"to go viral" / "something goes viral" / "to become viral"

Meaning: to become very popular or well-known and spread quickly on the internet

Similar Expressions

• The video went viral.
• The video became very popular on the internet.
• The video became an internet sensation.
• The video became famous.

When do we use it?

This phrase was originally used to talk about the spread of diseases from person to person.

Now, this phrase can also be used to talk about something that becomes very popular and is shared by many people on the internet. It is usually for videos (a viral video), but it can also be used for stories, gifs, memes, a tweet, etc.

How do we use it?

We can use this phrase in any verb tense.

• This video went viral last week.
• How many videos go viral every week?
• I think this video will go viral.
• This video is going viral right now. Everybody is sharing it!
• The video has been going viral for the past 3 days.

Example English Conversations

A) I heard that your company is doing well.
B) Yes, we are. We made a silly video and posted it online, and then suddenly it went viral.
A) Why did it go viral?
B) To be honest, we have no idea why it went viral, but it has helped us a lot.

A) These days, companies are trying to create advertisements and commercials that go viral.
B) It makes sense. If people share it with each other online, then the company doesn't have to pay to advertise.
A) True, but it is not easy to do.

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