Explaining Alt TikTok For The Millennials In The Room

    âr yù cømíñg tö thé tré?

    You are all, by now, familiar with TikTok.

    It's most widely known for dances, hacks, and the well-known "creator houses," most notably the Hype House.

    @thehypehouse

    @nickaustinn @rylandstormss

    ♬ original sound - joshrichards

    TikTok has reached a point in popularity where even millennials and boomers are on the app.

    @natalliabelman

    Who else on here is over 30? Please tell me I am not the only one! #okboomer #over30 #oldme #oldisgold #mamagirl #foru #foryoupge #oldpeopleontiktok

    ♬ Ride It - Regard

    But only the real ones know about alt TikTok.

    Also known as elite TikTok, it's a subset of TikTok with a niche culture focused on trolling "straight TikTokers" and other very specific meme points.

    While straight TikTok originally referenced heterosexual TikTokers, it now more refers to the average and mainstream TikTokers, specifically the dancers and shirtless thirst trap videos.

    For instance, alt TikTokers will create audio mimicking TikTok-style dance music to make fun of straight TikTokers and how they'll dance to literally anything.

    @sp0ngeb0bl0ver

    #duet with @tonylopez i can’t anymore this is too much for me i’m deleting this app #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #got2bhome #straighttiktok #EatEmUp

    ♬ April 2020 viral mashup sound probably - toastyjudah

    Charli D'Amelio didn't fall for this one, so she is widely accepted and protected in these realms.

    Actually, both Charli and Dixie D'Amelio are welcomed here.

    @sarahnielsenxo

    #duet with @charlidamelio i luv u never change kid 🌼☀️

    ♬ original sound - wigtimeusa

    Other watershed moments include #FreeAdam2020, a reference to the #DontFlinchChallenge kids from the TikTok family band @sm6band.

    They want Adam to be free so he can wear his beanies and take off his fedora, I guess. And they hate Emily.

    The Gummi Bear song is also important, and you should look out for the Gummi Bear album in stores on November 13, with lots of music, videos, and extras.

    Music, overall, is incredibly important to alt TikTokers — they celebrate the score of Riverdale, especially.

    @nickrucco

    Spinning my ceiling fan to match the energy of the Riverdale “singing” #fyp #foryou #riverdale

    ♬ original sound - monikasmakeup

    As well as this tribute to The Hunger Games.

    @elmolovesharry

    âr yù cømíñg tö thé tré🌳🌲🌳🌲 #fyp #elmo

    ♬ original sound - kingofbarbz

    It's also what I consider to be the birthplace of "fairy" ✨🧚‍♀️🌈 comments, my personal favorite part.

    And for even further explanation, fairy comments are a passive aggressive style of comment specific to TikTok that starts with a positive phrase, then is backhandedly retracted with a pun and emojis. Like, you really got a hang of these🧚‍♀️👑✨now let go🌈🌸🧚‍♀️

    @nickwithdastick

    i love my followers ❤️

    ♬ Times We Had - Barlito

    These comments have been used as a widespread reaction to current events.

    The College Board was recently sued over AP test glitches, and alt TikTokers have taken over their Instagram comments, pointing out the monopolization of the College Board over standardized testing.

    @techsupportguy

    oh how I love this community 🤩 Do your part and go comment 👑👑👑 #collegeboard #aptests #apchem #apeuro #aphug #apbio #apphysics #scam

    ♬ Bella ciao - HUGEL Remix Extended - El Profesor

    In a nutshell, alt TikTok is just a true chaotic place on TikTok for people to do the absolute most. It's mentul illnuss, luv.

    It's become so widespread on the app that, allegedly, larger influencers are trying to "break in."

    @_coochiehairs_

    it was a joke right guys ! there is no suck think as alt tik tok #foryou #elitesideoftiktok #fyp

    ♬ Times We Had - Barlito

    And has even stirred up a bit of *controversy* with the "straight TikTokers."

    y’all can place me in whatever category u want to make yourself feel better but just know that u taught yourself to blur out the things u didn’t agree with.u taught yourself to label others.u taught yourself to erase the part in ur mind that told u that others have feelings too.

    @guacamolethong

    hey avani, don’t say you are oppressed because you aren’t on alt or gay tiktok, considering you have so much privilege.#greenscreen#fyp#viral#trending

    ♬ original sound - sexypoopgirl

    But now you know too, so who knows how it'll change in the next few months?

    @kamjblam

    Reply to @grandpasimp y’all this one took me out 😂😂☠️☠️☠️☠️ #fyp #foryou

    ♬ original sound - timmychalametsbuttlice

    Alt TikTok might be trying to gatekeep access right now, but if the straight TikTokers are already trying to break in, it could just mean a new wave of TikTok is about to begin.

    And THAT'S on xue hua hua piao piao bei feng xiao xiao.

    Right now, it just feels like a party every day.

    I definitely missed other jokes, so please feel free to add on and confuse the old people. Make sure to leave ✨🧚‍♀️🌈 comments below.