Applause has long been one of the most recognisable sounds in media, used in television, theatre, and live events to signal approval from an audience. Online, short applause clips have become a staple of meme and reaction soundboards because they instantly communicate celebration without needing any words or context. Creators reuse the same brief burst across edits, streams, and short videos to reward a character, mock a dramatic entrance, or close a joke with a sense of triumph. Its simplicity is why it remains popular: everyone recognises the sound immediately.