Every year, a handful of internet trends emerge from the depths of social media, capturing the world’s attention—often for bizarre or unexpected reasons. Whether it’s peculiar fashion statements, quirky wellness hacks, or surreal digital subcultures, these micro-trends come seemingly from nowhere and quickly become impossible to ignore.
Here are eight of the strangest internet trends that are dominating feeds, conversations, and online communities in 2025:
1. AI-Generated Boyfriends and Girlfriends
Who needs dating apps when you can date an algorithm? This year, virtual relationships powered by sophisticated artificial intelligence have surged in popularity. Apps offering personalized virtual partners promise companionship without complication. Thousands now proudly showcase their AI romance on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, creating a curious blend of humor, sincerity, and unsettling authenticity. While critics label it as “peak loneliness,” others swear it’s surprisingly comforting.
2. Tomato Girl Summer
Move aside, “hot girl summer”—the internet has declared 2025 the year of the Tomato Girl. Inspired by the vibrant colors of ripe tomatoes, this aesthetic trend is all about embracing Mediterranean vibes: breezy linen dresses, warm terracotta tones, rustic cooking videos, and endless photos of fresh tomatoes. TikTok creators, influencers, and even celebrities have eagerly jumped aboard, making Tomato Girl Summer the unexpectedly charming viral phenomenon nobody saw coming.
3. Face-Taping for Instant Facelifts
Beauty TikTok has always been experimental, but 2025 introduced a particularly bizarre trend: taping your face to mimic a facelift. Using specially-designed facial tape to lift sagging skin temporarily, this hack became hugely popular as a non-invasive alternative to cosmetic procedures. Videos showcasing dramatic “before and after” transformations earned millions of views, despite dermatologists warning users of potential skin irritation.
4. Laundry-Stripping Videos
Who knew laundry could be mesmerizing? This viral cleaning trend involves soaking clothes and linens in a bathtub with detergent and borax, revealing deeply satisfying yet disturbingly murky water. Millions of viewers watch these oddly therapeutic videos, claiming they’re both addictive and calming. Now considered mainstream, laundry-stripping has inspired countless “clean with me” channels and oddly enthusiastic online communities dedicated to deep-cleaning tips.
5. AI-Influencer Pop Stars
Virtual celebrities aren’t new, but 2025 has taken things to the next level: fully AI-generated musicians with massive fanbases. Digital pop stars, complete with algorithm-generated personalities, songs, and social media presence, are selling out virtual concerts and dominating Spotify charts. Fans debate their authenticity, but it hasn’t stopped these pixel-perfect performers from racking up millions of followers and streams, sparking existential discussions on the future of entertainment.
6. Cloud Bread Baking Craze
Cloud bread—an ultra-fluffy, pastel-colored bread—is back, thanks to TikTok bakers and influencers rediscovering the whimsical snack. But this time, cloud bread isn’t just edible: it’s art. Bakers now use elaborate techniques, vibrant food coloring, and even glitter to make cloud bread more aesthetic than practical. These oddly hypnotic baking videos have created a cottage industry of viral recipes, creative variations, and even cloud bread-themed merchandise.
7. Goblin Mode Interior Design
Move aside minimalism; 2025 is the year of Goblin Mode home decor. This trend celebrates maximalist chaos, mismatched furniture, cluttered shelves, and an overall vibe of cozy disorder. Popularized on TikTok and Instagram by Gen Z creators, Goblin Mode rejects perfection in favor of authenticity and comfort—think unmade beds, eclectic thrift-store finds, and proudly messy spaces. Interior designers may cringe, but thousands online embrace it as a liberating counter to curated perfection.
8. Mouth-Taping for Better Sleep
Perhaps the most controversial wellness trend of 2025 involves placing medical-grade tape over your mouth at night to encourage nasal breathing. Advocates claim it improves sleep quality, reduces snoring, and boosts overall health. Viral TikTok testimonials led millions to try this strange practice, prompting medical experts to warn against potential risks like obstructed breathing. Despite mixed reviews, mouth-taping remains incredibly popular, proving just how influential viral wellness trends can become.
Why Strange Trends Go Viral
Why do these oddities explode into mainstream consciousness? Simply put, their uniqueness makes them irresistibly shareable. Strange internet trends fascinate us precisely because they’re unexpected, quirky, or even slightly uncomfortable. They spark conversation, debate, curiosity, and most importantly—engagement.
In an era dominated by algorithms, unpredictability captures attention. Each of these trends, bizarre though they may be, reflects something deeper: our collective fascination with novelty, innovation, and the wonderfully weird side of human nature. In short, the stranger the trend, the more likely it is to captivate the world.