The Most Popular Fad, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the fad you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 6, 2024 07:04
In a world where trends come and go with the blink of an eye, keeping track of what's hot can be quite a challenge. Yet, the popularity of these fleeting fads shapes our social conversations, affects our buying decisions, and sometimes even dictates our entertainment choices. Having a current, crowd-sourced list that ranks these fads helps individuals stay informed with minimal effort.
On this dynamic site, your vote truly counts in sculpting the ever-changing landscape of popular culture. By participating, you contribute to a real-time reflection of what's trending right now, directly influencing which fads get the spotlight. Engage with the community as you cast your vote, and watch as the rankings shift with each new vote, always keeping you up-to-date on what's capturing everyone's interest.
What Is the Most Popular Fad?
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133votesTikTok has taken the world by storm, with its short-form video format and endless supply of viral trends. It has become a popular platform for sharing dance routines, comedy sketches, and lip-syncing videos.TikTok is a social media app that allows users to create and share short videos set to music. It has gained immense popularity for its easy-to-use interface and extensive library of user-generated content.
- Platform: iOS, Android
- App Category: Social Networking
- Release Date: September 2016
- Downloads: Over 2 billion
- Video Length: 15 seconds to 1 minute
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224votes
Florian Schäffer · CC BY-SA 4.0Fidget Spinners
Catherine HettingerFidget spinners were the craze in 2017, as people of all ages were seen spinning them in their hands. They were marketed as a tool to help with focus and anxiety.Fidget Spinners are small handheld toys designed for fidgeting and stress relief. They consist of a central bearing that allows the user to spin the toy between their fingers. They gained popularity in the early 2010s and quickly became a global fad.- Size: Typically around 2-3 inches in diameter
- Materials: Usually made of plastic, metal, or a combination of both
- Bearing Type: Typically uses a high-quality ball bearing for smooth spinning
- Colors: Available in a wide range of colors and patterns
- Weight: Varies depending on materials used, typically lightweight
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320votes
Pokémon Go
NianticPokémon Go was a mobile game that took the world by storm in 2016. It allowed players to catch and collect virtual Pokémon in real-world locations, using their smartphones.Pokémon Go is a widely popular augmented reality game available on the App Store. Developed by Niantic, in collaboration with The Pokémon Company, it brings the beloved Pokémon franchise into the real world. Players can explore their surroundings, capturing virtual Pokémon creatures and engaging in battles, trading, and cooperative gameplay with other trainers.- Platform: iOS
- Release Date: July 6, 2016
- Genre: Augmented Reality, Adventure
- Price: Free to play (with in-app purchases)
- Number of Players: Single-player, Multiplayer
Pokémon Go in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Pokémon MMORPG
- Position 9 of 10 in Most fun game on the App Store
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42votesPlanking was a craze that started in 2010, where people would lie face down in unusual locations and post pictures of themselves online. It became a viral trend that spread across social media platforms.
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518votes
Silly Bandz
Robert CroakSilly Bandz were rubber bracelets shaped like animals, objects, and symbols. They became a popular fad in the early 2010s, with kids collecting and trading them.Silly Bandz are silicone rubber bands that come in various shapes, primarily resembling animals, objects, or symbols. They became a popular fad among children and teenagers in the late 2000s.- Material: Silicone rubber
- Shapes: Animals, objects, symbols, etc.
- Colors: Vibrant and assorted
- Size: Approximately 2.5 inches in diameter
- Elasticity: Flexible and stretchable
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67votes
Pet Rocks
Gary DahlPet Rocks were a fad in the 1970s, where people would buy smooth stones and treat them as pets. The stones came in a box with air holes, a bed of straw, and a manual on how to care for them.Pet Rocks were a popular fad in the 1970s where natural rocks were sold as pets. People would purchase them and keep them as companions, feeding and caring for them despite their inanimate nature.- Size: Varied, typically about 2-4 inches in diameter
- Color: Varied, depending on the type of rock
- Shape: Naturally occurring rock shapes
- Weight: Varied, based on the type of rock
- Packaging: Usually came in a cardboard box with breathing holes
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78votes
Hula Hoops
KP SnacksHula Hoops were a craze in the 1950s, where people would spin a plastic hoop around their waist. They became a popular toy and exercise tool.Hula Hoops are a popular brand of crisps known for their distinct round shape and unique texture. They are crisp and savory, making them a favorite snack for many people. Hula Hoops come in a variety of flavors, including original, salt & vinegar, cheese & onion, and BBQ.- Shape: Round
- Texture: Crisp
- Flavors: Original, Salt & Vinegar, Cheese & Onion, BBQ
- Packaging: Individual packets
- Sizes: Various sizes available
Hula Hoops in other rankings- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular brand of crisps
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811votesBeanie Babies were stuffed animals that became a craze in the 1990s. They were marketed as collectibles and were known for their cute designs and limited edition releases.Beanie Babies in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular plush toy
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96votes
RTCNCA · CC BY-SA 3.0Rubik's Cube
Ernő RubikRubik's Cube was a puzzle game that became a fad in the 1980s. It challenged players to twist and turn the cube to align the colors on each side. It became a popular toy and competition game.The Rubik's Cube is a three-dimensional puzzle toy that has captivated people's attention since its creation. It consists of a 3x3x3 cube with six different colored faces which can be rotated independently. The goal is to scramble the colors and then try to solve the puzzle by arranging each face to have a single color.- Size: 3x3x3 cube
- Colors: 6 different colors
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Number of possible combinations: 43,252,003,274,489,856,000
- Number of moves to solve: Optimal solution in 20 moves
Rubik's Cube in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular brand of cube
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular puzzle
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular toy of all time
- Position 6 of 10 in Most satisfying Fidget
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular puzzle game
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10-1votes
Bernard Gotfryd · Public domainCabbage Patch Kids
Xavier RobertsCabbage Patch Kids were dolls that became a craze in the 1980s. They were known for their unique designs and adoption certificates. They became a popular toy and collector's item.Cabbage Patch Kids is a line of soft-sculpture dolls that first gained popularity in the 1980s. These dolls were designed to resemble children and had unique characteristics such as pudgy cheeks, yarn hair, and adoption certificates. They became highly sought after due to their distinctive appearance and the concept of 'adoption'.- Year of Creation: 1978
- Height: 14-16 inches
- Materials: Soft fabric body with a vinyl head
- Features: Pudgy cheeks, yarn hair, adoption certificates
- Manufacturing: Originally handmade, later mass-produced
Cabbage Patch Kids in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular baby doll
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular doll names
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular doll this year
- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular toy of all time
Missing your favorite fad?
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular fad
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Widespread adoption and participationThe fad must have attracted significant attention from a large number of people, potentially across different age groups, cultural backgrounds, and geographical locations.
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Impact on society and cultureConsider how the fad influenced society, media, and other cultural aspects. This can include new behaviors, fashion trends, or topics of conversation.
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Duration of popularityA fad is generally short-lived, but some fads may last longer than others. Consider the length of time the fad remained at peak popularity.
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Degree of obsessionAnalyze the intensity of people's fascination and preoccupation with the fad. This can include the frequency of conversations, media exposure, and overall investment in the fad.
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Commercial successThe fad's impact on sales and the business world, such as creating new products, marketing strategies, or leading to increased revenues for related industries.
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Online presence and viralityWith the rise of social media and the internet, a fad's online presence can be an essential factor in its popularity. Consider the number of shares, views, likes, and mentions online during the peak of the fad.
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Memorable or iconic aspectsA fad that has distinctive and recognizable characteristics, such as a catchy tune, specific dance moves, or an unforgettable image will likely make a lasting impression.
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Long-term influenceEven though fads are temporary, some may leave a lasting impact on society, culture, or future trends. Consider the fad's influence on later developments or how it may have shaped future trends.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular fad. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or fad is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2562 views
- 125 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each fad once every 24 hours. The rank of each fad is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular fad
Fads are trends that come and go quickly, usually driven by popularity and social influence. Often associated with youth culture, fads can range from fashion trends to viral challenges and memes. While some fads have staying power and become a part of mainstream culture, most fads are fleeting and quickly fade away. With the rise of social media, fads spread faster than ever before, with users around the world participating in the latest trends. So, what is the most popular fad? Let's take a closer look at some of the most memorable fads in recent years.
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