Snapchat is among the most underrated social media platforms out there. The app is overlooked by content creators because of the idea that it’s merely for sharing media with your friends. But this changed after the introduction of Snapchat Spotlight, which allows content creators to make short entertaining videos.
Apart from being a gateway to fame, the platform also offers cash incentives of up to $1 million to the most engaging viral video. In this article, we will take a look at how to create viral Snapchat videos using tools like a free online video maker. Visit promo.com for a free online video maker trial that can help you succeed in making your Spotlight videos viral.
Users who are familiar with TikTok will find the Snapchat Spotlight experience quite similar. With over 265 million users, Spotlight is Snapchat’s special feature designed to promote short videos that are up to 60 seconds long.
Spotlight’s algorithm operates on engagement metrics similar to Tik Tok, including likes, shares, and watch time. Users can keep their accounts private while still posting content on Spotlight, and anyone can submit short-form “snaps” for others to watch.
How to Post on Snapchat Spotlight
Snaps on Spotlight can be captured just like any other snap, but you send them to Spotlight instead of your story or your friend. Posting on Spotlight is easy:
- Open the Snapchat app and go to the camera tab.
- Tap and hold the record icon to create your video.
- Release the record button after completing your video recording.
- You can add edits and effects to your recorded video using an online video maker.
- Tap “Send To’ at the bottom right of the screen.
- Tap “Spotlight” at the top of the page and agree with its terms and conditions.
- Add necessary hashtags and tap “Send” at the bottom of the page.
Your submitted content will continue to get views after the typical 24-hour window, giving it more opportunity to go viral.
How Snapchat Spotlight Works
Historically, only Discover publishers and creators with verified accounts can go viral on Snapchat. This happens when a story gets pushed to the top in Discover’s feed and gets views outside the account’s subscribers. It’s not uncommon for verified accounts to gain more than their usual views with a good story. However, being viral on Spotlight is a whole different game and it’s much more similar to making a viral TikTok video than anything else. A successful Spotlight video is made possible by the number of likes, shares, screenshots, and views.
How to Make a Snapchat Video Go Viral
Be Creative
The principal and most important factor that can make your Snapchat video go viral is your creativity. People are generally drawn to something interesting, engaging, and unique. You need to think out of the box and create something that will attract your target audience. Directly copying the style of other creators won’t lead you anywhere close to success. Your Spotlight content goes viral when you’re showing something exceptional or remarkable. It will help if you can brainstorm some ideas before working on them.
Getting viral can also depend on your luck since Snapchat has no hard and fast rule. You might have seen other creators with very simple content yet their videos are getting viral on the platform. This doesn’t mean you have to rely on sheer luck. It’s critical to put in your effort and be creative. The rest depends on the reaction of your followers and how many views and engagements your video gets.
You can also take advantage of Snapchat’s filters and other native features because the app’s algorithm easily detects its own filters and features and can recommend your videos to relevant users and show it under relevant search results.
Understand Video Format
Snapchat Spotlight has a video format that accepts vertical video with a 9:16 aspect ratio. The minimum aspect ratio is 3:4. You will want to make sure that your video appears to be vertical and it should cover the whole frame without leaving any space.
Furthermore, you will also want to make sure to record in good resolution so that your viewers can enjoy high-quality videos. The minimum horizontal resolution is 640px, but you will want to upload a higher-resolution video. Decide on the resolution before editing your video in an online video maker.
Add Hashtags
Snapchat Spotlight also allows you to add hashtags to your videos. You can include relevant hashtags before posting the video. Some users ignore hashtags, but using them goes a long way because it increases the reach of your videos. If a user is searching for a hashtag, he/she is more likely to end up on your video.
Hashtags become more important when it comes to following a challenge or a trend. If you are following any challenge or trend, you will want to use relevant hashtags that other people are using. Keep in mind that hashtags should not be random words. You need to use hashtags that are popular and users are most likely to use.
Use Professional Video Editor
In editing your videos for Snapchat Spotlight, you will want to use a professional video editing tool to make your videos more unique, interesting, and engaging. You can find a professional-grade yet user-friendly online video maker with advanced tools to edit your videos to perfection. Look for an online video maker that can precisely cut your videos, add text and special effects, apply transitions, change speed, and make other changes according to your personal preference.
Guidelines
It’s important that you create videos according to Snapchat’s general and community guidelines. If your videos are against the guidelines, they won’t get published at all and won’t be considered for the prize.
You first need to make sure your content is copyright-free; otherwise, it will be rejected. You must have the right to every content and music in your Spotlight video. Your videos will be public, therefore, you will want to make sure you are following the guidelines. Sexually explicit content, hateful and discriminatory speech, threats, harassment, bullying, false information, illegal content, and a few other things are not allowed on the Snapchat platform. Your video submissions should be appropriate to a 13+ audience.
