Are you in 'Group 7'? TikTok's newest trend, explained

(NEXSTAR) – Just when you thought you had wrapped your head around the “6-7” craze, a newer and perhaps similarly obtuse concept is making the rounds on social media.

Over the last several days, certain TikTok users have found themselves lumped into “Group 7” after coming across a video posted by Sophia James. In the video, James, a singer-songwriter who previously competed on “American Idol,” tells viewers that she’s conducting a “science experiment” and deems each viewer a member of her “Group 7.”

“If you’re … watching this video, you are in Group 7,” James says. “I have posted seven videos tonight and this is the seventh one. Just this little science experiment to see what video, which kind of video gets the most reach.”

“And I don’t know what that says about you, but you’re in Group 7,” she continues. “Welcome.”

As James had mentioned, she made several other videos the same night — for other "groups" of viewers — but it was the seventh one that eventually went viral. The viewers of that seventh video also quickly began to embrace their status as members of Group 7.

“I hearby [sic] declare group 7 is the most elite group,” one viewer wrote.

“I already know group 7 is going to be the most popular [because] it’s the chronically online baddies,” another Group-7er said.

“Can you imagine not being Group 7[?]” one other viewer asked.

TikTok accounts belonging to verified users/brands/celebrities have also commented on James’ videos: Among those touting their status as Group 7 members are Oreo, Aveeno, the Blue Man Group, Hyundai, Slim Jim, ESPN content creator Katie Feeney, “Shark Tank” investor Barbara Corcoran, and the Universities of Michigan and Miami. Fan accounts for Group 7 have popped up as well, along with companies attempting to sell merchandise based on the concept.

But these types of videos — wherein a creator essentially makes several versions of a post, albeit with a slight twist — aren't entirely new. In the past, video creators have used this tactic to "test" the algorithm, share quotes or wisdom (e.g., things the viewer is "meant to see"), or otherwise encourage interactions.

James, meanwhile, told The New York Times that she originally created her TikTok "group" videos as part of an effort to get her new music to appear in peoples’ feeds. It just so happened that her seventh video — which, like the ones before it, featured her new song “So Unfair” — went viral.

“[…] It became this hilarious, unexpected internet moment,” she told the outlet.

James is now attempting to organize a “meetup” of Group 7 members in London on Friday, according to a message she posted to her official website.

“LA stay tuned for more details,” she teased, hinting at another meeting of TikTok’s newest cool kids sometime in the near future.