Gen Alpha (2010–2025): Born Tapping

Gen Alpha isn’t waiting to grow up to have opinions—they already do. They’re not “future consumers,” they’re the ones choosing what cereal ends up in the cart, what shoes get added to the wishlist, and what video gets replayed 40 times in a row. 

They’re fluent in short-form before they even have long-form thoughts. They’re building Minecraft worlds before they can write a full sentence. YouTube is their teacher, TikTok is their playground, and Roblox is basically their neighborhood.

The content that sticks? It’s bright, fast, and fun, but still feels personal. Instead of traditional toy ads, they’re locked into POV roleplays on TikTok, animated storytelling on YouTube, and gameplay reaction vids that feel like a FaceTime with a friend. Think creators like Ms Rachel meets Skibidi Toilet meets PrestonPlayz. Chaotic, earnest, and endlessly clickable.

Brands that are getting it right are speaking Gen Alpha’s language. Prime, for example, became a school lunch flex not because it’s a hydration drink, but because it was all over YouTube via Logan Paul and KSI. 

Skincare? 8-year-olds are putting salicylic acid on their face because North West is posting a get-ready-with-me with her mom’s skincare. Brands like Indeed Labs jumped on the opportunity to create safe and cute skincare to attract this young generation. 

For this generation, “cool” is whatever’s showing up in their algorithm and getting a laugh at recess. If you’re not entertaining, you’re invisible. If you feel like a grown-up trying to hang out, they’re swiping past.

Gen Z (1995 to 2010): Culture Architects

Gen Z doesn’t follow culture. They build it from scratch, remix it, and meme it into something new. They’re not passive consumers, they’re full-time curators. From TikTok to Instagram to Pinterest, Gen Z is using the internet to try on identities, test what feels real, and decide who gets let into the conversation.

This generation isn’t moved by aesthetics alone. They care about voice, values, and whether your brand actually gets it. They’re over the try-hard marketing speak and overly produced ads. A lo-fi product review filmed in someone’s bedroom feels more effective than a full-blown campaign if it’s authentic. Because what matters most is whether it feels real and whether it feels like them.

The brands that win with Gen Z aren’t the loudest. They’re the ones that listen.

Take Rhode. They launch products people ask for, respond to DMs, share behind-the-scenes content, and make their customers feel like co-creators.

And look at Poppi, the better-for-you soda that didn’t just market health. They made it aspirational. Their rise came from being smart with influencer strategy, seeding products with creators who actually liked it, and letting hype build naturally.

These brands are setting the tone and inviting their community to shape it with them.

For Gen Z, relevance is about showing up the right way in the right spaces with the right people. You don’t need to go viral. You just need to be honest, self-aware, and a little bit fun.

Millennials (1981 to 1995): Still Here, Still Online

Millennials log on with purpose. This generation grew up alongside the internet and evolved with it. They’re not chasing trends. They’re comparing ingredients, checking Reddit for reviews, watching a YouTube tutorial, and texting the group chat to ask if anyone has a promo code. All at once.

They’re still on Facebook, still watching YouTube, and still scrolling TikTok, but differently. They’re not there for chaos, they’re there to get info that feels real and helps them make better choices. They want utility, credibility, and ideally a little humor. Not performative, not gimmicky—just real.

What earns their trust is clarity. Show the product in context. Prove it works. Be consistent. And don’t be annoying.

Look at how Athleta has been making quiet moves with this group. They don’t scream cool, but they show up with high-quality gear, body-diverse creators, and content that focuses on comfort and function. Or how Banza turned chickpea pasta into a pantry staple by showing quick, realistic meals on TikTok that don’t require a ring light or aesthetic kitchen. Also, Hollister caught the attention of these millennials with their throwback collection putting them in all their feels. 

Millennials want products that make their lives easier and content that respects their time. They need it to be clear, useful, and a little bit self-aware.

Here’s the Reality Check

Social strategy without nuance is just spam. Every generation might be scrolling, but the why and how behind that scroll is what separates a view from a conversion, or a like from a long-term customer.

Gen Alpha wants to be delighted. They’re drawn to fun, fast, playful content that feels like something they’d send to a friend.

Gen Z wants to feel seen. They engage with content that reflects their experiences, makes them laugh, or inspires them to express themselves, even if it’s just through a comment or a share.

Millennials want to feel confident. They look for proof, quality, and a consistent voice. They don’t need flash, they need follow-through.

And they all—every one of them—hate being talked down to. They don’t want “fellow kids” energy. They want brands that show up consistently, understand the platform they’re on, and can either provide value or make them feel something. Ideally both.

Final Thoughts

Your audience isn’t everyone. And that’s the point.

If you know how each generation uses social and what they want from the brands that show up, you can stop guessing and start connecting. And if you don’t know how to do that in a way that’s actually worth engaging with, that’s where we come in.

We created a toolkit on how to attract these younger audiences and how to speak their language. Download it and start being relatable to the right audience: Attracting Younger Audiences.