Social Media Glossary

Unlock the meanings behind essential social media terms and elevate your understanding of industry lingo. Don't miss out on staying informed and empowered in the world of social media marketing.
A

A/B Test

A method of comparing two versions (A and B) of a web page, email, or advertisement to determine which one performs better. It involves splitting the audience and measuring user interactions to optimize conversions and user experience.

AI Chatbot

An Artificial Intelligence-powered program that simulates human conversation through chat interfaces. It uses natural language processing and machine learning to understand and respond to user queries, providing automated and interactive customer support.

AMA (Ask Me Anything)

A popular format on social media platforms or forums where a person invites others to ask them any questions. It encourages open and candid discussions with the audience.

Aesthetic

Refers to the visual appearance and overall design of a website, application, or content, with a focus on creating an appealing and harmonious user experience.

Algorithm

A set of rules or instructions followed by a computer program to solve specific problems or perform tasks. In the context of search engines, algorithms determine the ranking and relevance of web pages in search results.

Algospeak

The jargon or technical language used to discuss algorithms, programming logic, and mathematical processes.

Alt Text

Short for "alternative text," it is a descriptive text attribute added to images on web pages. Alt text provides information about the image's content, allowing visually impaired users and search engines to understand its context.

Analytics

The process of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data related to website or application performance. In the context of digital marketing, it helps measure user behavior, engagement, and conversion rates.

Application Programming Interface (API)

A set of protocols, tools, and routines that allow different software applications to communicate and interact with each other. APIs enable data exchange and functionality integration between different systems.

Archiving

The process of preserving and storing content, data, or records for future reference. In the digital context, archiving ensures the accessibility and preservation of historical information.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, enabling them to learn, reason, and perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as language understanding and problem-solving.

Avatar

An icon, image, or representation used to identify a user in virtual environments, online communities, or gaming platforms. Avatars can be personalized and are often used to symbolize the user's online presence or persona.

B2B

Abbreviation for "Business-to-Business." It refers to commercial transactions and interactions between businesses, where one company sells products or services to another company.

B2C

Abbreviation for "Business-to-Consumer." It refers to commercial transactions and interactions between businesses and individual consumers, where a company sells products or services directly to end-users.

Bio

Short for "biography" or "biographical information." In the context of social media, it refers to a brief description found on a user's profile, providing essential details about themselves or their brand.

Bitmoji

A personalized avatar created using the Bitmoji app, often used to represent the user in various social media platforms and messaging apps.

Block

The action taken by a user to prevent another user from interacting with them on social media. When someone is blocked, they cannot see the blocker's content or engage with them.

Blockchain

A decentralized and secure digital ledger technology used to record and verify transactions. In social media, blockchain can be used for data privacy and secure content sharing.

Blog

A regularly updated online platform where individuals or businesses share articles, stories, or opinions on various topics. Blog posts can be informative, entertaining, or educational.

Blogger

An individual who regularly writes and publishes content on a blog, sharing their expertise, experiences, or interests with their audience.

Blue Checkmark

A verification badge displayed on social media profiles of public figures, celebrities, brands, or high-profile users. It indicates that the account has been verified as authentic by the platform.

Booktok

A community on TikTok focused on sharing and discussing book recommendations and literary content.

Boost, Boosted Post

Boosting a post involves paying to promote it to a larger audience on social media. It helps increase the post's visibility and reach beyond the account's followers.

Bottom of the Funnel (BOFU)

The final stage of the sales or marketing funnel, where potential customers are close to making a purchase decision or converting into paying customers.

Brand Advocate

A satisfied customer or loyal supporter who actively promotes and advocates for a brand or product on social media, often without direct incentives.

Brand Awareness

The level of familiarity and recognition that a brand or business has among its target audience. Social media plays a significant role in increasing brand awareness through content exposure and engagement.

Brand Reputation

The overall perception of a brand among consumers and the general public. Social media platforms can influence a brand's reputation through customer feedback, reviews, and online interactions.

Bricks and Mortar

A term referring to physical, offline retail stores or businesses that have a physical presence rather than operating purely online.

Buyer Persona

A fictional representation of the ideal customer based on research and data. It helps businesses understand their target audience's needs, preferences, and behaviors.

Byte

A short-form video platform similar to TikTok, allowing users to create and share six-second looping videos.

CFBR

CFBR (Commenting For Better Reach) is a social media strategy that involves engaging with other users' content by leaving thoughtful and meaningful comments. This approach aims to increase visibility and expand the reach of your own social media posts by fostering genuine interactions within the online community. By actively participating in discussions and providing valuable input on others' content, individuals and businesses can enhance their online presence, build relationships, and ultimately improve the performance of their social media initiatives.

CSAT

Abbreviation for "Customer Satisfaction," a metric used to measure customer satisfaction levels based on their feedback or responses.

Cap

A slang term often used to indicate that someone is lying or exaggerating in their social media posts or comments.

Caption

Text accompanying a social media post, providing context, information, or a description related to the content shared.

Carousel

A type of social media post format that allows users to include multiple images or videos in a single post that viewers can swipe through.

Channel Art

The banner or header image displayed at the top of a social media channel or profile page, often used to showcase branding or promotional messages.

Channel Trailer

A short video that introduces and promotes a social media channel or profile to potential followers, providing an overview of the content and purpose.

Chat

Real-time text-based communication between users on social media platforms.

Chatbot

An automated program designed to simulate human conversation, providing instant responses and assistance to users' queries through chat interfaces.

Check-in

The action of publicly sharing one's current location or activity on social media platforms.

Click-through Rate (CTR)

A metric that measures the percentage of users who clicked on a specific link or call-to-action in a social media post or advertisement.

Clickbait

Content that uses sensational or misleading headlines to attract clicks and views, often without delivering the promised value.

Clubhouse

An audio-based social media platform where users can participate in real-time voice conversations and discussions.

Comment

A response or message left by a user on a social media post, allowing for interactive discussions and engagement.

Community Manager

A person responsible for managing and engaging with a brand's online community on social media platforms.

Compliance

Adhering to the rules, guidelines, and legal requirements of social media platforms and advertising regulations.

Connection

The act of adding or following another user on social media, establishing a link between their profiles.

Content Curation

The process of discovering, collecting, and sharing relevant and valuable content from various sources on social media.

Content Marketing

A marketing strategy focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and engage a target audience.

Conversational AI

Artificial Intelligence-powered programs that engage in natural language conversations with users through chatbots and virtual assistants.

Conversion

The desired action taken by a user, such as making a purchase, signing up, or filling out a form, in response to a call-to-action on social media.

Conversion Rate

The percentage of users who completed a specific conversion action compared to the total number of visitors or interactions.

Cost per Click (CPC)

The amount advertisers pay for each click on their social media advertisements.

Cost per Lead (CPL)

The amount advertisers pay for each generated lead from their social media marketing efforts.

Creative Commons

Licensing options that allow content creators to share their work with specific usage permissions, granting others the right to use, modify, and distribute content with proper attribution.

Creators

Individuals who produce original content, such as videos, images, or articles, and share it on social media platforms.

Crisis Management

The process of handling and mitigating negative situations or controversies related to a brand on social media.

Cross-posting

Sharing the same content across multiple social media platforms simultaneously.

Crowdsourcing

Obtaining ideas, content, or solutions by soliciting contributions from a large group of people on social media.

Dark Post

An unpublished social media post, visible only to the targeted audience but not on the brand's public profile.

Dark Social

Refers to social media activity (sharing content, links) that occurs in private channels like direct messages, emails, or messaging apps, making it challenging to track.

Dashboard

A user interface that provides an overview of social media analytics, metrics, and performance in one place.

Direct Message (DM)

A private, one-on-one conversation between two users on social media.

Disappearing Content

Content that automatically disappears after a certain time on platforms like Snapchat or Instagram Stories.

Discord

A popular platform for creating and joining communities, primarily used for voice, video, and text communication among gamers and hobbyists.

Doing it for the 'Gram

The act of engaging in activities or experiences specifically to capture and share them on Instagram for social validation or aesthetic appeal.

Double Tap

The action of double-tapping an image on Instagram to like it.

Doxing

The malicious act of searching and publicly revealing private or personal information about an individual on social media without their consent.

Ebook

A digital book in electronic format, often downloadable, and used for sharing in-depth content, guides, or resources.

Embed

The process of integrating content, such as videos, posts, or widgets, from one platform into another, allowing it to be displayed and viewed directly within the hosting platform.

Emoji

Small digital icons or symbols used to express emotions, reactions, or ideas in social media posts and messages.

Employee Advocacy

When employees promote and share their company's content or brand on their personal social media accounts to increase brand reach and credibility.

Endorsement

A public declaration of approval or support for a product, service, or brand, typically made by an influential figure or celebrity.

Engagement

The total interactions (likes, comments, shares, etc.) that a social media post or account receives, indicating its popularity and reach.

Engagement Rate

A metric that measures the level of audience engagement with a post or social media account, often calculated as a percentage of total followers.

Ephemeral Content

Temporary content that disappears after a specific period, commonly used in features like Instagram Stories or Snapchat.

Evergreen Content

Timeless and perpetually relevant content that remains valuable to the audience over an extended period.

Explore Page

A section on social media platforms, such as Instagram or TikTok, where users can discover content tailored to their interests.

FYP

Abbreviation for "For You Page," a personalized feed on TikTok where users discover content based on their interests and interactions.

Facebook

One of the largest social media platforms worldwide, allowing users to connect, share content, and engage with friends, family, and businesses.

Facebook Shop

A feature on Facebook that enables businesses to showcase and sell products directly on their Facebook Page.

Fan

A devoted and enthusiastic follower of a celebrity, brand, or public figure on social media.

Favorite

The action of marking a social media post or content as a favorite or saving it for later reference.

Fediverse

A network of interconnected servers and platforms that support social media interactions based on open and decentralized protocols.

Feed

The stream of content displayed on a user's social media homepage, consisting of posts from friends, followers, and other accounts they follow.

Filter

An image or video effect applied to a post to enhance or alter its appearance before sharing.

Finsta

A private or "fake" Instagram account used by individuals to share content with a smaller, select group of close friends.

Fleet

A temporary and disappearing type of content, similar to Stories, on Twitter.

Follow Friday (#FF)

A hashtag used on Fridays to recommend and promote other users to follow on social media.

Followers

Users who have subscribed to another user's profile or page, becoming part of their audience and receiving their updates.

Friction

Any obstacle or difficulty that hinders the user experience or prevents smooth interactions on social media platforms.

Friend

A connection established on social media platforms, often requiring mutual agreement to view each other's posts and content.

GIF

Graphics Interchange Format, a short and looping animated image format commonly used in social media posts.

Gen Z

The demographic cohort comprising individuals born roughly between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, known for their familiarity and affinity with digital technology and social media.

Geotag

Adding geographical location information to a social media post, allowing users to view content associated with specific locations.

Go Live

The action of starting a live video broadcast on social media platforms, allowing real-time interactions with viewers.

Goblin Mode

A slang term referring to disabling notifications or going offline on social media platforms to avoid distractions.

Google Ads (Google Adwords)

An online advertising platform by Google, allowing businesses to display ads on Google's search results and partner websites.

Google Business Profile

A business listing on Google My Business, providing information about a company's location, contact details, and reviews.

Grid

The arrangement and organization of content on a social media profile page, often forming a visual pattern or theme.

Group

A community or forum on social media where users can share common interests and engage in discussions.

Handle

The unique username or account name used by a user on social media platforms, preceded by the "@" symbol.

Hangout

A social gathering or casual meeting on platforms like Google Hangouts or Zoom.

Hashtag

A word or phrase preceded by the "#" symbol used to categorize and index content on social media platforms. It allows users to discover posts related to specific topics.

Header Image

An image displayed at the top of a social media profile or page, typically used for branding and visual appeal.

Ick

A term used to express a feeling of discomfort or distaste towards certain content or actions on social media.

Impressions

The total number of times a post or content has been viewed, including multiple views by the same user.

Inbound Marketing

A marketing strategy focused on attracting and engaging potential customers through valuable content and experiences.

Inbox

A section on social media platforms where users can access and manage private messages and notifications.

Influencer

An individual with a significant following and influence on social media, often partnering with brands for sponsored content and endorsements.

Influencer Marketing

A marketing strategy that involves collaborating with influencers to promote products or services to their followers.

Insights

Analytical data and performance metrics provided by social media platforms to understand audience behavior and content performance.

Instagram

A popular photo and video sharing social media platform, allowing users to post content, interact with others, and discover new content.

Instagram Shopping

A feature that allows businesses to tag and sell products directly in their Instagram posts and stories.

Instant Message

A private, real-time communication between users on social media platforms, similar to chat or direct messaging.

Key Performance Indicator (KPI)

Specific metrics used to measure the success of social media marketing efforts in achieving business objectives.

Lens

In the context of social media, a lens refers to a set of augmented reality (AR) effects that users can apply to their photos or videos, popularized by platforms like Snapchat and Instagram.

Like

The action of expressing approval or appreciation for a social media post by clicking a "like" button.

Link Building

The process of acquiring external hyperlinks from other websites to improve a website's search engine rankings and authority.

Link in Bio

A common phrase referring to the hyperlink included in a social media profile's bio section, often used to direct users to a specific website or content.

Listed

The inclusion of a user's profile in a public list curated by another user on social media, highlighting accounts of interest or relevance.

Live Journal

An early blogging platform that allowed users to share their thoughts, experiences, and personal content in journal-like entries.

Live Stream

Real-time broadcasting of video content on social media platforms, allowing immediate interaction with viewers.

Lurker

A social media user who observes or reads content but rarely or never engages or interacts with posts.

Marketing Funnel

A model representing the stages of the customer journey, from initial awareness to eventual conversion and retention.

Mastodon

A decentralized social media platform known for its emphasis on privacy and user control.

Meme

An image, video, or piece of content that spreads rapidly across social media, often humorously reflecting popular culture or current events.

Mention

Refers to tagging or referencing another user's handle in a social media post or comment.

Messenger

A feature or standalone app that allows direct messaging between users on social media platforms.

Metaverse

A virtual shared space where users can interact with a computer-generated environment and each other in real-time.

Metric

A quantifiable measure used to assess the performance and effectiveness of social media efforts.

Microblogging

A form of blogging that involves sharing short and concise updates on social media platforms.

Monetization

The process of generating revenue from social media activities, such as sponsored posts, ads, or affiliate marketing.

Monitoring

The continuous observation and analysis of social media platforms for relevant mentions, conversations, or brand-related information.

Mute

The action of silencing or hiding content from a specific user on social media, without unfollowing or blocking them.

Myspace

A pioneering social networking platform that gained popularity in the early 2000s.

NFT (Non-Fungible Token)

A unique digital asset that uses blockchain technology to certify ownership and authenticity.

NPS (Net Promoter Score)

A metric used to measure customer loyalty and satisfaction based on their likelihood to recommend a product or service.

Native Advertising

Advertisements that match the style and format of the platform's organic content, providing a seamless user experience.

News Feed

The chronological stream of content displayed on a user's social media homepage, showcasing updates from friends and followed accounts.

Newsjacking

The practice of leveraging current events or trending topics to insert a brand's message into ongoing conversations on social media.

Notification

An alert or update sent to a user on social media to inform them about new content, messages, or activities.

Objectives

The specific goals and outcomes a brand aims to achieve through its social media marketing efforts.

Ok, Boomer

A phrase used to dismiss or mock outdated opinions or beliefs, often directed at older generations on social media.

OnlyFans

A subscription-based platform where creators can share exclusive content with their paying subscribers.

Organic Reach

The number of users who see a social media post without any paid promotion.

Paid Social

Advertising campaigns on social media platforms that involve paid promotion to reach a larger audience.

Pay per Click (PPC)

An advertising model where advertisers pay a fee each time their ad is clicked, commonly used in social media advertising.

Pin

The action of saving or attaching a post to the top of a user's profile on social media platforms.

Pinned Post

A post that has been "pinned" or anchored to the top of a social media profile page for increased visibility.

Platform

A digital service or software used for social media interactions and content sharing.

Post

A piece of content, such as text, images, or videos, shared by a user on their social media profile or page.

Private

Refers to social media accounts or content accessible only to approved followers or specific groups.

Promote

The action of boosting the visibility of a social media post through paid advertising or promotion.

RSS Feed

A format used to publish frequently updated content, allowing users to subscribe and receive updates from websites and blogs.

RSS Reader

A tool or application that allows users to aggregate and read content from multiple websites through RSS feeds.

Reach

The total number of unique users who view a social media post or content.

Reaction

A form of engagement on social media platforms where users express emotions or feelings through predefined icons or emojis.

Real-time Marketing

The practice of creating and publishing content in response to real-time events, trends, or news on social media.

Recommendation

An endorsement or suggestion made by a user for a product, service, or content on social media.

Reels

A short-form video format on Instagram that allows users to create and share engaging content.

Referral Marketing

A marketing strategy that involves encouraging customers to refer friends and contacts to a brand or product.

Regram

The action of reposting or sharing another user's content on Instagram.

Repin

The action of saving or sharing another user's pin on Pinterest to one's own board.

Reply

A response or comment left by a user on a social media post or message.

Reply Guy

A person, usually male, who repeatedly responds to tweets or posts by a specific user, often seeking attention or validation.

Repost

The action of resharing someone else's content on social media.

Retargeting

A marketing strategy that involves targeting users who have previously engaged with a brand's content or website with personalized ads.

Retweet

The action of sharing another user's tweet on Twitter, allowing it to appear on one's own timeline.

Review

A user's assessment or feedback about a product, service, or experience, often posted on social media or review platforms.

Rich Pin

A type of Pinterest pin that includes additional information, such as product details, recipes, or article information.

SMART Goals

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound objectives used to guide social media marketing strategies.

Scheduling

The practice of planning and automating the timing of social media posts in advance.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

The process of optimizing a website or content to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Selfie

A self-portrait photograph taken by a user using the front-facing camera on their smartphone or webcam.

Sentiment

The emotional tone or attitude expressed in social media posts or comments, indicating positive, negative, or neutral feelings.

Sentiment Analysis

The process of analyzing and interpreting social media content to determine the sentiment or emotional tone.

Shadowban

The practice of limiting the visibility of a user's content without their knowledge, often due to violating platform guidelines.

Share

The action of reposting or forwarding content from one user's social media profile to another's.

Share of Voice

A metric that measures a brand's share of mentions or conversations compared to its competitors on social media.

Ship

A slang term used to express support for or endorse a romantic relationship between two individuals.

Shoppable Post

A social media post that includes links or tags allowing users to directly purchase products featured in the content.

Shorts

Short-form video content similar to TikTok's format, introduced on YouTube.

Snap

The action of sending a photo or video on Snapchat, which disappears after being viewed.

Social Commerce

The integration of e-commerce features and functionalities directly into social media platforms.

Social Customer Service

The practice of providing customer support and assistance on social media platforms.

Social Inbox

A feature or tool that aggregates and manages incoming messages and notifications from multiple social media platforms in one place.

Social Listening

The process of monitoring and analyzing social media conversations, mentions, and sentiment related to a brand or topic.

Social Media Automation

The use of tools and software to automate repetitive tasks and processes on social media platforms.

Social Media Campaign

A coordinated and targeted marketing effort on social media to achieve specific objectives.

Social Media Ecommerce Marketing

Strategies and tactics used to promote and sell products or services through social media platforms.

Social Media Management

The strategic planning and execution of a brand's presence and engagement on social media platforms.

Social Media Management Platform

Software or tools that assist businesses in scheduling, publishing, and managing social media content.

Social Media Marketing

The use of social media platforms to promote products, services, or content and engage with an audience.

Social Media Monitoring

The systematic tracking and analysis of social media channels for mentions, feedback, and trends.

Social Media ROI (Return on Investment)

A measure of the financial impact and profitability of social media marketing efforts.

Social Proof

The influence created when people see others engaging with a brand or content positively on social media.

Social Selling

The practice of using social media to identify, connect with, and engage potential customers for sales purposes.

Spaces

An audio-only social networking feature on Twitter that allows users to host and participate in real-time conversations.

Spam

Unsolicited and irrelevant content, messages, or advertisements sent or posted on social media.

Spam Account

A social media account that engages in excessive and unwanted promotional activities.

Sponcon

Short for "sponsored content," referring to content created or shared by influencers in collaboration with brands.

Sponsored Posts

Social media posts that are paid for by advertisers to promote products, services, or content.

Stan

A term used to describe an enthusiastic and dedicated fan of a celebrity or public figure on social media.

Sticker

A graphic or image that users can add to their social media stories or posts for creative expression.

Stories

A temporary and slideshow-style format used to share photos and videos on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

Streams

A continuous flow of content or information on social media platforms.

Subscribers

Users who have opted to receive updates or content from another user or channel on social media.

Tag

The act of mentioning or identifying other users in a social media post or comment.

Targeting

The process of selecting and reaching a specific audience with social media advertising based on demographics, interests, or behaviors.

Thread

A series of connected and related messages or tweets on Twitter.

Threads App

An app that allows users to create threaded tweets on Twitter, connecting multiple tweets as a cohesive story.

Throwback Thursday (#TBT)

A hashtag and theme used on Thursdays to share nostalgic photos or memories on social media.

TikTok

A popular short-form video sharing platform known for its entertaining and creative content.

Tip Jar

A feature on social media platforms that allows users to send monetary tips or donations to content creators.

Touch Grass

A slang term encouraging someone to disconnect from social media and spend time outdoors or in the real world.

Trending

Content, hashtags, or topics that are currently popular and widely discussed on social media.

Troll

A person who posts inflammatory or provocative comments to provoke negative reactions from others on social media.

Tumblr

A microblogging and social networking platform for sharing multimedia content and short-form blog posts.

Tweet

A post made on Twitter, limited to 280 characters.

Twitch

A live streaming platform mainly focused on gaming and other content genres.

Twitter

A popular social media platform that allows users to post short messages, known as tweets.

URL

Uniform Resource Locator, a web address used to locate and access content on the internet.

URL Shortener

A tool or service that converts long URLs into shorter and more shareable links.

Unfollow

The action of stopping or discontinuing the subscription to another user's social media profile.

User-Generated Content (UGC)

Content created and shared by users rather than brands or official accounts.

Vanity Metric

A metric that looks impressive on the surface but does not directly contribute to business goals or outcomes.

Vanity URL

A custom and branded web address used for easy access to a specific social media profile or page.

Verified

A designation used by social media platforms to confirm the authenticity of a public figure, brand, or organization.

View Duration

The average amount of time users spend watching a video on social media platforms.

Vine

A now-discontinued platform that allowed users to share short looping video clips.

Viral

Refers to content that spreads rapidly and extensively across social media platforms.

Virtual Event

An online event or gathering conducted in a digital environment, often using web conferencing or live streaming platforms.

Virtual Reality (VR)

A technology that creates a simulated, computer-generated environment in which users can interact and experience.

Vlogging

The act of creating and sharing video blogs or vlogs on social media platforms.

Watch Time

The total time users spend watching videos on social media platforms.

WeChat

A multi-purpose messaging and social media app popular in China.

Web3

A vision of a decentralized and user-centric internet, leveraging blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.

Webinar

A live or recorded online presentation or seminar, typically used for educational or promotional purposes.

WhatsApp

A widely-used messaging app that allows text, voice, and video communication between users.

YouTube

A video-sharing platform where users can upload, view, and engage with a wide range of video content.

eCommerce Chatbot

An AI-powered chatbot designed to assist customers in the online shopping process, providing product information, recommendations, and handling inquiries.

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