It will probably shock you that the original version of "Gangnam Style" by the Korean singer PSY (standing for psycho) is the most watched video on YouTube of all time counting over 800 million views since it has been uploaded in 2010. What it features is a song that will stick to your head, and dance moves everyone will try to imitate - it had what it took to go "viral", to spread around the world like a sickness. This phenomena is not bound to one specific video genre, in this case a music video, but can be found in other genres as well, for example in comics, animal or amateur videos.
Everyone can become famous on the internet by the day after tomorrow if his or her video got what it takes to become viral. But what does it take? A lot of viral videos do not feature informative content that helps us in any way or is important for our lives, nor does the content make any sense at all sometimes. It even appears that the videos with no content are even more popular.
Although there are many viral videos of very different genres, they all share to some degree certain qualities, however can their success in the digital Internet age not be boiled down to a simple set of rules, neither can it be predicted, because these qualities are only features that can help as it has also a lot to do with luck and timing.
By looking at the videos "Charlie bit my finger - again!", "The Sneezing Baby Panda" and "Dramatic Chipmunk", "David After Dentist" we will see that although they are very different and feature different content they have qualities that are similar and that some have qualities that the others will not have, demonstrating that there are no general or universal rules one can use and then have viral success.
Table of Contents
VIRAL VIDEO PHENOMENON
ANALYSIS
CONCLUSION
Research Objectives & Topics
This paper examines the underlying factors and characteristics that contribute to the viral success of online videos, exploring whether universal rules exist or if virality is driven by unpredictable variables like luck and timing.
- The role of emotional triggers and surprise factors in viewer engagement.
- The impact of brevity and short, precise headlines on video reach.
- How tastemakers and participating online communities amplify viral content.
- The influence of platform-specific subcultures on sharing behavior.
- A comparative analysis of four highly successful viral videos.
Excerpt from the Book
"Charlie bit my finger - again!"
The 55 second short video gained popularity within days and so far got over 670 million views internet-wide. The headline is very short and perfectly describes what happens within 55 seconds. While the two small British boys Harry and Charlie sit in an armchair and watch TV, Charlie is biting Harry's finger, then stops, Harry laughs and says "Ahaha Charlie. Charlie bit me" [00:00:04]. Then Harry puts his finger into his younger brother's mouth and of course Charlie bites Harry's finger very hard, which Harry first finds funny but then his face changes into an expression of pain. He screams "Ouch, Charlie" [00:00:28] and after some seconds Charlie lets go of Harry's finger. Harry retorts to Charlie with "Charlie, that really hurt" [00:00:30] but again after two seconds Harry's painful facial expression is gone and they both laugh. Harry then explains to Charlie "I'm not really hurt, but it is still hurting".
It was uploaded in 2006 but originally not for fun purposes or to get high popularity but rather to let a family member, who does not live nearby, see how the boys are doing. It scores with brevity as it does not take the viewer one minute to watch the whole video. The two British boys possess a huge load of cuteness, which Professor Cordell says "does well on the Internet", and they speak in a fine British accent, that almost sounds Posh, which does not hurt either. As Harry is only 3-years-old and Charlie just a baby they cover the aspect that funny people, especially babies, are very popular in the internet society.
Summary of Chapters
VIRAL VIDEO PHENOMENON: This chapter defines the concept of viral videos in the digital age, discussing metrics of success and the historical context of viral sharing behavior.
ANALYSIS: This section investigates four specific viral videos to identify common patterns, such as emotional appeal, brevity, and the influence of participating audiences.
CONCLUSION: The final chapter summarizes the findings, concluding that there are no universal formulas for virality, as success depends on a mix of content quality, timing, and platform-specific cultural factors.
Keywords
Viral Video, YouTube, Digital Culture, Internet Trends, Sharing Behavior, Emotional Engagement, Content Strategy, Tastemakers, Online Communities, Virality, Multimedia, Social Media, User Interaction, Digital Media, Communication
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper explores the phenomenon of viral videos on the internet and seeks to identify the specific features that enable content to spread rapidly among global audiences.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
Key themes include the psychological triggers for sharing content, the role of digital communities, the importance of emotional resonance, and the impact of technological platforms on cultural dissemination.
What is the primary goal of the research?
The primary goal is to determine if there are consistent, predictable qualities that make a video go viral or if the phenomenon is largely governed by chance and timing.
Which scientific methods are applied?
The author uses a qualitative analysis approach, examining case studies of four prominent viral videos and synthesizing existing research from digital media scholars.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the definition of virality, the historical perspective of sharing, the psychological motivations behind engagement, and a detailed breakdown of four specific viral video cases.
How can the paper be summarized through keywords?
The paper is characterized by terms such as Viral Video, Digital Culture, Sharing Behavior, Emotional Engagement, and Online Communities.
How does the author define the "surprise factor" in viral videos?
The surprise factor refers to unexpected plot twists or emotional shifts that catch the viewer's attention and compel them to continue watching, often exceeding initial expectations set by titles.
What role do "tastemakers" play in the virality of the analyzed videos?
Tastemakers, such as celebrities or influential media outlets, act as catalysts by introducing niche or unknown content to a much broader audience, thereby triggering a ripple effect of sharing.
Does the length of a video correlate with its viral potential?
The analysis concludes that while brevity is often a feature of viral videos, there is no strict rule; success is not solely dependent on video duration, but rather on the content's ability to maintain interest and emotional impact.
- Quote paper
- Katja Grasberger (Author), 2014, The Viral Video Phenomenon. What makes videos go viral?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/322898
