Every marketer dreams of creating a piece of content that everyone notices, shares widely, and talks about across platforms. While virality can feel unpredictable, understanding what makes content shareable can greatly increase your chances of reaching a larger audience.
The Core Elements of Viral Content
1. Emotion at the Center
Content that sparks strong emotions – whether awe, laughter, joy, or even anger – gets shared. Studies show that people are more likely to share content when it makes them feel something deeply. Think about the last viral video you shared; it probably wasn’t neutral.
👉 Tip: Focus on storytelling that creates an emotional connection rather than just listing features or facts.
2. Relatability and Relevance
Viral content often makes people think, “That’s me,” (reminds me of the app Me We Too) or “I know someone like that.” When people see themselves in your content, they feel compelled to share it. At the same time, the topic needs to be culturally relevant – something that taps into current conversations or trends.
👉 Tip: Tie your message to what your audience is already talking about, whether that’s a seasonal moment, a meme, or a trending social issue.
3. Simplicity + Clarity
If your message requires too much explanation, it won’t spread. Viral content tends to be simple, clear, and easy to “get” in a matter of seconds. A clear hook makes it easier for someone to share without needing to write a whole explanation to their friends. The same goes for your website design or landing page.
👉 Tip: Craft headlines, visuals, or videos that communicate the main idea instantly.
4. Surprise & Novelty
People share things that feel fresh, unexpected, or that flip common assumptions. Surprise grabs attention and novelty makes people want to show it off first.
👉 Tip: Ask yourself, “Would this make someone stop scrolling?”
5. Practical Value
Not all viral content is emotional or funny – sometimes it’s just useful. Hacks, how-to guides, and insider tips spread because people feel good about helping their friends and networks by passing it along.
👉 Tip: If you can solve a problem in a clever or quick way, you’re already tapping into a viral-friendly angle.
6. Built-In Shareability
Viral content is often designed with sharing in mind. That could mean creating bite-sized formats (short videos, infographics, memes), or crafting headlines that naturally invite curiosity and clicks.
👉 Tip: Think about how the content looks in the feed before someone even clicks. Is it eye-catching enough to be shared on its own?
The “Formula” in Action
If we were to boil it down into a repeatable formula, it would look something like this:
Viral Content = Emotion × Relevance × Simplicity × Surprise × Value × Shareability
Each element multiplies the others – meaning if one is missing, the chances of virality drop.
But Don’t Chase Viral – Chase Connection
The truth is, not every piece of content will go viral, and that’s okay. Virality is a spike; connection is a foundation. If your content consistently connects with your audience – even if it doesn’t reach millions – you’re still winning in the long game of marketing.
When you do hit the right combination of timing, creativity, and strategy, that’s when virality happens. And the best part? It won’t feel like luck – it’ll feel like good marketing.
Related: Will the Newest Social Media Trend Actually Boost Your Website Traffic? A Small Business Guide
Marketing Trends to Watch in 2025
Ready to design & build a website you’re proud to market? Learn more about UltimateWB! We also offer web design packages if you would like your website designed and built for you.
Got a techy/website question? Whether it’s about UltimateWB or another website builder, web hosting, or other aspects of websites, just send in your question in the “Ask David!” form. We will email you when the answer is posted on the UltimateWB “Ask David!” section.