Here’s a list of 100 social media terms you’ll need to know:
1. Algorithm
An ‘algorithm’ is a programmatic rule or set of instructions to be followed by a computer to solve a problem. Social media platforms use algorithms to create personalised timelines for their users.
2. App
An ‘app’ – or application – is a software program designed to perform a specific task, such as a calculator or calendar app. Many social media platforms are available as mobile apps.
3. Augmented reality
‘Augmented reality’ – or AR – is a technology that combines computer-generated images with the user’s reality by superimposing images or text into their view.
4. Avatar
An ‘avatar’ is a basic image that’s used to represent an individual or business online and differs from platform to platform. For example, Twitter uses an egg-shaped image, while LinkedIn uses a human silhouette.
5. B2B
‘B2B’ is short for ‘business-to-business’ and refers to operations that take place between two, or more, businesses. These operations can take place on professional platforms, like LinkedIn, which allows businesses to connect and collaborate.
6. B2C
‘B2C’ is an abbreviation of ‘business-to-consumer’ and refers to operations conducted between a business and its consumers. Businesses and brands have the opportunity to connect directly to their consumers through social media platforms.
For example, a brand can set up their Instagram account to include an online store. This way, consumers don’t need to leave Instagram when they want to purchase something online.
7. Bio
‘Bio’ is short for ‘biography’. It is a piece of text, usually found within a social media user’s profile, that gives a brief introduction of the user.
Your bio will typically contain a succinct summary of the personal information you want to share with others, like your interests, hobbies and likes or dislikes.
8. Blog
A ‘blog’ is an online platform where users, known as ‘bloggers’, regularly write and upload content.
Blogs are usually written as an online journal of the blogger’s experiences, thoughts, interests, etc. Bloggers can be used by brands as influencers on social media.
9. Chat
A ‘chat’ is a conversation that takes place across social media platforms, or online, but specifically by means of a chat interface.
These conversations are normally made up of text but have also come to include Emojis, GIFs and video.
10. Chatbot
A ‘chatbot’ – or bot – is a computer program that can simulate conversations with human users via a chat interface.
11. Clickbait
‘Clickbait’ refers to online content that is written with the intent of tempting users into clicking it. It can be easily spotted as a sensationalist headline that plays on a user’s curiosity.
Clickbait is designed to increase reads, engagement and shares on a platform.
12. Cloud
The ‘cloud’ refers to a type of Internet-based computing that provides applications, storage and servers on demand. An example is the Apple cloud – iOS users can upload data from their digital devices to the cloud, and download it again at any time.
13. Comment
A ‘comment’ is a text-based remark that a user can make on a social media post to express their opinion, reaction or interest.
For example, you may have enjoyed a particular article you read on media update and felt the need to share your thoughts by writing a comment that can be viewed by future readers of that article.
14. Connections
‘Connections’ refer to users on LinkedIn who know one another personally or who want to be included in other user’s professional network. Your connections are categorised by the 1st degree, 2nd degree and 3rd degree.
1st-degree connections are people who you have already established a connection with. 2nd-degree connections are people who you may not know but are connected to your 1st-degree connections. 3rd-degree connections are people who are connected to your 2nd-degree connections.
15. Content
‘Content’ is any original image, video or written media that’s used to convey a particular message or theme. Content is usually distributed across social media in the form of posts, stories and shares.
16. CPC
‘CPC’ stands for ‘cost-per-click’. It’s the money you pay to publishers each time a user on social media clicks on one of your posts.
17. CTA
‘CTA’ is short for ‘call to action’. Your CTA prompts viewers to engage with your post or with your brand. It may persuade the user to do a number of things – from signing up for your latest newsletter to following you on social media.
18. CTR
‘CTR’ means ‘click-through rate’ and is the number of times your post has been seen online divided by the number of users who actually clicked on your post.
19. Deepfakes
‘Deepfakes’ are fake video or audio recordings that are made to look and sound just like the real thing. Recorded footage and machine learning are combined to create false ‘evidence’.
20. Direct message (DM)
A ‘direct message’ is a feature that is used when a user wants to send a private message straight to another user online.
21. Double tap
To ‘double-tap’ means to ‘Like’ an image or video on Instagram. It’s done by tapping on the image twice with your finger in order to ‘Like’ it. A small, white heart will appear on-screen confirming your ‘Like’.
22. Emoji
An ‘emoji’ is a small icon that expresses a particular emotion and is typically used on messaging platforms.
23. Engagement
‘Engagement’ is any action taken by a social media user. This can be in the form of ‘Likes’, ‘Comments’, ‘Reactions’ and ‘Shares’.
24. Facebook
‘Facebook’ – frequently shortened to FB – is a free social networking platform that allows users to stay connected with friends and family by sharing content, chatting on the Messenger platform and engaging with each other’s News Feeds.
