In November 2020, the song saw a resurgence in popularity due to its widespread use on the app TikTok, receiving over 26 million viewers for the month.

[2][3] The song received generally positive reviews from other music critics as well, many praising its lyrical content and its maturity, as well as the "adventurous" synth-based production.

It makes heavy use of vocal processing effects during the verses; and its lyrical content is, as the title states, about a break-up, mentioning that "our album needs just one".

The song was made available for sale on the US iTunes Store on June 26, 2007,[5] along with a pre-order offer for their second studio album, Insomniatic.

Digital Spy said that, "by Disney Channel standards at least, 'Potential Breakup Song' is fairly adventurous, riding its bassline and tango-inflected rhythm track to a chipper, synth-fueled chorus.

"[9] Tommy2.Net said that "several tracks [on the Insomniatic album] point toward synth rock by the use of samples, loops and vocal processing including the lead single, 'Potential Breakup Song,' which proves to be a good barometer for the direction they're heading.

"[11] Time voted it the ninth-best song of the year, describing it as "winking pop that doesn't skimp on the hook ... or the emotion.

At the end of the video, the black ink floating in the air stains a blank paper, forming the group's new logo, as well as the sequence of letters XOXO.

"Potential Breakup Song" was covered by Japanese singer Ami Suzuki under the label Avex Trax.

[34] The song was used in the Japanese horror film X-Cross, in which Suzuki had a lead role, alongside the original Aly & AJ version.