FAQ & Glossary

To enhance your understanding of social media marketing terminology, you may review the following list of popular social media glossary terms.

A

A/B testing A/B testing is a method used to compare two versions of a digital item to determine which one performs better. This process involves testing different social media posts, web pages, or advertisements. It operates like a mini-experiment where version A is shown to one group of people and version B is shown to another.

Access group An access group is a mechanism used to control the permissions of individuals within a social media tool or a shared workspace.

Accountant On social media, the term “accountant” is slang for individuals who create adult content online. It does not refer to someone who manages finances.

Ad An ad in social media is a promotional post that is paid for and designed to target a specific audience. These ads appear mixed in with regular content as users scroll through their feed.

Ad set An ad set is a specific level within a social media ad campaign that allows you to control the parameters of how, when, and to whom your ads are run.

Ads Manager Ads Manager is the dedicated tool utilized to create, manage, and track paid advertisements on social media platforms. It functions as the command hub for ad campaigns.

Advertising Advertising occurs when a business pays to display a message—which may be a short video, image, or text—intended to capture attention regarding a product, service, brand, or concept.

Aesthetic A social media aesthetic is the consistent application of design elements that shape a brand’s visual identity.

Affiliate marketing Affiliate marketing is a performance-based marketing strategy. In this model, you (the affiliate) promote the product or service of another party using a unique link.

Alerts Alerts are notifications that appear when notable activity occurs on social media, such as a mention, comment, new follower, or competitor activity.

Algorithm An algorithm is fundamentally a set of rules—sometimes involving complex mathematics—used by platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X to determine the content that appears in your feed.

Algospeak Algospeak consists of alternative terms employed by creators to bypass social platform algorithms and avoid content censorship.

Alt text Alt text, or alternative text, is a brief description of an image added to digital content, including social media posts. Its purpose is to help people who cannot view the image—such as those utilizing screen readers—understand its content.

AMA AMA stands for “Ask Me Anything”. This is a popular Q&A format that originated on Reddit and has since expanded to other social media platforms.

API An API, or Application Programming Interface, is essentially a set of rules that enables different pieces of software to communicate with each other.

Archiving Archiving is the process of saving social media posts privately. This process differs from deleting and is considered essential for content curation.

Artificial intelligence (AI) AI stands for Artificial Intelligence, which is a way of describing computers designed to learn and think similarly to humans.

Augmented reality (AR) Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that integrates digital content—such as images, sounds, animations, or data—into your view of the real world.

Avatar An avatar is your digital representation online. It is the image or character displayed next to your name on social media, forums, chats, and within virtual worlds.

Average response time Average response time is the amount of time a brand takes to respond to customer messages on social media. Specifically, it is the average duration between when customers send inquiries and when the brand replies.

B

B/c (because) “B/c” is a common shorthand used for “because” in text messaging and social media. It is often used in casual online conversations to quickly provide context or explain reasons.

B2B B2B stands for business-to-business. This term simply means one business selling products or services to another business.

B2C B2C stands for business-to-consumer. This refers to companies that sell products or services directly to everyday individuals, rather than to other businesses.

BeReal BeReal is a social media application designed to encourage users to share authentic, unfiltered moments of their daily lives. Once per day, at a randomized time, the app sends a simultaneous notification to all users, prompting them to share and capture a photo within a two-minute timeframe.

BFR BFR stands for “Be For Real”. It is an informal, friendly shorthand used on social media to express surprise, disbelief, or to encourage honesty.

Binge-watching Binge-watching refers to the ability to watch an entire season of a show in a single day, rather than waiting a week for subsequent episodes.

Bitmoji A Bitmoji is your personalized emoji, presented as a cartoon version of you. It offers a fun way to express yourself in messages and on social media.

Blockchain Blockchain can be described as a shared, digital notebook that is stored across multiple computers instead of being confined to just one.

Blocking Blocking on social media is the act of preventing a specific person from interacting with or viewing your content.

Blog A blog is a website that is updated regularly and used to share content or insights.

Blogger A blogger is an individual who manages and writes a blog. This is essentially a niche-focused or personal website where they publish content such as advice, opinions, stories, or articles.

Blue checkmark A blue checkmark is a symbol employed on social media platforms to verify the authenticity of an account.

Bluesky Bluesky is a new decentralized social media platform, similar to X (formerly Twitter), that aims to provide users with greater control over their data.

BoardReader BoardReader is a valuable tool for researchers, marketers, and anyone interested in exploring user-generated discussions across the internet.

BoFu (bottom of the funnel) BoFu, or bottom of funnel, represents the final stage within your social media marketing funnel. At this stage, leads are closest to making a purchase decision.

Boolean search Boolean search is a powerful method for social media efforts. By refining searches using operators like AND, OR, and NOT, you can filter through the noise to find precisely what you are seeking.

Boosted post A boosted post is a standard social media update—such as a photo, status, or video—for which you pay to share with a larger audience beyond your existing followers.

Bots Social media bots are designed to automatically perform actions like posting content, liking and sharing posts, and even engaging in chats with people. These bots can be both helpful and problematic.

Brand Your brand includes how people perceive and think about you or your business. It encompasses your logo, colors, and the communication style used with your followers.

Brand advocate A brand advocate is an individual who loves your brand and actively promotes it to others. They are loyal fans who spread the message without receiving payment.

Brand ambassador A brand ambassador is someone who promotes a product or company on social media, frequently generating excitement and building trust among their followers.

Brand authenticity Brand authenticity means that your brand is perceived as trustworthy, genuine, and real. It requires being honest and consistent in your actions, messaging, and statements.

Brand awareness Brand awareness is defined by how well you recognize a company’s identity, which is rooted in recognizing the brand’s name, logo, or products.

Brand partnership Brand partnerships often involve collaborations on social media campaigns or product development. This method allows brands to combine efforts to create something unique.

Brand persona Brand persona relates to the style and character your brand adopts when talking, acting, and connecting with people both on and off social media.

Brand reputation Brand reputation is the cumulative view of what the public, partners, and customers think of you. This reputation is derived from their opinions, experiences, and information they hear about you.

Brand style guide A brand style guide (also known as a brand book or brand guide) is an easily shareable, centralized handbook that dictates how your brand should be presented in any form.

Brand voice Brand voice helps ensure consistency and differentiation from competitors. It ensures that your emails, social posts, and advertisements maintain a unified sound.

Branding Branding is the process of deliberately shaping your company’s identity—including how you look, act, and sound—so that people immediately recognize and connect with you.

Brick and mortar “Brick and mortar” refers to businesses that operate from a physical location, such as stores, offices, or restaurants, where people can make purchases, browse, and visit in person.

Business objective A business objective is a measurable, specific target that guides a company’s strategy. These goals should be aligned with your social media efforts.

Buyer persona A buyer persona is a semi-fictional profile representing your ideal customer. This profile is constructed using research and real data, often collected from analytics, surveys, or interviews.

Buyer’s journey The buyer’s journey is the trajectory an individual takes, starting from the moment they realize they need something, all the way through selecting and purchasing it.

C

CAC (customer acquisition cost) CAC stands for Customer Acquisition Cost. In simple terms, it is the total expenditure—covering teams, tools, ads, and more—required to acquire a single new customer.

Call center A call center is a dedicated team (which may be remote or centralized) responsible for handling a large volume of voice calls, both outgoing and incoming, for services such as sales or customer support.

Call to action (CTA) A call to action (CTA) is a prompt that encourages you to perform a specific action on social media. It is a crucial element of ads and posts, designed to motivate engagement.

Canva Canva is a user-friendly graphic design platform that assists in the creation of compelling visuals for social media.

CapCut CapCut is a user-friendly video editing tool created by ByteDance (the company behind TikTok). It allows for easy video editing on a computer or phone.

Caption A caption is the written text that accompanies any visual content on social media, such as a video, photo, Reel, or other visual post.

Carousel A carousel post is a social media format that permits the sharing of multiple videos or photos in one post. Users can swipe or click through the slides to view the additional content.

Carousel ads Carousel ads enable the presentation of multiple visuals within a single advertisement. Brands use these ads effectively to generate conversions and capture attention.

Cashtag A cashtag is simply a dollar sign ($) placed before a cryptocurrency or stock ticker, such as $Bitcoin or $Apple.

Celebrity influencer A celebrity influencer is a famous individual, typically with millions of followers, who utilizes their popularity on social media to influence people’s choices.

CEO A CEO is the highest executive within a company. They are responsible for making major decisions, managing operations, setting goals, and steering the business.

CFBR CFBR stands for Commenting for Better Reach. This is an engagement tactic used on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, where creators urge others to post a comment (often just “CFBR”) to boost the post’s visibility due to how social media algorithms function.

Channel art Channel art is the banner image located at the top of your YouTube channel. It is an important branding instrument that shapes the first impression viewers receive.

Channel trailer A channel trailer is a brief video on YouTube designed to welcome new visitors to your channel.

Character limit A character limit is the maximum permissible number of symbols, spaces, numbers, and letters in a single element or social media post.

Chat Chat, also referred to as private messaging or messaging, is the practice of real-time, text-based conversation between two or more individuals on messaging applications or social media.

Chatbot A chatbot is a software program that simulates conversations with users on social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp.

ChatGPT ChatGPT is a type of AI chatbot developed by OpenAI that communicates with users using natural, human-like language. Its name is an acronym for “Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer”.

Check-in A check-in is a social media function that permits you to share your current location with your followers. It serves as a way to inform people about your current activities and whereabouts.

Chronically online Being chronically online describes individuals who spend excessive time on the internet. It signifies a continuous state of being connected, which influences how one acts and thinks.

Churn rate Churn rate is the percentage of users who discontinue using your service or product within a specific period. On social media platforms, this can indicate users becoming inactive or deleting their accounts.

Clapback A clapback is a sharp, often humorous, response delivered in answer to criticism or a negative comment, particularly on social media.

Click-through rate (CTR) CTR, which is short for click-through rate, is a metric used to measure audience engagement.

Clickbait Clickbait refers to misleading content designed specifically to obtain clicks.

Close Friends Close Friends is analogous to a VIP list for your Instagram content. You have the ability to add or remove friends from this private list whenever you choose.

Clout Clout represents your power and influence on social media. It signifies the degree of sway you possess online. Individuals with clout can shape opinions and trends.

Co-marketing Co-marketing occurs when two or more brands collaborate to promote each other’s content, services, or products.

Coded “Coded” is a slang term seen on platforms like Instagram, Twitter (X), and TikTok. It is used when someone or something conveys traits, characteristics, styles, or vibes that are reminiscent of a specific aesthetic, stereotype, or character.

Collective intelligence Collective intelligence is the shared or group intelligence that emerges when numerous people collaborate, share knowledge, and sometimes compete to make decisions or solve problems together.

Command center In social media, a command center (also called a “war room” or “social media command center”) acts as your central location for monitoring online conversations in real time.

Comment A comment is a public response or message left on a social media post. This response can take the form of an emoji, text, praise, question, feedback, or even disagreement.

Community management Community management involves building relationships within online communities. It helps brands effectively manage online interactions and foster loyalty.

Community manager A community manager is the individual responsible for building and overseeing a brand’s online community. They serve as the friendly voice or face connecting people to your brand.

Company profile A company profile provides a summary that communicates who you are, what you do, and your significance. It can be viewed as your business’s elevator pitch in written form.

Connection A connection is someone you (or your brand) are linked with on social media, such as a professional contact, follower, or friend within that platform’s network.

Consumer intelligence Consumer intelligence refers to the process of analyzing and gathering real-world data about consumers. This provides businesses with meaningful insights into their opinions, needs, and behaviors.

Content Content refers to any item shared online—including social media posts, blogs, images, videos, or podcasts—that is created by brands or individuals to inform, engage, and connect with audiences.

Content calendar A content calendar is a schedule that maps out the timing and specifics of your social media posts. It functions as a roadmap for your online presence, detailing the platform, time, date, and specifics (like images, captions, or hashtags) for each content piece.

Content creator Content creators are individuals who produce digital content for purposes such as informing, entertaining, and inspiring.

Content curation Content curation is the process of finding, organizing, and sharing valuable content from various sources to engage your target audience.

Content marketing Content marketing is a strategy used to connect with your audience online. It involves sharing and creating content that your target audience will find interesting or useful.

Content moderation Content moderation is the process of monitoring online posts—including comments, videos, and images—to ensure they comply with legal standards and platform rules.

Content pillars Content pillars are the primary topic areas or core themes around which your social media content strategy is constructed.

Conversational AI Conversational AI refers to technologies—such as virtual assistants or chatbots—that allow computers to converse with people using natural language, through either voice or text.

Conversational commerce Conversational commerce occurs when shopping transactions take place via conversation, such as chatting with a brand’s virtual assistant or texting a chatbot on WhatsApp.

Conversion rate Conversion rate is the percentage of users who successfully complete a desired action after interacting with your marketing campaigns or social media content.

Conversion tracking Conversion tracking is a method used to observe the outcomes after someone interacts with your social media content or advertisements.

Cost per click (CPC) Cost Per Click (CPC) is the fee paid each time an individual clicks on one of your ads.

Cost per lead (CPL) Cost per lead (CPL) is a critical metric in social media marketing that indicates the cost incurred to acquire each potential new customer. To calculate CPL, you divide the total ad spend by the total number of leads obtained.

Cost per mille (CPM) CPM stands for Cost Per Mille, which literally means cost per thousand impressions. It reports the amount you pay every time your advertisement is displayed 1,000 times.

Cover photo A cover photo is the large banner image displayed at the top of a social media profile. It is vital for first impressions and branding.

Creative Commons Creative Commons is a non-profit entity that provides creators with free licenses, enabling them to share their work globally.

Creator economy The creator economy is a new approach that allows individuals to generate income online. It is focused on being compensated for creating content on social media platforms.

Creator marketplace A creator marketplace is an online platform that serves as a centralized location connecting content creators and brands.

Cringe “Cringe” is internet slang describing a feeling of second-hand embarrassment. When you witness something awkward, over-the-top, or out-of-touch, you may physically want to look away.

Crisis management Crisis management is the methodology for handling unexpected situations or events that pose a threat to your brand’s reputation, especially on social media.

Crispy Rs Crispy Rs is a distinctive way some individuals pronounce the letter “R,” characterized by a slightly stretched, curled, and sharp sound—such as pronouncing “car” with added emphasis on the R.

Cross-channel marketing Cross-channel marketing involves utilizing multiple communication channels together, rather than separately. These channels may include email, social media, SMS, mobile apps, or even in-store messaging.

Cross-posting Cross-posting is a social media tactic where the same content is shared across multiple platforms. This method is a time-saving technique that expands reach without requiring additional work.

Cross-promotion Cross-promotion occurs when two or more social media profiles, creators, or brands support one another by promoting each other to their respective audiences.

Crowdsourcing Crowdsourcing is the act of engaging a large group of people—frequently online—to assist with sharing ideas, tasks, solving problems, or creating content.

CSAT CSAT stands for Customer Satisfaction Score. It provides a fast, simple method for measuring how satisfied customers are with a specific service, product, or interaction.

Customer advocacy Customer advocacy is characterized by a company making decisions that genuinely benefit its customers, even if those choices do not maximize short-term profit.

Customer reviews Customer reviews consist of feedback provided by individuals who have used your product or service. They typically include comments about their experience and star ratings.

D

Dark post A dark post is a targeted social media advertisement that is not visible on your public feed. Marketers use these to conduct discreet, effective campaigns.

Dark social Dark social refers to content sharing through channels that are untraceable and private. This includes sending links via email, messaging apps, or direct messages on social media.

Dashboard A dashboard is crucial for campaign optimization and metric tracking in social media. It simplifies management and boosts engagement.

Data visualization Data visualization is the conversion of numerical data into visual elements. It uses charts and graphs to present social media information, allowing viewers to see things like post likes or follower growth immediately.

Deep linking Deep linking directs a user to specific content within an app, rather than just the main screen. It acts as a shortcut to the desired destination.

Deinfluencing Deinfluencing is a social media trend that reverses conventional influencer marketing. Instead of promoting products, deinfluencers advise followers on what not to purchase.

Demand generation Demand generation (or “demand gen”) is a marketing strategy focused on cultivating interest and awareness in your product or service well before a person is prepared to buy.

Demographics Demographics are the primary characteristics used to describe a group of people. These characteristics encompass factors such as location, income, gender, and age.

Digg Digg is a social news website where users can find and share interesting content from across the internet. It allows the submission of links to other web pages, articles, and videos.

Direct message (DM) A Direct Message is a private form of communication on social media. DMs can be sent to other users without public visibility.

Direct response marketing Direct response marketing is a strategy designed to encourage an immediate action from someone, such as clicking a link, buying, calling, or signing up.

Disappearing content Disappearing content, also called ephemeral content, refers to social media posts that vanish after a predefined duration. These posts, commonly seen on Snapchat, Instagram Stories, and Facebook Stories, typically expire after 24 hours.

Discord Discord is an instant messaging and VoIP (voice over internet protocol) platform that allows users to communicate in real time.

Discover (or Snapchat Discover) Snapchat Discover is a feature that provides fresh content. It is a curated feed where users can explore stories from influencers, brands, and top publishers.

Discovery call A discovery call is a mutual conversation between a potential customer or client and you. It serves as your initial opportunity to understand their challenges and needs.

Disqus Disqus is a widely used comment platform that facilitates engagement in discussions on blogs and websites. It is easy to use and compatible with many sites.

Doomscrolling Doomscrolling is the inability to stop scrolling through negative news on social media. It is the persistent habit of viewing upsetting articles or posts on news sites, Facebook, or Twitter.

Double Tap A double tap is the rapid tapping twice on a social media post (usually a video or image) to indicate appreciation or approval.

Doxxing Doxxing (also spelled “doxing”) occurs when someone publicly discloses your private information, such as your phone number, address, full name, or workplace.

Drag & drop Drag & drop is a convenient feature often used in social media apps. It allows you to move digital items to a new location.

Duet A duet on TikTok is a feature that permits the creation of a split-screen video alongside content from another user. You can build on, harmonize with, or react to someone else’s video in real-time.

E

E-commerce chatbot An e-commerce chatbot is an AI-powered assistant designed for online shopping. It is a smart program that communicates with customers on your social media platforms or website.

E-commerce marketing E-commerce marketing is the method used to promote and sell products on your online store. It focuses on using digital channels—such as email, social media, and search engine optimization (SEO)—to attract customers and increase sales.

Earned media value (EMV) Earned media value (EMV) is a marketing metric that assigns a monetary value to your brand’s non-paid exposure. This includes non-paid publicity, likes, shares, social media mentions, and press coverage.

Ecommerce Ecommerce, short for electronic commerce, refers to the buying and selling of services or goods online.

EdgeRank EdgeRank was the original algorithm used by Facebook to determine the visibility and placement of posts in a user’s News Feed.

Embed An embed allows you to display digital content from another source directly on your own site. You can add things like videos, social media posts, or images to your webpage or blog using a short code snippet. This functionality means visitors can interact with and view the content without having to leave your site.

Emoji Emojis are small icons—such as 😂, 💡 or 👑—that you incorporate into messages, social posts, or texts to quickly convey attitudes, ideas, or emotion.

Employee advocacy Employee advocacy is the practice of sharing and promoting your company on your personal social media accounts. It is a method for spreading information about your workplace using your own connections and voice.

Engagement rate Engagement rate measures the degree to which your audience interacts with your social media content. It is a key metric for evaluating online performance.

Ephemeral content Ephemeral content is social media content that remains available for only a brief period—typically up to 24 hours—before it disappears.

Era An era on social media is a way to describe your current priorities or interests. This has become a popular trend, particularly on TikTok. For instance, being in your “villain era” may imply feeling rebellious or mischievous.

Events Social media events are online gatherings that take place on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. They encompass virtual meetups, webinars, and live streams. These events help brands foster community and connect with their audience.

Evergreen content Evergreen content is material that maintains its relevance and freshness long after publication. Similar to evergreen trees, this content remains useful and interesting to readers over time.

Everything app An everything app is a single mobile application that combines numerous different services. It is comparable to a digital Swiss Army knife, allowing you to perform actions like messaging friends, posting on social media, shopping online, and paying bills all in one place.

Explore Page The Explore page is a central Instagram feature. It is a personalized feed that displays content you might find appealing. It can be accessed by tapping the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the app.

Extra “Extra” on social media is used to describe someone who is dramatic or over-the-top. You might use this term if a friend posts ten similar selfies or writes a long complaint about cold fries.

F

F2F or P2P F2F and P2P are common terms in digital communication and social media. F2F means “face-to-face,” and P2P means “person-to-person”. These acronyms emphasize direct, in-person interactions between individuals.

Facebook (FB) Facebook is a social networking platform that facilitates connections with family, friends, and communities.

Facebook Instant Experiences Facebook Instant Experience is a mobile-focused, full-screen ad format used on Instagram and Facebook.

Fan A fan is someone who is genuinely enthusiastic about something—whether it be a brand, person, show, athlete, hobby, or topic.

Fan girl A fan girl is someone who is extremely passionate about fictional characters, TV shows, or celebrities. This is typically a young woman heavily involved in pop culture. On social media, you might join fan communities, share fan art, or follow your favorites.

Fandom Fandom is a vibrant community of fans who share an intense passion for specific books, TV shows, movies, or celebrities. These passionate groups are dedicated to areas like Harry Potter wizards, K-pop bands, and Marvel superheroes.

Fans Fans on social media are individuals who actively engage with and follow your content or brand. Facebook initially used this term, but it is now applied across various platforms. Fans are routinely found sharing, commenting, and liking your posts.

Featured banner A featured banner is a highly visible graphic, usually located at the top of a page or social media profile, intended to highlight specific content.

Fediverse The fediverse is a network comprised of social platforms that are interconnected and work collaboratively. It resembles many different social media sites communicating with each other, allowing you to share posts and make friends across these various sites.

Feed A feed is your primary stream of content on social media platforms. It is where you see advertisements, videos, and posts from the accounts you follow. Feeds update continuously, displaying the most recent content.

Feels “Feels” is social media slang used for intense feelings or emotions. It is a shortened version of “feelings” often seen in captions or comments. If a post evokes strong emotions, you might say it “hit you in the feels”.

Filter A filter is a digital effect that you can apply to your photo or video before uploading it to social media.

Finsta A finsta is a secret Instagram account. It is short for “fake Instagram” and is created to share more personal content with a limited group of close friends.

Fire On social media, “fire” is slang indicating something is awesome or really cool. When people describe an outfit or a new song as “fire,” they mean it is super impressive. The fire emoji 🔥 is often used similarly.

Flickr Flickr is a social network and photo-sharing platform that launched in 2004. It is intended for creative professionals and photographers. You can edit, upload, and share your videos and photos with a global community.

Focus groups A focus group is a small, guided discussion typically consisting of 6 to 10 people, managed by a moderator.

Follower A follower is someone who chooses to receive your social media content—including updates, posts, stories, or whatever you share—directly into their feed.

Following activity feed A Following activity feed is a stream of updates originating from the pages, groups, or accounts you have opted to follow on social media.

FOMO (fear of missing out) FOMO stands for Fear of Missing Out. It is the uncomfortable feeling experienced when you believe others are participating in something exciting—such as a conversation, trend, or event—and you are excluded.

Forum A forum is an online discussion platform where individuals post questions, share ideas, and respond to one another within organized threads.

FR (for real) FR stands for “for real” in social media language. It is commonly used in online posts and chats to express agreement or sincerity. When someone says “FR,” they are emphasizing that they are being genuine or truthful.

Frequency In digital advertising and social media, frequency refers to the average number of times your content (in an ad, post, or campaign) is viewed by each person in your target audience over a specific time frame.

Friction Friction in social media is anything that impedes your ability to take action or use a platform. It serves as a roadblock that delays or prevents you from accomplishing your goal.

FYP (For You Page) The FYP is a personalized content feed found on popular social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

G

Gatekeeping Gatekeeping involves controlling who gains access to something. On social media, you may observe gatekeeping within niche groups or fan communities.

Gen X Gen X (short for Generation X) refers to the demographic born approximately between 1965 and 1980. They fall between Baby Boomers and Millennials.

Gen Y Gen Y, also known as Millennials, refers to the generation born between the early 1980s and the mid-1990s (typically 1981–1996).

Gen Z Gen Z, short for Generation Z, refers to people born approximately between 1997 and 2012.

Geotag A geotag is geographical data attached to your digital content. It functions as a virtual stamp showing the location where you shared a video, made a post, or took a photo.

Geotargeting Geotargeting is a smart method for reaching individuals based on their location. It involves displaying content or ads specifically to users in designated places.

Ghosting Ghosting is the act of suddenly ceasing all communication with someone on social media without offering any explanation. The action makes the person appear to vanish into thin air, leaving the other individual confused.

GIF A GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is a digital image file commonly encountered on social media. It is a compact format capable of displaying both still pictures and brief, looping animations without sound.

Girlie “Girlie” is a playful slang term used on social media to refer to women or girls. It is sometimes extended to encompass anyone adopting a fun, feminine style.

Giveaway A giveaway is a marketing tactic that involves offering free products or services to your social media followers. It is used to expand your audience and boost engagement. Brands or influencers frequently conduct giveaways on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

Go live “Go live” simply means initiating a live video broadcast on social media. Instead of uploading a pre-recorded video, you select “Go Live” to stream audio and video in real time.

GOAT GOAT stands for “Greatest of All Time”. This acronym is often used on social media to commend exceptional individuals in their respective fields. While most common in sports, it is also applied to other celebrities and musicians.

Google Ads Google Ads (previously Google AdWords) is Google’s advertising system that allows you to pay to display your ads on Google Search, Maps, YouTube, and other locations.

Google Business Profile Google Business Profile is a complimentary tool that assists in managing your business’s online presence on Google Maps and Google Search.

Gram “Gram” is a popular shorthand term for Instagram used in social media language. It offers a casual and quick way to reference the photo-sharing platform.

Grid In social media, a grid structures your profile’s posts into a visually appealing format.

Groups Social media groups are online communities where you can connect with people who share your interests. These groups are found on platforms such as Reddit, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

GRWM GRWM stands for “Get Ready With Me”. This is a popular social media trend where content creators guide viewers through their personal routines.

GUI (graphical user interface) A graphical user interface (GUI) provides a user-friendly means of interacting with your applications and devices. Instead of typing commands, you utilize visual components like menus, buttons, and icons.

H

Hashtag A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by the hash symbol (#). It is used to organize and tag content on social media platforms.

Header image A header image is the large visual banner that sits at the top of your social media profile.

Highkey Highkey is a slang term found on social media. It is the antithesis of lowkey. When utilizing highkey, you are expressing strong emphasis or open enthusiasm.

Home feed A home feed is the main page that appears upon opening a social media application. It is a personalized stream of content curated just for you.

hoo.be hoo.be is an invite-only tool for the link-in-bio function. It is designed for celebrities, creators, brands, and influencers to construct a mini web-page showcasing their content, social links, tips, merch, and media.

Houseparty Houseparty was a popular video chat application launched in 2016 that allowed friends to socialize virtually. It established digital “rooms” for informal group video calls accommodating up to 8 participants.

I

I can’t even “I can’t even” is slang used to denote being overwhelmed—whether due to disbelief, shock, frustration, or joy—to the point of being unable to complete a sentence.

I was today years old “I was today years old” is an enjoyable phrase used to indicate that you have just discovered something new. It is employed when realizing a fact that appears to be common knowledge. You might use this phrase on social media when sharing a surprising discovery.

IB (inspired by) IB stands for “inspired by” on platforms like TikTok. Creators often include it in comments or captions when they wish to acknowledge their source of inspiration.

ICYMI (in case you missed it) ICYMI stands for “in case you missed it”. This acronym is commonly seen in digital conversations or on social media.

IDGI IDGI stands for “I don’t get it”. This acronym is frequently used on social media when someone requires clarification or is confused. It is a quick method of stating that you do not understand a comment, joke, or post.

Image & video recognition Image & video recognition employs AI to interpret visual content. It is akin to providing computers with the ability to see what is contained within a video or picture.

IMHO IMHO stands for “in my honest opinion” or “in my humble opinion”. This acronym is often used in social media posts, text messages, and online conversations.

IMO IMO stands for “in my opinion”. It is a shorthand used in social media posts, comments, or texts to signify that the statement being made is a personal viewpoint, rather than an established fact.

Impressions Impressions are a key social media metric. They quantify how frequently your content is displayed on users’ screens.

Inbound link An inbound link—also known as a backlink—is simply a hyperlink originating from another website that directs traffic to your website.

Inbound marketing Inbound marketing is a method for attracting people to your business by providing interesting, helpful content, instead of interrupting them with cold messages or ads.

Influencer An influencer is an individual capable of shaping your decisions and opinions on social media. They are highly active on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.

Influencer marketing Influencer marketing is a strategy where brands partner with individuals who have a trusted voice and a social media audience within their specific niche.

Infographic An infographic (short for “information graphic”) is a visual instrument that combines icons, images, charts, or diagrams with a minimal amount of text to clearly and quickly explain a concept.

Instagram Instagram is a complimentary social media application owned by Meta that enables the sharing of photos, messages, and short-form videos with others.

Instagram captions Instagram captions are the text descriptions accompanying your videos or photos on Instagram. They can contain up to 2,200 characters and are used to convey context, tell a story, or express emotions. Captions may include hashtags, emojis, and mentions to expand content reach and boost engagement.

Instagram comment An Instagram comment is a response left on another person’s post. It provides a means to share thoughts, chat with others about the content, or ask questions.

Instagram highlight covers Instagram highlight covers are unique icons for stories. They allow you to add personality to your profile with custom designs.

Instagram Notes Instagram Notes are brief text updates that can be shared with your followers. They are displayed at the top of your Direct Messages inbox.

Instagram Pod An Instagram pod is a collaborative group of users who work together to enhance each other’s posts. You join a pod with other Instagram accounts operating within your niche.

Instagram Reels Instagram Reels are a short-form video feature that allows users to produce videos up to 90 seconds in length, complete with effects and music.

Instagram Shops Instagram Shops is a feature that permits businesses to sell products directly within the application, functioning as a virtual store located on Instagram.

Instant messaging (IM) Instant messaging (IM) is a real-time communication instrument that allows users to send and receive files, multimedia, or text messages over the internet via social platforms or apps.

ION (in other news) ION is an internet acronym for “In Other News”. It is often encountered in chats or on social media when someone wishes to change the subject and introduce something new or unrelated to the current topic.

IRL IRL stands for “In Real Life”. It is a useful acronym used to discuss events taking place in the physical world.

ISO (in search of) ISO stands for “in search of” on social media platforms. It is frequently seen in posts when an individual is seeking something specific.

It’s giving “It’s giving” is a social media slang phrase used to convey that something emanates a specific feeling or vibe. It is essentially shorthand for “this feels like…” or “this reminds me of…”.

IYKYK IYKYK stands for “If You Know, You Know”. It is a shorthand term used in captions, texting, or social media to allude to something that is only understood by those who are already privy to the information.

J

JOMO (joy of missing out) JOMO stands for Joy of Missing Out. It is the pleasant, straightforward feeling you experience when you intentionally forgo an activity, preferring to do something else that is personally fulfilling.

JPG A JPG (or JPEG) is a commonly used image format on social media. The name stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group, the team responsible for its creation.

K

Karen “Karen” is internet slang for a stereotype, usually depicting an entitled or demanding middle-aged white woman—often characterized by asking to “speak to the manager”.

Key performance indicator (KPI) A KPI in social media is a measurable value that demonstrates your progress toward meeting your goals. It aids in tracking progress and making informed decisions for your social media strategy.

Keywords Keywords in social media are phrases or words that make your content discoverable and relevant to the appropriate people.

Kik Kik is a free instant messaging application launched in 2010. It is unique in its focus on username-based chatting, eliminating the need for a phone number; instead, communication relies on unique usernames.

L

L (loss) “L” is shorthand for “loss”. It is internet slang used when something fails, results in defeat, or does not proceed as hoped.

Landing page A landing page is a singular, focused web page where people “land” after clicking a link, such as in a search result, email, social post, or ad. It is designed with one distinct objective: to prompt you to take a specific action, like signing up, buying, or downloading, without distraction.

Lead A lead is an individual who has demonstrated interest in your brand. This interest can be shown by following you on social media, downloading an offer, clicking your ad, or providing their email.

Lead generation Lead generation is centered on initiating conversations with people who might be interested in your offering, and converting that interest into genuine connections.

Lead magnet A lead magnet is a free item—such as a template, quiz, checklist, or guide—that you provide in exchange for someone’s contact information, typically their email.

Like A “like” is a fast method of indicating agreement with or enjoyment of content on social media. It is a simple click that allows interaction without needing to type a comment.

Like farm A like farm is a technique employed on social media to artificially increase engagement through the use of bots or fake accounts.

Link building Link building is the process of acquiring hyperlinks (known as backlinks) from other websites that direct back to your own.

Link in bio ‘Link in bio’ refers to the clickable URL that you can place in your social media profile. It serves as a means to share crucial content with your followers.

LinkedIn LinkedIn is a professional social media platform established to help people build business connections and careers in one place.

LinkedIn Pulse LinkedIn Pulse is LinkedIn’s integrated platform for discovering and publishing long-form content, news, and industry insights directly within the LinkedIn feed.

LinkedIn Recommendation LinkedIn recommendations are written, personalized testimonials from your professional contacts. They are comparable to mini-reference letters.

LinkedInfluencer A LinkedInfluencer is a thought leader on LinkedIn who shares valuable professional content and initiates genuine conversations.

Listicle A listicle is a type of article that structures information into a list format. This format, often using bulleted or numbered points, makes content easily readable and shareable.

Live streaming Live streaming is the broadcasting of video over the internet in real time. It is similar to sharing a live video chat with multiple people simultaneously. You can view live streams on social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

LMR LMR stands for “Like My Recent”. It is a shorthand used across platforms—including Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram—to give followers a friendly prompt.

Locket Locket is a photo-sharing application that displays your friends’ pictures directly on your home screen. You add phone contacts, then use the app to send and snap photos. Your pictures instantly appear in a widget on your friends’ screens.

Logo A logo is a key element of your online identity, enabling immediate recognition. On platforms like Twitter and Facebook, your logo frequently acts as your profile picture.

Lookalike audience A lookalike audience is a collection of new individuals who share specific traits—such as behaviors, demographics, or interests—with your existing customers or audience.

Loop When a looping video concludes, it immediately restarts. Loops are visible on platforms such as Instagram Reels and TikTok.

Lurker A lurker is someone who participates in online communities or follows social media feeds but does not actively engage. They do not share, comment, reply, or like content.

M

Machine learning Machine learning is a method of instructing computers to learn from data without explicit programming.

Macro influencer A macro influencer is a social media star with a substantial following, typically ranging from 100,000 to 1,000,000 followers, on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram.

Market research Market research is the process of understanding and gathering information about potential customers and the products or services they are interested in.

Marketing automation Marketing automation refers to software and tools that manage repetitive marketing tasks automatically.

Marketing funnel A marketing funnel visualizes the customer’s journey, from first becoming aware of your brand to eventually becoming a loyal customer.

Marketing proposal A marketing proposal outlines strategies designed to achieve client success.

Mashup A mashup is a creative blend of content—including data, audio, video, text, or images—sourced from two or more origins and combined into something new.

Mastodon Mastodon allows users to follow others, share photos, and post short messages, similar to Twitter. However, Mastodon offers individuals greater control over their experience.

Media kit A media kit functions as a professional calling card for brands or creators. These kits frequently contain essential statistics, such as audience demographics, engagement rates, and follower counts.

Mega influencer A mega influencer is an individual on social media who possesses a massive following, typically exceeding 1 million followers across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, YouTube, or Instagram.

Meme A meme is digital content, usually humorous, that spreads rapidly online.

Mention A mention in social media is when you tag or reference someone—a brand, another person, or a topic—directly within your post. Most platforms signify this using the “@” symbol followed by a username.

Messenger Messenger is a messaging application developed by Meta (formerly Facebook). It is a dedicated app that facilitates chatting with businesses, family, and friends.

Metaverse The metaverse is a 3D virtual environment where users interact in real time using avatars (digital “you” characters) and navigate shared environments.

Metric Metrics are values that measure the performance of your social media content. Tracking the appropriate metrics helps boost ROI and improve strategy.

Micro-influencer A micro-influencer is a social media user with a following typically between 10,000 and 100,000 followers.

Microblogging Microblogging is the practice of sharing short, succinct updates online, such as status posts, micro-posts, or short messages.

Mid-roll A mid-roll ad is a commercial played in the middle of an audio clip or video. It acts as a small ad break while you are listening to a podcast or watching a longer video.

Milkshake app Milkshake allows you to quickly build a simple website without requiring design skills. This tool enables you to share more information about your brand, work, or yourself beyond a single link.

Millennial pause The millennial pause originates from older video recording customs. It is noticeable when a millennial creator briefly pauses to ensure their video is actively recording before they begin speaking.

Monetization Monetization is the procedure of transforming your social media presence into a source of income.

Moots When two users follow each other, they are referred to as “moots”. This suggests a friendly online connection and a two-way relationship.

MT (modified tweet) When you encounter MT, it signifies that the tweet is not an exact duplication of the original. Using MT is considered polite if you have altered someone’s words, showing respect for the original tweeter and preventing confusion.

Multi-channel attribution Multi-channel attribution is the method of assigning and analyzing credit to the various marketing channels that contribute to a conversion, such as a sign-up or purchase.

Multilingual sentiment analysis Multilingual sentiment analysis is a process utilizing machine learning and AI to determine whether social media comments, posts, or reviews are positive, neutral, or negative.

Mute Mute is a useful feature that allows you to conceal posts from specific accounts without unfollowing them. When an account is muted, you continue to follow them but will not see their content.

N

Named entity recognition (NER) NER (Named Entity Recognition) is an AI-powered Natural Language Processing (NLP) method that scans text, such as posts or comments, to categorize and detect proper names.

Nano-influencer Nano-influencers have small, dedicated audiences that trust their content. They are considered essential for authentic brand partnerships.

Native advertising Native advertising is a form of paid content designed to integrate seamlessly with the platform you are using. This can be within search results, an article page, or your social feed.

Natural Language Processing (NLP) Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a branch of artificial intelligence that enables computers to interpret, understand, and even generate human language.

Net promoter score (NPS) NPS stands for Net Promoter Score. It is a simple measurement used to determine how satisfied and loyal your customers are.

Newsfeed A newsfeed is your primary destination on social media where updates from the topics, pages, or people you follow appear in a single, continuously scrollable stream.

New Media Agency Agencies focus on creating and implementing strategies that leverage online channels to help businesses grow their brand, reach target audiences, and achieve their marketing goals. 

Newsjacking Newsjacking is a strategy where you leverage trending news stories to increase your brand’s visibility. It involves jumping onto popular topics and adding your unique perspective.

Newsletter A newsletter is a regular digital update or email distributed to individuals who have elected to receive it. It generally appears in someone’s inbox, keeping them informed about a brand, community, or topic.

Niche A niche is a specific segment within a broader market that you target with your products or social media content. It is a group of people who share common characteristics, needs, or interests.

Niche marketing Niche marketing focuses your efforts on a small, defined group of people, rather than attempting to satisfy everyone.

Non-fungible token (NFT) A non-fungible token (NFT) is a unique digital asset secured by blockchain.

noplace noplace is a new social media application launched in 2024 that maintains simplicity by offering text-only posts, excluding videos or photos.

Nostalgia marketing Nostalgia marketing is a strategy that uses familiar elements from the past to create an emotional connection with the audience.

Not me When someone posts “Not me doing [something embarrassing],” they are actually admitting to having done that specific thing. It is used to express self-deprecating humor, surprise, or agreement.

Notification A notification is an alert sent by a social media platform when a relevant event occurs, such as someone sending a message, mentioning you, or liking your post.

NPC On social media, calling someone an NPC means they are acting like a scripted character: unoriginal, predictable, and not truly thinking for themselves.

O

Omnichannel Omnichannel is a strategy where a brand unifies all possible methods of engagement—including social media, online presence, in-store experience, and mobile apps—to create one fluid experience.

On-page SEO On-page SEO (sometimes written “on-site SEO”) is dedicated to improving each webpage so that both search engines and people comprehend its subject matter.

OOMF “OOMF” is shorthand on social media for “one of my followers,” and occasionally for “one of my friends”.

OP (original poster) OP is a shorthand term frequently seen in internet conversations. It stands for Original Poster, referring to the person who initiated a post or thread.

Open Graph Open Graph is a protocol developed by Facebook to improve the shareability of web content on social media.

Opp (opponent or opposition) “Opp” is slang for “opposition” or “opponent,” referring to someone on the opposing side or against you.

Organic marketing Organic marketing refers to the methods employed to promote your content or brand without utilizing paid advertisements.

Organic reach Organic reach is the quantity of unique users who view your content on social media without the use of paid promotion. This differs from paid reach, which involves spending money to boost posts.

Organic search Organic search is how people naturally discover your website, without clicking on ads. It is the list of unpaid results displayed by search engines like Bing or Google because their algorithm deems them most relevant.

Organic traffic Organic traffic refers to visitors who find your content or website via unpaid sources or search engines, excluding clicks on ads.

Outbound marketing Outbound marketing occurs when a business pushes its message out to potentially interested people. Examples include ads on billboards or TV, cold calls, or snail-mail flyers.

Owned media Owned media consists of the content and channels that you control entirely, such as your blog, website, social media profiles, and email newsletters.

P

Paid partnership A paid partnership is an agreement where you collaborate with a brand as an influencer on social media.

Paid social Paid social is the term for social media advertising, meaning you pay to display your ads or content to individuals on social networks.

Pay-per-click (PPC) PPC stands for Pay-Per-Click. This is an online advertising model where payment is only required when someone actually clicks on your advertisement.

Periscope Periscope was a live-video streaming application launched by Twitter in March 2015.

Permalink A permalink—short for permanent link—is a fixed URL that takes you directly to a specific piece of content.

Personal brand A personal brand is how you deliberately shape what others anticipate, feel, and think when they encounter or follow you online.

Pin A pin is a visual piece of content on Pinterest. It can be thought of as a digital bookmark.

Pinned post A pinned post is a feature available on numerous social media platforms that allows users to keep a specific post prominently displayed at the top of their page or profile.

Pinterest Pinterest is a visually-driven discovery and inspiration platform where users “pin” content or images they like into thematic collections called boards.

Pinterest board A Pinterest board is a method for saving and gathering ideas related to various topics.

Pitch A pitch in social media marketing is essentially a brief, persuasive proposal.

Podcast A podcast is a series of audio (and sometimes video) episodes that you can download or stream on the internet to listen at your preferred speed.

Poll A poll is a single-question survey you post on social media, offering people a limited set of quick answer choices, such as “Coffee or Tea?”.

Post A post is content that you share on social media platforms. It may include videos, links, images, or text.

POV (Point of View) POV stands for “point of view” and is frequently used on social media platforms to illustrate a specific scenario or perspective.

POV video POV (short for “point of view”) videos are created to give the viewer the feeling of being present in the scene, experiencing things through someone else’s perspective.

Private Private accounts grant you increased control over your online presence. They help safeguard your content from misuse and unwanted views. However, they also restrict your engagement and reach with a broader audience.

Private message (PM) A private message (also called a PM or direct message, DM) is a conversation involving a small group or just two people, visible only to those involved.

Profile picture (PFP) A profile picture, or PFP, is the image you select to represent yourself on social media. It is the small photo that appears next to your name on comments, posts, and profiles—serving as your digital first impression.

Promoted tweet (post) A promoted tweet (post) is a paid tweet displayed in users’ feeds to enhance visibility.

Prospect A prospect is a potential customer who fits your target audience and has expressed some interest in your offering, but has not yet purchased.

Public Service Announcement (PSA) A PSA stands for Public Service Announcement. It is a message—often shared on social media—designed to prompt action, educate, or raise awareness regarding a public-interest topic.

Q

Qualified lead A qualified lead is an individual who meets the criteria for your desired customer and has demonstrated genuine interest in what you offer.

Quality control Quality control is the procedure for ensuring that all your social media interactions and posts comply with your brand’s quality standards.

Quantcast Quantcast is a useful digital marketing instrument that measures and analyzes online audiences.

Quiet quitting Quiet quitting does not involve submitting your resignation. Instead, it signifies doing precisely what your job demands—no more, no less.

Quora Quora is a question-and-answer platform—a social network focused on knowledge-sharing—where individuals pose questions and others provide answers.

R

Ratio A social media post is deemed “ratioed” when it receives substantially more comments or replies than it does likes and shares.

Re-pin A re-pin occurs when you save a Pinterest pin created by someone else onto one of your own boards. It is a means of sharing content from another user.

Reach Social media reach is the count of people who are exposed to your posts.

Reactions Reactions are rapid responses to posts, using emojis to convey emotions such as anger or love. They impact strategy and engagement.

Real-time data Real-time data consists of information that is delivered and updated immediately as events unfold, with virtually no delay.

Real-time marketing Real-time marketing is when a brand immediately responds to current events—such as customer feedback, trends, or news—with offers, messages, or content.

Real-time search Real-time search provides up-to-date content from social media platforms as soon as it is published. You view the latest updates, posts, and tweets as they happen, without lag or delay.

Reddit Reddit is a social media platform that incorporates features of content sharing and online forums. It acts as a central hub for discussions and allows users to share various types of content, including images, articles, and videos.

Referral marketing Referral marketing is a strategy where businesses encourage customers to recommend products. This method boosts trust and drives growth in sales.

Referral traffic Referral traffic refers to visitors who arrive from external sources, such as other websites or social media. It can enhance your site’s rankings and growth.

Regram A regram is the sharing of another Instagram user’s post on your own account. It is specific to Instagram reposting.

Relevance score A relevance score measures how effectively content resonates with its intended target audience. Relevance scores are used to optimize content strategies and ads.

Rent free “Rent free” is a slang phrase used when someone or something remains consistently in your thoughts without paying any “rent”.

Reply A social media reply enables users to respond to comments, which forms conversation threads. Replying is essential for strengthening brand presence.

Repost A repost is the action of sharing content created by someone else on your own social media profile. It is a way to disseminate interesting posts you have seen to your followers.

Request A social media request is a formal or informal inquiry made via social media platforms.

Responsive design Responsive design is a technique for creating social media content and websites so that they adjust smoothly to any screen size, whether it be a tablet, phone, desktop monitor, or laptop.

Retargeting Retargeting is designed to reconnect with individuals who have previously engaged with your brand—such as clicking emails, browsing, or visiting your site—but have not yet converted.

Return on relationship (ROR) RoR stands for Return on Relationship. This social media metric assigns value to the quality of the online connections you develop, rather than just the monetary gains.

Retweet A retweet is a function on X (formerly Twitter) used to share someone else’s post. Retweeting spreads that content to your own followers.

Review A review is an online statement where someone shares their honest assessment of an experience, business, service, or product.

Rich Pin Rich Pins are Pinterest posts that have been enhanced to display additional details directly on the pin.

Right now (RN) When RN is included in a message, you are communicating that something is occurring at the present moment, meaning right now.

ROI ROI (Return on Investment) measures the value—which may be sales, brand impact, or leads—that you receive in exchange for the money, time, and effort invested in social media.

RSS feed An RSS feed allows users to track site updates without manual checking. It simplifies content consumption for marketers and readers.

RSS reader An RSS reader aggregates updates from multiple websites into a single location, which simplifies your content consumption.

S

Scrubbing Scrubbing is the procedure of removing or cleaning erroneous or irrelevant data. Data scrubbing enhances integrity and accuracy in analytics.

Search engine marketing (SEM) SEM stands for Search Engine Marketing. It is the practice of using paid advertisements to appear in search engine results, such as Bing or Google.

Selfie A selfie is a photograph—sometimes a short video—that you take of yourself, usually using a smartphone held at arm’s length (or using the front-facing camera). It is frequently shared on social media.

Semantic search Semantic search is a method used by platforms or search engines to understand the true meaning of your input, rather than just matching exact words.

Sentiment analysis Sentiment analysis is a powerful instrument for determining public feeling about your brand on social media.

SEO SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is a collection of practices aimed at boosting your website’s visibility on search engines. Its goal is to make your content more readily found when people search for topics related to your products or brand.

SERP SERP stands for “Search Engine Results Page”. It is the page displayed after submitting a query (verbally or typed) into a search engine like DuckDuckGo, Yahoo, Bing, or Google.

Shadowban A shadowban occurs when social media platforms restrict the visibility of your content without notifying you. Although you post, the content is not seen by others. This practice takes place on applications like TikTok and Instagram.

Shaking my head (SMH) SMH means “Shaking my Head”. It is an acronym used to react to something astonishing, usually in a “can’t believe this” manner.

Share A share on social media is when someone reposts or posts content—such as a link, video, image, or article—from someone else’s feed to their own audience on platforms like LinkedIn, X, or Facebook.

Share of voice (SOV) Share of voice (SOV) measures the extent to which your brand dominates the conversation compared to your competitors. It is a critical metric for monitoring your visibility across digital channels and social media.

Shareable content Shareable content is any media piece—such as an image, video, post, or article—that inspires people to repost, forward, or tag others in on social media.

Shook “Shook” is internet slang meaning you are completely stunned, emotionally rattled, or surprised by something.

Shoppable post Shoppable posts enable direct purchasing from your social media feed. Brands use these posts to accelerate conversions and improve product discovery.

Situationship A situationship is a sexual or romantic relationship that exists between commitment and friendship. It is more than casual but not officially defined.

Slay “Slay” is contemporary slang used on social media to compliment someone who performed a task or goal impressively well.

Sleep on “Sleep on” is Gen Z slang meaning that you are overlooking someone or something valuable. Essentially, you are ignoring it instead of giving it the attention it warrants.

Small and medium-sized business (SMB) A small and medium-sized business (SMB) employs fewer than 500 individuals and generates annual revenue below $1 billion, although definitions may differ by region.

SMART goals SMART goals are a goal-setting framework that transforms vague concepts into clear, actionable objectives. SMART is an acronym: Specific, Measurable, Achievable (or Attainable), Relevant, and Time-bound.

SMH (shaking my head) “SMH” stands for “shaking my head”. It is internet slang—akin to a virtual headshake—used to convey frustration, disappointment, or incredulity at what you are seeing or reading.

Snap Map Snap Map is a Snapchat feature that displays your location—and your friends’ locations—on a live map.

Snapchat Snapchat is a popular multimedia messaging application known for its real-time content sharing and disappearing messages. It has altered how moments are shared with friends.

Snapchat Memories Snapchat Memories is an integrated archive within Snapchat where you can save your videos and photos (called “Stories” and “Snaps”) for later viewing.

Social bookmarking Social bookmarking is a system that allows you to organize and save web links online. Instead of saving bookmarks in your browser, they are stored on a platform accessible from any device. You can categorize and tag your saved links for easy retrieval.

Social commerce Social commerce permits the buying and selling of products directly on social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, or Instagram.

Social customer service Social customer service is the practice of companies using social media to assist their customers. It provides a new approach to answering questions and solving problems.

Social inbox A Social inbox functions as your social media command center. It is a single dashboard that compiles all your mentions, comments, DMs, and messages from every social platform you use.

Social listening Social listening is a powerful instrument for gaining insight into your audience on social media. It is the process of analyzing and tracking online conversations regarding your industry, competitors, and brand.

Social media Social media involves online platforms where individuals create, share, and interact with content, such as photos, videos, and posts. Platforms like X, Instagram, and Facebook allow users to connect with friends, join communities, or follow brands.

Social media analytics Social media analytics is the gathering, measurement, and interpretation of data from social platforms to determine content performance and audience actions.

Social media automation Social media automation involves using software to manage repetitive social media tasks, such as gathering analytics, replying to common messages, sharing content, or scheduling posts.

Social media bio A social media bio is a brief description of you or your brand on platforms like TikTok, X, LinkedIn, and Instagram. It provides an opportunity to make a strong initial impression with just a few words.

Social media calendar A social media calendar is a framework or schedule that organizes your upcoming posts across platforms such as LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Social media campaign A social media campaign is a strategically planned set of marketing activities on social platforms aimed at achieving a specific objective. It is distinct from routine social posts due to its focused and strategic nature.

Social Media Community A social media community is a group of individuals who connect online to share experiences, goals, or interests on platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit, X, Instagram, or Facebook.

Social media compliance Social media compliance is about adhering to regulations, such as content standards, advertising regulations, and data privacy laws.

Social media etiquette Social media etiquette involves utilizing social platforms with professionalism and respect. It affects your online reputation.

Social media handle A social media handle is your unique username on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X. It is how people find and tag you online.

Social media management Social media management encompasses creating, analyzing, and scheduling content on various platforms.

Social media management platform A social media management platform is a software tool that allows you to manage your entire social media presence from a centralized location.

Social media manager Social media managers analyze, create, and curate content to drive online engagement for brands. They are instrumental in shaping your digital footprint.

Social media marketing Social media marketing utilizes platforms to promote services or products.

Social media metrics Social media metrics offer a clear visualization of what is and is not performing effectively. They can be used to make smarter decisions about your strategy and to create content that your audience enjoys.

Social media monitoring Social media monitoring is the practice of tracking online conversations regarding your industry, products, business, or brand.

Social media scheduling Social media scheduling involves automating and planning posts to go live at the most opportune times. It increases engagement without requiring additional effort.

Social networking Social networking refers to the creation and maintenance of professional or personal relationships, particularly online.

Social proof Social proof is the tendency to observe others to determine appropriate actions. It is a powerful force that influences your behavior both online and offline.

Social relationship platform (SRP) SRP stands for Social Relationship Platform. It is a type of software that centralizes all social media activity—including monitoring, analytics, replying, and posting—for businesses and creators.

Social selling Social selling is simply the use of social media to find, connect with, and cultivate genuine relationships with individuals who may become customers.

Social sentiment Social sentiment tracks the online feelings people have about your brand, categorized as negative, positive, or neutral. It is crucial for anticipating public opinion.

Social suite A social suite is a bundle of tools or a single tool that allows you to manage all aspects related to social media in one place.

Soft launch A soft launch (also called a soft opening) means releasing a service, product, or even personal news to a limited audience before the broader public release.

Spam Spam is unwanted, unsolicited content—such as DMs, comments, posts, or messages—that is sent repeatedly or in bulk without relevance.

Spam account A spam account is a secondary or fake social media profile utilized for running scams, boosting follower counts, or sending unwanted content.

Sponcon Sponcon (short for “sponsored content”) is social media content that resembles a typical post from an influencer or creator, but has been paid for by a brand.

Sponsored post A sponsored post is paid content on social media that promotes services or products.

Sponsorship Sponsorships can manifest in various ways. You might find a long-term partnership or a collaboration for a single post or series of stories between a content creator/influencer and your brand.

Stitch Stitch is a unique TikTok feature that allows you to incorporate clips from other videos into your own content. You can take a brief segment of someone else’s TikTok and use it as part of your new creation.

Stock photos Stock photos are pre-made images available for purchase and use in your websites, marketing materials, or social media posts. They offer a quick and simple way to add visual interest to your content without needing to hire a photographer.

Stories Stories are temporary, bite-sized posts that can be shared on social media. They are prevalent on Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram, and include text, videos, and photos that vanish after 24 hours.

Streams Streams in social media are real-time flows of content observed on your preferred platforms. They resemble digital rivers carrying comments, videos, and posts from the accounts you follow.

StumbleUpon StumbleUpon was a content discovery platform that helped users locate interesting videos, articles, and websites. It functioned as a virtual internet tour guide. By clicking the “Stumble” button, you would be taken to a random site matching your interests.

Subreddit A subreddit is a distinct community on Reddit, the popular social media site. It can be considered a mini-forum dedicated to a particular interest or topic.

Subscribers Subscribers are individuals who choose to follow your content on newsletters or social media platforms. When subscribing, you sign up to receive updates from businesses, brands, or creators you like.

Suggested pages Suggested pages are page recommendations that appear in your social media feed, such as Facebook’s “Suggested for you”. They are based on your interactions with content.

T

Tag A tag on social media is a mechanism for mentioning or linking other users in your posts. When tagging someone, a clickable link to their profile appears in your post, and they receive a notification.

Target audience A target audience is the segment of people most likely to engage with your brand’s product or message. Defining and connecting with them leads to more impactful campaigns.

Targeting Targeting is the technique of reaching specific audiences through advertising.

TBF TBF stands for “to be fair”. This acronym is commonly used in online chats and social media posts. Using TBF introduces a balanced perspective to a conversation.

TBH (to be honest) TBH stands for “to be honest”. It is a shorthand way to signify, “Here’s what I really think,” regardless of whether you use it at the end or beginning of a sentence.

Tea “Tea” is slang meaning juicy gossip, personal truth, or inside information someone wishes to share.

Terms of service (ToS) ToS stands for Terms of Service. It is essentially the rulebook for platform usage, outlining restrictions, platform rights, and consequences for breaking the rules.

Testimonial A testimonial in social media is an endorsement or statement from a satisfied client or customer, shared to emphasize the positive aspects of a brand, service, or product.

TFW (That feeling when) When you use TFW, you are implying “You know that feeling when…” without actually typing it out. It is shorthand for describing universally relatable moments.

That Girl “That Girl” is a lifestyle trend popularized on social media, emphasizing personal growth, mindfulness, productivity, and wellness.

Thought leader Thought leaders are influential individuals in their industry who shape conversations and influence others.

Thread A thread is a sequence of connected messages or posts on social media that form a single story or conversation.

Threads app Threads is a text-based social media platform launched by Meta in July 2023.

Throwback Thursday Throwback Thursday, or TBT, is a social media trend where individuals share old memories or photos on Thursdays using the hashtag #TBT.

TikTok TikTok is a short-form video social media application where people create, share, and discover short videos.

TikTok Reactions TikTok Reactions are videos you create that record your live response to another person’s TikTok.

TL;DR TL;DR stands for “Too Long; Didn’t Read”. It is internet slang used either to signal a quick summary or as a joke, implying the content was excessive and was skipped.

Tone of voice Tone of voice defines how your brand’s personality is expressed on social media. It is the attitude and style used when communicating with your audience, which can be funny, professional, serious, or friendly.

Top of funnel (TOFU) “Top of funnel” (TOFU) refers to the initial stage in a customer’s journey, which is when someone first becomes aware of your brand.

Touch grass ‘Touch grass’ is slang used to tell someone they have spent too much time online. It implies they should step away from screens and reconnect with the physical world.

Traffic Traffic refers to the visitors who arrive at your website.

Trending Trending on social media refers to content, hashtags, or topics that are currently popular. It happens when many people are discussing something concurrently.

Trendjacking Trendjacking involves utilizing a hot topic, viral social moment, hashtag, or meme and incorporating your own perspective. It is like catching a wave that is already in motion.

Trigger warning A trigger warning is a brief notice—often “TW” or “Trigger Warning”—placed before content that has the potential to cause significant psychological or emotional distress.

Troll A troll is someone who posts off-topic or inflammatory comments online with the intention of upsetting others. Trolls may be found in chat rooms, forums, or social media comments.

Tumblr Tumblr is a social network built around microblogging, a more creative and simpler form of blogging.

Tweet A tweet is a short post shared on X (formerly Twitter).

Twitter (The source provides a link/reference defining Twitter).

U

Understood the assignment “Understood the assignment” is a slang phrase used to praise someone who has flawlessly executed a goal or task with considerable style.

Unfollow Unfollow means discontinuing updates from a user without implementing a block.

Unique selling point (USP) A USP, short for Unique Selling Proposition, is a clear statement outlining what makes you distinctive and why that distinction is important to your audience.

Unwell The phrase “unwell” on social media indicates more than just sickness. It suggests emotional or mental states such as being overwhelmed, anxiety, and stress.

URL A URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is essentially the “address” of a file or webpage on the internet. It is what you type into your browser’s address bar to navigate to a document, video, image, or website.

URL shortener A URL shortener is an online utility that converts a long, complicated web address into a cleaner, shorter link that still directs to the identical page.

User-generated content (UGC) User-generated content (UGC) is material created by ordinary people concerning products and brands. It is not produced by the companies themselves.

UTM code A UTM code is a tracking tag appended to a URL for the purpose of campaign tracking. UTM codes improve your marketing analytics.

UX User experience (UX) is your perception while using an app or social media platform. It focuses on ensuring your interactions as a user are useful, fun, and easy.

V

Valid Valid is a slang term prevalent across social media, particularly among Gen Z on platforms like X, Instagram, and TikTok. It is a casual, quick way to express that something is completely acceptable, impressive, or cool. It functions as a digital sign of approval.

Value proposition A value proposition is your brand’s main selling point on social media. It is a concise statement that explains to your audience why they should select you over competitors.

Vanish mode Vanish Mode is a messaging function on platforms such as Messenger and Instagram. It allows the sending of photos, texts, or videos that disappear after being viewed and once the chat session is closed.

Vanity metrics Vanity metrics are numerical values that appear impressive—such as large numbers of page views, followers, comments, or likes—but fail to demonstrate whether your social media efforts are generating genuine results.

Vanity URL Vanity URLs are a shorter version of your standard URL that incorporates relevant keywords or your brand name.

Verified A verified account on social media generally signifies that the platform has confirmed the identity of the account holder. This confirmation is marked by a blue checkmark placed next to the username.

Vibe check A vibe check is an informal method of assessing the overall emotional atmosphere, energy, or mood of a person, place, or group.

View duration View duration is a critical metric for content creators on platforms like YouTube and Instagram. It measures the average amount of time viewers spend watching your video.

Vine Launched in 2013, Vine permitted the creation and sharing of six-second looping videos. Twitter acquired Vine shortly after its launch.

Viral Viral refers to content that spreads rapidly across social media platforms. When content goes viral, it quickly gains significant attention through massive engagement and sharing.

Viral marketing Viral marketing is a strategy focused on creating content intentionally designed to spread quickly from person to person. This is similar to how a TikTok trend or catchy meme rapidly gains popularity.

Virtual event A virtual event is any organized gathering that occurs online,2].

Voice of customer (VoC) Voice of customer (VoC) is the practice of listening to and understanding what your customers say about your business. It is a means of collecting and interpreting their needs, feelings, and thoughts.

W

W (win) ‘W’ is shorthand for ‘win’ on social media. It is frequently used to celebrate positive outcomes or victories.

Watch time Watch time is the cumulative number of minutes users spend watching your videos on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, or YouTube. It is a key metric for evaluating audience engagement with your content.

Watermark A watermark is a semi-transparent mark—such as a signature, text, or logo—that is superimposed on digital content like documents, videos, or images.

Web3 Web3 (or Web 3.0) is a conceptualized decentralized internet built upon blockchain technology. Its aim is to return control over your digital presence and data to you.

Webinar A webinar—a portmanteau of “web” and “seminar”—is an online live presentation, meeting, or workshop that you can attend using audio and video over the internet.

WeChat WeChat is a powerful Chinese social media application that functions beyond a messaging tool. It is a comprehensive platform for over 1.38 billion monthly active users.

WhatsApp WhatsApp integrates messaging capabilities with business tools to facilitate seamless communication.

Woke “Woke” means being conscious of social injustices and issues. It involves remaining alert to societal problems, particularly those impacting marginalized groups.

Word of mouth Word of mouth is simply when individuals share their recommendations, experiences, or thoughts about a service, product, or brand with another person.

X

X lists X lists (formerly Twitter lists) are manually selected groups of X (Twitter) accounts that can be organized into personalized feeds.

X Spaces X Spaces (formerly Twitter Spaces) is the live audio feature on X, the platform previously known as Twitter. It enables you to join or host real-time voice conversations.

X verification X verification assists in identifying the genuine accounts of organizations, brands, and public figures. A blue checkmark next to a username indicates that X has verified the account.

X/Twitter advanced search X/Twitter advanced search is a robust tool that facilitates the discovery of specific information and tweets on the platform. It allows for narrowing down searches using filters like accounts, hashtags, keywords, and dates.

Y

Yelp Yelp is Brand Account** A YouTube Brand Account is distinct from your personal YouTube account. With a Brand Account, you can manage your channel collaboratively as a team, allowing multiple people to work on it together.

YouTube Shorts YouTube Shorts are YouTube’s version of Instagram Reels and TikTok. They are vertical videos that you can create or watch directly within the YouTube app.

YouTube Studio YouTube Studio is your complimentary control center on YouTube, available as both a mobile app and a website. It helps you manage all aspects of your channel.