Hypes, trends and viral moments: Viral phenomena: These social media trends shaped the year 2024

The social media landscape proved more dynamic than ever in 2024. From viral film scenes to socially critical debates – the online world gave rise to numerous trends that had a lasting impact on digital communication.

Cult film triggers viral trend

The feature film “Saltburn” became a digital phenomenon in early 2024. It wasn't just the controversial scenes that generated millions of discussions – the soundtrack also experienced a renaissance: Sophie Ellis-Bextor's (45) hit “Murder on the Dancefloor” from 2001 conquered social media. Numerous content creators staged themselves in atmospheric settings and danced to the revived classic.

The social media music landscape was shaped by more viral hits in 2024. The track “Made for Me” initiated a wave of creative interpretations. The emotional lyric “Nobody knows me like you, nobody will love me like you” became a viral mantra. In October, “Maps” by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs dominated the platforms – in particular the line “Wait, they don't love you like I love you” inspired numerous TikTok videos. Choreographies.

The era of “Brat Girl Summer”

Charli XCX (32) shaped one of the most striking trends of the summer with her album “Brat”. The term “Brat” developed into a lifestyle concept that ushered in the “Brat Girl Summer.” The song “Apple” in particular catalyzed a viral dance move that spread across platforms.

Ironic self-reflection: “Very reserved, very careful”

The satirical phrase “Very reserved, very careful” became established as a counterpoint to the “Brat Girl” phenomenon. TikTok creator Jools Lebron started the trend with her video “How to be demure at work.” The deliberately exaggerated depiction was also used on celebrities such as US President Joe Biden (82) and Kim Kardashian (44).

The viral partner check: “Man wanted in finance”

In April, singer Megan Boni, known as “girl_on_couch,” released an acapella clip with the succinct lyrics: “Looking for a man in finance, trust fund, 6'5, blue eyes.” Finance, trust fund, 1.95 m, blue eyes Eyes”). The minimalist lines developed into the basis for numerous musical reinterpretations.

Culinary virality: “Normal potatoes to the top”

The DFB created a surprising social media moment while clarifying “really important questions”. National player Florian Wirtz (21) presented his personal potato dish ranking on TikTok. His authentic statement “Normal potatoes, I would even say one.” became a viral hit – to the footballer's own amazement.

Social debate: “Bear or man?”

The “Bear or Man?” controversy demonstrated the socially critical potential of social media. Based on a TikTok post from April, the hypothetical question about risk assessment sparked an intense discussion about gender-based violence.

Influencer couples in the spotlight

Influencer Nara Smith (23) established herself as a digital celebrity thanks to her innovative cooking videos. Her aesthetic clips inspired numerous adaptations, with her husband Lucky Blue (26) often appearing as a supporting actor.

The married couple Campbell and Jett Puckett reached new levels of popularity under the name campbellhuntpuckett. Campbell's established TikTok presence received a significant boost starting in January 2024 with Jett's integration. The nickname “Pookie” became the couple’s trademark.

“Gen Z Marketing Script”

Another humorous trend was the so-called “Gen Z Marketing Script.” This is mainly about terms and phrases that have become common for Generation Z, particularly through social media. Established companies such as the Hugendubel bookstore experimented with viral videos in which experienced employees adapted youthful expressions.

From (Spot)