Remember the early 2000s when viral videos were rare and jump lessons were unexpected?
For many of us, it came from one of the scariest online experiences
the infamous “Ghost Car” ad. What seemed like a calm and peaceful car commercial turned into one of the first viral lessons ever created.
But did you know that when you search for the iconic “Ghost Car” location on Google Maps, something spooky happens? Let’s dive into what happens when you look up the infamous coordinates.
In 2004, K-fee, a German energy drink company, released what is now considered one of the first viral horror videos. At first, the ad looked like a typical car ad in which the vehicle was driving peacefully through the countryside. Soft music played in the background and everything seemed peaceful – until the car suddenly disappeared behind the bushes and a screaming zombie-like figure burst onto the screen. The advertising slogan “So wach warst du noch nie” or “You’ve never been so awake” perfectly captured the shocking effect of a jump scare. K-fee used this scary technique to promote their energy drinks as something that will wake you up.
Jump-Scare Culture and Early Viral Content
This particular ad holds a special place in Internet history. It spread quickly across email chains and early video-sharing platforms before the rise of social media, becoming one of the earliest examples of “shock content”. People vividly remember their reactions when they first saw it. One Reddit user described being “traumatized” after their teacher showed it to their class early in the morning.2 The “Ghost Car” ad set the stage for the jump scare trend that would later become the basis of both horror films. And prank videos. People liked to scare their friends by sending them a link under the guise of a harmless car ad.
Almost 20 years later, the terror of the ‘Ghost Car’ video has found a new home –
On Google Maps. If you enter the coordinates “36°46’9.27°N, 119°15’21.93″W”, something scary happens. When you enter those exact coordinates into Google Maps, an image of the car appears strikingly similar to the one from the video A car parked in a desolate area appears, and while there are no zombies in sight, the eerie connection to the infamous ad is troubling if the spirit of the ad still lingers. Digital landscape.
Why does this jumping scarecrow, created nearly two decades ago, still haunt us? For
many, the unexpectedness of the appearance of zombies in a seemingly peaceful environment was what made the video so terrifying. As one viewer noted, “I remember seeing it for the first time in elementary school. Some of my friends suggested I check it out. I don’t see them as friends anymore.” The ad’s lasting impact can also be attributed to its role in shaping Internet culture. The jumps have since become a regular part of both horror and prank videos, but few can replicate the fresh shock value of the original “Ghost Car” ad.
Years later, people continue to discuss and reminisce about the “Ghost Car” ad on social media
their first scary video experience. One Twitter user commented: “It was a good scare, I couldn’t feel my hands for a second”. Others pointed out the importance of reading comments before watching potentially scary content. One user even said, “This video is proof that reading comments before watching certain videos is important”. The widespread fear and shock caused by the “Ghost Car” video cemented its place in Internet folklore, where it continues to be cited as one of the greatest scares of all time.
Look at you own risk
The “Ghost Car” ad remains a cultural touchstone, a haunting reminder of the early days of viral content when the internet’s ability to shock and surprise was fresh and unexplored. Its eerie revival in Google Maps serves as a fitting tribute to its legacy and keeps the spirit of the ad alive in an unexpected way. Nearly two decades later, it still evokes chills and nostalgia, sparking conversations about the unique power of early Internet moments to leave lasting impressions. Whether it’s a cautionary tale or a nostalgic memory, the “Ghost Car” ad proves that some fears never go away — they simply find new ways to surprise us.