Show HN: I built a tool for viral Reddit posts after analyzing 562 subreddits

5 points by dmasiii 3 days ago

It took me six months to analyze 562 subreddits. I systematically parsed titles, post bodies, and user interactions to identify statistically significant patterns and evaluate if it was possible to create a model that could predict the likelihood of a post going viral based on specific features.

The key findings were unexpected: while the title of a post has a direct correlation with engagement, there is another highly influential factor I initially overlooked, timing. The optimal time to post on Reddit, in terms of engagement, can significantly vary based on geographic distribution. The majority of Reddit users are based in the US, whereas I, residing in Italy, am part of a smaller user base. Consequently, peak engagement times often correspond to late-night hours in Europe.

To validate this hypothesis, I conducted multiple experiments, posting at different late-night intervals. Here are the results of my tests: • 11 PM (CET) —> Views: 182K, Upvotes: 495, Comments: 273, Shares: 370 • 01 AM (CET) —> Views: 174K, Upvotes: 283, Comments: 152, Shares: 287 • 10 PM (CET) —> Views: 129K, Upvotes: 168, Comments: 213, Shares: 88 • 03 AM (CET) —> Views: 169K, Upvotes: 154, Comments: 28, Shares: 167

However, consistently manually posting at these optimal times wasn’t scalable. To automate this process, I developed an algorithm that aggregates real-time data such as the number of active users, comment velocity, post frequency, and overall interaction rates. The algorithm processes this data to determine the statistically optimal time and day to post, maximizing the likelihood of high engagement.

I then integrated this algorithm into a web platform that not only displays the calculated best times but also allows users to schedule posts in advance, ensuring they post at the optimal time without having to monitor the platform manually.

The platform is still in the testing phase, and I’d appreciate any feedback or testing you’d like to contribute. You can explore it here: www.postonreddit.com