A Six-Second Legacy That Shaped The Cuture Of The Internet
What happened to viners? – In the not so distant past, Vine turned six-second loops into masterpieces of comedic, creative, and cultural expression. From the iconic “What are those?” to “Do it for the Vine,” it brought joy to millions of users and Internet celebrities who wielded creativity like a superpower. Soon after it launched in 2013, it became a cultural phenomenon in the United States and elsewhere. Users were forced to experiment with humor, storytelling, and editing in a way that had never been done before. Then, in 2017, came the devastating announcement that sent shockwaves throughout the Internet: “Vine is shutting down.” The community was left in despair.
The moment the app was shuttered became a test of adaptability for creators. Some flourished and branched out to platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Others strumbled to find their footing. This blog explores the what happened to the Viners who shaped the Internet as we know it and the lessons digital creators can learn from their journeys.
Where Are They Now?
The shutting down of the app was a seismic event in the social network world. For many Viners, it marked the beginning of a new journey and turning creatively, requiring incredible resilience and adaptability to determine what to do next.
On YouTube
For many creators, YouTube served as a new anchor point. It helped them deepen connections with their audiences through longform content. Notable examples include:
- The Paul brothers, Logan and Jake, took their Vine fame to YouTube where they established thriving channels filled with vlogs and even boxing promotions.
- Lele Pons, famously known for her sketches on Vine, effortlessly brought her humor to YouTube where she ultimately garnered millions of subscribers.
TikTok’s Rise
If TikTok is not the direct successor to Vine, it is definitely the new hub for short form video content. A number of former Viners found the style easy to adapt to and flooded the space:
- King Bach, the most follow Viner at one point, took his comedic exploits over to TikTok and has remained relevant ever since.
- Brittany Broski is a newer voice who, inspired by the essence of Vine, continues to thrive on TikTok.
Branching Out to Acting and Music
Some Viners went even further by venturing into mainstream entertainment:
- Vine star Shawn Mendes is now a household name in pop music and a chart topping singer songwriter.
- Rudy Mancuso turned his success on Vine into a full fledged career in acting and music where he collaborates with some of the biggest celebs.
Vine Success Stories
The most thrilling aspect of Vine’s legacy is arguably the creators who transformed their short lived internet renown into long lasting relevance.
- King Bach expanded his social media empire by acting in films and building his own content production company.
- Queen of Vine, Liza Koshy, transformed her witty persona into a successful Youtube channel, and is now an actress and host (she even co-hosted the Met Gala pre-show!).
- As previously noted, Shawn Mendes went from a kid version to a Grammy-nominated stadium-filling artist, and was showcasing his incredible vocals on Vine.
These stars showcased exceptional skills in adaptation, diversification along with the ability to cultivate a sustainable audience base.
The Vine Era Struggles
Not everyone met the Vine shutdown with smooth transitions. The more than 200 million users that were a part of the platform were now left looking for alternate platforms like Instagram or TikTok. Aspen’s region creator Joey Joshi became a viral hit with musical covers, and his journey navigating new platforms was anything but easy.
Some Instantly became over-reliant on a single platform, especially those that lacked any sort of presence before the Vine. Creating new audiences without tanglible follower bases was close to impossible.
- Adjusting from 6-second videos to YouTube with its superior video editing requirements and longer formats was a challenge for many.
- With the introduction of competing social platforms, countless other creators had already built themselves a solid following.
- Even still, in the face of many struggles, the mindset of these determined creators discovering new opportunities was admirable.
Vine and its Contribution to The Internet Comedy Scene
Vine may no longer be functional, but its influence can still be felt on the current state of internet comedy. Short-form video humor, fast-paced jokes, snippets of comic “performances,” and chaotic innovation visible on TikTok is all a part of Vines heritage.
Even today, sound bites of Vines, memes, and references pop up all over the internet, sustaining the fact that Vines mark on popular culture is never-ending.
“Vine was a creative challenge for me. It made me quick, funny, and original which I really appreciated. I miss that pressure!” – @NashGrierFan4Life
“The community was something else, I’m not sure I have experienced this after. We would support each other, create together, and grow together.”- @LelePonsFan
Takeaways for Creators
The rise and decline of Vine has served as a guide for content creators and has taught people more about the constantly changing tech world:
- Flexibility is the essence: Platforms will come and go, but creators who are able to pivot will always find their next gig.
- Focus on building a community: Make brand loyal fans who will follow your content no matter which platform it comes from.
- Widen your services: Function on multiple platforms to reduce reliance on any one service.
- Always strengthen your creativity: Creativity was the backbone of Vine, even today, it is essential to think ahead in how you engage with your audience.
- Learn from Failures: Analyzing the downfall of Vine reveals a mix of lackluster monetization and relentless competition. This can inform more intelligent creator strategies in the future.
The Future of Short-Form Video
It is evident that short video content is here to stay with TikTok, Instagram reels, and YouTube shorts leading the charge. Here are some forecasts:
- AR/VR Integration will allow creators and viewers to experience videos in new immersive ways.
- Niche Short-Form Platforms could cater to specific audiences, promoting enthusiasm, purpose, and specialized community building.
- Increased Monetization Strategies will provide new revenue opportunities for creators directly through their videos. For example, TikTok is testing live shopping and subscription models.
- Creators are expected to embrace unedited footage and real-time interactions, leading to an increase in Authentic Engagement.
The Importance of Vine’s Legacy
Vine’s legacy survives through lessons learned. The six-second loops taught an entire generation of creators to think differently .
“Vine will always have a special place in my heart. It was where I discovered my passion for creating content and connecting with people.” – @BrittanyFurlanLover
Even though its closure marked the end of a era, the spirit of Vine remains alive in the stars that have risen to greater heights, and in every TikTok and Instagram Reel that follows the breand of engaging storytelling.
Vine, like many platforms, has a lesson to share: it’s not the platform that determines your success, but how you leverage the opportunity, learn, connect and tell your story.
Do you want to learn how to expand your reach on platforms like TikTok or YouTube? You can check out our content creator guide here.
