A new trend is taking over TikTok, and social media users are hoping to snag a coveted spot in the exclusive “Group of 7.”
If you've been browsing the social media platform lately, chances are you've seen TikTok users posting videos and leaving comments about being in the “Group of 7” without providing more context about the secret club. So who founded the mysterious group and how to get an invitation?
Well, it looks like Group 7's origins can be traced back to singer Sophia James. Last week, the music artist posted a series of videos on TikTok. IN her first clipShe said she recently received a parking ticket while dancing and singing along to her new song “So Unfair.” James then continued upload more clips with the goal: to get as many TikTok users as possible to see her posts and hear her song, filling their channels.
By the fourth video, she began tagging clips and the fans who watched them, grouping them into groups.
“If you see this, then you are in group 4,” is the text above it. fourth video read. “I post a few videos and see which ones get the most viewers. This is the fourth post in the group, so you're in group 4.”
New videos came in the evening. seventh and last video An experiment with her algorithm went viral.
“If you're watching this video, you're in Group 7,” James explained. “I posted seven videos tonight and this is the seventh. Just a little science experiment to see which video gets the most exposure.”
She playfully added, “I don't know what this says about you, but you're in Group 7!”
Her post, which had 8.5 million views as of Oct. 20, had TikTok users celebrating and joking about being part of the special group.
“I (hereby) declare Group 7 as the most elite,” one wrote in a comment.
Another wrote: “Group 7 is a hot girl group whose rules I don't make.”
A third said: “I have an immediate gripe with groups 1-6.”
It wasn't just James' comments section that was filled with references to Group 7. TikTok users began mentioning that they were members of Group 7, and others – e.g. Barbara Corcoran, Naomi Osaka and official account Kansas City Chiefs — also got into the joke.
One TikTok user also used the post to explain how the joke went viral. In it videoA TikTok user praised James for getting millions of people to listen to and promote her new single.
“This is incredible. I haven't seen anything like this in a long time. It's also impeccable marketing,” said a TikTok user.
She then noted that “So Unfair” had become popular on TikTok, with some asking for it to be 7's “anthem.”
“Everyone is using her song and it's the best marketing I've ever seen from a musician,” she praised. “I think we should all know the name Sophia James.”
