going viral

going viral:

An audio/video clip, an image, or a webpage that gains rapid popularity by being shared repeatedly by many users on the Internet is described as going viral. Viral videos are usually some comic clips, or songs/performances with a hook. At times, even video clips of some gaffe by politicians or celebrities go viral. The links to these clips or webpages are kept in rapid circulation because most people who get these share or forward them within their own network again. However, the staying power of viral videos is dubious. Check this out: http://www.webreep.com/blog/post/2012/10/05/Why-Gangnam-Style-has-Gone-Viral.aspx