Viral Video Science, Part Two

As part of an ongoing series about viral web video, we examine the common elements of videos that go viral and explore what exactly makes certain videos so popular. What are the qualities that make some online videos go viral? Is it the content? Was it supportive marketing of the video? Was it search optimization? By examining and comparing some popular viral videos each week, we attempt to determine which qualities make a video stand apart from similar Web videos.

Some of the past week's most popular viral online videos also make use of some of the same qualities discussed last week:

  • T-Mobile's "Royal Wedding Entrance" clip has quickly become one of the most popular videos of the month, mining even more gold from the famous "JK Wedding Entrance Dance" video. It's averaging more than one million views per day and is the most viewed Web video in the United Kingdom. The clip capitalizes on the anticipation of viewership for the upcoming wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton - including a live worldwide broadcast via YouTube - while spoofing one of the most recognized viral videos of all time.
  • In another parody of a popular viral video, Rebecca Black's "Friday" song is being rehashed to celebrate Friday as Earth Day. There are several different examples of "Earth Day" remakes, all built upon the unwavering popularity of "Friday" as both a song and a viral web video.
  • Several more human interest videos have gone viral, including raw, firsthand video of the more than 200 tornadoes that ripped through the southeastern United States this Spring. Over 5,000 videos related to the U.S. tornadoes have been uploaded in the past week, and the phrase "tornado stole my hamburger" is an increasingly popular search phrase on YouTube. Similar to online video of the Japanese tsunami, these clips go viral due to the overwhelming emotion and curiosity during natural disasters. Extraordinary local news will also encourage first hand videos to go viral.

As a video production studio in Virginia, understanding viral video appeals to us not only as cinematographers but also as users of social media. Contact Fairfax Video Studio at 877-477-STUDIO to find out more about how Web video and the social media revolution can enhance your approach to business marketing.