An Introduction to Finding Viral Content on Instagram
Have you ever wondered how to uncover the most popular, viral Instagram posts? Are you looking for ways to pioneer your content strategy by staying ahead of digital trends?
You’re in the right place.
I’m dedicated to helping you explore Instagram and figure out the easiest ways to find viral content on this fast-paced platform. From utilizing Instagram’s Explore page and relevant hashtags, to following popular influencers and using third-party tools, we will walk you through multiple methods.
And it’s not just about finding this content – we’ll also explore recognizing the qualities of viral content, to help guide your own content creating strategy.
Table of Contents
How to Find Viral Posts on Instagram
Utilize Instagram’s Explore Page
The Instagram Explore page is tailored to show trending content based on user interactions.
- Tap the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the Instagram app.
- Scroll through the customized feed to view popular posts within your interests.
This page is a goldmine for finding viral content without needing to follow the accounts directly.
Use Relevant Hashtags
Hashtags function as keywords, making it easier to find popular posts.
- Search for hashtags related to your niche or interests.
- Focus on hashtags with high engagement rates, such as #viral, #trending, or #instafamous.
- Check the “Top” tab to see the most popular posts.
Browsing through high-performing hashtags will lead you to viral posts more quickly.
Follow Popular Influencers and Brands
Influencers and brands often create content that goes viral due to their large followings.
- Identify key influencers and brands in your niche.
- Turn on post notifications to stay updated on their latest posts.
- Engage with their content to see more similar posts in your feed.
Following well-known accounts allows you to catch viral posts early.
Analyze Instagram Insights
Instagram Insights provide valuable data for business accounts, helping identify popular posts.
- Switch to a business or creator account to access Instagram Insights.
- Access Insights from your profile page.
- Review the metrics under the “Content” section to find posts with high engagement.
Using Instagram Insights can help you understand what type of content is going viral within your niche.
Leverage Third-Party Tools
Several tools are available to help find trending posts on Instagram.
| Tool | Features |
|---|---|
| Find Viral Content (FVC) | Offers in-depth analytics and the ability to discover trending posts. |
| Hashtagify | Finds trending hashtags and associated popular posts. |
| Social Blade | Tracks follower growth and engagement rates for popular accounts. |
Using these third-party tools can supplement Instagram’s native features for discovering viral content. Learn more at Find Viral Content’s website.
Monitor Competitors
Keeping tabs on your competitors can give you insights into what content is performing well.
- Identify your key competitors.
- Regularly review their Instagram feeds and stories.
- Note the posts with high engagement and try to understand why they went viral.
By analyzing competitors, you can identify trends and replicate successful strategies.
Engage with Viral Content
Interacting with viral posts can improve your chances of discovering similar content.
- Like, comment, and share posts that are already trending.
- Follow accounts that consistently share viral content.
- Save posts to revisit them later and track ongoing viral trends.
Engagement not only helps you find more viral posts but also boosts your own visibility on Instagram.
For more insights on Instagram trends, you can visit HubSpot.
Spotting Viral Content Qualities on Instagram
Assessing Visual Aesthetics
The visual appeal of a post plays a decisive role in its popularity on Instagram.
- Identify images or videos with high resolution and excellent composition.
- Look for posts with a unifying aesthetic or unique style.
- Keep an eye for popular visual trends like minimalism, bold colors, or captivating patterns.
Well-curated visuals can distinguish viral posts from the rest.
Understanding Emotion-Driven Engagement
Posts that stir emotions have greater potential to go viral.
- Track types of emotional reactions a post elicits—could be laughter, empathy, or astonishment.
- Note posts that engage users through emotionally charged content.
- Observe posts that resonate with users emotionally, leading to higher shareability.
Instagram posts that generate emotional responses often captivate audiences.
Monitoring Virality of User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) on Instagram often goes viral due to its authenticity.
- Look for posts inviting user participation like contests or challenges.
- Spot influencer marketing collaborations where followers’ content is shared.
- Follow content featuring customer testimonials or reviews about products/services.
UGC initiates audience participation, making such posts likely to attract mass attention.
Determining the Impact of Caption Content
A post’s caption impacts user engagement and chance of virality.
- Find posts with engaging and conversational captions.
- Look for questions, inspirational quotes, or storytelling elements in captions.
- Notice the use of emojis to convey moods or enhance message clarity.
Though seemingly small, captions can tilt the scales toward a post’s viral potential.
Observing Timing and Frequency
Often, the time and rate at which posts are published can contribute to their reach and engagement.
- Find posts shared during peak Instagram usage hours for maximum visibility.
- Monitor the frequency of posts—daily, weekly, or bimonthly can influence engagement.
- Track posts which made it to “Top Posts” section due to their timing and frequency.
A well-timed post stands a good chance of going viral on Instagram, assuming other factors are also favorable.
Scouting Innovative Use of Instagram Features
Instagram’s specific features, when used creatively, can elevate a post’s chances of going viral.
- Observe the use of Instagram stories with engaging stickers, polls, or swipe-up links.
- Look for innovative use of IGTV for long-form video content or Instagram Reels for short videos.
- Find posts utilizing Instagram Shop for promoting products with shoppable tags.
Innovative use of Instagram’s native features can enhance the possibility of a post going viral.
For an in-depth look at how Instagram’s features can be used creatively, you can visit Social Media Examiner.
How to Find Viral Content on Instagram to Repost
Identify Key Accounts in Your Niche
Finding viral content to repost often starts with identifying the right sources. Popular accounts in your niche are likely to post content that resonates with your target audience.
- Search for leading influencers and major brands in your niche.
- Follow these accounts to keep an eye on their content and engagement rates.
- Engage with their posts to build a connection and make reposting smoother by following proper credit guidelines.
Knowing who the key players are in your area of interest helps you quickly locate high-performing posts.
Utilize Instagram’s Save and Collection Feature
Instagram allows users to save posts they find interesting, and you can use this feature to collect potential reposts.
- Tap the bookmark icon below a post to save it.
- Create collections to organize saved posts based on different themes or categories.
- Regularly review your saved posts to identify which ones are suitable for reposting.
Curating a collection of viral content saves time when you need to repost quickly.
Participate in Instagram Pods
Instagram Pods are groups of users who mutually agree to engage with each other’s content to boost visibility.
- Join Instagram Pods relevant to your niche.
- Share your posts within the pod to gain initial engagement, increasing its chances of going viral.
- Engage with other members’ posts to create a reciprocal environment that benefits everyone.
Being part of these engagement groups can help surface viral content within your community.
Leverage Instagram Stories for Reposting
Instagram Stories offer a quick and engaging way to showcase viral content without permanently altering your feed.
- Use the “Add post to your story” option to reshare interesting posts.
- Enhance the story with stickers, text, and other interactive elements to engage your audience.
- Utilize polls or questions to encourage viewers to interact with the story and share their thoughts.
Stories are ephemeral but have high engagement rates, making them perfect for experimenting with viral content reposts.
Collaborate with Users for Content Sharing
Collaborate with other Instagram users to share and promote each other’s viral content.
- Reach out to influencers and suggest cross-promotional activities.
- Tag collaborators to give them credit and encourage them to share your repost.
- Utilize collaborative features like IGTV or Instagram Reels for shared content projects.
Collaborations can introduce your audience to new viral content and expand your reach.
Check Source Credibility and Get Permissions
Before reposting any content, ensure that it is credible and that you have permission to share it.
- Verify the authenticity of the post through its original poster or related sources.
- Send a direct message to the original poster asking for permission to repost their content.
- Correctly attribute the original creator by tagging them and noting their username in your caption.
Maintaining ethical reposting practices helps build trust and respect within the Instagram community.
Conclusion: Unlocking the Power of Viral Instagram Content
Discovering viral content on Instagram requires a thoughtful mix of methods and tools.
From targeted usage of hashtags and monitoring popular influencers and brands, to conducting a competitive analysis, employing Instagram Insights, and using third-party apps, users have numerous ways to spot early trends.
With a keen understanding of identifying viral-worthy attributes such as exceptional visuals, evocative content, user engagement, impactful captions, and timing, anyone can effectively scout potential viral posts. It’s also essential to engage with viral content, keep up with Instagram trends, and use Instagram’s features creatively.
Lastly, spotting and reposting viral content involves understanding your niche, saving interesting posts, participating in Instagram pods, leveraging Stories, collaborating with other users, and practicing ethical reposting.
No doubt, learning how to find and utilize viral content is an invaluable skill for anyone seeking to leverage Instagram’s vast marketing potential.
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What is the most efficient way to find viral content on Instagram?
Using a mix of strategies will yield the best results. Look at the Explore page, relevant hashtags, key influencers and brands in your niche, and utilize Instagram Insights. Use third-party tools to supplement your efforts, monitor engagement rates, and engage with trending posts.
What role do visuals play in making an Instagram post go viral?
Instagram is a visually-driven platform, so the aesthetics of a post can significantly impact its viral potential. Posts with high-quality, engaging aesthetics stand out and are likely to get higher engagement.
Can regular engagement with popular content increase my chances of discovering viral posts?
Yes, Instagram’s algorithm is likely to feature more popular content in your news feed and Explore page if you frequently engage with such posts. This proactive behavior can help you find more viral posts.
How can timing influence an Instagram post’s potential to go viral?
Posting when most of your followers are online can lead to faster engagement, improving your chances of making it to the top of your followers’ newsfeeds and potentially Instagram’s Explore Page.
How to get permission for reposting a viral Instagram post?
Before reposting any content, send a direct message to the original poster asking for permission. If you’re given the go-ahead, make sure to correctly attribute the content to the creator.
