Virality Gate

Score: Does the title make YOU want to click from a stranger's channel? Be honest.

FAIL criteria: Title is descriptive but not compelling. "How to Set Up AWS Bedrock" = weak. "AWS Bedrock Costs 90% Less Than You Think (Here's How)" = pass.

Gate 2: Thumbnail-Title Synergy

• Title and thumbnail carry DIFFERENT information
• Together they create a curiosity gap
• Thumbnail has max 3 visual elements
• Text on thumbnail is 4 words or fewer
• Designed for dark mode (60-70% of viewers)
• Face with emotion visible (if applicable)

FAIL criteria: Thumbnail repeats the title, or is text-heavy, or has no clear focal point.

Gate 3: First 5 Seconds

• Viewer sees what they gain or lose within 5 seconds
• Zero preamble before value starts
• Matches the promise of title + thumbnail
• Specific enough to hold attention

FAIL criteria: Opens with "Hey guys, welcome to my channel" or any filler before the hook.

Gate 4: Satisfaction Delivery

The 2026 algorithm weights satisfaction above watch time.

• Video delivers on the title's promise (not clickbait)
• Viewer would rate this "worth watching" in a post-video survey
• Viewer would watch another video after this (session contribution)
• Content is genuinely useful/entertaining, not padded

FAIL criteria: Title promises X, video delivers Y. Or video is padded to hit a length target.

Gate 5: Retention Architecture

• Mini-payoffs every 60-90 seconds
• Pattern interrupts every 20-30 seconds (visual changes, cuts, graphics)
• Stakes escalate throughout
• No segment where a viewer would reasonably leave
• If 8+ minutes: energy maintained through minute 8 threshold

FAIL criteria: Long stretches without payoffs, flat energy, or obvious "skip to" sections.

Gate 6: "Would Someone Subscribe?"

• This video demonstrates YOUR unique expertise or voice
• A new viewer watching this would think "I want more from this person"
• It's not generic content anyone could make
• It fits your channel's niche consistency (algorithm judges channels holistically)

FAIL criteria: Video is interchangeable with 50 other channels' content.

Gate 7: Format Validation

• This format has proven demand (outlier in your niche or adjacent niche)
• Length matches topic (short high-retention > long low-retention)
• Format is right for the platform surface (search vs browse vs suggested)

FAIL criteria: Untested format with no evidence of demand.

Gate 8: Personal Excitement

MrBeast rule: "If a concept doesn't excite me personally, it won't be filmed."

• You are genuinely excited about this video
• You would watch this video yourself
• This represents your best work right now

FAIL criteria: You're publishing because "I need to upload something" not because the video is good.

Scoring

Verdict

• 8/8 PASS: Ship it.
• 6-7 PASS: Fix the failed gates, then re-evaluate.
• 5 or fewer PASS: Kill it. The ceiling is too low. Spend the time on a better idea.

Output Format

## Virality Gate: "[Video Title]"

### Results
| # | Gate | Status | Issue | Fix |
|---|------|--------|-------|-----|
| 1 | Title Click Trigger | [P/F] | [if F, what's wrong] | [specific fix] |
| 2 | Thumbnail Synergy | [P/F] | | |
| 3 | First 5 Seconds | [P/F] | | |
| 4 | Satisfaction Delivery | [P/F] | | |
| 5 | Retention Architecture | [P/F] | | |
| 6 | Subscribe Worthiness | [P/F] | | |
| 7 | Format Validation | [P/F] | | |
| 8 | Personal Excitement | [P/F] | | |

### Verdict: [SHIP / FIX / KILL]
**Score**: [X]/8

### If FIX:
[Specific changes needed, in priority order]

### If KILL:
[Why this video isn't worth the channel damage. What to make instead.]