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Library/Trend & aesthetic/Blinding Lights Challenge
Grade B27 sourcesHIS-00054

Blinding Lights Challenge

Trend & aesthetic · 2020 · Niche

39Editable slideCertificate

TikTok reported over 437 million views on the group dance challenge’s hashtag.

Original · Greg Dahl (@gregdahl7; now @gregdahll)
Clip · @the.mcfarlands on TikTok
Clip · @gregdahll on TikTok
Excited to say our #blindinglightschallenge will be on @fortnite very soon!! Thank you everyone for making this dance go viral!! ❤️❤️
@gregdahll on TikTok
We got bored🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️
@gregdahll on TikTok
You asked for it... Here it is 📸 #blindinglightschallenge #blindinglights #happyathome
@the.mcfarlands on TikTok
Nicole Scherzinger on Instagram: "Alright #MondayMotivation... who’s ready to jazzercise with me?? 🤸🏽‍♀️🤩🥇"
Nicole Scherzinger on Instagram
The Weeknd announces special 'After Hours' album experience exclusively on TikTok LIVE stream - Newsroom | TikTok
TikTok Newsroom
TikTok congratulates The Weeknd, BTS, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, and other VMA winners on their big night - Newsroom | TikTok
TikTok Newsroom
Blinding Lights Challenge | Know Your Meme
Know Your Meme
7 of the Best TikTok Dance Challenges to Learn While Stuck at Home
Dance Spirit
The Weeknd's Blinding Lights Is Becoming A Fortnite Emote
Cultured Vultures
TikTok Creators Perform on 'Tonight Show' After Addison Rae Controversy
Entertainment Tonight

Spread Score

How it works
Reach32Contagion60Breadth70Velocity0Longevity2139

Numbers

Challenge videos, approximately; Delta AI vendor estimate
1M
As of Jul 14, 2020 · TikTok · Self-reported · Delta AI / Jackson Grant (official publication RSS)
Seed to peak
7 weeks
Mar 3 ’20 to Apr 18 ’20
Platforms
6
Started on TikTok
Origin
Organic
Entertainment

Mechanics

  • ChallengePrimary
  • Sound or audio meme
  • Platform jump
  • Press loop
  • Remixable template
  • Creator relay

How it spread

Trace the origin

Greg Dahl posted a group dance to Blinding Lights. Creators and families copied it; Universal Music Japan collected examples. The dance reached Fortnite and The Tonight Show. iHeartRadio later credited its creator in a TikTok award nomination.

Google searchesFeb ’20AprMayJulAugSepNovFeb ’21AprPeakTikTokXPressOpen webInstagramTV
TikTokXPressOpen webInstagramTV

13 more events on this chart

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Timeline (16)

  1. March 2020

    Greg Dahl (@gregdahl7) seed · Mar 3 ’20

    Greg Dahl posted a video of three people dancing to Blinding Lights.[1][2][22]

    We got bored🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️
    Open the first post ↗

  2. Taylor Lorenz platform jump · Mar 17 ’20

    Taylor Lorenz shared a challenge video with a quarantine caption.[2][14]

    Blinding Lights Challenge | Know Your Meme

  3. The McFarlands platform jump · Mar 24 ’20

    The McFarlands posted their family version of the dance.[3][2][19]

    You asked for it... Here it is 📸 #blindinglightschallenge #blindinglights #happyathome
Changelogupdated Oct 12 ’26
  1. 2026-10-12Added: 16 events, 21 sources · Score 35
Origin
Organic
Sector
Entertainment
Region
US
Challenge videos, approximately; Delta AI vendor estimate
1M
As of Jul 14, 2020 · TikTok · Self-reported · Delta AI / Jackson Grant (official publication RSS)
Evidence
Grade B

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R.I.P Grimace (and me) #mcdonalds #grimace #milkshake #grimaceshake #birthday #fakedeath #yummy

6.6M impressions

Don't Leave Me Challenge

Instagram · 2020

56
Josh Alfred 🦁 on Instagram: "Leave me alone @bellokreb #dontleaveme 😂😂😂😂😂 #dontleavemechallenge"

197.3K derivatives

Harry Styles Cardigan Challenge

TikTok · 2020

55
Gracias mami lo amé🥺🖤#cardigan #harrystyles #sunflowervol6 #harrystylesmerch #fineline #tpwk #chile #fyp #foryou #onedirection #1d #harrystylesfa

$7.5K revenue

Buss It Challenge

TikTok · 2021

52
Erica Banks - Buss It [Official Music Video]

Peaked at #7

New cases, every week

How the next thing spread, the week it does.

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Google searchesFeb ’20AprMayJulAugSepNovFeb ’21AprPeakTikTokXPressOpen webInstagramTV
TikTokXPressOpen webInstagramTV

13 more events on this chart

Join free to see them

  1. March 2020

    Greg Dahl (@gregdahl7) seed · Mar 3 ’20

    Greg Dahl posted a video of three people dancing to Blinding Lights.[1][2][22]

    We got bored🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️
    Open the first post ↗

  2. Taylor Lorenz platform jump · Mar 17 ’20

    Taylor Lorenz shared a challenge video with a quarantine caption.[2][14]

    Blinding Lights Challenge | Know Your Meme

  3. The McFarlands platform jump · Mar 24 ’20

    The McFarlands posted their family version of the dance.[3][2][19]

    You asked for it... Here it is 📸 #blindinglightschallenge #blindinglights #happyathome

  1. press · Mar 25 ’20

  2. press · Mar 26 ’20

Join free to see the other 13 events and the full chart. Free, on every case.

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Why it worked

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