BuzzSumo
Content ResearchContent research platform tracking viral trends and social engagement
Overview
BuzzSumo pioneered content research by making social engagement data actionable for marketers and content creators. Founded in 2013 by James Blackwell and Henley Wing, the Brighton-based company built its reputation on answering a simple question: what content actually gets shared? Unlike tools that focus on search volume or rankings, BuzzSumo reveals which topics generate discussion, shares, and viral momentum across social platforms.
The platform's core strength lies in its comprehensive social media database, tracking billions of content pieces across Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Reddit. This gives content creators visibility into real engagement patterns rather than theoretical keyword metrics. BuzzSumo competes directly with tools like SparkToro for audience research and Exploding Topics for trend identification, but its social-first approach sets it apart from traditional SEO tools.
BuzzSumo serves multiple use cases beyond basic content discovery. PR teams use it to identify journalists and monitor media coverage. Influencer marketers use its creator database for outreach campaigns. Content strategists analyze competitor content gaps and track trending discussions in their industry. The platform has evolved from a simple content discovery tool into a comprehensive social intelligence platform.
Key features
Content Discovery
Identifies top-performing content by social shares across platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Shows what content resonates in your niche based on actual engagement data.
Trending Content Alerts
Monitors keywords and sends real-time notifications when content starts gaining traction. Helps identify emerging trends before competitors catch on.
Influencer Database
Searchable database of content creators and influencers with engagement metrics and contact information. Filters by location, follower count, and engagement rates.
Content Gap Analysis
Compares your content against competitors to identify topics you're missing. Shows opportunities where competitors are getting engagement but you're not publishing.
Social Media Monitoring
Tracks brand mentions and sentiment across social platforms. Provides context for how your content and brand are being discussed online.
Question Analyzer
Finds questions people ask about your topics across forums and social platforms. Useful for identifying content ideas that address real user queries.
YouTube Analytics
Analyzes YouTube video performance including view counts, engagement, and trending videos in your niche. Shows which video topics and formats work best.
Chrome Extension
Browser extension that displays social share counts and engagement metrics while browsing any website. Quick way to assess content performance without switching tools.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 5 searches per month, basic content discovery, limited results |
| Content Creation | $199/mo | Unlimited searches, content alerts, 1 year historical data, 5 team members |
| PR & Comms | $299/mo | Journalist database, media monitoring, PR pitch templates, 10 team members |
| Suite | $499/mo | Influencer CRM, YouTube analytics, Facebook analyzer, 30 team members |
| Enterprise | Custom | API access, advanced filters, custom integrations, unlimited users |
FAQ
How does BuzzSumo compare to Google Trends for content research?
BuzzSumo focuses on social engagement data while Google Trends shows search volume trends. BuzzSumo is better for understanding what content gets shared and discussed, while Google Trends shows what people search for.
Can BuzzSumo help with SEO keyword research?
BuzzSumo doesn't provide search volume data or keyword metrics. It's primarily for identifying content topics that generate social engagement, which can inform content strategy but doesn't replace dedicated keyword research tools.
Is the free version of BuzzSumo useful for content marketing?
The free version allows 5 searches monthly with basic results. It's enough to test the platform but insufficient for regular content research. Most users need a paid plan for consistent use.
Does BuzzSumo track all social media platforms?
BuzzSumo tracks Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Reddit engagement. It also covers YouTube performance and some forum discussions, but doesn't include newer platforms like TikTok or Instagram comprehensively.
How accurate is BuzzSumo's influencer contact information?
Contact accuracy varies by influencer and platform. BuzzSumo aggregates publicly available information and social media profiles, but email addresses may be outdated or incomplete for some influencers.
How does BuzzSumo compare?
View all comparisons →Review Sentiment
564 reviews across 2 sources
Bottom line
BuzzSumo is a category leader — powerful content discovery engine that surfaces top-performing content, backed by a 4.5/5 from 564 reviewers. At $199/mo, it's best for content strategists who'll use its full depth. The common complaint: starting price of $199/mo puts it out of reach.
People love
- +Powerful content discovery engine that surfaces top-performing content by topic, backlinks, and social shares
- +Journalist and influencer finder helps identify outreach targets for digital PR campaigns
- +Content alerts notify you when competitors publish or when your brand is mentioned
Common complaints
- –Starting price of $199/mo puts it out of reach for freelancers and small teams
- –Historical data and advanced filters locked behind higher-tier plans
- –Social share data has become less reliable as platforms restrict API access
🟠Reddit sentiment
mixed9 threads in r/content_marketing, r/SEO, r/digital_marketing
“It's really so useful that it's like cheating when used to re-post articles on social”
r/content_marketing· 51 pts
“I work in B2B and rarely get blinding insights from it — works much better for B2C brands”
r/digital_marketing· 29 pts
🔵𝕏 sentiment
positive8 posts
“Love BuzzSumo's influencer feature — lists all the Twitter influencers on a topic with their follower info”
@ContentMktg· 134 likes
“BuzzSumo indexes over 8 billion articles — unmatched depth for content research and trend spotting”
@DigitalPR_pro· 92 likes
Last updated Feb 2026