Kynthoria Vrynal 
The social media platform TikTok has become one of the most popular ones around. It’s possible for videos on TikTok to quickly go viral and reach millions seemingly overnight. A few days later, a random video could be posted, and the following day, it feels like everyone has seen it as it spreads like wildfire on the platform. Every day, there’s a new TikTok video that goes viral on the internet, fills up people For You pages, and gets widely shared. But just what is it that makes a TikTok video go viral? Why do some videos go viral, and some go viral?
Creating content on TikTok is an art and a science. There are just some videos that seem to hit a cultural zeitgeist and spread far and wide to the TikTok community. Some videos are sure to draw people in and spark people to participate in trends, challenges, and memes. Videos other than this one manage to delight and surprise people to the point that they share the content over their networks. Psychological drivers underneath are why people watch, engage with, and share content. Knowing what causes content to spread can give you the code to go viral on TikTok.
The Science Behind Virality
Content that spreads rapidly and widely across the internet is called virality. Researchers have identified several key factors that determine whether a piece of online content will go viral:
Social Currency. Content is more likely to be shared if it makes people look good to others. TikTok videos that are funny and clever or display impressive talent give people social currency that they can gain by sharing. Dance trends are a prime example, as mastering the latest viral choreography provides a boost in social status.
Triggers. Content with an element of surprise or controversy triggers strong emotions. On TikTok, sounds and effects are often used out of their usual context to create a “you have to see this” effect that prompts shares.
Practical Value. People share content that they think will be useful to others. TikTok how-tos, life hacks, and informative explainers tend to spread as they provide practical value. To amplify engagement and make your content stand out, purchase TikTok likes. Increased likes not only improve your video’s visibility but also encourage organic sharing by signaling quality and relevance to the audience.
Psychology of TikTok Users
To create viral content on TikTok, it helps to understand the psychology behind what appeals to users.
Seeking Entertainment. People are drawn to TikTok primarily for entertainment. Videos that delight, surprise, inspire awe, or laughter are more likely to be shared because they satisfy this need.
Validation. The quest for self-validation is strong, especially among young people. TikTok allows anyone to present an idealized version of themselves and potentially gain mass validation through likes and followers. Even watching relatable content can provide validation.
Desire for Connection. Everybody wants to interact with others and feel like they belong in society. TikTok trends and challenges allow people to feel connected as they film themselves participating in larger viral phenomena. Likes and comments help to strengthen sensations of belonging.
Factors That Make TikToks Go Viral
Applying the psychology behind virality and what appeals to TikTok users, here are some key factors that cause videos to take off:
Amateur Content. Polished influencer content gets plenty of views. But often, it’s the homemade videos by everyday users that resonate most. Their authenticity makes them more relatable and shareable.
Comedy. People are hardwired to be entertained. Comedy gets to the core of this, so funny videos tend to get widely shared. Catchy punchlines also make it easy for people to recreate humorous videos.
Music Use. The right music can make any video better. TikTok’s vast sound library allows creators to add songs that enhance the feeling they want to convey. Music also makes it easier for trends to spread.
Reaction Videos. Seeing authentic, raw reactions to unexpected moments drives engagement. The surprise factor gets people watching while the genuine emotion draws them in and prompts them to share.
Behind-the-Scenes Moments. Short behind-the-scenes clips offer a feeling of access that people crave from those they follow. These real peeks behind the curtain humanize creators and foster a sense of connection that makes fans want to share the inside look with others.
Relatability. Content that people identify with performs well because it makes them feel seen. Videos documenting common experiences – good and bad – tend to resonate widely because people enjoy the feeling of relatability.
Storytelling. Well-crafted stories spark imagination and emotion. Whether told through captions, text-to-speech, or video, mini-narratives that suck viewers in and leave them wanting more tend to be widely engaging. Cliffhangers and prompting in part two are especially viral.
Maximizing Virality on TikTok
Creating content with viral potential takes skill. Here are some best practices:
Leverage Trends. Latch onto trending sounds, effects, and concepts. This gives content built-in visibility with others participating in the viral trend. Putting a unique spin to stand out is key.
Optimize Hashtags. Properly tagging videos makes them discoverable to more people. Do research to find trending hashtags to increase the chances of getting on the For You page.
Encourage Sharing. Asking viewers to duet, stitch, or recreate the video gives it more visibility. Clever calls to action can turn viewers into participants in a matter of hours.
Analyze Performance. See what’s working and what’s not. Videos that start taking off should be doubled down on with additional content that gives the people what they want while things plateauing should be swapped out for something new.
Improve Thumbnails. The thumbnail is the very first impression of a video. Bold text, contrasting colors, and recognizable elements from the video can help create eye-grabbing thumbnails that will get more clicks.
Why Virality Matters
In today’s oversaturated digital landscape, virality is not easy to achieve. But content that manages to tap into the social psyche and spark a community chain reaction reaps major benefits like:
Brand Awareness. Viral content generates massive visibility very quickly. For brands and creators, potentially going from unknown to having millions of views accelerates brand awareness goals over the years.
Monetization. Once a following is built, there are opportunities to monetize it through sponsorships, affiliates, and product sales. But amassing a large audience needs to come first. Virality accelerates that.
Opportunity. The level of exposure that comes from a viral hit opens doors. Followers, collaboration opportunities, and access that were out of reach before are suddenly available.
Conclusion
Understanding both the science behind what makes content spread and the psychological drivers behind what makes people watch, share, and engage with content is key for anyone looking to produce viral TikTok videos. While a bit of luck is always involved, creators can significantly increase their chances of success by strategically optimizing content.
