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
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to investigate the phenomenon of viral videos, exploring the factors that contribute to their widespread popularity. The study analyzes several successful viral videos to identify common characteristics and assess the extent to which predictable factors contribute to viral success.
- Characteristics of Viral Videos
- The Role of Emotion and Surprise
- The Importance of Sharing Behavior and Social Media
- The Influence of Tastemakers and Communities
- The Limitations of Predicting Viral Success
Chapter Summaries
Viral Video Phenomenon: This chapter introduces the concept of viral videos, using "Gangnam Style" as a prime example. It challenges the notion of simple rules for viral success, highlighting the role of luck and timing alongside inherent qualities. The chapter explores varying definitions of "viral," considering not only viewership but also the crucial element of online sharing and sustained discussion. It draws parallels between contemporary digital viral sharing and the spread of texts in the 19th century, emphasizing the impact of brevity, humor, and cultural relevance, while also highlighting the unique immediacy of digital platforms. The chapter further delves into the work of various researchers, including Allocca's three key components of viral videos: tastemakers, communities of participation, and unexpectedness. The importance of evoking surprise to attract attention and joy to retain it is discussed, along with the significance of emotional arousal and shared feelings in driving online sharing behavior.
Analysis: This chapter provides an in-depth analysis of four successful viral videos: "Charlie bit my finger - again!", "The Sneezing Baby Panda," "Dramatic Chipmunk," and "David After Dentist." Each video is examined for qualities such as brevity, cuteness, humor, surprise, and audience participation. The analysis highlights the diverse factors that may contribute to a video's viral spread, demonstrating that while some common threads exist, there is no single formula for guaranteed success. Each video's unique attributes are examined, including their use of humor, unexpected events, and emotional appeals, demonstrating how these elements combined with social sharing helped to propel these videos to immense popularity.
Keywords
Viral videos, online sharing, social media, emotional engagement, surprise, brevity, humor, tastemakers, communities, cultural relevance, unpredictability, viral marketing.
Viral Video Phenomenon: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main topic of this document?
This document is a comprehensive preview of a work analyzing the phenomenon of viral videos. It explores the factors contributing to their widespread popularity, examining various successful examples and identifying common characteristics.
What are the key themes explored in the document?
The key themes include characteristics of viral videos, the role of emotion and surprise, the importance of sharing behavior and social media, the influence of tastemakers and communities, and the limitations of predicting viral success.
What is the purpose of this analysis?
The analysis aims to investigate what makes a video go viral. It seeks to understand if there are predictable factors or if success is largely due to chance and timing.
Which videos are analyzed in detail?
The document analyzes four successful viral videos: "Charlie bit my finger - again!", "The Sneezing Baby Panda," "Dramatic Chipmunk," and "David After Dentist."
What are some common characteristics of viral videos identified in the analysis?
Common characteristics include brevity, cuteness, humor, surprise, and audience participation. However, the analysis emphasizes that no single formula guarantees viral success.
How does the document define "viral"?
The document considers not only high viewership but also the crucial element of online sharing and sustained discussion when defining a video as "viral."
What role do emotions play in viral video success?
The document highlights the importance of emotional engagement, particularly surprise and joy, in attracting and retaining viewers and driving online sharing behavior.
What is the significance of tastemakers and communities in the context of viral videos?
Tastemakers and communities of participation are identified as crucial components in the spread of viral videos. Their influence in shaping trends and driving sharing is emphasized.
Does the document suggest a definitive formula for creating a viral video?
No, the document emphasizes the unpredictability of viral success and highlights that while some common factors exist, there's no guaranteed formula.
What historical parallels are drawn in the document?
The document draws parallels between the spread of contemporary digital viral videos and the spread of texts in the 19th century, highlighting the importance of brevity, humor, and cultural relevance.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis?
Keywords include: Viral videos, online sharing, social media, emotional engagement, surprise, brevity, humor, tastemakers, communities, cultural relevance, unpredictability, viral marketing.
- Quote paper
- Katja Grasberger (Author), 2014, The Viral Video Phenomenon. What makes videos go viral?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/322898
