Exploring the science behind viral content, the podcast discusses the role of emotions in driving sharing. High arousal emotions like awe and anger increase sharing, and positivity is contagious. Real-life examples, including Apple's controversial ad, highlight the power of authentic and impactful marketing content.
High arousal emotions like awe or anger drive content virality.
Positive content is more likely to go viral than negative content due to emotional impact.
Deep dives
Emotional Engagement and Virality
Researchers Berger and Milkman examined how emotions such as awe, anger, and anxiety affect the virality of online content. They found that content evoking high arousal emotions is more likely to be shared. Positive content tends to be more viral than negative content. Emotions play a crucial role in determining the likelihood of content being shared, with high arousal emotions driving increased sharing.
Study on Emotional Impact on Sharing
Berger and Milkman analyzed nearly 7,000 articles to study how emotions influenced the virality of content. They found that articles evoking high arousal emotions like awe or anger were significantly more likely to be shared. Positive tone in content also increased the chances of virality. The study highlighted the importance of emotional impact in driving content sharing.
Effects of Emotional Content on Virality
The research delved into how specific emotions like amusement and anger impact sharing. High arousal emotions, whether positive or negative, tended to be shared more frequently. Positive content generally exhibited higher virality than negative content. Content that triggers emotions like excitement and joy has a better chance of going viral, showcasing the significance of emotional engagement in content marketing.
Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We’re breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use.
In this episode, Elena and Rob explore what drives us to click and share online content. Is virality just luck, or is it strategic? Discover how emotions and planning play a part.
Topics covered:
[00:50] “What Makes Online Content Viral”
[01:25] What makes something go viral?
[02:50] Content drives social transmission and virality
Resources: Berger, Jonah & Milkman, Katherine. (2009). What Makes Online Content Viral? Journal of Marketing Research. 49. 10.2139/ssrn.1528077.
Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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