Viral Videos

A viral video is a video on the internet that gains immense popularity in a relatively short period of time through organic social media sharing. A viral video’s cultural resonance spreads quickly. Today, videos that tend to go viral are hosted on video-sharing platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and even Twitter. Think: K-pop star Psy’s “Gangnam Style,” which accumulated over 1,000,000,000 views on YouTube in five months; 2009’s “David After Dentist,” which now has over 141 million views; and the viral TikTok of a man skateboarding to Fleetwood Mac while drinking cranberry juice, which racked up 35 million views in a little over a week. However, some of the first viral clips and animations of the late 1990s and early 2000s were spread on online forums and through email chains, like the 1996 animation of a dancing baby or 2003’s “Star Wars kid.”

John Oliver on "Hot Ones."

John Oliver's 'Hot Ones' episode reduces him to a pool of tears and regret

a black and silver mini stepper on a pink and purple background

Step up your exercise routine with an indoor mini stepper that's under $65

bayfront park in miami

The internet is convinced aliens appeared at a mall in Miami

More Viral Videos

The internet is divided over a Gen Z woman's complaint about working 9 to 5

"I don't have time to do anything."

10/26/2023

By Elena Cavender

Three screenshots of the viral TikTok.

Three screenshots of the viral TikTok.

18 classic viral videos that will always be hilarious

How many of these old viral videos do you remember?

10/09/2023

By Xavier Piedra

A composite of screenshots from viral videos.

A composite of screenshots from viral videos.

YouTube goes all in on AI with new generative AI audio and video tools for creators

The Made on YouTube event introduced new AI features coming soon to the video platform.

09/21/2023

YouTube Dream Screen

YouTube Dream Screen

Twitter aka X rolls out Community Notes 'fact checks' for videos

The platform's crowdsourced 'fact checking' feature rolled out for images earlier this year too.

09/09/2023

The 6 most Scandovalous quotes from the 'Vanderpump Rules' reunion

Worm. With. A. Mustache.

05/25/2023

cast of vanderpump rules on stage at reunion. ariana is yelling at sandoval.

cast of vanderpump rules on stage at reunion. ariana is yelling at sandoval.

YouTube is getting rid of YouTube Stories

The video giant is focusing on YouTube Shorts and Community posts instead.

05/25/2023

Hyundai and Kia will pay $200 million in settlement over 'Kia Challenge' car thefts

The videos went viral on TikTok and YouTube and sparked car thefts across the country.

05/19/2023

Car theft

Car theft

Behold, 20 of the funniest YouTube videos ever

Vines, animals, and fails galore!

05/01/2023

By Xavier Piedra

A screenshot from the "Look at this graph" Nickleback meme.

A screenshot from the "Look at this graph" Nickleback meme.

Republicans release AI-generated attack ad on President Biden

Every image in the ad is generated by AI.

04/25/2023

Ai-Generated Republican attack ad

Ai-Generated Republican attack ad

YouTube rolls out dubbed video feature for creators to upload multi-language audio tracks

Subs or Dubs? Now you can have both on YouTube.

02/23/2023

A pilot took an amazing selfie with the Chinese spy balloon

What a pic.

02/23/2023

interior view of cockpit with pilot and chinese spy balloon on horizon

interior view of cockpit with pilot and chinese spy balloon on horizon

'I wore the MSCHF Big Red Boots.' This YouTuber told us all about his experience.

These boots were made for walkin' all over your feeds.

02/15/2023

By Cecily Mauran

closeup of Steve Natto's feet sporting the Big Red Boots

closeup of Steve Natto's feet sporting the Big Red Boots

TikTok removes viral video ad of suspected Joe Rogan AI deepfake

The AI boom is here and deepfakes are along for the ride.

02/15/2023

Joe Rogan

Joe Rogan

We've got a lot of questions about these Big Red Boots

Are the Big Red Boots the new Crocs?

02/10/2023

By Cecily Mauran

Influencer Sarah Snyder crossing the street modeling the big red boots

Influencer Sarah Snyder crossing the street modeling the big red boots

AI-generated Seinfeld parody suspended by Twitch for transphobic content

A two-week Twitch ban for "Nothing, Forever."

02/06/2023

"Nothing, Forever"

"Nothing, Forever"

YouTube glitch used to trick users into believing there was an undiscovered oldest video

"Me at the zoo" is still the oldest YouTube video but someone certainly had people thinking otherwise.

01/27/2023

YouTube glitch

YouTube glitch

The FDA just approved a new drug funded by the infamous Ice Bucket Challenge

Eight years later, the fundraising campaign bears fruit.

10/01/2022

By Elizabeth de Luna

Three screenshots of celebs doing the challenge, all mid-water dump. From left to right: Bill Gates, Kim Kardashian being splashed by Ellen DeGeneres, and Ryan Seacrest.

Three screenshots of celebs doing the challenge, all mid-water dump. From left to right: Bill Gates, Kim Kardashian being splashed by Ellen DeGeneres, and Ryan Seacrest.

Space Force unveils its official song and it's cringe! Very cringe!

"We're the mighty watchful eye / Guardians beyond the blue."

09/20/2022

CNBC segment goes off the rails with barking dogs, man in underwear

Don't you just love live television?

07/18/2022

CNBC segment

CNBC segment

Watch golfer Grayson Murray lose it, throw one club then break another

Golf is exciting now.

06/19/2022

golfer grayson murray hitting a shot

golfer grayson murray hitting a shot

'Severance' mashup with 'The Office' intro is so good it's scary

Innies and Outies, in Scranton.

04/15/2022

title screen reading "the severance"

title screen reading "the severance"

'Marcel the Shell' is back with adorable film trailer

What we need now, as a society, is more Marcel the Shell.

04/05/2022

By Proma Khosla

A tiny shell with a googly eye and toy shoes standing on a keyboard; still from "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On."

A tiny shell with a googly eye and toy shoes standing on a keyboard; still from "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On."

Duolingo's April Fools' video makes fun of their owl's aggressive lesson reminders

Call 781-STOP-OWL for legal help.

04/01/2022

black and white close up of duolingo owl

black and white close up of duolingo owl

Jackie Weaver, hero of chaotic viral council Zoom meeting, did not 'have the authority' after all

"Read the standing orders. Read them and understand them!"

03/29/2022

By Rachel Thompson

A screenshot of Jackie Weaver on the infamous viral Zoom call as she attempted to deal with disruptive council members.

A screenshot of Jackie Weaver on the infamous viral Zoom call as she attempted to deal with disruptive council members.

Conner O'Malley is the internet's unlikely oracle. And its most deranged comedian.

The future is not good.

03/24/2022

conner omalley bent over with cigarette

conner omalley bent over with cigarette

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