Viktoria Kammeyer
What the hell is "German Brainrot" anyway?
A brief detour into the theoretical facts: According to the Newport Institute, "brainrot" is nothing less than a mental knockout: constant bombardment by screens, endless scrolling sessions and a diet of irrelevant content mercilessly overwhelm the brain. Multitasking becomes a nail in the coffin for clear thinking. Not such a funny fact: over 5 billion people are stuck on social media. On average, we spend 143 minutes a day - just on social media!
Okay, all well and good, so much for the theory. But what does it look like in practice? Imagine you're in a parallel world or a dream where everything is a bit crazy. In this universe, everyday situations are suddenly totally absurd, jokes are so weird that you don't know whether to laugh or cry and the boundaries between reality and fiction become blurred. This is "German Brainrot". Want some examples?
The TikTok videos about sleep paralysis? They play with your fears, but in such a wacky way that you can't help but grin. There's everything from creepy to cringe anyway. The commercials for Lidl and Duolingo? They show that brands suddenly have the courage not to take themselves too seriously and play along with the madness. And the cultural critic on YouTube? He shows us that "German Brainrot" is not just a few weird videos, but a real phenomenon that even says something about our culture ;)
Sources:
https://www.fau.edu/thrive/students/thrive-thursdays/psychological_conditioning_brainrot/brainrot/#:~:text=Brainrot%2C%20as%20defined%20by%20the,multitasking%2C%20can%20overstimulate%20the%20brain.
Why is "German Brainrot" trending?
"German Brainrot" is quirky, unpredictable and somehow fascinating. Despite its supposed pointlessness, this style is trending like crazy on social media such as Instagram, TikTok and co. Attention - thesis! In our opinion, this could be due to these three aspects, among others.
- Life is serious enough: In a world that often feels like one big mess, "German Brainrot" is like an outlet. It allows us to escape the seriousness of life and lose ourselves a little in absurdities.
- We love the unexpected: "German Brainrot" breaks all the rules - really all of them. It is unpredictable, quirky and simply different. And that's exactly what grabs our attention. Pure fodder for every algorithm!
- We want to be part of it: "German Brainrot" is like an inside joke. If you understand it, you belong. It creates a sense of community, which is very valuable in the digital world.
Brands in brainrot fever: how to do it right
For brands, "German Brainrot" is an opportunity - but also a challenge. The days when you could score points with boring advertising messages are finally over. Now it's time to be authentic, be funny, be brave, be wildly different!
What brands need to do now:
- Be yourself - but turn it up: brands need to show their personality, but not in a stiff, boring way. Be creative, be quirky, just be yourself - loosen up!
- Humor is key: If you can make your target group laugh, you're already halfway there. But be careful: the humor must be authentic and fit the brand.
- Be bold: Brands must have the courage to take unconventional paths. Be different, be brave, free yourself from fears and worries about giving up your professionalism!
- Know your people: Brands need to know their target group better than ever before. What do they find funny? What moves them? What are their fears and desires? Only those who know their target group can produce the right content.
Content search in the "Brainrot" age: How to find the madness
Finding relevant content is now even more important and even more difficult. It's no longer just about keywords, but about cultural currents, trends and the madness that is rampant on the internet.
- Be a social media stalker (but in the good way): Brands need to actively monitor social media channels to discover trends and topics that are going off with their target audience.
- Become a trend detective: Analyze trending platforms and tools to spot emerging trends early.
- Be culturally sensitive (and a little crazy): Brands need to be culturally sensitive, but also have the courage to embrace the craziness.
NEW: By the way, with our content search you can find more Brainrot content super easily by quickly uploading an image, which is a great way to get inspired, but also to find creators who create Brainrot content. (It's hard to believe that you can use Brainrot and inspiration in the same paragraph, isn't it?)
Being brave in a completely different way
"German Brainrot" is not just a trend, it is an expression of our time. It is a reflection of a generation that is growing up in a digital world that is often absurd and unpredictable. For brands, this means that if you want to stay relevant, you have to embrace this madness. Those who are authentic, show humor and have the courage to be different can be successful in this crazy world.
In the fast-moving digital landscape, where trends such as "German Brainrot" emerge and fade, it is crucial for brands to stay on top of things. But how do you filter the relevant information from the endless stream of content? This is where the importance of effective analysis tools comes into play. Our software helps you identify the latest trends, analyze target group behavior and gain relevant insights. This way, you can ensure that your brand not only keeps up with the latest trends, but also uses them specifically for your marketing strategy.