13 Blog Post Formats that Still Go Viral

You need to use blog post formats that have a better chance of going viral within your niche.

Viral content isn’t just luck. Certain types of blog posts perform better than others. That’s because different types deliver different value to the reader, or at least enable you, the writer, to be able to implement better value into the type of blog post you’re creating.

The formats that I will be showcasing in this guide are those that often attract clicks, shares, and engagements, which I call viral content.

The format of this particular blog post is actually one of the most popular. It’s a listicle or a list post. It provides you, the reader, with multiple options to consider, which is often very valuable when you’re looking for the right choice.

In this list, I’ll show you 13 different blog post formats that still go viral.

1: List Posts

The list post, also known as a listicle, is one of the most popular blog post formats used in blogging.

Numbered lists are easy to scan. They’re easy to organize. They’re easy to revisit and reference.

You can make your list stand out by adding an odd number rather than an even number because people are so used to even numbers that they blend in with everything else.

When creating a list post, research the target keyword on Google to ensure it aligns with your content. On the front page of the search results, look at all the list posts in the results. Make your list amount more than the highest list result, as people tend to love more options.

The list post is often one of the most common blog post types you’ll see in search results, and that’s because people love them.

 

2: How-To Guides

How-to guides are another type of blog post format that often gets consumed by the masses within most niches.

How-to guides are often evergreen. Evergreen content is content that remains relevant and never expires. How-to guides typically show someone how to do something in the niche, so they can usually be sought after all the time.

The how-to format typically works for every niche because every niche has topics where followers need to learn how to do something within it.

These blog post types work better when extra improvements are made to make them more viral. You should add compelling visuals, such as infographics and images. You should also add video snippets on sub-topics to make the post more valuable and interactive.

The how-to blog post types are another result that you’ll often find on the first page of Google Search results for practically any keyword you search for.

 

3: Ultimate Guides

Ultimate guides are highly effective blog post formats that often go viral because they’re so helpful to your audience.

The ultimate guides are very appealing to readers. Readers need help with something in the niche and are constantly searching for answers. Your ultimate guide will provide them not just with the specific answers they’re looking for, but with all the answers they might ever need in the future.

An ultimate guide covers everything and all parts of a subject, so the post should be quite extensive in length.

An ultimate guide will position you as an authority. Because you’re giving so much information about a topic, your readers will see you as the expert in your niche. Just ensure the information is valuable and actually addresses their most pressing questions.

Ultimate guide blog post types are most often cornerstone content or pillar topics on a blog.

 

4: Case Studies

Case studies are another type of blog post format that receives a lot of attention due to the volume of information they provide.

Case studies provide your audience with real-world strategies. This is due to the extensive technical data often incorporated into them. If the case study isn’t this valuable, it will likely not be consumed as much as you expect.

Case studies are extensive in information because they’re meant to build trust and to give you social proof.

Case studies are data-driven. This means that you’ll need to do a lot of research and experimentation in order to ensure the value of the study. You’re basically going to be writing a college paper and delivering it in blog format.

If you use AI to help with research, be sure to verify the data, as AI can sometimes hallucinate and provide incorrect information, which can seriously damage your reputation if it appears in your content.

 

5: Opinion/Controversial Posts

Opinion and controversial blog post types often receive a lot of shares and engagement due to the nature of the posts.

If you publish posts that are opinion pieces or controversial in nature, you’ll create a discussion point. Oftentimes, the discussion will likely be a debate. This is the type of post that you’ll see comments and reshares on frequently.

There are risks associated with making these posts, including toxic comments and debates, but there are rewards too, including going viral and gaining a large number of new readers in the process.

It’s okay to have an opinion and be opinionated in this type of post as the blogger. However, you should never be a jerk or give your opinions in a way that invites a toxic or abusive response. Instead, be professional about it and ensure you consider what you’re about to post for the world to see.

To get started with this type of format, I recommend choosing the hot and trending topics within your niche, as these are often the most controversial.

 

6: Expert Roundups

An expert roundup is a great way to network with others in your niche while also going viral using this type of blog post format.

Expert roundups provide your audience with a range of diverse opinions and strategies. It allows them to see what multiple experts think about a subject in one blog post rather than having to research multiple posts. It is and should be a very authority-driven content piece.

Expert roundups typically work best in business, marketing, entrepreneurship, and related fields where there are numerous recognized experts.

You’ll need to reach out to experts to encourage their participation. I recommend emailing them, breaking down what your blog post will be about, and asking if they would be willing to contribute. You should also make it a point to follow them on social, engage with them, and share their content to earn some brownie points.

Expert roundups enable you to meet, engage, and interact with other experts in your niche, creating a perfect opportunity for networking. This is a blog post type that you should definitely pursue from time to time.

 

7: Infographics

Infographics are among the blog post formats that are typically easier to publish because they require very little written content.

Visual content is highly shareable. Infographics have been popular since their introduction. You essentially condense your blog content by organizing the most important parts into an image, making it easier to share and potentially go viral in the process.

You can also repurpose your existing blog content to create infographic images to be posted on your blog.

When you create these infographic images, ensure that you enable others to share them. You could embed code to allow people to share it, or encourage them to save the image and share it on their own blogs and social media. Just make sure to include your blog URL somewhere on the graphic so others can see where it originally came from.

When publishing these blog post types, be sure to use ALT text for those with disabilities and include some written content to provide additional information for SEO purposes.

 

8: Trend & Prediction Posts

Trend and prediction posts are definitely the blog post types that are most likely to go viral and receive a lot of shares due to their popular-at-the-time nature.

People in just about any niche crave to see what’s next in the niche. You can provide a glimpse into what’s to come by using this format. If you’re good at your predictions, people will definitely keep coming back to you for more.

These types of posts are not often evergreen, but they’re perfect for year-round shifts in the industry and niche.

This type of post is an excellent way to establish authority and expertise in your niche. This is especially true when your trends and predictions are accurate and helpful to the reader. You’ll become the go-to expert for trending information in your niche if you get this type of content right.

You just need to stay up-to-date with any news, information, trends, and developments within your niche, as you need to report on them as quickly as possible.

 

9: Resource/Tool List

Another great blog post type that tends to go viral in any niche is posts that list various resources and tools.

These blog post types are highly shareable because everyone is looking for the best resources and tools in their niche. If you list the items that will help them with their needs, then they will share and make your post go viral. You really need to ensure that you understand your audience and what they desire.

This format is also great for affiliate marketing, as you can add your affiliate link to each resource or tool you share on the list.

This can be practically applied to every niche as well. There are likely to be resources and tools for your niche that can help your readers improve in it. Affiliate marketing is usually available for any niche as well.

This is another blog post type that is great for networking and collaboration with other bloggers and resource/tool creators in your niche.

 

10: Checklists & Check Sheets

Checklists and check sheets are another viral-ready blog post format that you might want to add to your list.

This is often content you can create quickly. You’re creating checklists and check sheets for various aspects of your niche. For example, I have a checklist on my hiking blog outlining the essential gear to carry in your backpack.

Checklists and check sheets are very scannable, too, which is important for those reading your blog from their mobile devices.

You can also make a PDF or printable version to make it even more valuable. You could offer it as a lead magnet to subscribe to your newsletter. They can either obtain it from the blog post or download a cleaner copy after joining your mailing list.

These types of posts are highly shareable and can often become viral fairly quickly when promoting them to the right audience within your niche.

 

11: Personal Stories & Lessons Learned

Get personal with your audience and resonate with them using these blog post types.

If you truly want to build trust and loyalty through your audience, then use the personal stories and lessons learned blog post types. This will allow your audience to resonate with you. It’s more personal and human, and that builds a lot of trust.

Sharing your own stories and lessons learned will also help you improve your ability to tell stories, as storytelling is one of the most effective ways to retain loyal followers.

Make sure you help your audience, though. It’s okay to tell your story as long as it helps and resonates with your audience. Don’t tell a story that only applies to you; otherwise, you’re going to bore your readers.

In this everything AI-driven world we now live in, personal story and lessons learned formats are loved by readers searching for those rare human connections.

 

12: Curated Content Posts

Curated content blog post types are also viral and shareable when created correctly.

You can save your readers a lot of time when creating curated content. This includes multiple resources, links to various posts, and curated topics that your audience is likely to search for. You can create this, deliver extreme value, and watch the post get shared and shared again.

This is a great strategy for niches and industries that change rapidly or operate at a fast pace.

This is another great way to network with other experts and industries within your niche. You can collaborate with them and use their content and resources for your curated post. The more people you know, the more expertise you’ll gain.

Curated content is desired by many people and often takes the form of a blog format that tends to go viral fairly quickly.

 

13: Interactive Posts

Interactive posts are an excellent way to engage your readers and audience in your blog content.

These blog post types are formats that allow your readers to easily interact with you. These formats include quizzes, polls, and other interactive features. This format goes beyond the standard text-based post and comment system.

The format can go viral because it drives fun and engagement from your readers.

If you enable it where the engagement can end with results, such as a personality test, readers will often share those results. You can include the part that shares a link back to your blog post to encourage your viewers to visit it. Then it goes viral because of all the resharing and engagement.

Interactive post formats make for a great break in all of the serious posts you typically make throughout the life of your blog.

Final Thoughts About Blog Post Formats

The blog post formats above can help your blog content go viral. Of course, not all content will be viral. You really have to ensure the content is of the highest quality and of extreme value if you want it to succeed.

Out of all of these blog post types, which one is your favorite to write a blog post with? How about reading a blog post? Comment below with your thoughts on these questions.

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About the Author

Shawn Gossman has created content, blogged, ran online communities, and shared a passion for digital marketing for over twenty years. Shawn believes the best way to help content creators, businesses, brands, and marketers is to give away more than you sell. The same advice is recommended for the readers who follow this blog. Shawn also offers various services for extra help in content creation and blogging.