The Most Popular Meme Template: Ranking the Internet's Favorite for Viral Humor

Choose the meme template you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Jun 16, 2023 10:18 (Updated on Dec 1, 2023 12:10)
Welcome to StrawPoll, the ultimate hub for meme enthusiasts! We know how much you love memes, and that's why we've curated a spectacular ranking of the most popular meme templates of all time! Dive into this treasure trove of iconic memes and cast your vote for your all-time favorite, or flex your meme expertise by suggesting a missing option. Join thousands of fellow meme connoisseurs to help us decide which meme template reigns supreme and has truly captured the hearts and laughter of the internet. Don't miss out on this epic meme showdown—scroll down and may the best meme win!

What Is the Most Popular Meme Template?

  1. 1
    54
    votes

    Distracted Boyfriend

    Antonio Guillem
    This meme template features a man looking at another woman while his girlfriend looks on in disapproval. It has been popularized as a way to display unfaithfulness or distractibility.
    Description
    The 'Distracted Boyfriend' is a popular GIF image that has become widely used as a meme. It features a scene from a stock photo titled 'Man Looking at Other Woman,' which depicts a man walking with his girlfriend while turning his head to look at another woman passing by him. The image captures a moment of infidelity and has been widely used to represent various situations of distraction or unfaithfulness.
    • Origin: Created in 2015
    • Format: GIF
    • Resolution: 600x401 pixels
    • Colors: 256 colors
    • Aspect Ratio: 3:2
    Distracted Boyfriend in other rankings
  2. 2
    39
    votes
    This meme template features a series of images with an increasingly complex and "enlightened" idea. It has been used to poke fun at various topics, from politics to pop culture.
    Description
    The "Expanding Brain" meme template is a popular image macro composed of a series of four images, each representing an increasingly in-depth and nuanced level of understanding or perspective on a given subject.
    • Origin: Unknown
    • Format: Image macro
    • Image Size: Varying, typically square ratio
    • Number of Images: 4
    • Image Content: Illustrated stages of understanding
  3. 3
    14
    votes
    This meme template features an image of SpongeBob SquarePants with a distorted face, accompanied by text in a mocking tone. It has been used to mock various people or situations.
    Description
    The 'Mocking SpongeBob' meme template features an image of SpongeBob SquarePants with a distorted face, while the caption is written in alternating uppercase and lowercase letters. This meme is commonly used to mock or imitate someone's statement in a sarcastic or mocking tone.
    • Image: Depicts SpongeBob SquarePants with a distorted face.
    • Caption Style: Alternating uppercase and lowercase letters.
    • Expression: Can be used to mock or imitate someone's statement.
    • Tone: Sarcastic or mocking.
    • Popularity: One of the most popular meme templates.
    Mocking SpongeBob in other rankings
  4. 4
    20
    votes
    This meme template features two images of rapper Drake, one where he looks upset and another where he's dancing. It has been used to show two contrasting emotions or ideas.
    Description
    The 'Drake Hotline Bling' meme template is based on a still image taken from the music video of the song 'Hotline Bling' by Canadian rapper Drake. The image features two side-by-side frames of Drake, where in one frame he appears happy and excited, and in the other frame he appears disappointed or unimpressed. The meme is typically used to represent situations where a person is torn or conflicted between two opposing choices or options.
    • Year of creation: 2015
    • Image source: Music video of 'Hotline Bling' by Drake
    • Main image: Two side-by-side frames of Drake
    • Expression in frame 1: Happy and excited
    • Expression in frame 2: Disappointed or unimpressed
    Drake Hotline Bling in other rankings
  5. 5
    14
    votes
    This meme template features a woman yelling at a cat sitting at a table. It has been used to show frustration or anger towards something or someone.
    Description
    Woman Yelling at a Cat refers to a viral meme featuring a picture of a blonde woman yelling aggressively at a confused looking white cat sitting at a dinner table. It quickly gained popularity in late 2019 and has since become one of the most recognizable and widely used meme templates on the internet.
    • Photographer: Antonio Guillem
    • Origin: Late 2019
    • Woman in the photo: Taylor Armstrong
    • Cat's name: Smudge
    • Genre: Meme
    Woman Yelling at a Cat in other rankings
  6. 6
    7
    votes
    This meme template features an image of Pikachu looking shocked. It has been used to show surprise or shock at various situations.
    Description
    Surprised Pikachu is a popular animated GIF that depicts the character Pikachu from the Pokémon franchise with a surprised expression on its face. The GIF is widely used to convey a feeling of shock, disbelief, or astonishment in various online contexts such as social media and messaging platforms.
    • Origin: The Surprised Pikachu GIF originated from a scene in the Pokémon animated series titled 'The Electric Shock Showdown' which aired on November 7, 1997.
    • Creator: The specific creator of the Surprised Pikachu GIF is unknown, as it is a popular internet meme that has been widely shared and modified by various users.
    • Expression: The GIF depicts Pikachu with a wide open mouth and raised eyebrows, showcasing a genuine surprised expression.
    • Gesture: Pikachu's paws are lifted up and slightly extended, adding to the overall surprised body language.
    • Resolution: The GIF is usually available in various resolutions, but the most commonly shared versions have dimensions of 480 pixels by 360 pixels.
    Surprised Pikachu in other rankings
  7. 7
    8
    votes
    This meme template features a series of buttons, each with a difficult choice. It has been used to show the difficulty of decision-making.
    Description
    The 'Two Buttons' meme template is a popular format used in online communities to present a scenario with two contrasting options. It typically consists of two buttons labeled with different text, representing the choices available to the user. This format is often used to create humorous or relatable scenarios where the options presented can vary widely.
    • Format: Image macro
    • Dimensions: Varies, often square
    • Caption style: Impact font or similar bold fonts
    • Button labels: Text, often capitalized
    • Button position: Centered below the image
  8. 8
    3
    votes

    Change My Mind

    Steven Crowder
    This meme template features a man sitting at a table with a sign that says "Change My Mind." It has been used to poke fun at various controversial topics.
    Description
    The 'Change My Mind' meme template is a popular internet meme that features a picture of conservative commentator Steven Crowder seated behind a table with a sign that says 'Change My Mind' in large letters. The meme is typically used to express controversial opinions or invite debates on various topics.
    • Year of creation: 2018
    • Format: Image macro
    • Caption: Large lettering stating 'Change My Mind'
    • Background: Picture of Steven Crowder seated behind a table
    • Purpose: To express controversial opinions or invite debates
  9. 9
    2
    votes
    This meme template features an image of SpongeBob SquarePants saying "Ight, Imma head out." It has been used to show someone leaving a situation or conversation.
    Description
    "Ight, Imma head out" is a popular meme template derived from a scene in the animated television series SpongeBob SquarePants. The phrase is used as a humorous way to express the desire to leave or exit a situation.
    • Origin: First appeared in the episode titled "The Camping Episode" (Season 3, Episode 10)
    • Context: The character SpongeBob SquarePants says this line while attending a campfire gathering with his friends
    • Meaning: Expresses the intention to leave or exit a situation, often used humorously
    • Popularity: Became widely used as a meme template in 2019 and gained significant traction on social media platforms
    • Meme Format: It typically consists of a screenshot of SpongeBob SquarePants with the text "Ight, Imma head out" overlaid at the bottom
  10. 10
    6
    votes

    Hide the Pain Harold

    András Arató
    This meme template features a man smiling while looking pained. It has been used to show someone trying to hide their discomfort or sadness.
    Description
    Hide the Pain Harold is a popular meme template featuring a stock photograph of a middle-aged man with a forced smile. The image is often used to depict a person hiding their true emotions or pretending to be happy despite inner turmoil.
    • Name: Hide the Pain Harold
    • Image: Stock photograph of András Arató
    • Expression: Forced smile
    • Purpose: Depicting hiding emotions or pretending to be happy
    • Origin: Became popular in 2011

Missing your favorite meme template?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular meme template

  1. Versatility
    A good meme template should be highly adaptable and applicable to various situations, topics, and cultures. The more versatile a meme template is, the more likely it will gain widespread popularity.
  2. Recognizability
    A popular meme template should be easily recognizable, with a clear origin, image, or reference. This factor enables the meme to be easily shared and understood among a wide audience.
  3. Relatability
    The content of the meme template should be relatable for a wide range of people. Memes that can be understood and appreciated by a broad audience usually become very popular.
  4. Humor
    The meme template should have a strong comedic element. The more humorous a meme is, the more likely it will be shared and gain popularity.
  5. Timelessness
    A popular meme template should be able to stand the test of time. Memes that remain relevant and interesting for long periods are more likely to remain popular.
  6. Shareability
    A good meme template should be easily shareable across various social media platforms. The easier it is to share, the more likely it will go viral and gain popularity.
  7. Simplicity
    Most popular meme templates have a simple concept and design. This makes them more accessible to a wide range of people who may not be familiar with more complex memes.
  8. Trendiness
    Memes that capitalize on current events, pop culture, or social trends tend to be more popular. Meme templates that can be easily updated to stay relevant will likely be more popular than those that cannot.
  9. Originality
    A meme template should be unique and innovative. The more original a meme is, the more likely it will stand out from the competition and become popular.
  10. Virality
    A popular meme template should have the ability to go viral. This means that people will see it, share it, and help it grow, ultimately leading to a larger audience and following.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular meme template. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or meme template is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1358 views
  • 167 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each meme template once every 24 hours. The rank of each meme template is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular meme template

Memes have become a staple of internet culture, with numerous templates and formats being used to create humorous and relatable content. However, some templates have stood out as particularly popular, with internet users continuously adapting and remixing them to suit their needs. From the classic "Distracted Boyfriend" to the more recent "Woman Yelling at a Cat," meme templates have become a language of their own, allowing individuals to express emotions and ideas in a way that is both amusing and relatable. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular meme templates and why they continue to capture the attention of online audiences.

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