What impact does a viral video typically have on viewership?

A viral video typically generates immediate mass exposure because it captures the attention of viewers swiftly, allowing it to spread rapidly across social media platforms and other online channels. This phenomenon occurs due to the intrinsic shareability of such content, often characterized by its entertainment value, relatability, or novelty. As audiences react to the video, they are likely to share it with their networks, which leads to exponential growth in views in a short period.

This quick spike in viewership contrasts with options that imply a slower or limited reach. For example, a gradual increase in views suggests a more organic and time-consuming growth mechanism, whereas a viral video often becomes popular almost instantaneously. Similarly, minimal engagement does not align with the captivating nature of viral content, which typically leads to high interaction rates with likes, comments, and shares. Targeted advertising, while effective in reaching specific demographics, does not encompass the spontaneous and widespread nature of a viral video's impact on viewership. Thus, the immediate mass exposure aligns perfectly with what is observed in practice when a video goes viral.