All articles tagged with #virality
Extreme-cleaning videos, including hoarder clear-outs, have exploded on social platforms like TikTok. Viewers are drawn by curiosity, the desire for a sense of control, and the satisfying tension-and-resolution of before-and-after cleanup in short formats, a dynamic reinforced by algorithms that reward engagement. Cleanfluencers say the content also helps raise awareness about hoarding and mental health and can inspire viewers to seek help.
During the World Cup, Haaland is the tournament's most viral figure, propelled by off-field memes and content that have boosted his Instagram followers from 40M to 60M and generated 683M Reels views, along with TikTok activity and millions of posts, all while he vies for the Golden Boot and enjoys a popular bromance with Jude Bellingham.
A wave of young startup founders are leaning into personal branding and daily TikTok/Instagram videos to attract users and investors, turning themselves into influencers alongside their products. Examples include Cerca founder Miles Slayton, Selleb cofounders Claire and Chloe Lee, Corner cofounder Eliza Wu, and BiteSight founder Lucious McDaniel IV. In the attention economy, building in public and direct media presence are becoming essential tools—supported by VC interest in founders’ narratives and the idea that attention is a moat. But virality is no guarantee of success: it can burn teams, distract from product work, and may not lead to durable growth without sustainable retention and monetization.
Being No. 1 on the App Store is a powerful, attention-grabbing badge that can spark meetings and buzz, but it’s usually fleeting and doesn’t guarantee lasting user growth or revenue. The piece uses Focus Friend and Sora as examples to show that most top-ranked runs are short (often 10 days or fewer), driven by launches, promotions, or major events, and that the real value lies in building durable products rather than chasing viral spikes.
Lil Nas X's latest release, "J Christ," has been criticized for its planned virality and misuse of his familiar playbook, with the video being described as a string of micro-shock vignettes lacking in substance. The rapper's use of religious imagery and themes has sparked controversy, with some critics expressing predictable responses to his jokes. Despite his playful manipulation of religious imagery, Lil Nas X appears to be taking critiques seriously in a self-filmed response video, although there is anticipation that he might break character at any moment.
Saucy Santana, a Florida-based rapper and social media icon, is breaking down homophobic barriers in hip-hop with his feminine presentation and queer identity. Despite his viral success on TikTok, major labels have been hesitant to sign him due to his unique style. Santana faces a double standard in the industry, where openly gay and femme Black men are not allowed to exist in hip-hop. He hopes to continue being a leader for his community and redefine beauty standards in the genre.
The City of Philadelphia's Twitter account commemorated National Cheesesteak Day by tweeting Mayor Jim Kenney's alleged cheesesteak order, which included American cheese, onions, and ketchup. However, the accompanying photos of an unidentified hoagie topped with pickles, banana peppers, and ketchup enraged viewers. The photos appear to be a classic case of rage-baiting, a common practice on social media where content creators publish things that will intentionally make viewers mad to earn virality. The city's account later admitted that the photos were not of a cheesesteak at all, but a loaded steak hoagie.