Backhand Index Pointing Right vs Backhand Index Pointing Up: Medium-dark Skin Tone

👆🏾 officially represents a backhand index pointing upward with a medium-dark skin tone modifier, used to indicate 'up' or draw attention above; 👉 points to the right, used to direct attention sideways or toward something adjacent.

👆🏾 is used by Gen Z to hype something up, call attention to a point, or emphasize 'this right here'; 👉 is used to tag someone, point at a statement, or introduce a call-to-action like 'click the link.'

👆🏾 carries an assertive, emphatic energy — like saying 'THAT' or 'listen up'; 👉 feels more casual and nudging, like a gentle redirect or a playful poke.

In dating contexts, 👆🏾 can signal 'I want that' or emphasize a bold statement flirtatiously; 👉 is often used in flirty DMs to point at yourself or a suggestion, like '👉👈' which signals shy or nervous energy.

👆🏾 is used in memes to highlight a specific comment or reaction, often paired with 'this person gets it'; 👉 is iconic in the '👉👈' shy meme format and is widely used to point at relatable content or tag someone in a post.

On TikTok, 👆🏾 appears in comment sections to boost a comment or direct viewers to a pinned post; 👉 is used in video overlays and captions to point toward links, duets, or side-by-side reactions.

On WhatsApp, 👆🏾 is used to reference something said earlier in a chat or to emphasize a point; 👉 is commonly used to redirect someone to a link, forward a message direction, or tag someone playfully.