The Meme Formats Ruling the Internet
2025 has been a wild year for memes. Here are the formats that have dominated social feeds, group chats, and even mainstream media.
1. AI-Generated Absurdism
The line between real and AI-generated is now a meme itself. Images that look almost real but are clearly off—politicians with too many fingers, animals in impossible situations—have become a genre unto themselves.
Why it works: Uncanny valley humor hits different
2. "That's So Me" Reaction Shots
Simple but effective: a character with an extreme facial expression paired with hyper-specific relatable text. The more niche, the better.
Why it works: Identity signaling + relatability
3. The Skibidi Aftermath
While Skibidi Toilet peaked in 2024, the format has evolved into meta-commentary about internet culture itself. It's now used to mock Gen Alpha while simultaneously being embraced by them.
Why it works: Generational humor and irony layers
4. Corporate Cringe Compilations
Brands trying (and failing) to use internet culture now fuel endless content. The worse the brand's attempt, the better the meme.
Why it works: Schadenfreude + "hello fellow kids" energy
5. Timeline Comparisons
"Me in 2020 vs Me in 2025" side-by-side comparisons that show how much has changed (or hasn't). Hits especially hard for post-pandemic reflection.
Why it works: Nostalgia + shared experience
6. The "Lock In" Format
Showing characters intensely focused or "locking in" before doing something mundane. The bigger the preparation, the smaller the task.
Why it works: Subverted expectations + exaggeration
7. AI Slop Mockery
Intentionally creating terrible AI-generated content and pretending it's serious. The worse the prompt, the better.
Why it works: Meta-humor about AI culture
8. Historical Figure Reactions
Imagining how historical figures would react to modern situations. "Mozart discovering SoundCloud rappers" energy.
Why it works: Juxtaposition + educational-adjacent content
9. "POV You're" First-Person Memes
Immersive memes that put the viewer in a specific (usually absurd) scenario. Works especially well in video format.
Why it works: Immersion + shareability
10. Remixed Classics
Old formats (Distracted Boyfriend, Drake, Expanding Brain) given fresh twists with AI generation. The familiar made new.
Why it works: Recognition + novelty
How to Stay Ahead of Trends
The best meme creators don't chase trends—they anticipate them. Watch for:
- What's happening in the news
- What Gen Z/Alpha is doing on TikTok
- What formats are being overused (saturation = opportunity for subversion)
Ready to experiment with these formats? Create AI memes and find your viral moment.