Sludge content

Sludge content (also known as content sludge and overstimulation videos[1]) is a genre of split-screen video on the social media platform TikTok.

Characteristic of sludge content is unrelated, attention-grabbing side content, meant to increase viewer retention.[2] Common attention-grabbing videos include repetitive mobile gameplay (notably of the endless runner mobile game Subway Surfers) and ASMR/oddly satisfying clips.[3] Sludge videos typically feature one panel of main content with audio, often copyrighted material. Common copyrighted material include television episodes (notably of the adult animated television series Family Guy),[4] Reddit posts read by an artificial voice,[2] and videos made by other TikTok users.[3]

Sludge content has been labelled as overstimulating and addictive.[1][3][5] The genre has been described as reflecting and contributing to declining attention spans,[5][3] though these interpretations have been criticized.[3] Sludge content may also lead to normative dissociation, which can be soothing.[6]

  1. ^ a b Mattson, Anna. "Sludge Videos Are Taking Over TikTok--And People's Mind". Scientific American. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
  2. ^ a b Winslow, Levi (February 2, 2023). "The Truth Behind Those Wild TikTok Videos Meant To Hack Your Attention". Kotaku. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e Castello, Jay (March 24, 2023). "TikTok's sludge content isn't just for short attention spans". Polygon. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  4. ^ Dazed (2023-03-09). "A deep dive into the Family Guy TikTok Pipeline". Dazed. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  5. ^ a b "'Sludge content' is the latest form of escapism on TikTok". NBC News. 2023-04-26. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  6. ^ Mattson, Anna. "Sludge Videos Are Taking Over TikTok--And People's Mind". Scientific American. Retrieved 2024-11-12.