Popularity Indicators: authentic; irreproducible; surprising

Multipliers: impressive; painful or embarrassing; parodied or copied

Pop Culture Timeliness: yes

A perfect storm of content, this video couldn't be ignored. It had political overtones to speak to intellectuals and low-brow pain-humor to speak to the high schooler in all of us. This also encouraged media pick-ups by established news outlets analyzing how the video would effect the election and by comedy shows using it for an endless stream of jokes.

Popularity Indicators: authentic; funny; irreproducible; musicality; surprising

Multipliers: impressive; parodied or copied

Pop Culture Timeliness: yes

Rarely accomplished, this video was able to pull off being funny, surprising, impressive and musical -- all while maintaining its authenticity. One of the few videos on the list that started on television, the Susan Boyle video was helped due to appearing on British television, not U.S., so the broader U.S. population had never had the chance to see it during prime time viewing. Thus, its spread on YouTube and within the U.S. media. It would be difficult for a U.S. show clip (for instance, American Idol) to achieve similar reach within the U.S.

Popularity Indicators: authentic; funny; musicality; odd; surprising

Multipliers: impressive; parodied or copied

Pop Culture Timeliness: no

On the surface, this video is nothing more than a guy lip-syncing to his webcam. But, this particular guy was so unassuming, unpretentious and fun, it brought a special quality to the video. These characteristics result in the video being Authentic despite obviously being staged. Also, due to the video's extreme level of fun, uniqueness and pacing, the video become impressive despite its relative simplicity.

Popularity Indicators: authentic; funny; odd; surprising

Multipliers: painful or embarrassing; parodied or copied

Pop Culture Timeliness: yes

As can often happen with a video closely tied to a pop culture event, this video's viral take-off was kickstarted due to its unique association with Britney Spears. It seemed to be an extension of Britney's craziness at the time and embody the singer's zany behavior. The utter oddness of the video helped push it into a higher level then if it had been done by an average high school or college student.

Popularity Indicators: funny; irreproducible; musicality; odd; surprising

Multipliers: parodied or copied

Pop Culture Timeliness: yes

It almost seems unfair to rank a video that aired on Saturday Night Live on equal ground as a video filmed in someone's home. However, this video did seem to gain substantial viewership through online sharing, as opposed to being first viewed on television. Also, while it might not have achieved the same number of views so quickly, if this video was filmed by amateurs it is likely it would have achieved a similarly high amount of views over time.

Popularity Indicators: authentic; funny; irreproducible; surprising

Multipliers: painful or embarrassing; parodied or copied

Pop Culture Timeliness: no

As the saying goes, make a video with cute kids or kittens, and it is very likely to be popular. Not only does this video have cute kids, but it has plot twists and pain points (literally). Also, despite being irreproducible since it was an impromptu moment caught on film, it is however very easily parodied or copied with a new slant.

Popularity Indicators: authentic; funny; irreproducible; surprising

Multipliers: painful or embarrassing; parodied or copied

Pop Culture Timeliness: no

Once again: mix a cute kid, painful situation and the kid not getting hurt, and you get a nearly surefire viral video. Like Charlie Bit My Finger, this video also had plot twists (surprising) and was an impromptu moment caught on film (authentic and irreproducible). All these factors also lent to the video being prime for parody.

Popularity Indicators: funny; irreproducible; musicality; odd; surprising

Multipliers: parodied or copied

Pop Culture Timeliness: no

Like many popular videos, this one gained additional credibility due to its lack of polish -- the pixelation of the image helped to make the video more likable and odd. While not originally having pop culture timeliness, it later entered pop culture lore as one of the many obscure yet hilarious references on Family Guy.

Popularity Indicators: authentic; funny; irreproducible; musicality; surprising

Multipliers: impressive

Pop Culture Timeliness: no

This video was one of the first major viral videos online. Due to its length of time online, it has attained an incredible number of views. Also, due to the videos many layers (different dances), it inspires multiple views at one sitting and repeat viewings over time. Of equal importance, the unprofessional quality of the video makes viewers feel like they are getting a look at something they would never have another way of seeing.