BuzzSumo Chrome Extension: Your Shortcut to Viral Content

If you’ve ever wondered how to find content that actually works online, you’re not alone. Whether you’re a blogger, marketer, or social media manager, finding popular and shareable content is key to growing your audience.
That’s where the BuzzSumo Chrome extension comes in.
In this guide, I’ll explain:
✅ What BuzzSumo does and why it matters
✅ How the Chrome extension works
✅ Smart ways to use it for content marketing
✅ The pros and cons to keep in mind
Let’s dive in!
📝 What is BuzzSumo?
BuzzSumo is a powerful content research tool that shows you which articles, blog posts, or videos are getting the most shares, likes, and engagement across social media.
Imagine typing in a keyword like “digital marketing” and instantly seeing the top-performing content for that topic. You’ll know:
✔ What headlines work
✔ Which platforms get the most traction
✔ Who’s linking or sharing that content
For anyone doing content marketing, SEO, or social media, BuzzSumo is like having a secret content map.
🚀 Why Use the BuzzSumo Chrome Extension?
The BuzzSumo Chrome extension brings the platform’s key insights directly into your browser. Instead of logging into the main site, you can:
✅ See social engagement stats for any webpage you visit
✅ View backlinks and referring domains instantly
✅ Check how many times a URL was shared on Facebook, X (Twitter), Pinterest, and more
This makes it super easy to analyse content on the fly while you browse.
For example:
✔ Reading a competitor’s blog? → Check how well it performed.
✔ Found an article you want to share? → See if it’s already viral.
✔ Writing your own content? → Analyse similar posts to plan your strategy.
🛠️ How to Install and Use the BuzzSumo Chrome Extension
It only takes a few steps:
Step 1: Add to Chrome
Visit the Chrome Web Store, search for “BuzzSumo”, and click “Add to Chrome.”
Step 2: Log In
You’ll need a BuzzSumo account (free or paid) to unlock features.
Step 3: Start Analysing
Visit any webpage and click the BuzzSumo icon in your browser toolbar. A pop-up will show:
✅ Social shares across platforms
✅ Number of backlinks
✅ Content engagement trends
Now you’ve got instant insights without leaving the page!
🎯 Smart Ways to Use BuzzSumo for Content Marketing
Here are the best ways to use the extension:
✅ Find viral content ideas – See what’s already performing well in your niche so you can create similar or better content.
✅ Analyse competitors – Check which blog posts, videos, or guides get the most backlinks and shares from competitors.
✅ Improve headlines – Study what kinds of titles get attention (list posts, questions, how-tos, etc.).
✅ Identify influencers – Find out who’s sharing or linking to popular content so you can connect with them.
✅ Content repurposing – Spot evergreen posts you can refresh or expand into new formats.
💡 Pro Tips to Get the Most Out of BuzzSumo
✔ Use filters – Focus on specific timeframes (last 24 hours, week, month) to find fresh trends.
✔ Combine with keyword tools – Pair BuzzSumo data with keyword research for SEO-focused content planning.
✔ Track your own URLS – Monitor engagement and backlinks for your published content.
✔ Look beyond shares – Don’t just copy viral posts; analyse why they worked (topic, timing, visuals).
🔍 Pros and Cons of the BuzzSumo Chrome Extension
✅ Pros:
-
Fast, in-browser insights without logging in separately
-
Shows shares, backlinks, and engagement in one click
-
Saves time for content audits and competitor research
-
Great for both small creators and large marketing teams
❌ Cons:
-
Some data (like full backlink lists) requires a paid account
-
Doesn’t pull engagement from every platform (e.g., Instagram stats are limited)
-
Limited to analysing one URL at a time
Overall, it’s an incredibly handy tool for quick content analysis while you browse.
🧩 Final Thoughts: Is the BuzzSumo Chrome Extension Worth It?
If you’re serious about creating content that gets seen, shared, and linked, the BuzzSumo Chrome extension is a valuable addition to your toolkit.
It helps you:
✅ Discover top-performing content
✅ Study what’s trending in your niche
✅ Benchmark against competitors
✅ Plan content that’s more likely to succeed
Whether you’re a blogger, SEO expert, digital marketer, or business owner, this extension makes content research easier, faster, and more data-driven.
Try it out — and start finding content that actually works.
