them. These social shares create a ripple effect, spreading your message even further.

Another benefit is credibility. When people see your content being shared widely, they view you as an authority in your niche. It builds trust and makes your audience more likely to follow you or buy from you. Viral content can also save you money. Instead of spending big on ads, you let organic shares do the work for you.

Finally, it helps you connect with your audience. Viral posts often tap into emotions or shared experiences. This connection strengthens your relationship with your followers and keeps them coming back for more.

Common Challenges in Finding Viral Content

While the benefits are clear, finding viral content isn’t always easy. One major challenge is unpredictability. You can’t always predict what will resonate with your audience. Something you think is amazing might not get the reaction you expect.

Another challenge is competition. Social platforms are crowded with content. Standing out in this sea of posts can feel overwhelming. You also need to stay on top of trends. Trends change quickly, and missing them can mean losing out on potential shares.

Time is another factor. Researching, analyzing, and creating content takes effort. Without the right tools, this process can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Finally, balancing creativity with strategy can be tricky. You want your content to be unique, but it also needs to align with what’s already working.

Despite these challenges, using the right tools and strategies can make finding viral content much easier.

Best Tools to Find Viral Content

Social Media Analytics Tools

Social media analytics tools are your best friend when it comes to tracking viral trends. These tools help you monitor what’s working on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. They analyze posts, engagement, and audience behavior, giving you insights into what’s gaining traction.

Here’s a quick comparison of some top tools:

Tool	Features	Pricing
Sprout Social	Monitors trends, competitor activity, customer feedback, integrates with platforms like Zendesk and HubSpot	Varies by plan
eClincher	Monitors multiple accounts, scalable solutions, easy upgrades	Varies by plan
Agorapulse	Scheduling, engagement, monitoring, performance gauging by profile/post	Varies by plan
Buffer	Scheduling dashboard, analytics, audience analysis, custom reports	Varies by plan

These tools simplify your content strategy by showing you what’s already viral. For example, Sprout Social not only tracks trends but also helps you understand customer feedback. This makes it easier to create posts that resonate with your audience.

Content Discovery Platforms

Content discovery platforms are perfect for finding trending topics and viral content. They gather data from across the web, highlighting what’s popular right now. The best platforms offer features like buzz tracking, social listening, and predictive analysis.

Feature	Description
Buzz Tracking	Analyzes social media trends to identify popular topics.
Social Listening	Monitors social media for mentions, providing insights into audience sentiment.
Content Aggregators	Collects and curates content from various sources to highlight trends.
Analytics Engines	Tracks user interactions to determine content popularity and engagement levels.
Predictive Analysis	Uses historical data to forecast future content popularity.
Visual Discovery	Allows exploration of content through images and videos to identify engaging material.

Platforms like these make content creation easier by showing you what’s already working. For instance, buzz tracking tools can help you spot viral posts before they peak. This gives you a head start in crafting your own engaging content.

Search Engine Tools

Search engine tools like Google Trends are invaluable for finding viral topics. They provide real-time data on what people are searching for, helping you tap into current interests.

Google Trends offers trend data on any keyword, including search volume patterns.
It provides demographic data and suggestions for related topics and queries.
Exploring trending queries helps you identify topics that engage readers.
Historical data analysis can predict future trends, giving you an edge in content strategy.
The tool is free, making it accessible for everyone.

Google Trends is especially useful for startups. It helps pinpoint viral topics within your niche and generates ideas for targeted posts. By using this tool, you can align your content with what’s trending, ensuring maximum social shares and engagement.

Hashtag and Keyword Tools

Hashtags and keywords are like the GPS of viral content. They guide you to the topics people are buzzing about. Using the right tools, you can uncover trending hashtags and popular keywords that make your posts more discoverable. This means more shares, more engagement, and a better chance of going viral.

Here are some tools you should check out:

Hashtagify: This tool helps you find trending hashtags on platforms like Twitter and Instagram. It shows you related hashtags, popularity scores, and even usage trends over time.
RiteTag: Ever wondered if your hashtags are effective? RiteTag analyzes your hashtags and suggests better ones to boost your post’s visibility.
Google Keyword Planner: While it’s mainly for SEO, this tool is great for finding keywords that people are searching for. Pair these keywords with hashtags to create posts that hit the mark.
Trendsmap: This tool focuses on location-based hashtag trends. It’s perfect if you want to target a specific region with your viral content.

Pro tip: Combine hashtags with keywords for maximum impact. For example, if you’re posting about a trending topic, use a mix of popular hashtags and relevant keywords to increase your reach. This strategy helps your posts appear in more searches and boosts your chances of getting shares.

Other Useful Platforms

Beyond the usual tools, there are some hidden gems that can help you find viral content. These platforms offer unique features to give you an edge.

BuzzSumo: This platform is a goldmine for discovering viral posts. It shows you the most shared content across social media. You can filter by topic, date, or even content type.
Reddit: Known as the “front page of the internet,” Reddit is full of trending discussions. Subreddits (topic-specific forums) are great for spotting viral ideas before they hit mainstream social platforms.
Pinterest Trends: If your audience loves visuals, this tool is a must. It highlights trending pins and topics, helping you create posts that resonate.
Quora: People ask questions about everything here. Use it to find what’s on people’s minds and create posts that answer those questions.

These platforms not only help you find viral content but also inspire you to create posts that stand out. The key is to explore them regularly and adapt your strategy based on what’s trending.

How to Use These Tools Effectively

Setting Up Alerts and Notifications

Alerts and notifications are lifesavers when it comes to tracking viral content. They keep you updated on engagement spikes, trending topics, and audience activity without requiring constant manual checks. Setting them up is simple and can save you tons of time.

Here’s how you can do it:

Access your account dashboard through the menu (☰).
Navigate to the "Email Notifications" section.
Check the box for "Notify me of engagement and traffic peaks on my site."

Customizing these alerts is key. Focus on metrics that align with your goals. For example, if you want to track shares or comments, set up notifications for those specific actions. This way, you’ll only get updates that matter, avoiding unnecessary distractions. Alerts ensure you never miss a moment when your content starts gaining traction.

Analyzing Metrics and Engagement Data

Metrics are your roadmap to understanding what works. By analyzing engagement data, you can identify patterns and refine your strategy. Focus on metrics that reveal how your audience interacts with your content.

Here’s a quick breakdown of important metrics:

Metric	Definition	Importance
Reach	Total unique users exposed to content	Measures overall visibility
Engagement Rate	Percentage of users interacting with content	Indicates content resonance
Share Rate	Shares divided by views	Measures viral potential
Viral Coefficient	New users brought in by each existing user	Quantifies viral growth
Traffic Sources	Platforms driving traffic	Informs platform strategy

Pay close attention to shares and engagement rates. These metrics show how well your content resonates with your audience. If you notice a high share rate, it’s a sign that your post has viral potential. Use this data to fine-tune your content creation process and focus on what your audience loves.

Identifying Patterns in Viral Content

Viral content often follows certain patterns. Recognizing these can help you replicate success. Start by looking for emotional resonance. Posts that evoke strong feelings—whether joy, surprise, or even nostalgia—tend to get more shares.

Relatability is another big factor. People love sharing content they connect with personally. Novelty also plays a role. Unique ideas or fresh perspectives grab attention and encourage sharing. High-quality visuals and interactive elements, like polls or quizzes, can further boost engagement.

When you analyze viral posts, ask yourself: What emotions does this content evoke? Is it relatable or surprising? By identifying these patterns, you’ll know how to find viral content and create posts that stand out on social platforms.

Staying Consistent with Monitoring Trends

Staying on top of trends isn’t a one-time task—it’s an ongoing process. Viral content moves fast, and if you’re not consistent, you might miss out on opportunities to ride the wave. So, how do you stay ahead of the curve? Let’s break it down.

Schedule Regular Check-Ins
Set aside time daily or weekly to review trending topics and viral posts. Use tools like Google Trends, BuzzSumo, or social media analytics platforms to see what’s gaining traction. A consistent schedule keeps you in the loop without feeling overwhelmed.
Follow Industry Leaders and Influencers
Keep an eye on what thought leaders in your niche are sharing. They often spot trends early. Follow them on platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram. Their insights can inspire your content and help you stay relevant.
Leverage Automation
Use tools that automate trend tracking. For example, set up alerts on Google Trends or notifications on social media platforms. These tools notify you when something starts trending, saving you time and effort.

Pro Tip: Combine automation with manual research. While tools are helpful, your personal touch ensures you don’t miss unique opportunities.

Engage with Your Audience
Pay attention to what your followers are talking about. Read their comments, respond to their questions, and join conversations. Your audience often provides clues about emerging trends.
Track Competitors
Watch what your competitors are posting. Analyze their most successful content. This doesn’t mean copying them—it’s about understanding what works and finding ways to do it better.

Consistency is key. By making trend monitoring a habit, you’ll always be ready to create content that resonates and stands out.

Best Practices for Creating Viral Content

Crafting Compelling Headlines

Headlines are the first thing people see, and they can make or break your content. A great headline grabs attention and sparks curiosity. To create viral headlines, focus on these key elements:

Curiosity: Tease just enough information to make readers want more.
Emotions: Use words that evoke strong feelings like excitement, joy, or even urgency.
Relevance: Make sure your headline speaks directly to your audience’s interests or current trends.
Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Add urgency or exclusivity to encourage clicks.
Social Proof: Highlight popularity or endorsements to build trust.
Specificity: Numbers and clear benefits make your headline more credible and appealing.

For example, instead of saying, "Tips for Better Sleep," try "7 Proven Ways to Sleep Better Tonight." It’s specific, emotional, and promises immediate value. Viral headlines aren’t just catchy—they’re crafted to connect with your audience instantly.

Using High-Quality Visuals

Visuals are the secret weapon of viral content. They grab attention faster than text and make your posts stand out. High-quality visuals can increase engagement by 77% compared to text-only posts. Why? Because your brain processes visuals 60,000 times faster than words.

Photos, videos, and infographics act as natural stopping points in a busy social feed. They tell a story at a glance, making your content more digestible and shareable. For example, a stunning photo or a short, engaging video can evoke emotions that words alone can’t.

To boost your content quality, always use visuals that are sharp, relevant, and eye-catching. Whether it’s a vibrant image or a quick tutorial video, high-quality content keeps your audience hooked and encourages shares.

Focusing on Emotional or Practical Content

Viral content often taps into emotions or solves problems. People love sharing posts that make them feel something or offer practical value. Emotional content—like heartwarming stories, funny memes, or shocking facts—resonates deeply. Think of videos that make you laugh or cry; they’re hard to ignore and even harder not to share.

Practical content, like how-to guides or problem-solving articles, also performs well. Posts that answer questions or provide solutions are inherently valuable. For example, a tutorial on "How to Save Money on Groceries" is both helpful and shareable.

To create viral content, aim for a mix of emotional and practical elements. A funny video with a useful tip or an inspiring story with actionable advice can strike the perfect balance. This approach ensures your content connects with your audience on multiple levels.

Timing and Platform Optimization

When it comes to creating viral content, timing and platform choice can make or break your success. You might have the most amazing post, but if you share it at the wrong time or on the wrong platform, it could get lost in the noise. So, how do you get it right?

First, think about your audience’s habits. When are they most active online? For example, if your followers are professionals, they might scroll through LinkedIn during lunch breaks or after work. If you’re targeting teens, evenings on TikTok or Instagram might be your sweet spot. Use analytics tools to figure out when your audience engages the most.

Next, tailor your content to the platform. Each platform has its own vibe. Twitter loves short, snappy posts. Instagram thrives on eye-catching visuals. TikTok is all about quick, entertaining videos. Sharing the same content across all platforms might seem easy, but it won’t always work. Customize your posts to fit the platform’s style and audience.

Timing also matters when it comes to trends. Viral content often rides the wave of what’s hot right now. If you spot a trend, act fast. Waiting too long could mean missing the moment. Tools like Google Trends or BuzzSumo can help you stay ahead of the curve.

Finally, don’t forget to experiment. Post at different times and track the results. You might discover surprising patterns about when your content performs best. The key is to stay flexible and adapt based on what works.

Pro Tip: Combine timing with platform optimization for maximum impact. A well-timed post on the right platform can skyrocket your chances of going viral.

Finding and leveraging viral content can transform your online presence. It boosts brand awareness, drives engagement, and creates cost-effective growth opportunities. A single viral post can generate massive traffic and visibility, making it a powerful tool for any content strategy.

Experimenting with tools and strategies is key. Know your audience, focus on quality, and stay authentic. Timing matters too—launch your content when your audience is most active. Don’t forget to analyze your results and adapt. Consistency and creativity are your best allies in this journey. With the right approach, you’ll unlock the potential of viral content and achieve lasting success.

FAQ

What is the best tool for finding viral content quickly?

It depends on your needs. For social media trends, tools like BuzzSumo or Google Trends work great. If you want hashtag insights, try Hashtagify. Each tool offers unique features, so explore a few to find your favorite.

How often should I monitor trends?

Daily or weekly works best. Viral trends move fast, so regular check-ins keep you ahead. Use tools with alerts to save time and stay updated without constant manual effort.

Can small businesses create viral content?

Absolutely! Focus on relatable, emotional, or practical content. Use high-quality visuals and trending hashtags. Even with a small budget, creativity and timing can help your posts go viral.

Do I need to use all the tools mentioned?

Not at all! Start with one or two tools that fit your goals. As you get comfortable, you can add more to your toolkit. Simplicity often leads to better results.

How do I know if my content has viral potential?

Look at engagement metrics like shares, comments, and reach. High numbers mean your content resonates. Analyze what works and replicate those elements in future posts.

Pro Tip: Experiment with different formats and topics. Sometimes, unexpected ideas perform the best! 🎯