How to Go Viral on Instagram?

Going viral on Instagram and gaining widespread popularity is the dream for many content creators and influencers looking to grow their following. With over 1 billion monthly active users, Instagram offers a massive opportunity to reach a huge audience if you can create content that takes off.

But simply hoping to go viral isn't enough. You need a strategic plan to maximize your chances of having your Instagram posts gain momentum and get you the views, likes, and engagement you want.

Let's get started with the building blocks of viral content!

What Does Going Viral on Instagram Mean?

For a post to go viral means it gains quick widespread popularity through shares, likes, and engagement. But what do the numbers look like?

Some telltale signs your Instagram post has gone viral include:

• Getting thousands of likes within the first hour. Viral posts gain traction exponentially faster than regular posts.

• Gaining tens of thousands of new followers within days. This indicates your content is reaching new audiences.

• Your post is being shared by influencer accounts or reposted by other users. This expands your reach.

• Appearing on one of Instagram's Top Posts; aggregations like the Explore page. This means the algorithm has picked up on the high engagement.

• Profile views and interactions on your previous posts skyrocket. A viral post drives curiosity about you.

For most brands and influencers, a concrete viral post benchmark is gaining over 100,000 likes;quickly and over 500,000 video views. But it depends on your existing following size and growth rates.

Going viral on Instagramprovides an exciting boost, but the key is leveraging the moment to drive longer-term growth. Engage new followers, keep momentum with follow-up content, and analyze why the post resonated.

Now let’s look at how to create content optimized for going viral.

Crafting Shareable Content

The foundation of any viral Instagram post is content that resonates with your audience and compels viewers to share it with others.

Here are some key strategies for crafting shareable viral content:

Use Trending Topics and Pop Culture References

Tying your post to a trending meme, news event, or cultural moment is a proven way to catch people’s attention as they're already engaged. Act fast if you want to capitalize - trends are fleeting! Put your unique spin on a viral trend while it’s still hot.

Appeal to Emotions

Content that evokes laughter, surprise, inspiration, nostalgia, or other strong emotions gets high engagement. Using emotive language, impactful visuals, and universal human stories will help drive shares.

Encourage Audience Participation

Questions, polls, quizzes, challenges, and user-generated content submissions are all interactive elements that get your audience involved. This spreads your post as participants share with their networks.

Create Compelling Visuals

Eye-catching photography, bold graphic design, and high-quality video are mandatory for viral Instagram content. Minimal text and maximum visual impact are key.

Use Strategic Hashtags

Include a targeted mix of popular hashtags and niche hashtags in your caption and comments to put your content in front of more potential viewers searching hashtags.

@Mention Relevant Accounts

Tagging other accounts related to your post - especially influencers in your niche - can help expand your reach as some may reshare your content.

Optimize Keywords

Use keywords and phrases in your caption that followers search for so your content shows up when they’re looking for that topic. Check search volume first.

Promoting Your Content

Creating shareable content is only half the battle. You also need an amplification strategy to get it in front of a critical mass of users.

Post at Optimal Times

Study when your target audience is most active on Instagram and engage with your posts. Post your viral-worthy content during peak times for maximum initial views.

Run IG Ads

Use Instagram advertising to promote your content—target relevant demographics, interests, and locations. Drive traffic to your post and helpful engagement.

>Share Across Other Platforms

Cross-promote your Instagram content on your other social channels like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to expand your reach.

Collaborate with Niche Influencers

Partner with influencers in your industry to co-create content or have them share your post with their followers. Offer to optimize content for both audiences.

>Engage Followers and Hashtags

Reply to comments on your post, follow trending hashtags, and actively engage with your audience to keep the momentum going after posting.

Analyze Performance

Track metrics like impressions, reach, saves, followers gained, and listen to audience feedback. Refine based on what resonated.

Leveraging Instagram Features

Instagram's features like Stories, Reels, and Live give you creative ways to increase engagement and potentially go viral.

Instagram Reels

Reels allow you to create fun 15-30-second video clips set to music or audio. Reels have their metrics and get prominent placement in the app - a great opportunity for  going viral on Instagram !

Instagram Stories

Post “behind the scenes” content in Stories leading up to your viral post-launch. Use interactive stickers to build excitement. Share user-generated content featuring your branded hashtag

Instagram Live

Go Live to engage your audience around your viral post. Offer additional imagery, commentary, or an AMA session to add value.

IG TV

Upload longer-form video content to IGTV expanding on your viral post. Provide more context, commentary, or tutorials aligned with the theme of your viral content.

Optimizing Hashtags and Using Trends

Strategically optimizing your hashtags and capitalizing on trends is critical for virality.

Research Trending Hashtags

Use sites like RiteTag to analyze top Instagram hashtags around your post theme. Quickly latch onto  trending hashtags with high volume.

Mix Popular and Niche Tags

Include 2-3 popular hashtags with millions of posts, medium tags with hundreds of thousands of posts, and 5-10 niche hashtags in your niche.

Use Trending Audio and Memes

Add music, audio, or visual effects that are currently trending on Instagram and TikTok for familiarity.

Create a Branded Hashtag

Develop a branded hashtag campaign specific to your viral post that followers can use to amplify it.

Hide Hashtags Strategically

Put 1-2 main hashtags in your caption, then hide additional hashtags in comments to avoid appearing spammy.

Collaborating with Influencers

Influencer collaborations can instantly put your content in front of a targeted engaged audience.

>Identify Niche Influencers

Find influencers in your industry with engaged followings of around 10k-100k who create content aligned with your viral post.

Offer Co-Branded Content

Pitch a collaboration where you co-create content together and cross-promote. Offer assets like products they can feature.

Repost User-Generated Content

Have influencers in your niche create and tag UGC featuring your product. Report this content to spread it further.

Send Pre-Launch Kits

Send influencers a kit with branded assets, info about your upcoming viral campaign, samples, and suggestions for content they could create.

Host a Giveaway

Offer influencers a giveaway they can promote to their audience for more exposure. Require users to engage with your post.

Tracking Performance and Results

Consistently analyzing the performance of your content will help you refine your viral strategy.

Use Instagram Insights

Monitor vital metrics in the Instagram app like reach, impressions, profile visits, and website clicks. See how your content is spreading.

Track Hashtag Performance

See which hashtags are driving the most traffic and engagement on your posts using analytics tools like Sprout Social.

Compare Post Performance

Compare the metrics of your viral post against your average post benchmarks. Identify key differences.

See How You Rank

Search related hashtags and topics to see where your content ranks and surfaces. See if you made the Explore page.

Monitor Shares and Mentions

Use social listening tools to monitor brand mentions, shares, and reposts of your content. Track virality in real-time.

Ask for Audience Feedback

Creating Different Types of Viral Content

While universality and mass appeal help content go viral, it also helps to get more specific about formats and styles that tend to engage audiences.

Lets explore some of the top types of viral content that resonate on Instagram right now:

Humorous Memes

Memes have become an art form unto themselves in internet culture. Creating funny, relatable memes using trending templates can help content take off. The key is putting a new spin on the meme format versus just reposting old memes.

Reaction Videos

Short videos of people reacting to cultural moments, trying viral challenges, or expressing shock and awe can spread widely on Instagram. The organic, candid reactions tap into human emotions.

Transformative Creations

Before and after visual transformations are hugely popular on Instagram from glow-ups to home renovations. The dramatic changes are visually compelling.

Behind the Scenes

Offering a "behind the scenes" look at a process or place people don't usually see is intrinsically fascinating. Give insider access to an industry or location.

Spotlighting Talent

User-generated content that highlights impressive skills and talents - music, art, athletes, pets - can gain traction. People love discovering new talents.

Data Visualizations

Creative data visualizations - maps, charts, graphs - that reveal fascinating insights strike a chord. Turn statistics into easily digestible engaging graphics.

DIY and How-To

Step-by-step tutorials for DIY projects, crafts, recipes, life hacks, and style tips provide value. Teach people new skills and tips.

Interactive Polls

Questions and polls that ask followers to weigh in on hot topics trending in pop culture get people curious and involved.

Celebrity News

Reporting on celebrity news, gossip, and pop culture moments taps into public fascination with the rich and famous. Quick commentary on trending stories.

Optimizing Your Instagram Profile for Discovery

Maximizing your Instagram profile itself can help get more eyes in front of your viral content and build credibility:

Craft an Engaging Bio

Your Instagram bio only allows 150 characters - but use them wisely! Include your value proposition, motivational quotes, or compelling questions.

Showcase Your Best Content

Choose 9 of your most eye-catching, high-quality Instagram posts to feature on your profile grid. This visual showcase gives new visitors a taste of your content style.

Share Other Accounts

In your bio, highlight other Instagram accounts you recommend that align with your brand. This shows you engage with your industry.

Use Clickable Links

Drive traffic to your blog, online store, or other website by adding clickable links in your bio and Instagram Stories.

Add Location Tags

Tagging your location helps you show up in geo-targeted searches from local followers who may discover and share your account.

Create Shoppable Content

Use Instagram shopping tags to make your posts shoppable for viral products. This seamlessly converts browsing to buying.

Partnering with Brands Around Viral Moments

Working with brands and sponsors can provide funding to  create viral content >, but look for authentic alignments

Align with Brand Campaigns

Scan for upcoming brand campaigns related to holidays, events, or product launches. Offer custom content that supports their initiatives.

Create Sponsored Giveaways

Giveaways and contests bankrolled by sponsors get lots of visibility in exchange for promotion. Require users to engage with both brands.

Integrate Branded Products

Organically integrating brands through product placement or recommendations feels more natural than overt ads. Focus on useful reviews.

Offer Discount Codes

Offer followers special discount codes or free trials for viral products and services as an incentive to purchase. Limited-time discounts work well.

Promote Brand Launches

New product launches often come with promotion budgets. Offer custom content to support launches and highlight new features.

Local Brand Partnerships

Partner with local small businesses to co-create viral content highlighting your area. Food spots, shops, attractions.

Expanding Your Reach Through Multi-Platform Promotion

While Instagram may be your primary platform, expanding your distribution through other social networks can expose your content to new audiences:

Repurpose Content Across Platforms

Tailor your viral Instagram posts for platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube Shorts, and more. Match content styles to each.

Create Teaser Content

Post & trailer; snippets of your Instagram content on other platforms like Twitter, driving traffic back to the full post.

Cross-Promote Platforms

In Instagram bios and posts, promote your other social handles. Cross-link platforms to tap into other audiences.

Recycle Top-Performing Content

Repurpose your most popular Instagram content into new formats for other platforms like YouTube tutorials.

Use Multi-Platform Analytics

Track how viral content performs across different platforms. See which platforms and formats deliver the most conversion.

Unlock Algorithm-Based Platforms

Post consistently on TikTok and YouTube Shorts to unlock algorithm promotion of viral content on these platforms.

Executing an Instagram Viral Content Campaign

Pulling off a complete viral campaign requires careful planning and execution. Here are some best practices as you ideate and implement your campaign:

Set Clear Goals

Define what specific metrics of “ going viral ” look like for you for the campaign - impressions? likes? followers gained? Site traffic? Set numeric goals.

Brainstorm Creative Angles

Research trending topics then brainstorm creative ways you can cover them. Sketch concepts for memes, videos, and graphics.

Create an Asset Library

Build a library of brand assets like logos, images, video clips, graphics, and templates to easily create content.

Develop a Content Calendar

Map out an editorial calendar for your campaign of what content you’ll create and when. Schedule posts to keep momentum.

Define Audience Personas

Get crystal clear on your target audiences demographics, interests, and motivations. Align content accordingly.

Have Measurement Strategies

Determine exactly how you'll track content performance and know if a post is going viral - metrics to monitor, and analytics tools to use.

Brief Influencers

Provide influencer partners with creative direction on content concepts that align with your campaign. Share guidelines.

Post Consistently

Viral content needs a critical mass of existing content to help trigger the algorithm. Post 1-2x per day to build momentum.

Stay Agile

Be ready to rapidly respond to trends and feedback. Pivot creative or messaging that isn’t working.

Making the Most of Viral Success

Achieving a viral hit provides amazing momentum. But capitalizing on the opportunity long-term takes strategy:

Engage New Followers

Respond to comments, follow back followers, and like posts from new followers to convert them into engaged community members.

Create Follow-On Content

Strike quickly to build on the momentum by creating more content around the viral theme while interest is high.

Pin Your Viral Content

Pin your viral post to your Instagram profile to keep it prominent and make it easy to share again later.

Run Paid Ads

Invest some of the profits from your viral success into paid ads to further boost your content and account reach.

Analyze Success Factors

Study key factors like trends, captions, visuals, and promotion tactics that contributed to a post going viral. Iterate and refine.

Convert to Email Followers

Direct viral content followers to opt-in to your email list for future updates. Email nurturing drives more sales.

Update Your Bio

In your Instagram bio, mention your viral moment and successes to build credibility with new visitors.

Recognize Contributors

Thank stakeholders like influencers who contributed to your campaign and fueled your viral success.

Maintain Momentum

Stay top of mind by consistently creating fresh content vs. relying on your viral hits to continue driving growth.

Key Takeaways for Going Viral on Instagram

Going viral requires carefully planned, consistently executed content that taps into audience emotions. Key tips include:

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    <p>Monitor trending topics and infuse your unique angle before trends fade</p>
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    <p>Craft content optimized to evoke reactions and sharing</p>
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Strategically promote and distribute to expand reach

Collaborate with relevant influencers to access new audiences

Engage followers before and after posting to keep momentum

Analyze performance data to refine your viral strategy

The Instagram algorithm favors accounts that consistently deliver value to engaged audiences. While viral moments offer spikes, long-term growth requires persistently improving based on data.

What tips do you have for going viral on Instagram? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Conclusion

Launching a viral Instagram campaign takes thoughtful planning, creative content development, audience understanding, influencer partnerships, and relentless promotion. But the payoff can be huge in terms of exposure, followers, engagement, and long-term brand building. 

Analyze your performance, keep iterating, and continue providing value to your growing community. With a strategic approach, you can engineer viral moments that  bring your brand to the next level .

FAQ's

1. How can I get more Instagram views? 

Post consistently, use relevant hashtags, run promotions, collaborate with influencers, engage your audience, and post at peak times.

1. What is the best time to post on Instagram to go viral? 

Analyze when your followers are most active with Instagram Insights and post during those high engagement hours.

1. How many likes do you need to go viral on Instagram? 

A viral post gets 20,000-50,000 likes rapidly but consider your current following and growth rates. Over 100k likes are fully viral.

1. What type of content goes more viral on Instagram? 

Interactive, emotional, trending pop culture, behind-the-scenes, UGC showcasing talents and skills.

1. How can I make my Instagram content more shareable? 

Follow trends, and compelling captions, elicit emotions, encourage participation, use visuals and video, and @mention relevant accounts.