With over 2 billion monthly active users, Facebook is one of the largest and most influential social media platforms in the world. For brands and content creators, going viral on Facebook can lead to massive growth and exposure. But what does it actually take for a video to go viral on Facebook?
What does it mean for a video to “go viral”?
There is no official view count threshold that qualifies a video as “viral” on Facebook. However, industry experts generally consider a video to have gone viral if it reaches 1 million views within a short period of time, usually 1-7 days.
Reaching 1 million views signifies that the video has spread rapidly and organically through shares, reactions and comments. It has resonated widely and triggered the social sharing effect that is characteristic of viral content.
Factors that influence how many views a Facebook video gets
Many factors influence the view count of a video on Facebook, including:
- Quality of content – Higher quality, interesting, funny or emotional content is more likely to be shared.
- Post captions and headlines – Clickable headlines improve click-through rates.
- Timing of posting – Posting when your audience is most active improves visibility.
- Paid promotion – Boosted or sponsored posts reach more viewers.
- Audience relevance – Content tailored to your audience generates more interest.
- Influencers sharing content – Influencers expose videos to new audiences.
- Emotional engagement – Content that evokes stronger reactions gets more interactions.
Typical view counts for different types of Facebook videos
While 1 million views is a common viral benchmark, different types of videos on Facebook tend to reach varying levels of views:
| Video Type | Typical Non-Viral View Count | Typical Viral View Count |
|---|---|---|
| Regular video posts by individuals | 100 – 10,000 views | 10,000 – 1 million views |
| Videos by businesses and brands | 1,000 – 100,000 views | 100,000 – 10 million views |
| Videos by top publishers/media | 100,000 – 1 million views | 1 – 50 million views |
| Videos by celebrities and public figures | 500,000 – 5 million views | 5 – 100 million+ views |
As shown, average people and brands have lower view thresholds for virality compared to publishers, celebs and public figures who already have large followings.
How to increase views and go viral on Facebook
Here are some best practices brands, publishers and content creators can follow to gain more traction and increase their chances of going viral on Facebook:
Create engaging, shareable content
Think about what formats and content types generate shares and discussion within your niche – emotional stories, funny or inspiring videos, controversial topics, memes, cute animals. Tailor your content accordingly.
Optimize video titles
Use titles that clearly convey the content of the video and use power words that drive clicks such as “Unbelievable”, “Shocking”, “Incredible”.
Leverage Facebook’s algorithm
Facebook’s algorithm favors content that keeps viewers engaged. Create longer videos (over 90 seconds), post consistently, and encourage comments and shares.
Promote video externally
Share your videos on other platforms like YouTube, Instagram, etc. Embed them on websites and blogs relevant to your target audience.
Run video ads
Use Facebook Ads Manager to run video ads to reach more of your target audience. Consider promoted posts, carousel ads, canvas ads.
Partner with influencers
Get influencers in your niche to share your videos with their audiences for greater reach.
Analyze performance
Use Facebook Insights to analyze when your audience is most active, their demographics, traffic sources. Refine your strategy accordingly.
Case studies of viral Facebook videos
Let’s look at some real examples of videos that went viral on Facebook and analyze why they were so successful:
Case Study 1: Chewbacca Mom
This 2016 video featured a woman laughing hysterically while wearing a Chewbacca mask in her car. It racked up over 165 million views and became one of Facebook’s most viral videos.
Reasons it went viral:
- Candid and relatable – people could connect with the real human emotion
- Unexpected and funny – the silly situation caught viewers by surprise
- Upbeat, positive vibes – the contagious laughter spread joy
- Memorable character – Chewbacca merchandise amplified the humor
Case Study 2: KFC’s Friendship Bucket for One
KFC Australia’s 2018 Valentine’s Day video got over 15 million views. It promoted their combo meal for one person through a humorous take on enjoying Valentine’s solo.
Reasons it went viral:
- Relatable concept – connecting with singles on Valentine’s day
- Humorous approach – putting a positive spin on being single
- Topical timing – tailored to Valentine’s day
- Innovative product – unique offering that attracted buzz
Case Study 3: Buzzfeed Tasty’s Making Mini Pancake Cereal
This step-by-step recipe video got 125 million views thanks to an irresistible concept – minature pancake cereal!
Reasons it went viral:
- Novel idea – mini pancake cereal was new and intriguing
- Visually appealing – looked delicious and satisfying to watch
- DIY friendly – easy to recreate at home
- Buzzfeed Tasty brand – already known for addictive recipes
Key Takeaways
Here are the key tips on going viral on Facebook:
- Aim for 1 million views within 1-7 days for a video to be considered viral.
- Optimize content for engagement, sharing and emotional impact.
- Leverage influencers, ads and cross-promotion to gain more eyeballs.
- Analyze performance data to refine your approach.
- Relatable, funny, topical and innovative content tends to resonate best.
While viral fame can seem random, following these best practices will dramatically increase your chances of having a video hit jackpot levels of Facebook success. Pay close attention to trends and themes that prompt sharing within your target audience, and craft your content accordingly for maximum results.