The phrase “alpha male” has been on fire on social media the past few years. TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram were all full of dudes giving advice on how to be tough, confident, and in control — calling it alpha energy. “Be an alpha male.” “Don’t be a beta.”

What began as a somewhat niche idea coming from the realm of self-help books and fitness forums became mainstream — not always for the better.

Now, in 2025, things have shifted. What began as a trend is mostly receiving meme status, and more people are asking: does “alpha male” even really mean anything anymore?

Let’s unpack this — what the alpha male idea is, where it came from, why it is not that important to the internet anymore.

The Rise of the ‘Alpha Male’ on Social Media

The fad of the alpha male grew into a phenomenon, thanks to influencer marketing and many platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. Influencers or “dating coaches” began using the term alpha male as a shorthand for confidence, power, and success.

Creators like Andrew Tate, Sneako, and others built entire brands around hyper-masculine alpha energy, reaching millions of mostly young men.

As time passed, it became evident:

The “alpha male” identity was ridiculed as much as it was praised.
It became a meme — a representation of insecure posturing, not strength. You would see comments like:

• “Alpha male energy”
• “Bro thinks he’s the main character”
• “Sigma grindset alert”

What went wrong? Did the idea have flaws from the start, or did the internet contort it into something it was never supposed to be?

Now let’s get into the burning questions everyone is trying to answer in 2025.

What Is an Alpha Male?

What is an alpha male? It is asked over 590 times a month worldwide, yet it still carries significant ambiguity.

Traditionally an alpha male is

• Dominant in social groups
• Inherently assertive
• Often a leader in work and relationships

This comes from outdated animal behavior studies — especially the myth behind “alpha wolves,” which has been debunked many times.

What Does Alpha Male Mean Today?

The meaning of alpha male continues to evolve. In the age of emotional intelligence, empathy, and teamwork, being “alpha” has little to do with intimidation anymore.

True leaders are now:

• Emotionally available
• Respectful of boundaries
• Open to collaborative efforts, not dominance

Are Alpha Males Born or Made?

One of the greatest debates is: Are alpha males born or made? Are some men naturally dominant? Or is that behavior learned?

Here is the real answer: It is both. Genetics may lead to being more confident and/or having a naturally more dominant temperament, but the environment, upbringing, and mindset are equally or more significant.

How to be an Alpha Male (without the cringing)

If you are looking for how to be an alpha male, you will be pleased to know, it doesn’t require being egotistical or aggressive.

Try this instead:

• Be confident, not arrogant
• Lead from the front
• Listen more than you talk
• Be benevolent, not a dictator

In this version of “alpha” it is much less about dominating and more about having true influence because you are being authentic.

What Percentage of Men are Alpha Males?

There is no hard science on this, but if we had to take a stab at it, perhaps, 5%-10% of men fit the traditional “alpha” description.

With that in mind, comes the better question: Does it even matter anymore to be an alpha? In 2025, most people talking about what they admire, admire emotional maturity over forced strength.

What Kind of Woman Does an Alpha Male Like?
Alpha males are frequently depicted as wanting submissive females, that’s a thing of the past. Many of the current “alpha” men, instead, are attracted to self-assured, self-aware women who can hold their own intellectually and who bring their own confidence to the interaction.

Where Is Alpha Males Filmed? (Yes, the Show)

For all you Netflix heads out there. Firstly, “Alpha Males” is originally a Spanish comedy series, a revival of Machos Alfa, filmed mainly in Madrid, Spain.
Its clever depiction of traditional masculinity, and the way men will adapt to what is now predominantly a feminist world, can add additional nuance to the alpha male discussion in the real world.

Am I an Alpha Male? (The Actual Quiz Culture)

If you’ve ever Googled “am I an alpha male quiz”, we know you are not alone. These “quizzes” have gone viral on social media, but please analyze them with a healthy amount of skepticism.

Instead of wanting to identify or label your behavior as an alpha, beta or sigma male, how about asking:

• Am I confident in myself?
• Do I lead by integrity?

Are Alpha Males Toxic?

Not necessarily. However, the label has been appropriated by internet personalities propagating the toxic traits of aggression, entitlement, and emotional unavailability. A truly alpha male should seek to:

• Respect others
• Be emotionally intelligent
• Supporting growth in others, not dominate them

Sigma Males vs. Alpha Males: Who’s Really winning.

The sigma male is a type of man that’s known as the lone wolf, the quiet and independent guy who does not seek to dominate the social hierarchy. Members of Gen Z especially identify with this type of man, regarding him as more authentic and evolved in their pursuit of human development.

Does this mean sigma males are better than alpha males? Not really. Alpha male and sigma male are both terrible labels, but they illustrate how masculinity is evolving in real time.

Conclusion

Somewhere along the line, the whole idea of “alpha male” has devolved into more of an internet joke than actual advice. What may have once been received as insight into strength, confidence, and masculinity is today seen by many as already out of date, shallow, or just plain cringe-y.

It is important to recognize that social media has helped to popularize the term “alpha male”, but it has also shined a light on how ridiculous it is.

Being strong is not synonymous with projecting dominance. Today, being strong is about being self-aware, kind, confident, and emotionally intelligent.

So more than asking, “Am I an alpha male?” Perhaps we should ask: “Am I being the best version of myself?”

Read about: Stan Culture in 2025: Healthy Community or Toxic Obsession