About

The Sad Filter, also known as the Crying Filter, is a visual effect on TikTok and Snapchat that makes the creator appear as if they're frowning, sad and on the verge of crying. The realistic filter inspired pranks in early 2022 based on the creator asking the participant why they are sad, with the participant, unknowing of what the filter is doing, insisting that they are not sad.

Origin

The sad filter used in the TikTok trend is actually from Snapchat and has been available on the app since 2021. The filter is simply called, "Crying," and it was created by Snapchat.

TikTokers started using the filter for their own content in early 2021. For instance, on March 23rd, 2021, TikToker^[1] tomsumbrella posted a video in which he used the filter on Marvel characters while watching Avengers: Endgame. Over the course of 13 months, the video received roughly 24,200 plays and 5,400 likes (shown below, left). On March 30th, 2021, TikToker^[2] howieazy posted a video of himself using the filter, earning roughly 552,700 plays and 53,500 likes in 13 months (shown below, right).

Spread

In early 2022, the sad filter started to be used en masse by TikTokers. On May 6th, 2022, TikToker^[3] delon.libosan posted a video that earned roughly 85,800 plays in three days (shown below, left). On the same day, TikToker^[4] brandone92 posted a similar video, earning roughly 33,300 plays in three days (shown below, right).

On May 7th, 2022, TikToker^[5] fablesinfocus used the filter on her older sister, asking her why she was sad while eating french fries. Over the course of two days, the video received roughly 16.6 million plays and 2.2 million likes (shown below, left). Due to the aforementioned video's engagement, the sad filter was used by many TikTokers going into May 2022. For instance, on May 7th, 2022, TikToker^[6] oliviachappell98 posted a similar video, wherein, she asked her husband why he looked so sad. Over the course of two days, the video received roughly 1.3 million plays and 118,600 likes (shown below, right).

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References