# Never Gonna Give You Up > Never Gonna Give You Up is a 2008 rickroll meme where deceptive links trick users into watching Rick Astley's 1987 music video. A classic rickroll meme using Rick Astley's song, tricking users into watching the music video through deceptive links. ## Origin Rickrolling is a bait and switch: a person provides a web link that claims to be relevant to the topic at hand, but the link actually takes the user to the 1987 Rick Astley music video for Never Gonna Give You Up. - **Platform:** Internet forums/links - **Creator:** Rick Astley (1987) - **Date:** 2008 ## Overview The rickroll is a classic internet prank where users trick others into clicking deceptive links leading to Rick Astley's 1987 music video "Never Gonna Give You Up." ## How It Spread The rickroll became one of the internet's oldest and most persistent pranks, where users trick others into clicking links that lead to Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up" music video. The prank became a cultural craze that persists across decades. The meme spread across all internet platforms, becoming synonymous with internet pranks and bait-and-switch humor. It remains relevant and active after nearly two decades. ## How to Use Create deceptive links (often shortened) that appear to lead to content users want, but instead direct to the music video. 1. Learn the Never Gonna Give You Up format by looking at popular examples 2. Think of a situation or joke that fits the meme perfectly 3. Create your own version of Never Gonna Give You Up using a meme tool or app 4. Share it where your audience will get the reference ## Cultural Impact The rickroll represents online culture's longevity and how pranks can become institutional traditions. It demonstrates how the internet preserves and continues traditions. ## Fun Facts - One of the oldest internet pranks still in use - Rick Astley himself embraced the meme - 2020 rickroll of the entire internet by YouTube - Used in countless high-profile pranks - Remains instantly recognizable after nearly 20 years - The Never Gonna Give You Up meme has been shared millions of times across social media - You can create your own Never Gonna Give You Up meme using free tools like Imgflip - Never Gonna Give You Up first appeared in 2007 - The meme is still remixed and adapted by creators - Brands and marketers have used Never Gonna Give You Up in their campaigns - The meme is still remixed and adapted by creators ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Never Gonna Give You Up? Never Gonna Give You Up a classic rickroll meme using Rick Astley's song, tricking users into watching the music video through deceptive links. ### What does Never Gonna Give You Up mean? The rickroll is a classic internet prank where users trick others into clicking deceptive links leading to Rick Astley's 1987 music video "Never Gonna Give You Up." ### Where did Never Gonna Give You Up come from? Never Gonna Give You Up originated on 4chan/Internet around 2007. The prank originated on 4chan and evolved into one of the internet's most enduring pranks, transcending the platform to become mainstream. ### How do you use Never Gonna Give You Up? Create deceptive links (often shortened) that appear to lead to content users want, but instead direct to the music video. ### Is Never Gonna Give You Up still popular in 2026? Yes, Never Gonna Give You Up is still very popular in 2026. It is considered evergreen and gets regular use across social media platforms. ### Who created Never Gonna Give You Up? Anonymous users created Never Gonna Give You Up. The prank originated on 4chan and evolved into one of the internet's most enduring pranks, transcending the platform to become mainstream. ### When did Never Gonna Give You Up start? Never Gonna Give You Up first appeared around 2007 on 4chan/Internet. The prank originated on 4chan and evolved into one of the internet's most enduring pranks, transcending the platform to become mainstream. ### What platform did Never Gonna Give You Up originate on? Never Gonna Give You Up originated on 4chan/Internet around 2007. The rickroll is a classic internet prank where users trick others into clicking deceptive links leading to Rick Astley's 1987 music video "Never Gonna Give You Up." ### What are the best examples of Never Gonna Give You Up? The best examples of Never Gonna Give You Up showcase its core format at its most effective. Notable variations include Rickroll link variations, QR code rickrolls, Rickroll compilations. ### What memes are similar to Never Gonna Give You Up? Memes similar to Never Gonna Give You Up include Thats What She Said, Badger Badger Mushroom, Advice Dog, Disaster Girl. These share a similar format, humor style, or cultural context. ### Is Never Gonna Give You Up dead? Not at all. Never Gonna Give You Up is considered evergreen, meaning it keeps coming back and gets used regularly regardless of trends. ### Has Never Gonna Give You Up been used by celebrities or brands? Various brands and public figures have referenced Never Gonna Give You Up in their social media and marketing. Memes with broad recognition like this one often get picked up for commercial use. ### Can I buy Never Gonna Give You Up merchandise? Yes, Never Gonna Give You Up merchandise is available on platforms like Redbubble, Amazon, and Etsy. You can find t shirts, stickers, mugs, phone cases, and other items featuring the meme. ### Where can I find the Never Gonna Give You Up template? Templates and references for Never Gonna Give You Up are available on sites like Imgflip and Know Your Meme. Search for the meme name to find usable versions. ### How do I make my own Never Gonna Give You Up? Create deceptive links (often shortened) that appear to lead to content users want, but instead direct to the music video. ### Did Never Gonna Give You Up inspire any other memes? Yes, Never Gonna Give You Up inspired several variations and spinoffs, including Rickroll link variations, QR code rickrolls, Rickroll compilations. ### Is Never Gonna Give You Up copyrighted? Most memes exist in a legal gray area. The original image or video may have copyright protection, but meme formats are generally treated as fair use. That said, this is not legal advice. ## References 1. [Never Gonna Give You Up, Wikipedia]() 2. [Never Gonna Give You Up on Reddit]() 3. [Never Gonna Give You Up, Know Your Meme]() 4. [Google Trends: Never Gonna Give You Up]() 5. [Never Gonna Give You Up Meme Explained, YouTube]() 6. [Never Gonna Give You Up on X/Twitter]() 7. [Never Gonna Give You Up Meme Templates, Imgflip]() 8. [Never Gonna Give You Up on TikTok]() 9. [Never Gonna Give You Up Meme, Pinterest]() 10. [Never Gonna Give You Up, Memedroid]() 11. [Never Gonna Give You Up, 9GAG]() --- Source: https://meme.com/memes/never-gonna-give-you-up Published by meme.com — The Internet Meme Library