A method for optimizing placement of virtual network visibility components includes providing a virtual network monitoring tap instance for copying packets in a network. The method further includes providing a virtual network packet broker instance for receiving and distributing the copied packets to at least one network monitoring tool instance. The method further includes analyzing a network performance or utilization parameter associated with transmission of the copied packets among the virtual network tap instance, the virtual network packet broker instance and the network monitoring tool instance. The method further includes modifying, based on results of the analyzing, placement of at least one of the virtual network packet broker instance and the virtual network monitoring tool instance.