One frequently asked question, especially when it comes to social media optimization (SMO), is what are the driving factors that causes certain posts to go viral, while others do not? Whether it is a blog post, cartoon, meme, picture, or video, when one goes viral, it makes a huge difference between the success and failure of the content, plus, there are other “behind-the-scenes” aspects that can actually result in financial gains.

Essentially no one can really predict what will go viral and what will not. Who knew that when Susan Boyle appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, that her performance would not only go viral in the UK but would spread around the world, making her a household name. Even though others have performed on the show and videos have been released online, none of those performers have even come close to the over 200 million view’s Susan’s original appearance on the show has received.

Then, there are all of those cat memes and videos that show up daily on our social media feeds and email inboxes. But what sets apart all of these memes and videos that causes some to go viral, like Simon’s Cat or Nora the Cat Piano, and others get not as much attention?

Part of the reason for the success of specific types of content has to do with the simplicity of the content. When readers or viewers have to carefully read and re-read content or have to replay the video multiple times to determine its meaning, chances are it is not going to go viral. On the other hand, when the content is to the point, written or recorded in manner that most people can relate to, then there is a possibility the content could go viral.

Not to mention, the location where the content lives online is equally important. Sometimes a post can get passed around from one site to the next, without gaining much exposure, then bam! The content ends up on a website or social media site where the audience is “eating it up” and sharing and re-sharing the content, and next thing you know, it has gone viral.

What Exactly Does “Going Viral” Really Mean?

“Going Viral” can mean different things depending upon the industry and individual. For most, it means gaining views in the hundreds of thousands, with tens to hundreds of thousands of shares. For others, it means hitting the 1 million-plus mark, which in of itself, is a remarkable feat that is hard to accomplish.

In reality, “going viral” really comes down to having your content posted in the right place at the right time, with a receptive audience, who is going to read or view the content and share it with everyone they know, who in turn will also share it. This is why it is important for you to share your content across multiple channels, so it gains the most exposure and increases your odds of potentially “going viral.”

For more information about SMO or assistance in incorporating SMO into your SEO strategies, contact the web marketing experts at Logik Digital by calling 1-866-307-0086 today!