The 'If You Look Like This, DM Me' meme first gained traction on Twitter around 2018 as a way for users to signal their attraction to specific aesthetics, often featuring 'alt' or 'goth' fashion styles. However, the format quickly evolved into a vehicle for post-ironic humor, where users would pair the caption with increasingly absurd images of monsters, cartoon characters, or inanimate objects. Its longevity stems from its versatility, allowing it to function as both a genuine expression of preference and a satirical commentary on internet dating culture and 'thirst-posting.' Today, it remains a staple for niche communities to share inside jokes about their supposedly 'ideal' type.