Sure, the fourth "Web Trend Map" from branding firm Information Architects is a nifty piece of graphic design. But that's not what makes it viral.

It's the human impulse to try and find one's brand, or one's employer's, among the "most influential" that turns the bastardized Tokyo subway map into self-promulgating piece of marketing.

The map is a reminder — as if we needed one — that, these days, you don't need to be a print magazine publisher to use an arbitrary ranking system to get people to look at your content.

Speaking of which: You can find the full-sized map here.

[via Daring Fireball]

Send an email to Ryan Tate, the author of this post, at ryan@gawker.com.