What makes something go viral? | Dao Nguyen

What's the secret to making content people love? Join BuzzFeed's Publisher Dao Nguyen for a glimpse at how her team creates their tempting quizzes, lists and videos -- and learn more about how they've developed a system to understand how people use content to connect and create culture.

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more.

[reasonswhyrealestateage]

Understanding what it is that makes people love certain types of content is definitely not an easy thing. My biggest takeaway from your video was the fact that what all viral videos have in common is their ability to bring people together around a any subject that produces an emotional response. Thanks for your help Dao.

[Zahlenteufel]

This video was the opposite of Buzzfeeds content: very interesting.

[KamiSilver]

The first viral phenomenon: the Nguyen surname among Vietnamese people.

[aarons]

This video actually explains a lot about Buzzfeed and similar sensational media. Rather than caring about the veracity or importance of the content distributed, Buzzfeed focuses on how said content affects people. It is this focus that leads many people like myself to get angry at the crap content they often publish, because as an analytical person, I care about the content, and I care when it's factually inaccurate or misleading. Buzzfeed just doesn't seem to care about this, because they're after the reactions they can get.

[JimGriffOne]

Exposure to an unusual experience gives the drive (at the psychological level) to share the experience with others. This is programmed into our very being, neurologically-speaking. Our neurology has evolved to have a drive to share possible dangers with the tribe - communication is key in protecting the tribe. However, in the modern context, we continue to communicate even though it isn't necessarily for survival. Our drive to communicate dangers has evolved into a drive to communicate any experience we deem the rest of the tribe *hasn't experienced yet.*

The drive to "communicate information to others that they may not have experienced yet" can be seen in animals too. Dogs will bark when they see something unusual (a 'transient sensory phenomenon') such as seeing a squirrel after having not seen one for weeks/months. The very same drive to communicate unusual, and/or potentially dangerous things with the rest of the tribe IS the key to understanding how and why things go viral.

[weihangbi]

the masses always have incredible power，but they also easy to be misguided.

[ShadaOfAllThings]

I've learned to hate the comments section in TED talk videos.

[Ghostneedle]

Fascinating insight on how their cancer does so well.

[Weldras]

this lady is informing about a dangerous weapon actually

[StudioBallora]

Is there anyone else who loves watching TED talks?

[Nurpus]

10/10
Would hire her as a ghost writer for my autobiography

[angelic]

Yea there is whole branch of social science called memetics dedicated to this and studying how information spreads and sticks around in a culture. And yes this is where the origin of a "meme" comes from. If often miss used now a days.

[weardulo]

BuzzFeed has been very good at deconstructing the hunger of the internet audience for a an easy to consume, snackable content. Personally, I am not a fan, but I recognise the value in doing this for marketing purposes. They have made use of the tech + consumer habits + psychology and ended up with a relevant format. Marin

[daxxonjabiru]

You never see anything go bacterial. C'mon microbes--get with it!

[fatalmystic]

boiled down to one frame: 4:11 basically make sure you target these emotional responses

[ButtTalksTV]

Whoever is reading this, I hope your channel takes off! Remember you’re only 1 video away from your biggest hit.
-Butt Talks TV

[lienphan]

Awesome! Thank you very much Dao Nguyen. It makes a lot of sense to me. Also I'd love to pretty much appreciate the persons translated this talk into Vietnamese. Much respect!

[nutedi]

Saying "Gucci Gang" 1.000.000 times for charity

[URUPMedia]

It's work on Youtube Creator too... Awesome! Thanks BuzzFeed & Nguyen!

[joshualee]

What makes something go viral?
A pen and an apple.