How BuzzFeed and Gawker Turned Reality Into Memes and Changed the Internet
How BuzzFeed and Gawker Turned Reality Into Memes and Changed the Internet BuzzFeed and Gawker played a massive role in shaping internet culture by “meme-ifying” reality—turning news, trends, and even serious topics into viral, shareable content. They did this using a mix of sensationalized headlines, relatable humor, and internet-native storytelling techniques. Here’s how they pulled it off:
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- How BuzzFeed and Gawker Turned Reality Into Memes and Changed the Internet
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1. Clickbait and Curiosity Gaps
- Titles like “This One Weird Trick” or “You Won’t Believe What Happens Next” were designed to provoke curiosity and encourage clicks. BuzzFeed mastered this with listicles like “17 Dogs Who Are Too Pure for This World”, while Gawker did it with snarky, attention-grabbing headlines.
- These tactics weren’t just for engagement—they helped normalize meme-style phrasing that bled into everyday internet language.
2. Lists and GIFs as Meme Templates
- BuzzFeed made listicles an art form (“21 Things Only ’90s Kids Will Understand”), turning nostalgia and niche experiences into widely relatable content.
- They also used reaction GIFs and images as storytelling tools, which trained users to consume and communicate in meme format.
3. Hyper-Relatability & Viral Emotions
- Both platforms understood that emotion drives virality—whether it’s outrage, nostalgia, or humor.
- BuzzFeed focused on wholesome and relatable content, while Gawker leaned into controversy and media critique, often creating memes out of cultural moments.
4. Democratization of Content
- BuzzFeed allowed user-generated content, letting everyday people contribute posts, which spread meme culture beyond just niche forums like Reddit or 4chan.
- Gawker’s comment sections were notorious for being a breeding ground for internet snark, shaping how people engaged with online discourse.
5. The Influence on Modern Meme Culture
- The way we see memes today—relatable, often with clickbait-esque captions—owes a lot to these sites.
- Even TikTok and Twitter threads today mirror BuzzFeed’s storytelling structure, with bite-sized, easily shareable formats.
In short, BuzzFeed and Gawker turned reality into something digestible, entertaining, and meme-ready, influencing how we consume and share content today.
