Niche Internet Micro Celebrity

About

Niche Internet Micro Celebrity is a slang catchphrase describing a social media user with a relatively small following, typically up to tens of thousands of followers, synonymous to micro-influencer. Starting in 2021, the phrase gained popularity in ironic memes in which being a niche internet micro-celebrity is celebrated as a personal success and a desirable occupation contributing to one's attractiveness.

Origin

On March 22nd, 2021, Instagram^[1] meme page on_a_downward_spiral posted an ironic Noooo, Put Me Back meme recaptioned "Noooo, put me back, I was a niche internet micro celebrity." The post received over 26,900 likes in four months (shown below).

Spread

In the following weeks, the image received viral spread online through viral reposts. March 30th reposts by Instagram^[2][3] pages patrickwarburtonfan53 and largetrap2 gained over 20,400 likes and 14,100 likes in four months, respectively. On March 31st, Tumblr^[4] user teathattast reposted the meme, with the post gaining over 7,500 likes and reblogs in the same period. An April 10th repost by Facebook^[5] page Pains of Hell Wellness Clinic gained over 4,300 reactions and 1,600 shares.

On April 13th, Instagram^[6] user puberty420 posted the first derivative meme that used the phrase, a version of the Don't Worry Baby, He's Just a Nerd! format. The post (shown below) received over 1,200 likes in three months and was widely circulated on social media platforms in the following weeks. For example, an April 16th repost by Twitter^[7] account @mightbecursed gained 350 retweets and over 4,300 likes in three months.

Following the viral spread of on_a_downward_spiral and puberty420's posts, the phrase gained notable popularity, particularly on Instagram, in humorous posts that ironically present being a "niche internet micro-celebrity" as a large personal success.

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References