What Makes a Meme Go Viral?

Meme Go Viral

From grumpy cat to the ice bucket challenge, viral images and videos can spread rapidly. When done well, they can be used to promote a brand in a unique way. Keeping an eye on current events and internet trends is key. Wendy’s did this by adopting a witty Twitter persona that went viral.

A meme is a piece of content that gains popularity by being shared and retweeted on social media. They can range from a funny picture to a popular audio or video clip. Some examples of Viral memes include a certain type of facial expression, an image macro, or an internet challenge. Many of these viral trends are driven by the emotions they evoke in viewers, such as anger or joy. In addition, many viral memes incorporate pop culture references or current events to increase their popularity and appeal.

When creating a meme, it is important to keep in mind the audience that will be viewing and sharing it. The broader your audience, the more likely it is to go viral. For example, a funny video will appeal to a wider audience than a political statement. The audience’s age and interests will also play a role in the popularity of a meme.

A good meme should be both simple and understandable to its audience. The more that a viewer can relate to and appreciate a meme’s humor, the more likely they will share it with their friends and followers. It is also important to create a meme with kairos in mind, meaning that it should be timed appropriately to be successful. Finally, a meme should be authentic and not seem like a promotional tactic. Viewers can often spot a fake meme and are unlikely to share it.

As with any viral phenomenon, the definition of “meme” has changed over time. Currently, it includes any image or video that spreads widely across the internet and is repeated in a similar fashion. This includes viral videos and slang, but also popular games, folklore, and widespread rumors. It is a form of collective consciousness online that has been described as “digital folklore” or “netlore”.

What Makes a Meme Go Viral?

Regardless of how you define it, one thing is for sure: memes are everywhere. The internet is constantly flooded with new images, videos, and gifs, with some gaining massive popularity. Going viral on social media is the dream of many creators and brands. Whether it’s a ’90s roflcopter or 2021’s Bernie Sanders in mittens, everyone secretly hopes that their content will go viral.

The most successful viral memes tend to tap into cultural context and resonate with people. This is especially true of the ‘quality/niche’ memes that reference specific events or trends in culture, as they have a higher likelihood of becoming a recognizable part of society. People are also more likely to share and spread memes that speak to their own values and beliefs, which can make a meme resonate with a wider audience.

For example, the Laurel vs. Yanny debate became a viral phenomenon because it was an issue that impacted everyone and generated a strong emotional response. Similarly, #22Pushups went viral because it resonated with people’s personal values and beliefs about exercise and health. However, there are also times when a meme becomes viral without speaking to anyone’s values or beliefs at all. This can happen if the content is controversial, shocking, or causes a lot of anxiety.

Any creator who shares something on the Internet secretly hopes to go viral — or at least, get a good number of views and likes. But what makes a meme stand out from the crowd? A lot of it depends on a combination of luck and creativity. The more attention a meme gets, the higher its chance of going viral. And while all creators want their work to make it big, some have a better shot at making it happen than others.

The most successful memes tend to tap into a common sense of humor that connects with people in a shared way. They may be a bit on the cheeky side, a little outrageous, or even taboo in the right context. For example, the infamous Grumpy Cat has made its mark as one of the most popular Vidworthy memes due to its unapologetic cynicism. Trollface is another meme that’s known for being a little more over-the-top than the average cat image.

Many of these memes start on smaller social media networks, such as Reddit or 4chan. They then make their way to larger Facebook and Twitter feeds, where they gain a wider audience. This is why it’s not uncommon for a meme to start off small and then explode into the mainstream, as we saw with the Ice Bucket Challenge, Planking, or Tebowing.

The popularity of these kinds of memes has caught the attention of some brands, who create and distribute them in an effort to go viral themselves. This is a practice known as meme marketing, and it can be very effective. However, it’s important to keep in mind that a company or brand cannot force a meme to go viral — it has to earn its status through its own merits.

When it comes to viral memes, cognitive fluency is key. This refers to how easy it is for people to understand the context and meaning of a particular joke or image. If something is too difficult to understand, it will probably fail to go viral because people won’t be able to replicate or share it with others.

One of the most important aspects of cognitive fluency is knowing your audience. Different audiences respond to different types of memes in different ways. For example, a cute meme about stealing breadsticks may only reach the Tumblr crowd but is unlikely to catch on with people on Facebook. Similarly, a meme about doing 42 pushups may not appeal to mainstream media but could be a hit with people who participate in a particular health campaign online. It’s also helpful to be familiar with the idioms and cultural references that your target audience already knows and uses.

Memes tap into the collective consciousness of the internet and have been referred to as “digital folklore” or even a new form of modern-day propaganda. Research has shown that people tend to share memes that make them laugh or spark an emotional response. They are more likely to share humorous videos than those that evoke a negative reaction, such as those related to Covid-19 restrictions or vaccinations.

Because of this, it’s important to know what type of content will work for your audience before trying to create or promote it. Memes can be a great way to reach customers with a message that is both unique and relevant to their interests. Just be sure to avoid overdoing it or making the mistake of taking a meme too seriously.

Many people have a strong reaction to a meme when it is created and shared. Whether that reaction is positive or negative, it can often cause a meme to go viral. These reactions include laughing, sharing the image with other users, and even discussing it. When a meme is controversial, it may be talked about for days or even weeks after it is first published.

The most popular memes tend to be related to current events or topics. A good example is the “Laurel” vs. “Yanny” debate, which became a massive social media sensation due to its relevance. Memes that are not relevant to the moment will not go viral. It is important for those who create memes to stay aware of what is happening in order to make the best ones.

Some of the traits that can make a meme go viral include humor, simplicity, and understandability. In addition, they must be relevant and have some functionality, such as making a joke, serving as a coping mechanism, or providing social commentary.

Memes can also be taboo, which can increase their popularity. However, these must be used carefully so that they do not become offensive. For example, a person with mental health issues may not be able to handle a meme that implies he or she is crazy. Memes must be created with kairos in mind, which is the point in time at which something happens. For a meme to be effective, it must be timely and relate to a variety of demographics. For example, a female scientist could share a meme about sexism in science with her peers online, which would then lead to further discussions about the topic.