“Who’s Here in 2025?” – The Micro‑Tribe Effect

You ever scroll through an older YouTube video and see this type of comment?

"Anyone here in 2025?"

Without thinking, you tap “Like,” maybe reply “Me,” and move on—feeling oddly connected to strangers you’ll never meet.

The Comment That Won’t Die

Date‑stamp comments are everywhere because they cost nothing to write yet spark instant engagement.

They sit at the top of the thread, guaranteeing a steady drip of likes as new viewers arrive.

Linguist Michele Zappavigna calls this micro‑bonding ambient affiliation—a flash community built around a shared value rather than a personal relationship.

Here, the shared value is simple: “We still love this video.”

Why Do Humans Crave This?

Since humans are evolved to seek belonging cues, a single comment can satisfy this need.

And when dopamine hits the brain, we're more naturally inclined to look for the next quick hit.

This micro-tribe effect offers co-presence.

For the commenter, it’s a quick, low‑stakes way to feel seen.

With one six‑word stamp, they mark their presence, gather a sprinkle of likes, and momentarily anchor themselves inside a passing crowd—enough validation to nudge them back for the next scroll‑by tribe.

About: Human UX is a knowledge resource dedicated to understanding human behavior in the digital age. Our goal is to make complex psychological, social, and cultural concepts accessible, giving people the tools to think critically, discuss openly, and apply agency.