The College of Information and Communications’ Social Media Insights Lab is capturing the pulse of the sports world — tracking every viral moment, breakout performance, major storyline and trending conversation in real time.
The Sports Social Pulse™ is a groundbreaking platform that measures the digital heartbeat of sports across X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, Reddit and other major social media channels. Combining advanced analytics, sports media expertise and fan-driven insights, the Pulse tracks the teams, athletes, coaches, leagues and events generating the most attention online.
From college football and March Madness to global events like the FIFA World Cup, the Sports Social Pulse reveals how fans engage with the stories shaping modern sports. Using a proprietary methodology developed by university researchers, the platform analyzes millions of social media conversations to identify emerging trends, measure momentum and uncover the narratives driving the sports industry.
More than a ranking system, the Sports Social Pulse provides data-driven insights into the intersection of fan attention, media coverage and the business of sports.
Fan-driven. Ph.D. approved. Built for the modern sports landscape.
The platform was created by faculty and data analysts in USC’s Social Media Insights Lab and reflects the college’s commitment to innovation, research and public service.
World Cup Rankings
- France Returns to No. 1 in Sports Social Pulse Rankings as World Cup storylines fuel global engagement
- France tops Sports Social Pulse rankings ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Argentina rises to No. 1 in Sports Social Pulse rankings as World Cup gets underway
Football Rankings
• Week Fourteen - Online and on the field, Ohio State is No. 1
• Week Thirteen - Ohio State reclaims No. 1 in the College Sports Social Pulse
• Week Twelve - Georgia dominates the College Sports Social Pulse
• Week Eleven - Indiana rises to No. 1 in the College Sports Social Pulse
• Week Ten - Ohio State Returns to No. 1 in the College Sports Social Pulse
• Week Nine - AP Poll favors the Big Ten, but the College Sports Social Pulse belongs to the SEC
• Week Eight - Georgia tops the College Sports Social Pulse rankings
• Week Seven - Penn State’s turmoil dominates the College Sports Social Pulse rankings
• Week Six - Vanderbilt crashes the party as Alabama and Ohio State lead the College Sports Social Pulse rankings
• Week Five - Battle between the hedges launches Bama and UGA to the top of the College Sports Social Pulse rankings
• Week Four - Michigan rises to No. 1 in College Sports Social Pulse rankings
• Week Three - Georgia, Notre Dame Surge in College Sports Social Pulse Rankings
• Week Two - John Mateer, Oklahoma surge in latest College Sports Social Pulse rankings
• Week One - Ohio State Remains No. 1 in Social Swagger
• Week Zero - Farmageddon goes global but doesn’t move the needle
• Preseason - Bama back on top