Viral Content
This term is used to describe a piece of content that has become widely popular across the web through extensive sharing. Often, creators are unaware of a piece’s potential virality until it gains significant traction, sometimes leading to unexpected outcomes, especially if the content is embarrassing or controversial.
Example
An example of viral content is the “ALS Ice Bucket Challenge” that swept across social media in 2014. The challenge involved participants dumping buckets of ice water over their heads to raise awareness and funds for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research. Celebrities, athletes, and everyday people took part in the challenge, sharing their videos on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The campaign gained immense popularity, generating widespread participation and raising millions of dollars for ALS charities.