In today’s digital world, attention is money — and nothing grabs it quite like a good listicle. Whether on BuzzFeed or LinkedIn, list articles have become de rigueur for content marketing, generating huge traffic, engagement, and shares.
But what is it, precisely, that makes a listicle go viral? It is the optimal combination of value, relatability, and shareability. The following are 10 examples of viral listicles that not only broke the internet but became timeless digital storytelling lessons as well.
BuzzFeed’s “21 Pictures That Will Restore Your Faith in Humanity”
A vintage tearjerker, this list was viral because of its emotional power and sharability. It’s a lesson in leveraging emotional marketing to rack up millions of shares.Forbes’ “30 Under 30”
An excellent demonstration of a listicle leveraged for thought leadership and brand authority. It makes Forbes a gatekeeper of influence — and provides profiled individuals with enormous media exposure.
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Inc’s “Top 10 Habits of Highly Successful Entrepreneurs”
This evergreen content style still does well on search and social because it provides value-based advice that is simple to read and execute.HubSpot’s “15 Call-to-Action Examples You Can’t Help But Click”
A marketer’s dream, this listicle drove links and conversions, demonstrating the might of SEO content marketing when executed effectively.
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Time Magazine’s “Top 100 Most Influential People”
This yearly list controls not only on search but on social media too, due to its authority and viral value. It’s copy that ignites controversy, kudos, and shares.HuffPost’s “10 Things Every Introvert Wishes You Knew”
Niche material with strong relevance — perfect for reaching a single persona. That is a classic example of the power of focused storytelling to build viral reach.Entrepreneur’s “25 Businesses You Can Start With $100 or Less”
Very utilitarian and shareable, this list struck the perfect balance between search intent and inspirational content — both essential determinants of virality.LinkedIn’s “Top Startups to Watch”
Each year, this listicle receives tremendous buzz from professionals and investors worldwide. It bolsters LinkedIn’s authority in the startup and technology space.
Reddit’s AMA Summaries: “Top 10 Celebrity Moments You Missed”
Community-driven content that was aggregated into viral listicles. A fantastic illustration of the ways in which brands can reuse community-generated material for huge effects.
YouTube’s “Rewind: Top 10 Viral Videos of the Year”
Mixing video with list formats makes this material extremely compelling and ideal for cross-platform virality.