The 'Internet Story' meme is inspired by the 2010 viral short film of the same name by Adam Butcher, which explored themes of online obsession, scavenger hunts, and the blurred lines between reality and internet fiction. The template is typically used to frame bizarre, unsettling, or surprisingly deep anecdotes found in the dark corners of the web. It gained a resurgence in popularity as internet historians and commentary channels revisited the original video's legacy, cementing its status as a symbol for the eerie mystery of the early 2010s web. Users now utilize the format to share personal 'internet horror' stories or to parody the tropes of investigative YouTube documentaries.