Given the sheer quantity of memes being put out every single minute, it’s quite obvious that not all of them will be great. Indeed, most memes are just an iteration of a template, while new “forms” are being suggested every day through the magic that is the internet. As you can imagine, most of them simply do not catch on at all as they lack some key components.

Namely, a meme needs to be recognizable in form and function. This is one of the reasons why they can spread around the globe so quickly, as they have some element that most folks with an internet connection can recognize immediately. At the same time, a meme also needs a “template” or core concept that can be replicated but with a twist. Take the popular Tuesday meme, for instance—it uses a simple and relatable concept, making it easy for people to create and share their own versions, contributing to its widespread appeal.

At the same time, memes aren’t just about entertainment and jokes, although they do excel at that. They are a core building block of digital culture, which encompases a lot more than just humor. Political ideas can and are spread through memes, which have a pretty unique ability to transcend language and cultural barriers.

Ultimately, the memes that “make it” are the ones that can capture some universal experience or feeling in a way that can be remixed and reformed. Because they are so easy to make and accessible, you can find memes about current events often moments after they happen. Indeed, this is how many people actually engage with the news in the first place.