The Top 11 Viral Social Media Content Types in  2025

Are you juggling content ideas and feeling stuck? Let’s solve that. Social media content types can feel overwhelming, from reels and stories to polls and long‑form videos. But once you get a handle on the format mix, your feed stops feeling like a chaos of random posts and starts to feel like a magnet for real engagement. These are the top 11 social media content types to include in your content strategy.

How to Choose Social Media Content Types That Move the Needle

Picking the right social media content types feels like a maze until you know exactly who you’re talking to. Each audience demographic has different needs so naturally, the first logical step is to get to know who you are writing for.

Know Your Audience

Start by sketching out your audience personas, be they Gen Z’s and their fast-paced consumption tendency or businesses looking for thought-leading insights. Then, pinpoint their core goals, as in what they need to find, what their problems are, where their pain points lie to create a foundation to base your content creation process around.

Align With Funnel Stages

Once you have known who you are writing for, that’s nowhere near the end of the first stage. Because these users scroll through their social media feeds with 

• Top-of-funnel: Awareness builders like short-form videos and memes capture attention and drive reach on TikTok, Reels, or YouTube Shorts and memes add a dose of humor and shareability for quick wins
• Mid-funnel: Engagement drivers such as user-generated content (UGC), live streams, and infographics deepen trust, spark conversations, and deliver value.
• Bottom-of-funnel: Conversion catalysts like shoppable posts and long-form videos guide viewers toward action. Studies show UGC on product pages can boost conversions by 161%.

Tie each format to a clear metric, engagement rates for awareness pieces, comments and shares for mid-funnel content, and clicks or sign-ups for bottom-funnel posts and you now have a rough course of action to perfect your social media content strategy.

How to choose the best social media content types for your audience

Top Social Media Content Types and Where They Shine

Short‑Form Video (Reels, Shorts, TikTok)

Short‑form videos, think Reels, Shorts, TikTok, are the snackable, scroll-stopping champions of social media. They’re built for shareability, with rapid emotional impact: viewers react fast, click like, hit share. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and YouTube Shorts are practically built for this format.

• Use case: Perfect for food brands teasing your next taste sensation, quick tips, or product sneak peeks.
• Example: Duolingo have made the most of this format to bring the whimsical green owl closer to the audience.

High‑Impact Images and Carousels

A stunning image or swipeable carousel can bring your audience to a screeching stop. With eye-catching visuals and bold design, these social media post types are designed to stop the scroll. There are also plenty of creative ways to use this format, which includes telling a story or making a collage of a larger photo.

• Platforms: Instagram and Pinterest reign here.
• Example: Many music artists have teased their latest releases using this format like the Weeknd and Korean group aespa.

Utilize visual elements in your social media content

Live Streams

Live streaming builds urgency and connection in real-time. It’s raw, authentic, and trust-building so viewers feel like they’re right there with you and it feels more relatable.

• Platforms: Facebook Live, Instagram Live, YouTube Live, LinkedIn Live offer powerful stages and eCommerce platforms have also integrated live streaming functions into their applications.
• Example: Shopee have been hosting live streaming events to pull in more viewers and orders.

GIFs & Memes

Need a fast laugh or mood booster? GIFs and memes deliver punchy humor and personality in seconds, perfect for showing brand voice without saying much. Wendy’s, for instance, turned roasting into social-media gold, using sharp one-liners and GIFs that rack up millions of views on X. In fact, these social media post types don’t even have to be a separate post, as a well-timed comedic reply to users in the comment section can generate a whole lot of buzz, and even spark a new meme if you are lucky.

Text‑Based Posts & Polls

Sometimes simplicity sparks the biggest convos. Text-based posts and polls kick off questions, debates, or all sorts of moments. Platforms like X and Reddit thrive on this format because there’s a close-knit sense of community, so people will consistently contribute to the discussion. A major example is how studios and companies have had movie stars hosting Q&A sessions with users in real-time while promoting their movie in the process.

That said, it is very essential to toe the line between promoting and showing your authenticity. Communities do not like people hard selling their products, so if you want to introduce yourself to these communities, make sure to be “you” first and foremost.

User‑Generated Content (UGC)

Nothing builds trust like seeing someone else love your product. User‑Generated Content like tagged posts, Stories, or hashtag challenges shows real customers in real life. L’Oréal saw this firsthand when beauty influencers raving mascara videos exploded, hitting millions on TikTok and sparking entire UGC movements around authenticity, and authenticity sells. On top of that, the astronomical rise of UGC also lays the foundation for the fast-rising sector known as KOL or influencer marketing.

User-generated content is the way to go in recent years

Long‑Form Video & Educational Content

There have been a lot of talk about how short-form videos are taking over and leaving long-form videos in the dust. However, the deep-dive cousins of short-form clips build authority, trust, while inviting audiences to stay and watch.

Long-form videos let you unpack concepts, run tutorials, or share expert interviews that keep viewers engaged for longer. YouTube and your own website are perfect for these formats, because more watch time means better SEO performance and stronger community bonds. Case in point, tech companies and manufacturers are still pulling in customers through their product demonstrations and retain old customers with detailed product guides.

Infographics & Visual Summaries

These are for the visual learners and data lovers. Infographics and visual summaries break down complex info into bite-sized, shareable visuals, which allows for clarity, retention, and shareability on platforms like Pinterest, LinkedIn, X, and more..
Need a quick statistic or compelling visual? This is your go-to social media content type for impact.

Shoppable & Interactive Posts

Ready to turn scrolls into sales? Shoppable posts and interactive formats let people buy on the spot—tags, stickers, live shopping events, even polls that drive conversions.

Facebook Marketplace and other eCommerce platforms with live-stream shopping are leading the charge, with TikTok joining the fray by having their own digital marketplace and allowing users to join the affiliate program. A major example of this is Rihanna joining a Douyin livestream to promote her products, something that seems quite simple but not any less game-changing.

Emotional Storytelling

Emotional storytelling taps into the heart and places your audience inside a real narrative, which can make your brand unforgettable. Whether you’re sharing a founder’s journey, a customer success story, or a mission-driven moment, weaving in real emotions builds trust and loyalty.

Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and LinkedIn all shine when brands share authentic, emotion-driven posts. The investment in both time and money can be more substantial compared to the rest of the social media content types, but it can be very worth it.

Storytelling is the key to resonate to your audience

Podcasts & Audio Content

Podcasts are like chatting with a friend, it’s intimate, informative, and always on when your audience is on the go. They build deep brand affinity and boost SEO by living on platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts and showing up in search results.

Plus, easy editing and low barriers make podcasts scalable and niche-friendly. Pair each episode with social posts or clips, and you’ve got a content powerhouse that educates and engages, no studio required. Countless brands have joined the podcast game, which includes WWE, the global wrestling company.

On Digitals Can Help You Take Over Social Media Marketing

When it comes to powerful digital content, On Digitals knows how to connect brands with their audiences. Based in Vietnam, we are an agile agency that helps businesses scale and drive revenue through smart, creative online campaigns, which include our social media marketing services. With custom content plans across formats, videos, graphics, carousels, we help brands consistently deliver across platforms.

Mastering the right mix of social media content types isn’t just about variety, it’s about aligning formats with audience needs and business goals. Combining engaging formats, smart content rotations, and educational value, your strategy becomes both dynamic and engaging, letting you approach your audience effectively.