So, you want to go viral on YouTube. You’re not alone. Everyone’s trying to crack that code. It’s more art than science, though. We’re here to help you tap into this growing trend. We’ll show you where to post online and when to release your videos. When to post on Youtube.
We’ll also give you more tips to help you succeed. We’ll talk about how things are changing, what you can do to keep up, and how to master YouTube and TikTok. You’ll be able to create viral short videos and stand out from the crowd.
Crayo AI’s clip creator tool can help. This easy-to-use software lets you chop up longer videos into shorter ones. This will help you go viral on both YouTube and TikTok. You’ll be able to stay ahead of the curve and reach a wider audience.
Table Of Contents
What Content Goes Viral on YouTube
1. Music Videos: The Unstoppable Force
The leading YouTube video in 2024 is "Baby Shark Dance," with an astonishing 15 billion views. Music videos reign supreme on YouTube, revealing our insatiable thirst for entertainment. Collaborating with talented artists can yield a viral hit, even if singing isn't your forte.
2. Video Tutorials: Mastering the How-To
Tutorials, or how-tos, are a beloved format for learning new skills. They address your audience's questions or problems. Tasty’s simple cooking guides and Notion’s feature-focused tutorials are great examples that resonate with viewers.
3. Product Reviews: The Consumer's Ally
In product review videos, YouTubers test products and share their experiences. These are among the most-watched types of videos. Google estimates that mobile viewers have consumed 50,000 years of these videos in the past two years.
4. Great Product Videos: Selling with Style
These videos connect emotionally with your audience, expertly blending entertainment with sales. HubSpot reports 77% of marketers use YouTube for marketing videos. The famous DollarShaveClub video exemplifies how humor and storytelling can drive sales.
5. AMA Videos: Engaging Your Community
Ask Me Anything (AMA) videos are a fun way to engage your community while bringing fresh voices and perspectives. Todoist’s AMA session with a productivity expert showcases this format's potential.
6. Vlogs: The Everyman’s Video
Vlogs are a ubiquitous format where creators discuss various topics on camera. They can range from simple personal stories to complex narratives with animations.
7. Video Interviews: Business Meets Celebrity
Popular with business channels, video interviews feature hosts who interview notable figures. Bloomberg’s collaboration with The David Rubenstein Show is a prime example of this format's effectiveness.
8. Whiteboard Videos: Simplicity Wins
Whiteboard videos are visually simple but effective. They involve explaining concepts or tool features on a whiteboard. Confidence is key, as seen in Rand Fishkin’s successful videos.
9. Merch Launch Videos: Boosting Brand Loyalty
Merch launch videos showcase new branded merchandise, fostering loyalty among viewers. Casey Neistat’s merch launch video, which garnered over a million views, highlights the potential of this format in building brand awareness and driving sales.
10. Explainer Videos: Simplifying the Complex
Explainer videos demystify complex topics and concepts. They’ve gained popularity as a marketing tool and website landing page content. The "What is ChatGPT?" video exemplifies how this format can tackle intricate subjects and make them accessible.
11. Listicle Videos: Streamlined Content
Listicle videos mimic the structure of listicle blog posts and are easy to produce. You don’t need to appear on camera—just use a video maker like Visme to create a top list.
12. YouTube SEO Videos: Capitalizing on Searches
SEO-focused videos are a surefire way to gain views and subscribers. They require research to identify what people are searching for on YouTube. Creating content that aligns with popular searches can attract new viewers and boost traffic.
13. Video Testimonials: Building Trust
Testimonial videos are peer-focused and unbiased, driving views and trust. Social Fresh found that customer testimonials are the most effective content type, and Google reports that most people prefer watching online videos to TV.
14. Educational Videos: Offering Free Value
Educational videos build audience trust by providing valuable information for free. They’re highly effective, as 69% of people prefer learning about a product or service through video rather than text.
15. Best of Videos: Showcasing Favorites
These videos feature creators sharing and comparing their favorite products. They’re great for attracting new subscribers and can be tailored to any channel. Affiliating with the producers of your favorite products can also lead to partnerships.
16. Webinars: Deep Diving into Topics
Webinars cater to the demand for in-depth information on products or related topics. Help Scout’s monthly webinars on customer success are a great example of how to use this format effectively.
17. Challenge Videos: Showcasing the Human Side
Challenge videos highlight the human side of your business and appeal to a wide audience. The Microsoft Team’s ice bucket challenge video is a classic example of how this format can broaden your reach.
18. Unboxing Videos: The Thrill of Discovery
Unboxing videos have become an internet sensation. They focus on creators opening sealed boxes of products that their audience cares about. These videos capitalize on search volume and can boost subscriber count and ad revenue.
19. Livestreaming: Real-Time Engagement
Livestreaming is preferred by 80% of viewers over reading blogs. Live streaming can significantly grow your audience, whether it’s an event, presentation, or behind-the-scenes footage.
20. Behind the Scenes Videos: Revealing Company Culture
BTS videos showcase your brand’s human side and company culture. They’re useful for hiring and onboarding new employees and giving viewers insight into the work behind your products.
21. Timelapse Videos: Fast-Forwarding Creation
Timelapse videos speed up sequences, making time appear to move faster. They’re ideal for channels focused on creation, like art or construction. Linking to your website or store can drive sales from new viewers.
22. Event Videos: Capturing the Moment
Events like product launches and major announcements are perfect for video content. Apple’s events are a prime example of how to create engagement and excitement.
23. Reaction Videos: Entertaining and Relatable
Reaction videos provide entertaining content while showcasing your brand’s human side. They build trust with your audience and are especially effective for businesses.
24. Walkthrough Videos: In-Depth Exploration
Walkthrough videos offer a detailed step-by-step look at a media type, like a video game or movie. They attract passionate fans and can be monetized through product links and affiliate ads.
25. Haul Videos: Sharing the Shopping Experience
Haul videos focus on showcasing recent purchases. They’re fun for creators and viewers, offering the thrill of shopping without the financial impact. Affiliate links in descriptions can generate revenue from interested viewers.
16 Tips on How to Blow Up On YouTube
1. Turbocharge Your Shorts with Crayo AI
Crayo AI is the powerhouse you need to create short videos in no time. It lets you create unlimited short videos with ease. Crayo automatically generates captions, effects, backgrounds, and music for you. Just write an outline, customize the style with free templates, and export your video to get started. In minutes, you'll have a viral sensation. Try it out today on the Crayo homepage—no account is needed.
2. Size Up the Competition
Do some competitor research before you start making videos. Check out how your rivals are using video content in their marketing strategy. Identify content gaps you can fill with your videos. For instance, if your biggest competitor doesn't have video FAQs, create some to stand out and add value for your audience.
3. Master YouTube SEO with Keyword Research
YouTube keyword research is an SEO tactic you can use to find the best search terms to include in your video content. Adding intentional, researched search terms to your video title and meta description can drastically improve your video’s performance.
4. Craft Compelling Titles
Your video title is often the first thing potential viewers will see, so it needs to be engaging and informative. Aim to create a descriptive and enticing title while avoiding clickbait. For example, instead of “You Won’t Believe What Happens Next,” try “How to Make Delicious Homemade Ice Cream in 5 Easy Steps.”
5. Set the Right Tone
The tone of your video should reflect your brand’s overall tone and style. For example, if you’re a serious business, you’ll want to avoid using humor or sarcasm. However, let your personality shine if you’re a fun and lighthearted brand.
6. Scout the Perfect Location
Location scouting can be pretty easy if you’re filming at your office or home. Simply set up your camera in various places to find the best physical spot for your shoot; as you preview options, consider what’s in the background of the shot and the lighting to find the optimal location – but more on that later.
If you’re shooting off-site, allow yourself plenty of time to find the right location. Consider whether you need access to electricity depending on your equipment setup, how the natural light affects the shot at that time of day, and how crowded the location is.
7. Nail Down Your Script and Storyboard
The last thing you want to do is show up on location without knowing how the end video should look. Overcome this avoidable problem by creating a script and storyboard before you capture your footage. Begin by writing your script. Your script might include on-camera dialogue that actors say or voiceover that’s layered on top of footage in post-production.
Either way, keep your script simple and keep your sentences short. When someone is reading text, they can go back and re-read it if a sentence is long or complex; however, when watching a video, viewers aren’t likely to rewind a video to listen again. You get one shot to make a lasting impression, so be sure your message is simple, concise, and straightforward.
8. Test Your Audio for Professional Quality
Nothing makes a video feel like an amateur production more than poor-quality audio. If you use your camera on your phone or computer, run an audio test. Having clear audio is critical to your video feeling professional and polished, and getting quality audio isn’t a huge obstacle. First, test your audio on the camera you’re using to film your video and in the environment you will film it. This test will give you a sense of how close your actors or interviewees need to be to the camera and whether there’s a lot of noise in the background. If your test shows that your audio quality needs work, investing in an external microphone might be worth ensuring it is clear and high quality.
9. Light Up Your Scene Perfectly
Lighting is what sets high-quality and low-quality videos apart. Before you start shooting, do a few lighting tests. You can invest in quality lighting equipment if your budget allows, take a trip to your local hardware store for a down-and-dirty DIY lighting kit, or simply move existing lighting around to get the look you’re going for.
Performing a lighting test before your shoot will help you eliminate any unanticipated surprises; for example, if you’re filming in a room with windows, you’ll want to be sure the natural light doesn’t create distracting shadows in the frame. If you’re shooting outdoors, shoot during the golden hour or two before sunset. The softness of the natural light outside is perfect for capturing great footage at that time.
10. Optimize Your Videos for Maximum Visibility
Some food for thought: YouTube videos appear in 70% of the top 100 Google search results.
Heck, see for yourself. Any given product or “how-to” query on Google will return something from YouTube.
YouTube results sometimes even pop up before traditional blog posts or websites.
Listen
YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world. Like people search for products and need problems solved via Google, the same rings true on YouTube.
Think of your YouTube videos as any other content that needs to be optimized regarding keywords, tags, etc.
To increase your chances of showing up, you’ll want to follow some of the best practices for YouTube SEO:
Titles and descriptions: Include target keywords in your titles and descriptions. You can use a tool like Keywordtool.io to help you find keyword ideas.
Mention keywords in your video: According to Brian Dean of Backlinko, your target keywords can help YouTube better understand what your video is about.
Engagement: YouTube uses engagement (likes, comments, views) to help determine where videos rank in search results.
Categories: Use categories to help YouTube better understand who to show your videos to.
Tags: In addition to categories, you can also add tags to your videos to give YouTube more context about your content. You can use quite a few tags, so add as many as you can think of.
Just like with SEO for your website, don’t keyword stuff. Use keywords when they make sense, not just for having them.
11. Drive Engagement by Asking for Comments and Likes
Sometimes, asking for engagement is the best way to get your videos noticed, especially considering the immediacy and connection that video content can create.
Not everyone who enjoys one of your videos will remember to drop a like or become your subscriber, so it’s common to put these reminders in the description or the video itself.
Especially if you’re an up-and-coming channel, there’s no shame in asking for some love directly and asking visitors a question to answer in the comments suggestion or to check out another video, which is a perfect way to keep the engagement rolling. You can likewise link to other videos or drop an external link on your site to serve as a call to action.
12. Leverage Shorts to Maximize Views
Shorts tap into that addictive, quick-hit vertical video format dominating social media (think TikTok and Instagram Reels.) They’re perfect for capturing the attention of viewers who are used to scrolling through endless streams of videos on their phones.
YouTube Shorts aren’t just a trend—they’re powerful tools for growing on the platform. Here’s how you can integrate Shorts into your brand’s content mix:
Share quick tips and mini-tutorials
Create funny memes or comedy skits
Respond to viral news or challenges
Highlight product features and benefits
Answer customer questions
Create before and after videos
Take your audience behind the scenes
13. Engage with the YouTube Community
Although you might not think of YouTube as a social network per se, the platform represents a thriving community where users engage via content, profiles, “likes,” and comments.
It sounds pretty “social” if you ask us.
As noted earlier, interacting with your viewers positively signals YouTube. If nothing else, engaging with your subscribers can help you foster a stronger connection with your audience. “Liking” comments only take a few seconds, as does pinning a top comment as a personal note to your subscribers.
For example, the music channel Artists Of Morality regularly likes and responds to comments on its recent uploads. The channel’s creator regularly engages with subscribers to show appreciation and answer questions.
14. Design Eye-Catching Thumbnails
Creating custom thumbnails is one of the simplest yet effective tactics to promote your YouTube channel. Think of your title and thumbnail as a one-two punch to grab a viewer’s attention.
By default, YouTube snags a screenshot from any given video and uses it as a thumbnail. Unfortunately, sometimes the image it grabs will be a blurry shot of you adjusting the camera or a transition.
Not a good look, right?
Creating thumbnails makes your videos look more appealing and signals a certain sense of professionalism.
Thumbnails don’t have to be rocket science, either. You can even create a template with a particular font and style to make it more consistent and on-brand. This is made especially easy with the help of image creation tools such as Canva.
15. Cross-Promote Your Videos on YouTube
Chances are you’re covering similar topics on YouTube that overlap. To squeeze more out of your older content, make a point to cross-promote your videos when it makes sense.
For example, you can put links in the description of a video and ask viewers to check them out as a kind of call-to-action. Some people might be disappointed that YouTube removed its annotation system. But linking in your description encourages viewers to watch your videos throughout without clicking away.
16. Organize Your YouTube Content with Playlists
The more videos you create, the more difficult it becomes for people to navigate through your channel.
That’s why playlists are so important. Not only do playlists allow you to group your videos into categories to organize your channel, but they also appeal to your viewers’ desire to binge.
For example, Beardbrand’s grooming channel has amassed hundreds of videos covering many topics. The channel’s various playlists help guide subscribers to relevant content without digging for it.
Related Reading
• How Does YouTube Count Views
• How To Make Good YouTube Videos
• How To Make Your First YouTube Video Popular
• What Type Of YouTube Videos Get Viewed Most
• Does YouTube Have A Video Editor
• What Are The Ranking Factors Of A Successful YouTube Channel
• How Much Does Youtube Pay Per Views
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• Youtube Video Size
15 Best YouTube Niches to Go Viral
1. Learn Something New: Education and Tutorials
Educational and tutorial content on YouTube is a treasure trove of knowledge. You can find anything from how-to guides to deep dives into specific subjects like gardening. With channels like Blippi dominating the scene, there's a goldmine of opportunity here. Blippi, for instance, has more than 20 million subscribers and rakes in up to $500K monthly.
2. Tech Talk: Technology Reviews
In tech, reviews reign supreme. Before making big purchases, people want to know if products live up to the hype. This creates a massive demand for tech review channels. Marques Brownlee is a prime example, with his 19 million subscribers and potential earnings of $200K monthly.
3. Lights, Camera, Action: Entertainment
Entertainment thrives on YouTube, and its content ranges from music to comedy. MrBeast, a YouTube giant with over 200 million subscribers, exemplifies how lucrative this niche can be. His monthly earnings soar to $12M just through ad revenue.
4. Cooking Up Success: Food and Cooking
Food and cooking channels are a feast for the eyes—and wallets. With content like recipes and food reviews, these channels draw millions of views. Joshua Weissman’s channel, for instance, has nine million subscribers and pulls in up to $170K monthly.
5. Game On: Gaming Channels
Gaming is a powerhouse on YouTube. Players flock to watch Let’s Plays, reviews, and live streams. LilSimsie, who focuses on The Sims 4, proves the niche’s profitability with her channel earning up to $42.3K monthly from two million subscribers.
6. Get Fit: Health and Fitness
Health and fitness content on YouTube ranges from workout routines to wellness tips. The niche has a massive audience, with creators like Sanne Vloet earning up to $7.5K monthly from her 1.7 million subscribers.
7. Money Matters: Personal Finance and Investing
Finance channels are goldmines on YouTube. Creators in this niche benefit from high CPMs, sharing insights on budgeting, investments, and more. Nischa’s channel, with over a million subscribers, earns nearly $9.7K monthly.
8. Beauty and Style: Beauty and Fashion
Beauty and fashion channels cater to a booming industry. With content like makeup tutorials and fashion hauls, these channels flourish. Tati, a beauty creator with eight million subscribers, earns up to $5.7K monthly.
9. Crafty Content: DIY and Crafts
DIY and craft channels are creative hubs on YouTube. From tutorials to challenges, this niche captivates audiences. The Sorry Girls, with their home improvement content, earn up to $18K monthly from over two million subscribers.
10. Wanderlust: Travel and Vlogs
Travel channels offer guides, reviews, and vlogs that inspire exploration. With her engaging vlogs, Emma Chamberlain earns up to $9.3K monthly from her 12 million subscribers.
11. Animal Kingdom: Pets and Animals
Animal lovers flock to YouTube for pet care tips and heartwarming content. Paul Cuffaro’s channel, with over two million subscribers, earns up to $45K monthly from his animal videos.
12. Real Estate Showcase: Real Estate
Real estate channels give viewers a glimpse into beautiful properties and market trends. Graham Stephan, who also covers personal finance, earns over $100K monthly from his five million subscribers.
13. Family Fun: Parenting and Family
Parenting channels share tips, advice, and family vlogs that resonate with viewers. With their entertaining content, the Trench Family earns up to $1.2M monthly from their 8.8 million subscribers.
14. Unbox and Review: Product Reviews and Unboxings
Unboxing and reviewing videos are viewer favorites on YouTube. Hope Scope’s channel, featuring product hauls, earns up to $124K monthly from four million subscribers.
15. Motivational Moments: Motivation and Self-Improvement
Motivational and self-improvement content is universally appealing. Ali Abdaal, with over five million subscribers, earns $27,000 weekly from his inspiring videos.
Ready to take your YouTube channel to new heights? Try Crayo’s free clip creator tool today. It’s the fastest way to create short videos that captivate and convert. Go from prompt to viral shorts in minutes—no account required!
17 YouTube SEO Tips to Go Viral
1. Craft Shorts with Crayo AI
Want to make short videos quickly? Crayo AI is your go-to tool. It lets you create unlimited shorts with captions, effects, backgrounds, and music. Just write a prompt, pick a style, and export your video. It’s fast and easy. Use Crayo to boost your content game and try it for free on their homepage.
2. Kickstart with Keyword Research
Keywords are crucial for YouTube SEO. They tell the platform what your video is about and help it rank. Use them in your title, tags, and description. Start with the YouTube search bar autocomplete to find popular terms. Check out your competitors’ channels for more ideas. Use tools like Keywords Everywhere, Google Trends, and VidIQ to find the best keywords.
3. Target Long-Tail Keywords
Be specific with your keywords. Think about what your audience is searching for. For example, instead of “makeup,” use “smokey eye makeup how to.” Look for keywords with high traffic and low competition. Avoid broad terms and focus on phrases that match your content.
4. Nail Your Video Title
Your video title should include your primary keyword. This helps YouTube understand what your video is about and rank it higher. Keep your title concise and to the point. Aim for 47-48 characters, as longer titles tend to perform worse. Be creative and make your title intriguing to spark curiosity.
5. Assess Keyword Performance with TubeBuddy
Use TubeBuddy’s Keyword Explorer to see how well a keyword will perform. The Weighted Score considers your channel’s size and average views, while the Unweighted Score is more general. Check the Weighted Score for the most accurate prediction for your channel.
6. Use Tags Wisely
Tags are essential for YouTube ranking. They help the platform identify the topics of your video and recommend related content. Use 6 to 8 tags so as not to confuse the algorithm. Make sure they are relevant to your video’s subject matter.
7. Write Engaging Descriptions
Your video description can be up to 5000 characters long. Use it to provide detailed information about your video and include keywords. The first few words should be persuasive, as they appear in search results. Add calls to action and timestamps to improve engagement.
8. Rename Your Video File
Before uploading your video, rename the file with your primary keyword. This helps YouTube identify the content right away. Use a descriptive name instead of a generic one. This simple step can improve your video’s ranking.
9. Use Dividers in Your Title
Separate your title with dividers like a colon, vertical bar, or hyphen. This makes it easier to read and ensures your keyword is intact. Be consistent with your style, but use whatever divider you prefer.
10. Create Transcriptions and Captions
YouTube can’t read images and videos, so transcribe your content into text. Use the YouTube tool to create captions and make your video more accessible. You can also add the transcript to your description for more information.
11. Avoid Keyword Stuffing
Don’t overload your title and description with keywords. It’s obvious and off-putting to viewers. Rephrase your keyword naturally into the first 200 characters of your description. This keeps your content appealing and avoids penalties.
12. Make Longer Videos
Videos under 2 minutes tend to rank poorly. Aim for videos that are around 10 minutes long and are more likely to meet viewers’ expectations. Length isn’t everything, but longer videos can help improve your ranking.
13. Place Links Below the Fold
Don’t put links in the first 200 characters of your description. This gives too much weight to the links and confuses search engines. Instead, place them lower on the page to keep your content focused.
14. Boost CTR in Search Results
Your video’s click-through rate (CTR) is a key ranking factor. Make your title, description, and thumbnail attractive and relevant to the search. This increases the chances of users clicking on your video.
15. Promote Your Channel and Videos
Use your other marketing channels to promote your videos outside of YouTube. Embed them in blog posts, used email marketing, and shared them on social media. Be relevant and add value to the user when recommending videos.
16. Design Custom Thumbnails
Your thumbnail is the first thing users see, so make it stand out. Create custom thumbnails that accurately represent your video’s topic. Avoid using automatic options and choose something that will grab attention.
17. Improve Production Quality
Good optimization is about quality, so improve your video’s production value. Use a tripod and microphone to make your videos look and sound professional. Pay attention to your background and lighting to create a polished result.
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• How Important Are Tags On YouTube
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• How To Optimize YouTube Videos
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• Best Video Editor For Youtube
Create Viral Shorts In Seconds With Crayo
Are you looking to blow up with YouTube Shorts fast? Check out Crayo AI. It's the quickest way to produce a ton of Shorts with minimal effort. Crayo lets you create unlimited Shorts at once. It’s perfect for pumping out content to go viral. The AI even adds captions, effects, backgrounds, and music for you. Just write a prompt, pick your style and export. It’s that easy. Try Crayo’s free clip creator tool today — no account needed. You can get started in minutes.
Timing is Everything: When to Post on YouTube
You might have the best content in the world, but timing is everything. You don't want to post when your audience is busy. Aim for when they're most active. Most experts suggest posting between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays. On weekends, aim for 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. But remember, every channel is different. Use YouTube Analytics to see when your viewers are online. Try different times and see what works best.
How Often Should You Post?
Consistency is key to building a following. But you don't want to burn yourself out. Aim for at least one video a week. This keeps your audience engaged and coming back for more. But if you can handle more, go for it. Just make sure you're not sacrificing quality for quantity.
Keep Your Audience Engaged
Your viewers don't just want to watch—they want to be part of the action. Ask questions and encourage them to comment. Respond to as many comments as you can. This builds a community and keeps people coming back for more.
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