The slang term “gatekeep” refers to the act of restricting knowledge, resources, or opportunities from others, often to maintain exclusivity or superiority. A person who gatekeeps may deliberately refuse to share information, skills, or recommendations with others, either out of selfishness, elitism, or a desire to keep something “special.”
The term has been widely adopted across social media, online communities, and real-life conversations, especially in relation to fashion, beauty, music, fandoms, and niche internet subcultures. While originally used in academic and media discourse to discuss barriers to access, the word has evolved in pop culture to describe everything from withholding beauty tips to keeping exclusive clubs and hobbies private.
Synonyms
- Hoard
- Keep to oneself
- Withhold
- Exclude
- Block access
Sentences
- I asked her where she got her perfume, and she totally gatekept it!
- Music fans love to gatekeep underground artists to keep them from going mainstream.
- Stop gatekeeping that restaurant! Let us in on the secret.
- He gatekept all the good coding resources so we wouldn’t catch up to his skills.
- She finally stopped gatekeeping her workout routine and shared it on Instagram.
Origin
The concept of gatekeeping has existed for decades, but the word itself comes from media studies and sociology. Traditionally, gatekeeping referred to how institutions, journalists, and editors controlled access to information, deciding what the public could and could not see.
In online culture, however, gatekeep evolved into a slang term, particularly among Gen Z and Millennials, to describe individuals who withhold knowledge or access to something desirable. The phrase became especially popular on TikTok, Twitter (X), and Instagram, where users often call out “gatekeepers” for not sharing recommendations on fashion, beauty products, music, or even career advice.
A notable phrase that emerged alongside this slang is “gaslight, gatekeep, girlboss,” a satirical spin on corporate feminism, mocking the idea of success at the expense of others.
Collocations
- Gatekeeping information (She’s totally gatekeeping the best job-hunting websites.)
- Gatekeeping knowledge (Why are they gatekeeping all the good study hacks?)
- Gatekeeping a trend (That influencer is lowkey gatekeeping her fashion finds!)
- Gatekeeping a location (Stop gatekeeping the best coffee shop in town!)
- Gatekeeping hobbies (Some gamers love gatekeeping their community from newcomers.)
How to Use in Everyday Language
The term “gatekeep” is commonly used in casual conversations, internet debates, and social media discussions. It can be applied in both serious and lighthearted contexts, from gatekeeping career advice to withholding skincare secrets.
For example, instead of saying:
“She won’t tell me where she got her dress because she wants to be the only one wearing it.”
You would say:
“She’s totally gatekeeping that dress!”
You might also see people calling out gatekeepers online, with comments like:
- “Bestie, stop gatekeeping, drop the link!”
- “Why is everyone gatekeeping this trend?”
- “No gatekeeping here—I got my earrings from this store!”
On the flip side, some people embrace gatekeeping and jokingly refuse to share their finds:
- “Not me gatekeeping this recipe because I want all the compliments!”
- “Sorry, I have to gatekeep this perfume. Can’t have everyone smelling like me!”
How Is This Relevant Today?
Gatekeeping is a huge topic in internet culture, particularly in consumer trends, influencer marketing, and online communities. The rise of social media influencers has led to discussions about whether they should share everything or keep some things exclusive.
For example:
- Beauty & Fashion: Some influencers gatekeep their favorite products to maintain a unique aesthetic or avoid items selling out. Others argue for full transparency, making phrases like “no gatekeeping” popular in content captions.
- Music & Fandoms: Some music fans gatekeep underground artists, fearing that mainstream popularity will change their sound. This is especially common in indie, rap, and alternative music communities.
- Gaming & Hobbies: Gatekeeping in gaming and nerd culture has been criticized for making certain spaces unwelcoming to newcomers, particularly women and minorities.
- Career & Education: Professionals sometimes gatekeep job opportunities, networking tips, or insider knowledge, making it harder for new talent to break into industries.
At the same time, “gatekeep” is often used humorously, with people joking about protecting their favorite things from overexposure. For instance:
- “I should’ve gatekept that Netflix show. Now everyone is talking about it!”
- “I gatekeep my favorite restaurant because I don’t want it to get too crowded.”
With internet trends moving fast, the debate over when to gatekeep and when to share continues. While some believe in keeping things special and exclusive, others push for openness and inclusivity, ensuring that knowledge, trends, and opportunities are accessible to all.
