I get what you mean. I’m always put off whenever I hear about that alpha omega bs, it’s just heteronormative and lowkey misogynistic to me. I feel like since the majority of the fanbase is women, they like seeing a relationship with fixed traits and dynamics that they can relate to? And then adding the animalistic part with the pheromones and everything, maybe they find that interesting? I don’t really know. I also don’t like guideverse but I’ll take it over omegaverse any day.
Also about the second thing you mentioned, agreed!! I cannot stand it when something I like is popular or well-known, it just feels icky to me to like it then. It’s as if it isn’t something personal anymore, so I despise popularized media. Also something becoming mainstream means that the fanbase will be much bigger which just isn’t fun anymore
I like guideverse more mainly because I love an action romance with a power couple. Im okay-ish with omegaverse but its kind of a "junk food" option for me. I've read some great ones but it's not usually my first option when im trying to find something im in the mood to read. I prefer a non-standard pair (alpha x alpha, buff omega, etc)
Unsurprisingly, Turning is my favorite omegaverse

Do you prefer guideverse or omegaverse?
Me personally I prefer guideverse. I never really understood why omegaverse is popular.. maybe because of mpreg? But it's idkkk it's been so fetishized that I honestly get disgusted whenever I see or hear about it. Maybe because guideverse is less popular that it hasn't actually gotten any big media attention like how omegaverse had.
Like how people make TikTok videos about mpreg that it makes it gross..? I don't know how to explain it it's like how people make memes of femboys that they're starting to look gross because of how much the internet fetishize or jokes about it