Viral content is the new king of the net … but unlike real viruses, it is surprisingly hard to ‘catch’ the idea of how to create it! Once you understand the idea of viral ‘hooks’, though, you’ve created a nice fertile breeding ground for that viral content to multiply within your mind. Then it will ultimately be published on your blogs, earning you lots of links and SEO success. Today we explain the hooks that all viral content has, to help you re-create them for your own SEO work.

There are 7 main hooks that are used in linkbaiting content for SEO:

  • A news hook
  • A resource hook
  • A humour hook
  • A contrary hook
  • An attack hook
  • An ego hook
  • An incentive hook

If you’ve spent much time reading blogs, you’ll probably be able to think of a few examples of each that you’ve read. Here are a couple of notes on creating each, for your own SEO purposes.

A news hook

MUST be very fresh. If you aren’t constantly on the net, looking out for breaking and trending stories, and if you aren’t able to add a fresh perspective to a story, you shouldn’t try to publish this sort of linkbaiting content. You’ll also need a decent readership to make use of these stories for SEO.

A resource hook

These are the easiest type for most businesses to create, and the great thing about resource-based linkbait content is that as long as you follow a few basic best-pratcices when you create it, the amount of exposure you get will be almost directly proportional to the amount of work you put in. Create a better resource, get more links and SEO-love. Your resource can be an authority list, a tool, a walk-through or a guide.

A humour hook

These can be difficult for corporate sites to pull off. Humour inevitably offends some people … unless there are pets or children involved! Keep these posts relevant to your business, and run them past everybody at the company for a negative reaction. If you find a single one, keep looking.

A contrary hook

Disagree with a popular opinion, or one popular person’s opinion on something. However, you’ll need to be tactful – otherwise you’ll gain SEO success, but lose respect.

An attack hook

Also known as ‘being controversial’. This works well for some, but be aware that people will constantly be wondering when you’ll attack them, if you make it a habit.

An ego hook

Stroke the ego of somebody you want a link from, by asking them for an interview, or giving them an award. A great way to get those single, valuable authority links.

An incentive hook

Offer samples or prizes in exchange for links, or run a content with an awesome prize to encourage links to flow naturally – great for SEO.

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