Pop Goes The Earbuds has circulated as a short viral sound effect rather than a clip from a film, television show or song, and its appeal comes from how instantly recognisable the popping noise is. Creators use it across short-form video and meme edits to mark a slip, a drop or a sudden change, often pairing the pop with a visual gag or an exaggerated reaction. Because the sound is brief, clean and easy to understand without context, it continues to appear in pranks, skits and reaction videos whenever a small, silly mishap needs a quick audio punchline.