Dhruv Rathee’s ChatGPT course gained rapid attention and widespread adoption soon after its release. In a crowded market of AI tutorials, his course managed to stand out and spread far across social media, student groups, and productivity communities. The virality wasn’t accidental. It stemmed from a mix of audience behaviour, strong branding, effective timing, and accessible teaching.
This analysis explains the real reasons behind the course’s viral reach and why it resonated with such a diverse audience.
Strong audience–creator alignment
A course that fits his existing viewer base
Dhruv Rathee already has a massive audience of students, job seekers, and early professionals—groups highly interested in AI tools but intimidated by technical courses. His ChatGPT course met their exact needs: simple, practical, and actionable.
High trust in the creator
Dhruv’s credibility built over years of content plays a major role. When a trusted figure launches a course, the audience feels confident investing time in it. Trust accelerates virality because users share recommendations faster.
Perfect timing during peak AI curiosity
AI searches were at an all-time high
Search trends for ChatGPT and AI tools were surging globally. Many users were aware of AI but unsure how to use it. Dhruv released the course at a moment when curiosity was high and clarity was low—making his content instantly relevant.
Lack of simple Indian-context AI courses
Most AI courses online are technical or Western-centric. Dhruv’s course offered relatable examples and local relevance. This filled a market gap and boosted organic shares among Indian learners.
Simple, actionable, beginner-friendly content
Short, implement-now lessons
The course focuses on small lessons that deliver immediate results—such as writing emails, creating notes, or planning tasks with ChatGPT. When learners get quick benefits, they naturally share the experience with friends.
No technical jargon
Many AI courses overwhelm learners. Dhruv’s approach simplifies complex tools, making them feel easy and approachable. Accessibility is one of the strongest drivers of virality.
Effective distribution and promotional ecosystem
Multi-platform promotion
The course received visibility through YouTube, Instagram, community posts, and cross-platform mentions. Multiple touchpoints increase recall, which increases enrolments.
Community-led momentum
Early learners shared screenshots, reviews, and results. This social proof triggered a chain reaction. Viral courses often grow not from marketing but from learner-driven sharing.
High perceived value at minimal barriers
Practical benefits with no prerequisites
The promise of “learn ChatGPT for productivity” appeals to almost everyone—students, professionals, freelancers, creators, and job seekers.
Instant improvement in daily tasks
When a course helps users save time on writing, summarising, or planning, they immediately feel its value. These micro-win moments drive recommendations.
Psychology behind the virality
Fear of missing out (FOMO)
When people see peers using ChatGPT effectively or talking about a course, they feel the need to stay updated. FOMO accelerates sharing and sign-ups.
Simplicity produces shareability
Short clips, prompt examples, and template screenshots make the course easy to promote unintentionally. The simpler the content, the more shareable it becomes.
Comparison Table: Viral Factors Behind the Course
| Viral Factor | Why It Worked |
|---|---|
| Creator credibility | High trust led to quick adoption |
| Perfect launch timing | AI trend was peaking |
| Beginner-friendly | Zero prerequisites |
| Practical value | Immediate productivity wins |
| Community support | User-generated buzz |
| Multi-platform reach | Broad visibility |
What creators and learners can learn from this trend
For creators
Creating viral learning content requires clarity, timing, and value—not necessarily depth. A course that solves a small problem clearly can outperform a deep technical course lacking accessibility.
For learners
A viral course is a great starting point for beginners, but deeper AI learning requires additional structured, project-based resources. After completing Rathee’s course, learners can continue with platforms like:
- OpenAI Learning: https://platform.openai.com/docs
- Google AI Education: https://ai.google/education/
- Coursera AI Courses: https://www.coursera.org/browse/data-science/ai
You can also explore more AI-related skill guides on Japture.