The viral 'Group 7' trend explained: What does it all mean?
Are you in "Group 7?" There's only one way to find out (open TikTok), and there is nothing you can do to change your group.
These are the rules set up by singer Sophia James, the unwitting creator of "Group 7," a completely arbitrary grouping made on social media this week by viewers of James' experimental TikToks.
Read on for everything to know about the inception of "Group 7," its creator, the reaction to the trend and what it all means.
How did 'Group 7' originate?
On Friday Oct. 17, singer Sophia James conducted what she later called "a little science experiment" that involved posting seven consecutive TikToks with her music playing over each video, tracking the videos by group, in order to determine which of the videos got "the most reach."
Her first video focused on a parking ticket she received, followed by one titled "Post number 2."
In the follow-up video, she says, "It always has been and always will be me versus the algorithm, and today, I have decided that I am winning."
A few posts later, in post No. four, James began to officially designate groups, writing, "If you are seeing this you are in group 4," with an added explainer, "I am posting a bunch of videos and seeing which ones reach the most viewers. This is the fourth post of the batch, so you are group 4."
After several more videos, James posted a seventh TikTok, creating the now-viral "Group 7."
"I have posted seven videos tonight -- and this is the seventh one -- just as a little science experiment to see what kind of video gets the most reach out of the seven," she says in the video. "And I don't know what that says about you. But, you're in Group 7, welcome!"
How did 'Group 7' grow in popularity?
"Group 7," for nonsensical reasons, spiraled into internet meme status, as TikTok users who saw James' seventh video banded together and formed their own discourse, imagining why they may have been "selected."
"Hi group 7 besties ✨," one user commented.
Another wrote, "i hearby declare group 7 is the most elite group."
While it is unclear who actually saw the "Group 7" post on their feed and who is engaging in the trend for fun, the post did accrue over 17 million views on TikTok.
Several high profile organizations have also engaged with the trend: Earlier this week, the San Francisco 49ers posted a video of several team members dancing, with overlaid text that read, "how it feels being a part of group 7."
Who is 'Group 7' creator Sophie James?
James, the musician behind the "Group 7" meme, released a seven-song album in 2024 titled "Clockwork," and has released a number of singles and EP's over the past several years, her first EP being 2021's "Stand Beneath the Sky."
Discussing her viral trend, James told the New York Times in an interview, "In some ways I feel like I've learned some things, and in other ways, I’m more lost than when I started."
When is the 'Group 7' meetup?
Under the "Group 7" tab on James' official website, she wrote, "This is the funniest thing I have ever seen and I think you should all meet in real life."
She then shared details for what appears to be a "Group 7" meetup, which is set to take place at a pub in London called The Antelope on Friday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m.
"LA stay tuned for more details," she added.
