Culture shocks, secret drops and goodbye to TikTok

The Moments Matrix is a guide to what’s trending on the world’s leading social media sites. Find out what’s going viral and what’s here to stay across mainstream and niche topics.

This week’s matrix has been compiled by ViralMoment.

Image by: The Social Intelligence Lab

Entertainment paradigm shift

‍How we spend our attention continues to slip away from movies and TV, and the time we’re spending on social video increases. New platforms are popping up – notably Amazon’s Inspire. Size matters… currently Twitter is at 450M MAU, Insta 500M DAU, BeReal 10M DAU, Mastodon 1M MAU, and Hive Social just hit 1M users…
Data Source: Short form social video (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit)

Politics SZN

‍Batten down the hatches, the US election cycle is revving up, and this time it is fuelled by generative AI conversation about politics is steadily increasing. We are seeing calls for more pluralism and less division increasing 14% since this time last year. Here is hoping we can see eye to eye!
Data Source: Short form social video (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit)

SOS, Apple!

‍Apple’s emergency SOS feature has come to the rescue AGAIN. Social video is all about it, sharing stories and details about the new feature. Users who were opposed to the feature are now converts, and singing its praises.
Data source: Short form social video (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit)

Secret drops

‍You’ve probably never heard of the biggest clothing brand right now, because it is top secret and staying that way. A new format for streetwear sales doesn’t even let users see the website for new clothing and brand releases. Users can place mysterious pre-sales for brands like HEAT and HIDDEN, and they get a password that is activated when a clothing drop is ready. Good luck getting in before things sell out.
Data Source: Short form social video (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit)

Generative AI perfect storms

‍Another generative AI picture went viral this week – this time of an explosion going off at the US Pentagon. This was tweeted by accounts with blue check marks (which were paid but not official accounts) and caused brief chaos, with the US stock markets and even Bitcoin taking a quick dive.
Data source: Short form social video (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit)

See y’all later, Montana

‍TikTok has been banned in Montana. The law is already receiving pushback, and has been called “unenforceable”… but it is here. Generations are split on whether this is an affront to free speech, or an important step in protecting privacy and autonomy.
Data source: Short form social video (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit)

Home depot tiny shed house

‍Go check your local home improvement store before they sell out again – TikTok has mastered turning this shed into the perfect tiny backyard cottage. Remodel dreams incoming!
Data source: Short form social video (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit)

Relationship task management

‍For those of you with significant others, you know that feeling that you are constantly doing the heavy lifting around the house. Couples have started to deploy project management and task tracking tools, like Jira, Asana and Spreadsheets around the house, and love that it brings greater awareness to the invisible workload.
Data source: Short form social video (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit)

Swiss lemonade

‍Another week, another drink craze. This time it is Swiss lemonade, or Limonada Suiça, a limeade with condensed milk and whole limes. Just in time for the summer heat, this drink is all the rage.
Data source: Short form social video (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit)

WGA strike continues

‍The writers strike holds, and across the globe our favourite American TV shows remain off air. At least there are hilarious picket signs to read.
Data source: Short form social video (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit)

Eyebrow dressing

‍Eyebrows are no longer just arches above our eyes; they have become creative canvases for self-expression and style. Fluffy brow wax, colourful decoration, and eyebrow pearls all showcase self expression and confidence
Data source: Short form social video (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit)

Weird walks

‍Hot girl walks, weird walks, serotonin walks… we theme our walks now. Weird walks are our favourite – and the latest walk trend, where we add a scavenger hunt layer and try to take in exciting sites on our daily jaunts.
Data source: Short form social video (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit)

Treat yourself‍

When economic times feel tough, small splurges and treats just feel right. We’re spending on small luxuries, and everyone is celebrating and encouraging big treat yourself energy.
Data source: Short form social video (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit)

Culture shock

‍What do people from ________ feel when they visit ______? This fun video format shows the culture shock that happens when different cultures mix. It is charming and leaves you thinking about how wild our big wide world really is
Data source: Short form social video (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit)

Ozempic everything

‍This diabetes drug is trying to break into the mainstream. The drug is becoming hot off-label to help people lose weight. As it has become the topic of many conversations (google Ozempic face), its fans are noticing that it also helps them break addictions.
Data source: Short form social video (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit)

Figment the dragon?

‍Several videos have gone viral claiming that the beloved Mickey Mouse is being replaced as the Disney frontman by none other than Figment the Dragon, because Steamboat Willie is entering the public domain next year. While these claims may be false, we are bracing to see a lot more IP lose copyright protection in the next few years. This plus everyone’s ability to create content with generative AI doesn’t bode well for iconic media companies. (Whatever you do- don’t search for the Winnie the Pooh horror film…)
Data source: Short form social video (TikTok, YouTube Shorts, Reddit)