How to Find YouTube Video Ideas that Go Viral

Creating viral content on YouTube is the holy grail for many creators. With over 500 hours of video uploaded every minute, how do you stand out? Backlinko’s founder, Brian Dean, has shared invaluable insights and strategies for cracking the YouTube algorithm, maximizing reach, and driving virality. Let’s break down some of Backlinko’s top strategies for finding YouTube video ideas that are primed to go viral.

Image Credit: Pixabay

1. Start with Proven Content Topics

• Find What’s Already Working: One of the best ways to find viral video ideas is to identify topics that are already resonating with audiences. Use YouTube’s search bar to see popular suggestions in your niche. Start typing keywords related to your content area and take note of autocomplete suggestions – these are topics that people are actively searching for.

• Look at High-Performing Videos: Study the top videos in your niche that have high views, likes, and comments. Ask yourself: what makes these videos stand out? Is it the topic, the style, or the unique perspective? Once you know the “why” behind their success, think about how you can put your own twist on a similar concept.

2. Use YouTube Analytics to Understand Viewer Interests

• Analyze Your High-Performing Videos: Your YouTube analytics can reveal a lot about the types of content your audience prefers. Sort through your top-performing videos and see if there’s a pattern in the topics, tone, or style.

• Check Audience Retention: Videos with high retention rates are a sign that viewers find the content valuable. Look for common themes in your high-retention videos, then brainstorm new ideas based on these insights.

3. Spy on Competitors’ Channels

• Competitor Analysis with a Twist: Look at the channels of popular creators in your niche and take note of their top videos. Use a tool like TubeBuddy or VidIQ to see stats like view velocity and engagement rates. This approach, emphasized by Backlinko, can help you spot trending content ideas.

• Read Comments for Ideas: Audience comments are a goldmine for content ideas. Often, viewers will ask questions or suggest ideas in the comments. Use these as direct inspiration for your next video.

4. Identify Trending Topics with Google Trends

• Spot What’s Hot Right Now: Google Trends allows you to explore search trends over time, and this is a powerful tool for identifying viral topics before they explode. Set the filter to “YouTube Search” and check for rising trends related to your niche. A quick keyword tweak based on trending terms can make a huge difference.

• Seasonal Trends: Look for yearly recurring trends, such as holidays or events relevant to your niche. By planning content around these seasonal spikes, you can capture a larger audience during specific times of the year.

Must Read:

• How to Use Google Trends Data for Better SEO Results
• Can AI-Generated Articles Rank High on Google?

5. Use the Skyscraper Technique

• What It Is: Originally a popular SEO technique, the Skyscraper Technique involves finding existing popular content and creating an improved, more comprehensive version. For YouTube, this means finding a successful video idea and making it better.

• How to Apply It on YouTube: Let’s say you find a video titled, “Top 10 Travel Hacks.” To skyscraper this, create a video titled, “Top 20 Travel Hacks for 2024,” offering more depth and more recent information. By adding more value, you give viewers a reason to prefer your content.

6. Conduct Keyword Research with a Twist

• YouTube-Specific Keyword Tools: Use tools like Ahrefs, Keyword Tool, or TubeBuddy to find high-traffic keywords specific to YouTube. Look for keywords with high search volumes and low competition to maximize your reach potential.

• Optimize for Search and Suggest: Most YouTube views come from two sources: search and suggested videos. Optimize your keywords for both by including primary keywords in your title and tags, while also using secondary keywords that relate to trending topics.

7. Tap into “Suggested” Videos for More Exposure

• Piggyback Off Popular Videos: One of Backlinko’s signature strategies is to create content that YouTube’s algorithm may place as a “suggested video” next to popular content. To do this, make videos with similar titles and topics to trending videos, but add a unique angle to make it your own.

• Engage Your Audience in Comments: Leave insightful comments on popular videos within your niche. This can help drive traffic from other channels to yours, exposing your content to new viewers who may become subscribers.

8. Survey Your Audience Directly

• Ask for Feedback: Polls, surveys, or even community posts can reveal exactly what your audience wants. Tools like YouTube’s “Community” tab allow you to post questions and polls to gauge viewer interests.

• Use FAQ as Inspiration: Take note of frequently asked questions in your comments section or from emails. These FAQs often make for compelling video topics that directly address what your audience wants to know.

9. Create “Shareable” Content Types

• Lists, How-To’s, and Hacks: People love to share content that’s informative and easily consumable. Listicles, how-to guides, and hacks are consistently popular video formats. These formats can often be found among viral videos due to their practical and shareable nature.

• Incorporate Emotional Appeal: Viral content often taps into emotions – whether that’s humor, inspiration, or even curiosity. Think about what emotions your topic might evoke and craft your content to amplify that.

10. Capitalize on Evergreen Content with a Twist

• What Is Evergreen Content? Evergreen videos remain relevant long after they’re published, bringing in consistent views over time. Examples include “How to” videos, tutorials, or foundational guides.

• Add a Unique Spin: Create evergreen content with a new twist. For instance, if there’s a general “how-to” video on fitness, make one on “How to Stay Fit with Minimal Equipment.” The unique angle can set your content apart, while still appealing to a broad audience.

Also Check:

• How to get more views on YouTube video

Final Thoughts

Finding viral video ideas doesn’t have to be a guessing game. By using Backlinko’s strategies and the techniques above, you can spot trends, craft compelling content, and build a channel with videos that viewers can’t wait to watch and share. Remember, the key to virality is not only about trending topics but also about adding your unique spin, engaging your audience, and optimizing for YouTube’s algorithm. So get creative, use data-driven insights, and start building your next viral video idea!