Nothing Beats a Viral Sound: Why the Internet Buys What It Can Hum

• TikTok sounds evolve from memes into powerful marketing tools and emotional hooks.
• Gen Z connects to audio on a deep level, using it to shape mood, identity, and purchases.
• Brands now use sonic branding and trendjacking to build cultural relevance and subtle influence.
• Viral audio isn’t just background; it’s storytelling, soft-selling, and full-blown digital personality.

If you’ve caught yourself saying “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday!” in the middle of a workday, you’re not alone. What started as a quirky tune for a travel ad turned into a viral TikTok moment. It reached millions, infiltrating For You Pages, group chats, and even Spotify playlists.

Brands didn’t plan for this kind of fame—they stumbled into it. But now they’re listening closely (literally). A catchy sound can catapult a brand from corporate to culturally relevant. According to TikTok’s Creative Center, over 88% of users say that sound is essential to the TikTok experience. That’s not a fun fact, it’s a digital reality check.

In this new world, marketing isn’t just about visuals or copy. It’s about vibes. A viral sound turns passive viewers into active participants. Think: lip-syncs, dance trends, POVs, remixes. That’s not just engagement. That’s loyalty, disguised as a bop.

And FYI, audio isn’t just limited to licensed commercial songs. Today’s sounds range from movie one-liners and anime clips to remixed beats, UGC audio, and completely unhinged voiceovers. If you can hum it, loop it, or recreate it? It has influence.

Why Gen Z Buys with Their Ears (and Their Feelings)

Gen Z isn’t just hearing sounds, they’re feeling them. Audio taps into memory, mood, and emotion faster than visuals ever could. When we hear that specific jingle or meme audio, we’re not just reminded of a brand; memories come rushing back. And that emotional connection? It’s pure marketing gold.

This is the generation raised on YouTube intros, iPod shuffles, and now TikTok trends. Spotify’s Culture Next report even confirms it: Gen Z trusts sound to guide their mood, values, and choices.

So when that “POV: you’re living your best life” video uses a sped-up pop classic, it’s not random. It’s intentional. Sound is shaping identity, from the aesthetic you vibe with to the products you’re adding to cart.

Audio = emotion = decision-making. And let’s be real, if it sounds like serotonin, we’re probably buying it.

Audio Branding Is the New Influence Currency

Remember jingles from old-school TV ads? Audio branding today is that—just hotter, faster, and way more Gen Z-approved. Instead of corporate slogans, it’s all about custom beats, remixed sounds, and creator collabs that feel organic.

Instead of flashy campaigns, we now see brands leaning into organized chaos with their own sound strategy. Take Duolingo on TikTok: their owl uses trending sounds to add sass and go viral without ever mentioning “language learning.” Why? Because sound-first content outperforms silent posts every time.

And creators? They’re not just using sounds, they’re shaping them. A makeup influencer drops a GRWM with a trending track, and suddenly that lipstick is out of stock. Audio becomes a soft-sell tactic, and the best part is, it doesn’t even feel like an ad.

In this economy, attention is currency. Sound is how we earn it.

When the Trend Becomes the Message

Sometimes the sound isn’t about selling anything at all, until it is. Let’s talk trendjacking: the art of hopping on a trending sound, meme, or vibe to stay culturally relevant. 

Brands and creators alike are thriving by jumping into sound trends while they’re hot. They don’t reinvent the wheel, they just remix the moment. A perfect example is the “I’ll be there” audio trend. A dramatic voiceover monologue paired with something you’re hilariously obsessed with. Like your emotional support Stanley cup. Or the pair of lululemon leggings that’s somehow been to class, brunch, and the club.

This kind of audio creates relatability, nostalgia, and engagement, all without even saying the product name. Sound lets us play along with trends, not just observe them. 

Creators are also now mood curators, not just product reviewers. Their audio choices speak volumes before a word is said. It’s no longer just what you’re selling, but how it sounds when you do. The takeaway? Consumers don’t just want to see the aesthetic, they want to hear it too.

How to Tap into the Audio Trend

So you’re a brand or creator wondering: How do I get in on this without being cringe? 

Listen more. Study what’s trending, but don’t just copy. Remix. Adapt. Make it yours.

Use platforms like TikTok’s Trends Dashboard to find what’s blowing up. Then, think about how that sound could align with your story, your product, or even just your vibe.

Collab with creators who understand both trends and authenticity. Don’t slap your brand over a meme and call it a day. Let the sound lead, not just your sales pitch.

And remember: sounds go viral because they feel good, not because they sell stuff. So whether it’s a silly remix, a soft girl aesthetic song, or even a moody monologue, it has to hit. Emotion first, CTA second.

When in doubt? Hum before you post.

Viral sounds aren’t just catchy, they’re connective. They make us laugh, reminisce, vibe, and buy. They’re the digital language of Gen Z: fun, emotional, and fast-moving. Whether it’s chaos, comfort, or a little cry in the shower, there’s an audio for that. So yes, nothing beats a Jet2 holiday…and viral sound. And right now, you can be the voice behind the next big thing. That’s 100% off for your main character moment.