Social Media Terminology 101
Understanding the lingo of social media can be tough. There are so many different social media terms and abbreviations out in cyberspace. If you have trouble keeping up, you’re not alone! And Publer is here to help.
Check out our comprehensive glossary of social media terms to help keep you in the conversation!
Social Media Glossary
- Advocacy
Advocacy on social media is using social media platforms to promote and share information about a cause or issue you care about. This might involve sharing articles, videos, or images related to the cause, signing petitions, or attending protests or rallies. Advocacy on social media can be an effective way to raise awareness about important issues and mobilize people around causes they care about.
- AMA
AMA on social media means “Ask Me Anything.” It’s a Q&A style format where people can ask questions and get answers from experts in the field. It’s often used to connect with potential customers or fans and build rapport and trust. AMA questions can be anything under the sun, but they typically revolve around the person’s area of expertise. For example, if you’re an expert in digital marketing, someone might ask you about the best ways to improve their website traffic. Or, if you’re a musician, they might ask about your songwriting process.
- Analytics
Analytics on social media can be used to track and measure the performance of your social media campaigns. You can use analytics to determine how many people saw your posts, how many people clicked on them, how much traffic they drove to your website, and what kind of engagement they received. Additionally, social media analytics can help you measure your social media presence’s overall reach and impact.
- Algorithm
Algorithms on social media are used to decide which content is shown to users on the News Feed or search results. Algorithms are also used to determine how much weight different factors (e.g., likes, comments, shares) influence content distribution. These algorithms account for various factors, including user activity on the platform, past interactions with similar content, and even the time of day.
- Blog
A blog, short for weblog, is a type of website that publishes articles regularly. The articles, also known as posts, are usually displayed in reverse chronological order, with the most recent post appearing first. Individuals or organizations often use blogs to share their thoughts on a particular topic, provide updates on their work or activities, or build an online audience around a specific subject.
- Brand Advocate
A brand advocate is a consumer who is enthusiastic and vocal about a brand and its products. Brand advocates can be extremely valuable to companies, as they are more likely to recommend a product to friends and family and post positive comments about the brand online. Social media has made it easier for consumers to become brand advocates. Platforms like Twitter and Facebook allow users to share their thoughts and experiences with others in a short, easily consumable format.
- Brand Awareness
Brand awareness is the level of consumer knowledge and recognition of a particular brand. A high level of brand awareness means that a company’s products are well-known, and consumers are likely to consider purchasing them.
- Call To Action
A CTA, or call-to-action, is a prompt on social media that urges the reader to take action. This could be anything from clicking a link to visiting a website to making a purchase. CTAs are often used in marketing and advertising campaigns to boost conversions and encourage people to take the next step.
- Caption
A caption is text that appears below an image or video on social media. It can be used to provide context, emphasize a certain point, or simply be a creative way to engage with followers. Captions can be humorous, serious, or anything in between.
- Chatbot
A chatbot is a computer program that can hold a conversation with a human. Chatbots are used on social media platforms to provide customer service, and they are also being used to create relationships with customers. For example, a chatbot may send automated messages to customers after making a purchase or remind them of an upcoming event.
- Clickbait
Clickbait is any content designed to get you to click on it. This can include deliberately provocative or sensational headlines, titles that promise more than the article delivers, or even eye-catching images. Basically, anything that entices you to click without really giving you any substantive information about what you’re about to read.
- Clickthrough Rate
A clickthrough rate (CTR) is the percentage of people who view your ad and then click on it. It’s one important metric to measure the effectiveness of your ad. If you’re running a social media campaign, you’ll want to ensure your clickthrough rate is as high as possible. This means creating eye-catching, interesting ads that offer compelling reasons for people to engage.
- Clout
Clout is often used on social media to describe someone’s influence or following. In general, the more influential someone is, the more “clout” they have. Clout can be influential in terms of fame, power, or money.
- Content Marketing
Content marketing is a strategic approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly-defined audience — and, ultimately, to drive profitable customer action. Regarding social media, content marketing can take many different forms. For example, you might create informative blog posts or infographics that help educate your followers about a particular topic. Or, you might create helpful how-to videos that demonstrate how to use your product or service in a new way.
- Conversion Rate
A conversion rate is a metric that measures how successful an advertiser’s campaign is in converting leads into paying customers. The conversion rate is calculated by dividing the number of sales or leads generated by the number of impressions or clicks on an ad. On social media, a high conversion rate usually means that a business is doing an excellent job of targeting its audience and providing relevant content that appeals to them.
- Cross-Posting
Cross-posting is when you post the same thing to more than one social media platform. Usually, this is done to increase the audience for whatever you’re posting. For example, if you have a Twitter account and a Facebook account, you might cross-post your tweets as status updates on Facebook.
- Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing is when a company or organization outsources a task or project to a large group of people. This can be done for various purposes, from gathering data and feedback to completing a complex task or project. When crowdsourcing through social media, brands will often post questions or tasks on popular platforms like Twitter or Facebook and solicit responses from users. This can effectively collect data or feedback from a large group of people in a relatively short time.
- DM
A DM, or direct message, is a private message exchanged between two users on a social media platform. DMs can only be seen and replied to by the users involved in the conversation – they’re not accessible to anyone else on the platform.
- Ebook
An Ebook is a digital book that can be read on a computer or electronic device. They’ve become trendy in recent years, especially with the rise of social media, because they’re a great way to share information and ideas with others. Additionally, they’re often less expensive than traditional books and can be downloaded quickly and easily.
- Emoji
An emoji is a small digital image or icon that adds context and tone to electronic communication. Emojis are commonly used in text messages, social media posts, and emails. Often colorful and animated, they can represent a wide range of emotions and ideas. For example, a smiley face emoji can show happiness, while a thumbs-down emoji can show disapproval.
- Engagement Rate
Engagement rate measures how often people interact with your content on social media. This could include things like likes, comments, shares, or clicks. For example, if you have 100 followers on Instagram and your post gets ten likes, your engagement rate would be 10%. To calculate it, you simply divide the number of interactions by the number of followers you have. Engagement rates can help measure the success of your social media marketing campaigns and gauge the level of interest that people have in your brand or product.
- Evergreen Content
Evergreen content is a type of content that remains relevant and useful over time. This means that it can be referenced or used long after it was initially published—take this glossary, for example! Social media is one platform where evergreen content thrives. By its nature, social media is designed to be timely and shareable. However, some types of content are more likely to stand the test of time than others.
- Finsta
Finsta is short for fake Instagram. It’s a secondary Instagram account that people use to post content they wouldn’t want on their main account. This can be anything from goofy pictures to more personal and intimate details about their lives. For some people, it’s a way to share things with their close friends that they wouldn’t want the whole world (or family) to see.
- Follow For Follow
FFF is when one user follows another in the hopes that the user will return the favor. It’s a way to grow a social media following quickly and easily.
- Geotag
Geotagging adds geographical identification metadata to media files such as photos and videos. This can be done by manually adding the information before uploading the file or allowing a device or application to add the data automatically.
- GIF
A GIF is a type of image file that plays on a loop. GIFs are often used on social media to show short, humorous clips. They are also commonly used to show reactions to events or moments.
- Groups
Groups on social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn can be beneficial for networking, sharing information, and starting conversations around topics that interest you. They provide a dedicated space for people with similar interests to connect and engage in discussion, which can benefit personal and professional development.
- Handle
A handle is a term used in social media to describe the name or username associated with your account. It’s what you use to identify yourself to other users. For example, on Twitter, our handle is @Publernation
- Hashtag
A hashtag is a keyword or phrase that appears with a pound sign in front of it (e.g., # #WorldOceansDay) and is associated with a specific piece of content on social media. Hashtags can be used to track topics, events, or conversations. They can also be used to make content more discoverable by search engines.
- HTML
No, it’s not short for Hotmail. HTML is the language used to create web pages. It stands for HyperText Markup Language, which tells a web browser how to display text, images, and other elements on a web page. Most content on social media websites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn is created using HTML. When you post something on these websites, your computer converts the text or images into HTML code so that the website can understand it.
- ICYMI
ICYMI stands for “in case you missed it.” It’s a common acronym on social media, especially Twitter, to let people know they may have missed a recent post or story. For example, if someone tweets a link to a news article and adds the hashtag #icymi, they want readers to know that the article is worth checking out, even if they may have missed it.
- Impressions
Impression metrics measure how often your content is seen and engaged with by users. This could be the number of times a page or post is loaded, the number of people who see your content in their feed, or the number of views your ads get. Impressions are a helpful way of gauging interest in your content and seeing which topics resonate with your audience.
- Influencers
An influencer is someone with the ability to sway public opinion. They may be prolific social media users, or they could be respected thought leaders in their industry. Typically, influencers have clout because they are perceived as experts in their field. People often look to influencers for product recommendations, services, and causes.
- Inbound Marketing
Inbound marketing is a strategy that focuses on creating quality content that attracts customers and prospects to your business. One of the most effective inbound marketing techniques is social media. Social media allows you to develop relationships with potential customers by providing valuable content and engaging with them online. This builds trust and credibility, which can lead to more sales in the future.
- Insights
Social media insights help you understand how people interact with your content on social media. For example, you can use insights to measure your posts’ reach, engagement, and influence.
- Link Building
Link building is the process of acquiring links from other websites to your own. This is typically done by creating shareable and valuable content and then promoting it via social media and other channels. The more high-quality links you have pointing to your website, the higher it will rank in search engine results pages.
- Link in Bio
“Link in bio” is commonly used on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter. When someone includes a “link in bio” in their posts, they have included a link to a website or other online resource in their profile.
- Live Stream
Live streaming is a process of broadcasting live video footage over the internet. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have built-in live streaming capabilities, or you can use a separate app like Zoom or Twitch. You’re sharing a moment in real-time with your audience when you live stream. It’s a way to connect with people more personally and intimately than just writing a post or posting a photo.
- Listicle
A listicle is a piece of content that is presented in the form of a list. Listicles are often used to make complex topics easier to understand or to give information in an engaging and entertaining way. This glossary is a listicle.
- Meme
A meme is an image, video, or piece of text shared on social media that spreads from person to person within a culture. Memes often have a humorous or satirical element and are typically shared for entertainment purposes. However, some memes can also be used to convey serious or necessary messages.
- Mention
A mention is when someone mentions you or your page on social media. This can happen in various ways, but most typically occurs when someone tags you in a photo, leaves you a comment on one of your posts, or sends you a message. You’ll usually get a notification from the site or app letting you know when you’re mentioned.
- Metrics
Metrics are a set of data points that you use to measure the progress or success of your social media campaigns. They can be website visits, Twitter followers, Facebook likes, blog subscribers, and so on. Metrics are important because they help you track your progress and see what’s working and what isn’t. This information can then be used to tweak your campaigns and make them more effective.
- News Feed
A news feed is a stream of posts, articles, or other content that appears on a social media platform. It typically displays the updates of the people and organizations that a user follows. The specific social media platform usually determines the layout of a news feed, but it usually includes some combination of text, photos, videos, and links.
- Newsjacking
Newsjacking is when you hijack a breaking news story to promote your brand or product. It’s a way to get attention on social media by piggybacking off of the popularity of a current event.
- NFT
Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) are unique digital tokens that cannot be substituted for another. They represent collectibles, rights, or other assets that have value. For example, you could own an NFT of an artwork, a car ownership certificate, or even a virtual land deed. Because they are unique and cannot be replicated, NFTs provide a way to store and transmit digital assets securely.
- Permalink
A permalink is a permanent URL for a specific blog post, page, or entry. This is beneficial because it allows people to link directly to your content instead of just your home page. For example, if someone wants to share a blog post about social media tips on their own website or blog, they can insert a permalink.
- PPC
PPC stands for “pay per click.” It is a type of advertising where you pay a fee each time someone clicks on your ad. PPC is typically used on social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, to promote your business or product. It can be a very effective way to reach a large audience quickly and generate leads or sales.
- Reach
Reach is the number of individuals exposed to your content, regardless of whether they engaged with it. Reach is one of the most important metrics for social media success because it tells you how many impressions your content makes. It’s also a valuable metric for determining whether a paid campaign successfully reached its target audience.
- Reaction
A reaction on social media is when someone responds to a post, typically with a comment or “like.” This can help measure how popular or viral a particular post is. Reactions can also be used to gauge public opinion on hot-button issues or to see how people are responding to current events.
- Retweet/RT
A retweet is a Twitter post you forward to your followers. It’s a great way to share interesting content with your friends and followers, and it also helps to build relationships with other Twitter users. When you retweet someone else’s post, it shows that you’re interested in what they have to say and also helps promote their content.
- RSS Feed
RSS is an acronym for Really Simple Syndication. RSS feeds allow you to see when new content has been published on a website or blog without having to visit the site every day. All you need is an RSS reader (also called an aggregator), which is a piece of software that collects all the latest posts from your subscribed sites and displays them in one handy location.
- Selfie
It’s a photo you take of yourself. Also, it’s 2022. In case you were wondering.
- SEO
SEO, or search engine optimization, is the process of improving the visibility and ranking of a website or web page in search engine results pages (SERPs). It is a critical component of any digital marketing strategy and can drive traffic to your website, increase brand awareness, and generate leads and sales.
- Share
When you share something on social media, you essentially pass along that content to your followers or friends. You might do this because you think the information is valuable or because you want to start a conversation around the topic.
- Spam
There are many different ways people can define “spam” on social media. Generally speaking, though, spam is any kind of unwanted or unsolicited content – whether it’s a commercial message, a piece of junk mail, or just someone trying to get your attention in an irritating way.
- Social Media Monitoring
Social media monitoring is the process of tracking online conversations about a brand or product on social media platforms. This can be done manually or through a social media monitoring tool. Social media monitoring aims to gain insights into what people are saying about a brand online and identify any potential issues that need to be addressed.
- Social Proof
Social proof is the idea that we are more likely to do something if we see other people doing it. It’s a form of herd mentality or conformity. One example of social proof in action is online reviews. People are more likely to buy a product with positive reviews because they assume that if others have liked it, it must be good.
- Subscribers
Subscribers on social media are people who have subscribed to your channel or profile to see your updates.
- Tagging
Tagging on social media is the act of adding another user’s name to a post or photo, usually to indicate that the person is included in the content.
- Targeting
Targeting on social media is showing ads to people based on specific characteristics, like their interests or location. Usually, businesses use targeting to improve the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns.
- TBT
TBT stands for Throwback Thursday. It’s a hashtag people use on social media to post old photos of themselves.
- Thread
A thread is a sequence of social media posts grouped together. Threads are usually created around a specific topic or theme, and users can post replies to each other within the thread. In some cases, threads can get very long and complex, with many different users contributing their own thoughts and ideas. Threads can help gain insights from other people about a particular topic and connect with others who share your interests.
- Troll/ Trolling
Trolling is deliberately posting inflammatory, rude, or off-topic comments on social media to provoke a reaction from other users.
- Twitterverse
Twitterverse is the term used to describe the online community on Twitter. It’s made up of the people who use Twitter to share ideas, thoughts, and links with each other.
- URL
URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. It is a specific type of internet address used to locate web resources such as websites, files, and services. A URL consists of several parts, including a scheme, hostname, port number, path, and query string. Each element has a specific purpose and comes together to form a complete URL.
- UGC
User-generated content (UGC) is any form of content that has been created by users of social media, as opposed to brands or media organizations. This might include text posts, photos, videos, and even comments. UGC has become an essential part of the social media landscape because it offers a way for users to connect and express themselves in a raw and authentic way.
- Verified
Verified accounts on social media platforms have been authenticated by the platform. This usually means that the account has been confirmed to be owned by the person or company it claims to represent.
- Viral
When most people talk about something going “viral” on social media, they’re referring to a piece of content that’s been shared widely and rapidly across different platforms. This can happen organically, as users see something exciting and share it with their followers, or an influencer or brand can deliberately stoke it with a large audience.
- Vlogging
The word “vlog” is a blend of the words “video” and “blog.” Just as a blog is a way to write about your thoughts and experiences, a vlog is a way to share your life through video.
- Webinar
A webinar is a type of online seminar or lecture, typically presented by a business expert or thought leader, that people can view and listen to remotely. Many webinars are designed as educational or training sessions, allowing attendees to learn about new topics or gain new skills. Some webinars may also be used as marketing tools, offering potential customers an in-depth look at a company’s products or services.
Over To You!
There you have it! A comprehensive list of social media terms, jargon, and acronyms to keep you in the conversation.
Any important Social Media Terms we missed? Let us know in the comments below!