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Ever wondered, why a trend on the Internet becomes viral and dominates the world? If so, you've come to the right spot!

The Internet is a continuously changing landscape, with trends coming and going at lightning speed. Some fads take off overnight, capturing the attention of millions of people around the world and affecting culture, technology, and business.

Here's a look at some of the most popular Internet trends of all time, from viral challenges to the rise of AI and even quirky trends like The Innocence Test.

1. Viral Challenges

Social media challenges have regularly gone viral, with users all around the world taking part in amusing, weird, and occasionally risky actions. 

These challenges frequently extend across several platforms, attracting participants from various walks of life. Some of the most renowned are:

• Ice Bucket Challenge (2014): Increased awareness and funding for ALS research, resulting in millions of dollars in donations.
  
  
• Mannequin Challenge (2016): People would freeze in place while a camera moved around them, frequently to Rae Sremmurd's song "Black Beatles."
  
  
• Bottle Cap Challenge (2019): Participants attempted to remove a bottle cap using a spinning kick, demonstrating precision & martial arts abilities.
  
  
• Silhouette Challenge (2021): Users were shown posing under red illumination to produce creative silhouettes, which encouraged self-expression and creativity.
  
  

2. TikTok Dance Trends

TikTok has spawned innumerable dance challenges, with coordinated routines swiftly becoming a global phenomenon. 

These dances are frequently linked to popular music, and their accessibility appeals to a wide audience. Some of the more iconic ones are:

• Renegade (2019): Jalaiah Harmon developed this high-energy workout, which quickly gained popularity.
  
  
• Savage (2020): A dance set to Megan Thee Stallion's famous song has sparked thousands of recreations. 
  
  
• Wednesday Addams Dance (2022): Jenna Ortega's unique routines from the Netflix series "Wednesday" went viral, inspiring admirers all over the world to replicate the routine.
  
  

3. Memes That Defined Eras

Memes are the Internet's universal language, expressing humor, satire, and criticism. Some memes become culturally significant, appearing in social media conversations, commercial promotion, and even political debates. Here are some outstanding examples:

• Distracted Boyfriend (2017): A stock shot was transformed into a funny relationship meme, representing shifting interests or betrayal.
  
  
• Woman Yelling at a Cat (2019): An iconic split-image meme that established the standard for online arguments and humorous analogies.
  
  
• Bernie Sanders' Mittens (2021): A candid photo of Sanders at the US presidential inauguration went viral, prompting numerous alterations and souvenirs.
  
  

4. The Rise of AI Art & Chatbots

With the rise of AI-generated material, including images and conversations, artificial intelligence made a major impression on the Internet. 

These tools pushed the bounds of creativity and sparked debates about ethics and uniqueness.

• DALL· E & Midjourney (2022–Present): AI-generated art astounded and occasionally disturbed people, highlighting questions about human creativity vs machine intelligence.
  
  
• ChatGPT (2022–Present): It became a game-changing tool for writing, scripting, and answering inquiries in natural language, affecting education and commercial practices.
  
  

5. NFT Craze & The Metaverse

The concept of digital ownership gained traction with NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens), opening up new financial opportunities and artistic efforts. 

However, the hoopla prompted criticism of market instability and environmental concerns.

• Bored Ape Yacht Club (2021): A collection of distinct digital avatars was sold for millions, attracting celebrities & collectors.
  
  
• Virtual Real Estate Boom: People and businesses invested in digital land on metaverse platforms like Decentraland and The Sandbox, expecting a move to the digital economy.
  
  

6. Short-Form Video Domination

TikTok, Instagram Reels, & YouTube Shorts have transformed content consumption with short, compelling films. 

This format became the favored way for marketers, influencers, and normal users to exchange content, resulting in viral trends across industries.

• Snackable Content: The brief duration keeps viewers interested while encouraging endless scrolling.
  
  
• Algorithm-Driven Discovery: Personalized feeds make sure consumers continually find new content that is relevant to their interests.
  
  
• Monetization Opportunities: Short-form video content enables influencers and corporations to leverage brand collaborations and ad income.
  
  

7. The 'Everything is Cake' Trend

A bizarre online trend in which hyper-realistic cakes were designed to resemble everyday objects, stunning millions when sliced open. This trend peaked in 2020, highlighting the extraordinary abilities of skilled bakers. 

Videos of these cakes frequently went viral due to their sense of surprise and craftsmanship.

8. Twitter Takeovers & Social Media Shakeups

Elon Musk's 2022 takeover of Twitter (now X) resulted in significant changes and discussions over free speech, platform policies, & digital communication. 

The acquisition resulted in the following:

• Major Policy Shifts: Changes to verification methods, content moderation, and monetization for creators.
  
  
• Mass User Reactions: Many users supported or criticized the platform's new direction, resulting in migrations to alternatives such as Mastodon.
  
  
• Influence on Digital Conversations: The upheaval highlighted the power dynamics of social media platforms as well as their impact on public debate.
  
  

9. BeReal's Rise in Authenticity

The BeReal app became popular in 2022 as a social media network that motivates users to contribute unedited, real-time images, challenging Instagram's regulated appearance. The appeal originated from:

• Spontaneous Posting: Users were prompted at random intervals to record and discuss their real-life experiences.
  
  
• Anti-Perfection Culture: The platform promoted authenticity over heavily manipulated content.
  
  
• Social Shift: It mirrored a growing trend of digital openness and unvarnished storytelling.
  
  

10. Gaming Crazes & Trends

Games continue to generate viral content, ranging from speedrunning challenges to big in-game events. The gaming community frequently influences online culture, resulting in trends that transcend the gaming realm.

• Among Us (2020): A multiplayer deception game that gained popularity during the pandemic, promoting social deduction gaming and meme-worthy events.
  
  
• Wordle (2022): A simple daily word problem that became a worldwide addiction, sparking spin-offs and community involvement.
  
  
• Battle Royale Popularity: Games like Fortnite and Warzone maintained large player populations by hosting in-game concerts, crossovers, and esports competitions.
  
  

Conclusion

From dancing crazes to meme culture and groundbreaking AI tools, online trends are shaping the digital world in exciting ways. 

While some go away quickly, others create a lasting imprint, influencing pop culture and how we interact with the Internet. 

What will be the next major trend? Only time will tell. One thing is certain: innovation and imagination will continue to fuel the Internet's ever-changing landscape.

About the Author

Hello there. I am Caden Rodriguez. I am a tech geek, nature lover, & social media influencer. I enjoy analyzing the latest internet trends and expressing my thoughts on how they impact our digital world.

I'm really excited about investigating new trends and seeing how they impact our culture. I hope the article was enjoyable to you! Could you please tell me which internet trend you like best?

Ref:

Taylor, K. T. (2019, March 26). 12 social media trends that are opening up new opportunities for advertisers. ResearchGate. https://www.henrystewartpublications.com/sites/default/files/JDSMM7.1Social%20media%20trends%20opening%20up%20new%20opportunities%20for%20advertisers%20-%20Taylor%20Kieley.pdf