Go viral
Meaning
To spread rapidly and widely, especially online, through sharing and word-of-mouth, often reaching a massive audience in a short period.
Origin
While the idea of something spreading like a disease has long existed, the specific phrase 'go viral' in the context of information and media emerged with the rise of the internet. The term 'viral marketing' was notably popularized in 1997 by venture capitalist Steve Jurvetson to describe Hotmail's explosive growth, where every outgoing email contained a promotional message prompting others to sign up. This strategy mirrored the rapid, exponential spread of biological viruses. As social media platforms gained traction, 'go viral' became the accepted shorthand for any piece of content—a video, an image, a news story—that achieved widespread popularity and rapid dissemination through user-driven sharing, infecting the collective consciousness just like a digital contagion.
Examples
- The funny cat video seemed to go viral overnight, garnering millions of views in just a few hours.
- Marketers dream of creating content that will go viral and reach a massive audience without additional advertising spend.