This kind of audience gasp has become a staple of online editing because it is instantly recognisable, even without any visual context. Creators on short-form video platforms use it as a shorthand for collective surprise, borrowing the feeling of a live studio audience to make a solo clip feel bigger and more shared. It works especially well in reaction videos, pranks and reveal edits, where the sound alone tells viewers how they are supposed to feel. Its short length also makes it easy to drop into memes without disrupting the pacing.