Meme Trends for 2025
Top Meme Trends for 2025 in B2C Marketing Campaigns
You’d have to be totally off the grid to have not seen a clever meme or two over the past few years. These bite-sized nuggets of humor and relatability allow brands to build cultural relevance, engage consumers, and stand out in an oversaturated market. As we step into 2025, the meme game is evolving, blending nostalgia, technology, and hyper-specific humor. Memes continue to reign supreme as one of the most effective tools for connecting with audiences. Here are the top meme trends we believe will dominate B2C marketing campaigns this year.
Retro Tech Nostalgia Memes
As we embrace the digital future, many consumers including myself are craving a touch of the past. Memes that celebrate retro tech, such as old-school flip phones, CRT monitors, and Windows 95 aesthetics, are on the rise.
This trend taps into millennials’ and Gen Z’s collective nostalgia while serving as a playful contrast to today’s ultra-connected lifestyle. Brands can use these memes to sell products that evoke simpler times or highlight their timeless appeal.
AI-Generated Memes
Artificial intelligence has entered the chat—literally. With tools like DALL-E and ChatGPT capable of generating text and images, brands are leaning into AI to create hyper-customized memes. These memes allow for rapid responses to cultural moments, with humor that feels fresh and innovative. Bonus points if the meme plays off the meta-awareness of being AI-generated—self-referential humor continues to resonate.
Text-Heavy Memes
Minimalist imagery paired with maximalist text is gaining traction. These memes read almost like short-form storytelling, often recounting exaggerated scenarios or spiraling tangents that land with a punchline.
The approachable and DIY feel makes them shareable, and their longer format ensures higher engagement—perfect for brands wanting to communicate more nuanced messages. X has a plethra of these types of memes.
Humor and Self-Awareness
Consumers are more media-savvy than ever, and they love brands that are in on the joke. Memes that play with the absurdity of corporate marketing or poke fun at themselves tend to build trust and authenticity. Think Wendy’s roasting its own menu or a brand’s Twitter page sharing a meme about the difficulty of writing clever tweets. Meta-humor helps humanize brands in an age where audiences value transparency.
Memes as Merch
Some memes transcend the digital space and become physical. Whether it’s a viral catchphrase printed on tote bags or an iconic image turned into a sticker, memes-as-merch is a creative way to extend a campaign’s lifespan. This trend also ties into consumers’ love for tangible experiences, creating opportunities for brands to build loyalty through limited-edition products.
Interactive Memes
Memes that invite user participation—polls, “tag a friend” prompts, or remixable templates—are a hit for boosting engagement. In 2025, expect brands to experiment with formats that blur the lines between memes and interactive content. For example, a “choose your own adventure” meme carousel on Instagram or a TikTok meme challenge that ties back to a campaign theme.
Crossover Memes
Collaboration is key. Expect to see more brands teaming up to create crossover memes that combine their audiences’ interests. Picture a fast-food chain partnering with a gaming brand for a meme that pokes fun at late-night cravings during marathon sessions. These partnerships allow brands to tap into new demographics while keeping the content fun and surprising.
Low-Fi, High-Impact Content
In an age of often overly polished content, deliberately low-fi memes that look like they were made in MS Paint or on a decades-old meme generator stand out. This trend signals a return to the roots of meme culture and reinforces a brand’s relatability. Low-fi doesn’t mean low effort, though—clever messaging is crucial for making this style work.
Memes: the New Cultural Currency!
Memes are more than just a quick laugh—they’re a cultural currency that can drive real engagement and brand loyalty. In 2025, successful B2C marketing campaigns will be those that embrace memes not just as content but as a conversation with their audience. By staying ahead of trends and tapping into the zeitgeist, your brand can turn humor into a powerful marketing tool.
So, what’s your meme strategy for 2025? We would love to help you brainstorm on something creative and fitting for your brand.