The Psychology Behind Scroll-Stopping Content | Creators Doing The Most

In the fast-paced world of social media, grabbing people’s attention is both an art and a science. We all find ourselves mindlessly scrolling through our feeds, bombarded with a constant stream of posts, ads and updates. 

To stand out, creators need to understand the psychology behind scroll-stopping content — what makes people pause, engage and take action.

Brands hire us to find creators who get this. We’re not just looking for influencers with big numbers — we’re looking for those who understand the science behind engagement and the art of creating authentic connections.

The Science of Attention

Our brains are wired to respond to things that feel new, emotional, or personally relevant. With limited attention spans and platforms designed to keep us scrolling scrolling scrolling, content needs to trigger an instant emotional or cognitive response to cut through the noise.

Making an Impact Visually

We’re highly visual creatures — 90% of the information our brain processes is visual. Bright colours, bold text and high-contrast images grab attention fast. Faces, particularly those showing strong emotions, create a sense of connection and curiosity. This is why videos featuring dramatic before-and-after transformations or expressive reactions often perform well on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.

The Power of Emotion

Content that sparks strong emotions — whether joy, surprise, anger, or nostalgia — is more likely to be shared and engaged with. Emotional triggers create a sense of urgency and relatability, making people more inclined to stop and interact. Think about the viral nature of reunion videos or heartfelt personal stories — these tap into deep emotions, compelling people to watch, comment and share.

Curiosity and Intrigue

Our brains crave answers. Headlines that spark curiosity by teasing valuable information (e.g., "You Won’t Believe What Happened Next…") or using cliffhangers make people want to click and learn more. This is evident in the rise of short-form videos that start with an intriguing hook, such as "I tried this weird productivity hack for a week…"—the suspense keeps viewers engaged. Someone who does this super well is Venue Bible, exhibit A being their reel and TikTok for our client Village Belle Hotel’s Sunday Roast. 

Social Proof and FOMO

We’re influenced by what others are doing. Seeing high engagement numbers, glowing testimonials, or trending topics creates a fear of missing out (FOMO), prompting people to stop scrolling and take notice. 

Relevance and Personalisation

Content that speaks directly to a person’s interests, challenges, or aspirations is more likely to catch their eye. Using audience insights to personalise messaging makes content feel more valuable and engaging. 

AFL content creators like Caden McDonald and the Marmalade Boys do this exceptionally well by tailoring their content to die-hard footy fans. Whether it’s match-day vlogs that capture the raw emotion of a last-minute goal or hilarious takes on local footy culture, their content feels like it’s made just for footy lovers. By tapping into relatable fan experiences, in-jokes, and iconic AFL moments, they create content that speaks directly to their audience’s passion, making it nearly impossible to scroll past.

Strategies to Create Scroll-Stopping Content

Use High-Quality Visuals: Invest in eye-catching images, videos, and graphics that pop.

Craft Compelling Headlines: Use powerful words, numbers, and intriguing questions to hook readers.

Show Some Personality: We are naturally curious and nosey creatures — we want to see the person behind the page

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Understanding the psychology behind scroll-stopping content is key to building a loyal and localised audience. By using visuals, emotions, curiosity, social proof, and personalisation, you can create content that not only grabs attention but also drives engagement and conversions. 

When brands partner with us, they’re tapping into a network of creators who know how to stop the scroll, spark interest and drive action.

If you are a brand that is interested in our service, get in touch today or if you are an influencer or creator who wants to start partnering with some of our amazing clients send us a DM.