memeye

memeye is a web-based platform and research resource dedicated to cataloging and analyzing internet memes. it maintains a searchable database of meme instances, formats, origins, and accompanying metadata, and provides analytical tools for researchers, journalists, and educators. the project aims to support rigorous, reproducible study of meme culture across social platforms.

memeye was developed by civictech labs in collaboration with university partners and a community of volunteers. the project began in 2021 as a research prototype and launched its public beta in 2022. a broader release followed in 2023, with ongoing updates to expand coverage, improve tagging workflows, and incorporate user-contributed content under defined licenses.

its core features include a taxonomy of meme formats (image macros, video memes, GIFs, and templates), origin tracing that links memes to their earliest-known appearances, and trend analytics that show velocity, peak times, and geographic distribution. the platform also offers an api for researchers, data export options, and a moderation layer to filter harmful material while preserving historical context.

memeye operates under a data governance framework that emphasizes privacy, public-domain and permissive-licensed content, and clear licensing terms. it collects only publicly available metadata and does not attach sensitive personal information to entries. community guidelines govern tagging, attribution, and quality control.

researchers, educators, and media outlets have used memeye to study meme diffusion, cultural references, and online humor. critics note potential biases in source selection and the need for ongoing transparency about data curation. the project maintains an open-source subset of its tooling and welcomes collaboration from scholars and content creators.