how to make a video go viral – youtube algorithm

How To Make A Video Go Viral Detailed Youtube Strategy

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I’ve spent years creating YouTube content, and I’ve come to a sobering realization: bigger YouTubers often dominate topics in a way that leaves smaller creators like me struggling for views. One of the most striking examples I’ve seen is the difference between two videos on the Honey App. A well-known channel racked up millions of views (and likely six figures in ad revenue) with a dramatic exposé, while my earlier, more informational video on the exact same subject barely broke 120,000 views over four years.

Below, I’ll walk through what I’ve learned about why this happens, how “giants” can overshadow our content, and what we can do to improve our chances of getting noticed.

1. Recognizing the Problem

I first noticed the issue when I compared my video’s performance to a massively successful viral upload. Here’s what happened:

• Loss of Views: My channel’s video on the Honey App was quickly buried once a bigger creator tackled the same topic in a more dramatic style.
• Lost Opportunity: Because my video wasn’t getting recommended as much, I missed out on the potential ad revenue and audience growth I’d hoped for.

The Proof:

• The viral video pulled nearly 16 million views in just a few weeks, which I estimate could earn over $100,000 from ads alone.
• My older video on Honey, meanwhile, brought in around 120,000 views over several years—earning less than $2,000 during its entire run.

2. Case Study: Comparing My Honey App Video to a Bigger Creator’s

To figure out why the bigger YouTuber’s Honey App exposé soared while my video stalled, I did a direct comparison:

The takeaway is clear: a dramatic title, longer watch time, and strong emotional hooks appealed to a massive general audience. Meanwhile, my straightforward video, although informative, stayed niche and didn’t stir much curiosity or urgency.

3. Why One Video Goes Viral While the Other Doesn’t

3.1 Title & Thumbnail (“Packaging”)

• If viewers aren’t hooked by the title or thumbnail, YouTube’s algorithm won’t push the video.
• Broad, dramatic appeal (e.g., “scam,” “outrage,” “exposé”) draws a huge audience versus a narrower “how-to” or “business model” angle.

3.2 Watch Time & Viewer Retention

• Longer videos (20+ minutes) can generate more total watch time, which boosts ranking in recommendations.
• Engaging storytelling increases retention. Keeping 60% of viewers engaged over 20 minutes is powerful.

3.3 Emotional & Dramatic Hook

• Videos tapping into drama (e.g., “You’ve been lied to!”) spark curiosity and are more shareable.
• Calm, purely informational videos often lack a “viral” spark unless they’re exceptionally unique.

3.4 Audience Targeting

• Broad exposés capture a huge swath of the YouTube audience.
• Niche topics like affiliate marketing or business models draw smaller, though potentially more focused, groups.

3.5 Call to Action & Shareability

• Strong calls to action that spark outrage or surprise make viewers more likely to share.
• Basic prompts to “like and subscribe” rarely drive large-scale sharing.

4. Breaking Down Key Elements in My Case

• Hook & Tone: Their “Exposing the Honey Influencer Scam” felt urgent and personal; my “How the Honey App Makes Money” was purely factual.
• Narrative Structure: They had dramatic revelations (“It gets worse…”), while I offered a linear, step-by-step explanation.
• Audience Appeal: Drama + Influencers = mainstream interest; Business analysis = smaller pool of interested viewers.
• Visual Storytelling: Their video used reenactments and on-screen personality shifts; mine stuck to simple slides and screen recordings.
• Call to Action & Shareability: Their emotional appeals to “share if you’re outraged” were more compelling than my straightforward end screen.

5. What I Learned About Going Viral

After seeing how drastically performance can differ, I identified a “secret code” for gaining traction:

1. Title & Thumbnail
   • Intrigue viewers with drama, mystery, or “you won’t believe this” style hooks.
   • Use recognizable faces or shocking text.
2. Structure for Watch Time
   • Keep interest alive with “micro-hooks” (“Wait until you see what happened next…”).
   • Switch up visuals and pacing to maintain momentum.
3. Appeal to Emotion or Curiosity
   • Include elements of scandal, betrayal, or big reveals.
   • Offer fresh insights or inside information.
4. Target the Right Audience
   • Decide if you want mass-market appeal or a more specialized group.
   • Stay consistent with your channel’s overarching theme.
5. Strong Call to Action
   • Inspire viewers to share by tapping into strong emotions (outrage, surprise, or concern).
   • Ask direct questions—“Did this happen to you?” “Have you ever felt scammed?”

6. How I Use AI Tools to Improve My Videos

I decided to analyze both the viral video and my own transcript using ChatGPT. I even created a custom plugin called “Video Hacks GPT” to get tailored suggestions on hooks, titles, narrative flow, and emotional triggers.

Sample AI Prompts & Outputs

• Prompt: “Here is my video idea/title. How can I make it go viral?”
  • AI Suggestion: Provides a checklist for creating an emotional angle, share triggers, and storyline arcs.
• Prompt: “Now make 10 titles.”
  • AI Suggestion: Generates click-worthy titles such as “How Google Really Makes Money—And Why It’s Genius.”

7. My Actionable Takeaways

• Match Content to Your Goal: If you want viral traffic, you need broader topics and more drama. If you’re okay with a smaller yet profitable niche, focus on quality and depth.
• Optimize Your “Packaging”: Spend time crafting titles and thumbnails that grab attention at a glance.
• Maximize Watch Time: Use storytelling techniques, pacing shifts, and variety in visuals to keep viewers hooked.
• Tap into Emotional Resonance: Bring out curiosity, surprise, or concern to encourage sharing.
• Leverage AI: Tools like ChatGPT can be your secret weapon for brainstorming titles, outlines, and storytelling angles.

8. Visual Summary

I like to visualize the difference in approach like this:

The biggest difference is broad, emotional engagement versus niche, fact-based presentation.

9. My Next Steps

1. Analyze My Channel: I’ll review my own topics, thumbnails, and overall tone to see if they match my growth goals.
2. Experiment with Formats: I plan to try more emotionally driven hooks and case studies to see if they boost watch time.
3. Use AI for Feedback: I’ll keep using ChatGPT and my custom plugin to refine titles, structure, and calls to action.
4. Measure & Refine: I’ll keep an eye on retention, click-through rates, and social shares to gauge improvements.

Final Note:
I’ve learned that presenting information in a more compelling, emotionally resonant way can be the difference between a niche upload and a viral sensation. If you’re also looking to break through on YouTube, I encourage you to think carefully about titles, thumbnails, emotional hooks, and watch-time boosters. You might just find yourself on the road to your next big hit!

Happy creating, and here’s to our collective success on YouTube!