Social Media Glossary & Marketing Terms

A

A/B testing

A/B testing is a way to compare two versions of something digital to see which one works better. You might test different social media posts, web pages, or ads. It's like a mini-experiment where you show version A to some people and version B to others.

Access group

An access group is a feature in social media management tools that lets you control who can see and do what with your accounts. It's a way to organize users and give them specific permissions.

Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing is earning commissions by promoting others’ products. Learn how to start generating income with affiliate marketing.

Algorithm

A social media algorithm is a computer program that decides what content you see on your feed. It's like a smart sorting system that picks posts based on your likes, comments, and other actions.

Algospeak

Algospeak refers to alternative terms used to bypass social platform algorithms. Learn how creators use algospeak to avoid content censorship.

Alt text

Alt text is a short description you add to images on your social media posts and websites.

AMA

AMA stands for "Ask Me Anything." It's a popular Q&A format that started on Reddit and spread to other social media platforms.

API

An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a set of rules that lets different software talk to each other.

Artificial intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) is computer technology that mimics human thinking. It's software that can learn, reason, and make choices like you do.

Augmented reality (AR)

Augmented reality (AR) blends digital elements with your real-world surroundings. It's like adding a layer of virtual info on top of what you see.

Avatar

An avatar is your digital representation in the online world. It's the image or character that shows up when you interact on social media platforms, forums, or games.

Average response time

Average response time is how long it takes a brand to reply to customer messages on social media. It's the average time between when customers send inquiries and when you respond.

B

B2B

B2B, or Business-to-Business, refers to companies that sell products or services to other businesses. It's different from B2C (Business-to-Consumer), where companies sell directly to individuals.

B2C

B2C stands for business-to-consumer. It's when companies sell products or services straight to you, the end user. This differs from B2B, where businesses sell to other businesses.

BeReal

BeReal is a social media app that focuses on sharing authentic, unfiltered moments of your day, unlike the carefully curated posts you see on other platforms like Instagram.

BFR

BFR stands for "Be For Real" on social media. It's a popular slang term used to express disbelief or skepticism.

Bitmoji

A Bitmoji is your personal emoji – a cartoon version of you. It's a fun way to express yourself on social media and in messages.

Blockchain

A blockchain is a decentralized ledger technology used to verify transactions. Learn how blockchain is revolutionizing industries.

Blog

A blog is a regularly updated website used to share content or insights. Learn how to start a blog and engage your audience.

Blogger

A blogger is someone who writes and publishes content on a blog. You might be a blogger if you regularly share your thoughts, experiences, or expertise online.

Blue checkmark

A blue checkmark is a symbol used on social media to verify account authenticity. Learn who gets verified and why it matters for your brand.

BoFu (Bottom of the Funnel)

BoFu, or Bottom of Funnel, is the final stage in your social media marketing funnel. It's where your leads are closest to making a purchase decision.

Boosted post

A boosted post is a paid social media promotion that extends the reach of your organic content.

Brand advocate

A brand advocate is someone who loves your brand and tells others about it. They're your biggest fans who spread the word without being paid.

Brand authenticity

Brand authenticity is when you can trust a company to be true to its values and promises. It's about being real and honest in how a brand presents itself to you on social media and other channels.

Brand awareness

Rooted in recognizing a brand's name, logo, or products, brand awareness is how well you know a company's identity.

Brand style guide

A brand style guide ensures consistent visuals and messaging. See how it helps you maintain brand trust and cohesion across media.

C

Call to action (CTA)

A call to action (CTA) is a prompt that encourages you to take a specific action on social media. It's a key part of posts and ads, designed to get you to engage.

Caption

A caption is a short text that goes with a photo or video on social media. It's your chance to add context and meaning to your visual content.

Carousel

A carousel post is a social media format that lets you share multiple photos or videos in one post. You can swipe or click through each slide to see more content.

Carousel ads

Carousel ads let you present multiple visuals in a single ad. Learn how brands use them to capture attention and drive conversions effectively.

Character count

The character count measures the total characters in a body of text. Stay within limits to keep your social media posts engaging and clear. See platform-specific tips.

Chat

Chat is a key part of social media platforms. It lets you talk to friends and family in real time through text messages.

Chatbot

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

Check-in

A check-in is a social media feature that lets you share your current location with your followers. It's a way to tell people where you are and what you're up to.

Chronically online

Being chronically online describes people who spend too much time on the internet. It's a state where you're always connected, shaping how you think and act.

Click-through rate (CTR)

CTR, short for click-through rate, helps you measure audience engagement.

Clickbait

Clickbait refers to misleading content designed to get clicks. Learn how it works, its impact on brand trust, and how to avoid it.

Clout

Clout is your social media influence and power. It's how much sway you have online. People with clout can shape trends and opinions.

Clubhouse

Clubhouse is an audio-based social media app that lets you join live conversations. It's like a mix of podcasts and conference calls, but more interactive.

Comment

A comment is how you interact with posts on social media platforms. When you see content you want to respond to, you can leave a comment to share your thoughts.

Community manager

A community manager is a social media pro who builds relationships between a brand and its online followers. Their goal? Turn casual fans into loyal brand advocates.

Connection

A connection in social media is a digital link between you and another user, brand, or community. It's how you build your online network and interact with others.

Content curation

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

Content marketing

Content marketing is a strategy you can use to connect with your audience online. It's all about creating and sharing valuable content that your target audience will find useful or interesting.

Conversion

Conversion in social media is when you get users to take a specific action that helps your business goals. It's about turning interactions into real results.

Conversion rate

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

Cost per click (CPC)

Cost per click (CPC) is how much you pay when someone clicks on your ad. It's a key part of pay-per-click (PPC) advertising on social media and search engines.

Cost per mille (CPM)

Cost per mille (CPM) is the amount you pay for 1,000 ad impressions. It's a key metric in digital advertising, especially for social media campaigns.

Creative Commons

Creative Commons (CC) is a nonprofit organization that helps you share your creative work. It offers free licenses you can use to let others legally use and remix your content.

Crisis management

Crisis management refers to responding to events that threaten brand reputation. Find out why it’s crucial for social media and how to handle crises.

Cross-posting

Cross-posting is a social media strategy that lets you share the same content across multiple platforms. It’s a time-saving trick that helps you reach more people without extra work.

Crowdsourcing

Crowdsourcing is a way to get ideas and help from lots of people online. It's big on social media. Brands ask their followers for thoughts on new products or content.

CSAT

CSAT is a key metric that shows how happy customers are with your product, service, or interaction. It's a quick way to get feedback, usually through short surveys.

Customer reviews

Customer reviews are feedback you get from people who've used your product or service. They often include star ratings and comments about their experience.

D

Dark post

A dark post is a targeted social media ad that doesn't appear on your public feed. Find out how marketers use them to run effective, discreet campaigns.

Dark social

Dark social refers to the sharing of content through private, untraceable channels. It happens when you send links via messaging apps, email, or direct messages on social media.

Dashboard

A dashboard is essential for tracking metrics and optimizing social media campaigns. See how it boosts engagement and simplifies management.

Data visualization

Data visualization turns numbers into pictures. It's a way to show social media information using charts and graphs. You can see things like follower growth or post likes at a glance.

Deep linking

Deep linking directs you to specific content within an app instead of just the main screen. It's like a shortcut that takes you right where you want to go.

Deinfluencing

Deinfluencing is a social media trend that flips traditional influencer marketing on its head. Instead of promoting products, deinfluencers tell you what not to buy.

Demographics

Demographics are the key traits that describe a group of people. They include things like age, gender, income, and location.

Digg

Digg is a social news website where you can find and share interesting content from across the internet. It lets you submit links to articles, videos, and other web pages.

Direct message (DM)

A private way to chat on social media. You can send DMs to other users without anyone else seeing them.

Direct response

Direct response marketing is a strategy that aims to get you to take action right away. It's different from other marketing that focuses on building brand awareness over time.

Disappearing content

Disappearing content, also known as ephemeral content, is social media posts that vanish after a set time. You've probably seen this on platforms like Instagram Stories, Snapchat, and Facebook Stories. These posts typically last for 24 hours before they're gone for good.

Discord

Discord is a free communication app you can use to chat with friends and communities. It started as a tool for gamers but now welcomes all kinds of groups.

Discover (or Snapchat Discover)

Snapchat Discover is a feature that brings fresh content to your fingertips. It's a curated feed where you can explore stories from top publishers, brands, and influencers.

Discovery Call

A discovery call is a two-way conversation between you and a potential client or customer. It's your first chance to learn about their needs and challenges.

Disqus

Disqus is a popular comment platform that lets you engage in discussions on websites and blogs. It's easy to use and works with many sites you visit.

Doomscrolling

Doomscrolling is when you can't stop scrolling through bad news on social media. It's the habit of constantly looking at upsetting posts or articles on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or news sites

Double tap

A double tap is a quick way to like content on social media. You simply tap twice on a post to show your appreciation.

Drag & drop

Drag & drop is a handy feature you've likely used in social media apps without even realizing it. It lets you move digital items around to a new spot.

Duet

A duet on TikTok is a feature that lets you create a split-screen video alongside another user's content. You can react to, harmonize with, or build on someone else's video in real-time.

E

E-commerce chatbot

An e-commerce chatbot is your AI-powered assistant for online shopping. It's a smart program that talks to customers on your website or social media platforms.

E-commerce marketing

E-commerce marketing is how you promote and sell products on your online store. It's all about using digital channels to attract customers and boost sales, using tactics like social media, email, and search engine optimization (SEO) to reach shoppers.

Earned media value (EMV)

Earned media value (EMV) is a marketing metric that puts a dollar figure on your brand's non-paid exposure. It includes social media mentions, shares, likes, press coverage, and other free publicity.

Ecommerce

Ecommerce is buying and selling products or services online. It's grown huge in the digital age, with social media playing a big role. You can shop on websites, apps, and marketplaces 24/7.

EdgeRank

EdgeRank was Facebook's first algorithm for sorting your News Feed. It came about in 2010 when Facebook needed a way to handle the growing amount of content on the platform.

Embed

An embed lets you display digital content from another source on your own site. You can add things like social media posts, videos, or images to your blog or webpage using a short code snippet. This means your visitors can see and interact with the content right there, without leaving your site.

Emoji

Emojis are small digital images or icons used to express emotions, ideas, or objects in electronic messages and web pages.

Engagement

Social media engagement is how you interact with content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X. It's all about the actions you take when you see a post or video.

Engagement rate

Engagement rate measures how much your audience interacts with your social media content. It's a key metric to gauge your online performance.

Ephemeral Content

Ephemeral content is short-lived media that vanishes after a set time, usually 24 hours. You'll find it on popular social platforms like Instagram Stories, Snapchat, and Facebook Stories.

Evergreen content

Evergreen content is material that stays fresh and relevant long after it's published. Like evergreen trees that keep their leaves year-round, this type of content remains useful and interesting to readers over time.

Explore Page

The Explore page is a key feature on Instagram. It's a personalized feed that shows you content you might like. You can find it by tapping the magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the app.

F

Facebook (FB)

Facebook is the world's largest social media platform. Mark Zuckerberg founded it in 2004, and it's now owned by Meta. Facebook lets you connect with friends, family, and people worldwide.

Fan

A fan is someone who likes or follows your social media page, actively engaging with your content. Learn how fans drive organic growth and brand loyalty.

Featured Banner

A featured banner is a customizable graphic that sits at the top of your Link in Bio page. It's like a digital billboard for your social media profile.

Fediverse

The fediverse is a network of social platforms that work together. It's like many different social media sites talking to each other. You can make friends and share posts across these sites.

Feels

"Feels" is social media slang for intense emotions or feelings. It's a shorter way to say "feelings" that you'll often see in comments or captions. When you come across a post that gives you strong emotions, you might say it "hit you in the feels."

Filter

A filter is a digital tool you can use to change how your photos and videos look on social media.

Finsta

A finsta is a secret Instagram account you create to share more personal content with a small group of close friends. It's short for "fake Instagram."

Fire

On social media, "fire" is slang for something really cool or awesome. When you see people calling a new song or outfit "fire," they mean it's super impressive. You might spot the fire emoji 🔥 used the same way.

Fleet

Fleets were Twitter's version of disappearing posts. Introduced in 2020, they let you share temporary content that vanished after 24 hours. You could post text, photos, videos, or reactions to tweets.

Flickr

Flickr is a photo-sharing platform and social network launched in 2004. It's designed for photographers and creative pros like you. You can upload, edit, and share your photos and videos with a global community.

Focus groups

Focus groups are a qualitative research method you can use to gather insights from a small group of people.

Follower

A social media follower is someone who subscribes to your account on social media platforms. When you follow an account, you'll see their posts in your feed.

FR (For Real)

FR stands for "for real" in social media lingo. You'll often see it used to express sincerity or agreement in online chats and posts. When someone says "FR," they're emphasizing that they're being truthful or genuine.

Friction

Friction in social media is anything that makes it hard for you to use a platform or take action. It's like a roadblock that slows you down or stops you from doing what you want.

FYP (For You Page)

It's a personalized content feed you'll find on popular social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

G

Gatekeeping

Gatekeeping is when you control who gets access to something. It's like being a bouncer at a club, deciding who can come in. On social media, you might see gatekeeping in fan communities or niche groups.

Gen X

Gen X, born between 1965 and 1980, bridges Baby Boomers and Millennials. You're known for independence and adaptability, having grown up during rapid technological changes. As a "latchkey kid," you likely had working parents and learned self-reliance early on.

Gen Z

Gen Z includes those born from 1997 to the early 2010's, raised in the digital age. Curious how their social media habits are influencing brands today?

Geotag

A geotag is a piece of geographical data added to your digital content. It's like a virtual stamp that shows where you took a photo, made a post, or shared a video.

Geotargeting

Geotargeting is a smart way to reach people based on where they are. It's all about showing ads or content to users in specific places.

Ghosting

Ghosting is when you suddenly stop all communication with someone on social media without any explanation. It's like vanishing into thin air, leaving the other person wondering what happened.

GIF

A GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is a digital image file you'll often see on social media. It's a compact format that can show both still pictures and short, looping animations without sound.

Girlie

'Girlie' is a playful social media slang term. You'll often see it used to refer to women or female friends in a warm, affectionate way. It's not just for girls though - anyone can be called 'girlie' online.

Giveaway

A giveaway is a marketing strategy where you offer free products or services to your social media followers. It's a way to boost engagement and grow your audience. You'll often see brands or influencers running giveaways on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter.

GOAT

GOAT stands for "Greatest of All Time." You'll often see this acronym used on social media to praise exceptional people in their fields. It's most common in sports, but you'll also spot it for musicians and other celebrities.

Google Ads

Google Ads is Google's pay-per-click advertising platform. This tool helps you display ads on Google Search and partner sites.

Google Business Profile

Google Business Profile is a free tool that helps you manage your business's online presence on Google Search and Maps.

Gram

“Gram” is a popular shorthand for Instagram in social media lingo. It's a quick and casual way to refer to the photo-sharing platform.

Groups

Social media groups are online communities where you can connect with others who share your interests. You'll find them on platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Reddit.

GRWM

GRWM stands for "Get Ready With Me." It's a popular social media trend where creators show you their getting-ready routines. You'll find these videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

GUI (Graphical User Interface)

A graphical user interface (GUI) is a user-friendly way to interact with your devices and apps. Instead of typing commands, you use visual elements like icons, buttons, and menus.

H

Hashtag

A keyword or phrase you add to your social media posts by putting a "#" symbol in front of it. It's a way to tag and organize content.

Header image

A header image is the large picture at the top of your social media profile. It's one of the first things people see when they visit your page.

Highkey

Highkey is a slang term you might see on social media. It's the opposite of lowkey. When you use highkey, you're expressing strong, open enthusiasm or emphasis.

Home feed

A home feed is the main page you see when you open a social media app. It's a personalized stream of content tailored just for you.

Hoo.be

Hoo.be is an exclusive, invite-only link-in-bio tool for top creators and brands. It's a one-stop landing page where you can showcase all your important links and content.

Houseparty

Houseparty was a popular video chat app that let you and your friends hang out virtually. Launched in 2016, it created digital "rooms" for casual group video calls with up to 8 people.

I

I can’t even

"I can't even" is a popular slang expression you might see on social media. It's used when you're feeling so overwhelmed by something that you can't finish your thought.

I Was Today Years Old

"I was today years old" is a fun way to say you just learned something new. It's used when you discover a fact that seems like common knowledge. You might use this phrase on social media when sharing a surprising realization.

IB (Inspired By)

IB" stands for "Inspired By" on social media platforms like TikTok. You'll often see it in captions or comments when creators want to credit their source of inspiration.

ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)

ICYMI stands for "In Case You Missed It." You've probably seen this acronym on social media or in digital conversations.

IDGI

IDGI stands for "I don't get it." You'll often see this acronym on social media when someone's confused or needs clarification. It's a quick way to say you're not understanding a post, joke, or comment.

IGTV

IGTV was Instagram's platform for long-form video content, launched in 2018. It let you post videos between 15 and 60 minutes long, much longer than regular Instagram feed posts.

Impressions

Impressions are a key social media metric. They show how often your content appears on users' screens.

Influencer

An influencer is someone who can shape your opinions and decisions on social media. They're active on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Influencer marketing

Influencer marketing is a way for brands to reach you through social media stars. It's when companies team up with popular people online to promote products.

Infographic

An infographic is a visual tool that helps you share complex info in a simple way. It uses images, charts, and short text to explain ideas quickly.

Insights

Social media insights are data-driven analytics that show you how users interact with your content on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. These tools give you a peek into your audience's behavior, content engagement, and overall campaign performance.

Instagram

Instagram (IG) is a popular social media app. It lets you share photos and videos with your followers. In 2010, it started as a simple photo-sharing platform.

Instagram Comment

An Instagram comment is a response you leave on someone's post. It's a way to share your thoughts, ask questions, or chat with others about the content.

Instagram Notes

Instagram Notes are short text updates you can share with your followers. They appear at the top of your Direct Messages inbox.

Instagram Pod

An Instagram pod is a group of users who work together to boost each other's posts. You join a pod with other Instagram accounts in your niche.

Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels are short-form video features that allows users to create videos up to 90 seconds with music and effects.

Instagram Shops

Instagram Shops is a feature that lets businesses sell products directly on the app. It's like having a virtual store right on Instagram.

Instant messaging (IM)

Instant messaging (IM) is a quick, real-time communication tool. Learn how it works, its popular platforms, and why it’s essential for modern communication.

ISO (In Search Of)

ISO stands for "In Search Of" on social media platforms. You'll often see it in posts when someone's looking for something specific.

IYKYK

IYKYK stands for "If You Know, You Know." It's a popular abbreviation used on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. You'll often see it in posts or comments to hint at shared experiences or inside jokes.

J

JPG

A JPG (or JPEG) is a popular image format you'll often see on social media. It stands for Joint Photographic Experts Group, the team that created it.

K

Key performance indicator (KPI)

A KPI in social media is a measurable value that shows how well you're meeting your goals. It helps you track progress and make smart choices for your social media strategy.

L

Like

A "like" is a quick way to show you enjoy or agree with content on social media. It's a simple click that lets you interact without typing a comment.

Link building

Link building is the process of getting other websites to link to your site. It's a key part of search engine optimization (SEO).

Link in bio

'Link in bio' refers to the clickable URL you can add to your social media profile. It's a way to share important content with your followers.

Live streaming

Live streaming is broadcasting video in real time over the internet. It's like sharing a live video chat with many people at once. You can watch live streams on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

Lookalike Audience

A lookalike audience is a group of users similar to your existing customers. Learn how this tool boosts targeting efficiency and improves ad performance.

M

Marketing funnel

A marketing funnel is a model that shows how customers move through the buying process. It starts with people learning about your brand and ends with them making a purchase.

Meme

A meme is digital content, often humorous, that spreads rapidly online. Discover how memes shape culture and social media trends.

Mention

A mention is when you tag or refer to another user on social media, usually with the "@" symbol. You'll see this on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Meta Ads Manager

Meta Ads Manager is your go-to tool for creating and managing ads across Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger.

N

Native advertising

Native advertising is a paid media format that blends in with organic content on social media, news sites, and search engines.

Newsfeed

A newsfeed is where you can access updates and posts on any given social network.

Newsjacking

Newsjacking is a strategy where you use trending news stories to boost your brand's visibility. It's about jumping on hot topics and adding your own twist.

Newsletter

Newsletters are a powerful tool in your digital marketing arsenal. They help you stay connected with customers and build lasting relationships.

Niche marketing

Niche marketing allows you to develop a clear brand identity that resonates with your target audience.

NPC

Non-player character, or NPC, is a term that started in video games to describe characters you can't control. Now, it's used on social media too.

O

Open Graph

Open Graph is a protocol created by Facebook to make web content more shareable on social media.

OpenAI

OpenAI's work is pushing the boundaries of machine learning. They're making AI systems that can understand and generate human-like text, images, and more.

Organic reach

Organic reach is the number of unique users who see your content on social media without paid promotion. It's different from paid reach, which involves spending money to boost your posts.

P

Paid social

Paid social is when you pay to show ads on social media platforms. It's a way to get your content in front of more people who might like what you offer.

Pay-per-click (PPC)

Pay-Per-Click (PPC) is a digital advertising model where you pay when users click on your ads. It's a popular way to drive traffic and sales on platforms like:

Pin

A pin is a visual piece of content on Pinterest. You can think of it like a digital bookmark.

Pinned post

A pinned post is a social media feature that lets you keep a specific post at the top of your profile. It's like putting a thumbtack on your most important note.

Post

A post is content you share on social media platforms. It can be text, images, videos, or links.

R

Reach

Social media reach is the number of people exposed to your posts. Learn the difference between reach and impressions, and see tips on how to expand your audience.

Real-time marketing

Real-time marketing is all about jumping on current trends and events to connect with your audience right away.

Regram

A regram is when you share another user's Instagram post on your own account. It's like reposting content, but specifically for Instagram.

Repin

A repin is a key feature on Pinterest that lets you save content you like. When you see a pin you want to keep, you can repin it to one of your boards.

Repost

A repost is when you share someone else's content on your social media profile. It's a way to spread interesting posts you've seen to your own followers.

Retargeting

Retargeting is a digital marketing strategy that shows ads to people who've already interacted with your brand online. It helps you reconnect with potential customers who visited your website or social media pages but didn't make a purchase.

Retweet

A retweet is a way to share someone else's post on X (formerly Twitter). When you retweet, you're spreading that content to your own followers.

ROI

ROI in social media means return on investment. It measures how well your social media efforts are paying off. You calculate it by comparing what you spend on social media to what you get back.

S

Selfie

A selfie is a photo you take of yourself. You usually use your smartphone to take it. It's a fun way to capture moments and share them on social media.

Sentiment analysis

Sentiment analysis is a powerful tool you can use to understand how people feel about your brand on social media.

SEO

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, is a set of practices to boost your website's visibility on search engines. It's all about making your content more findable when people search for topics related to your brand or products.

Shadowban

A shadowban is when social media platforms limit your content's visibility without telling you. You post, but no one can see it. This happens on apps like Instagram and TikTok.

Share

A share on social media is when you spread content from another user or page to your own followers. When you share, you're boosting the reach of that content.

Share of voice (SOV)

Share of voice (SOV) measures how much of the conversation your brand owns compared to competitors. It's a key metric for tracking your visibility across social media and other digital channels.

Slay

“Slay” is a popular slang term you'll often see on social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X. It means to excel or perform exceptionally well in a confident way.

Snapchat

Snapchat is a popular multimedia messaging app that's changed how you share moments with friends. It's known for its disappearing messages and real-time content sharing.

Social bookmarking

Social bookmarking is a way for you to save and organize web links online. Instead of keeping bookmarks in your browser, you store them on a platform that's accessible from any device. You can tag and categorize your saved links, making them easy to find later.

Social commerce

Social commerce involves buying and selling products directly through social media. Learn how to implement social commerce in your strategy.

Social customer service

Social customer service is when companies use social media to help their customers. It's a new way to solve problems and answer questions.

Social listening

Social listening is a powerful tool for understanding your audience on social media. It's the process of tracking and analyzing online conversations about your brand, competitors, and industry.

Social media

Social media is a group of online platforms that let you connect with others and share content. You can use these websites and apps to post photos, videos, and messages.

Social media analytics

Social media analytics helps businesses understand how users interact with content. See how these insights inform better decisions and boost success.

Social media bio

A social media bio is a short description about you or your brand on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and TikTok. It's your chance to make a great first impression in just a few words.

Social media campaign

A social media campaign is a planned set of marketing activities on social platforms to achieve a specific goal. It's different from regular social posts because it's strategic and focused.

Social media handle

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

Social media management

Social media management involves creating, scheduling, and analyzing content on platforms. Learn how to streamline your social media strategy.

Social media marketing

Social media marketing uses platforms to promote products or services. Learn how to craft an effective social media marketing strategy.

Social media monitoring

Social media monitoring is the practice of keeping track of what people are saying about you, your brand, or your industry online.

Social proof

Social proof is when you look to others to figure out what to do. It's a powerful force that shapes how you act online and off.

Social selling

Social selling is a modern sales approach that uses social media to connect with potential customers. It's about building relationships and providing value, not just pushing products.

Spam

Spam is unwanted, repetitive content that floods your social media feeds and inboxes. You've probably seen it – those annoying ads, fake profiles, or suspicious links that pop up everywhere.

Stories

Stories are bite-sized, temporary posts you can share on social media. Popular on Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook, they include photos, videos, and text and disappear after 24 hours.

Subscribers

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

T

Tag

A tag on social media is a way to link or mention other users in your posts. When you tag someone, they get a notification and a clickable link to their profile appears in your post.

Targeting

Targeting is the process of reaching specific audiences in advertising. Learn how to define and target your ideal customers.

TBF

TBF stands for "to be fair." You'll often see this acronym used in social media posts and online chats. When you use TBF, you're adding a balanced view to a conversation.

Thread

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

Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday, or TBT, is a social media trend that involves people sharing old photos or memories on Thursdays using the hashtag #TBT.

TikTok

TikTok is a short-form video platform where users share creative content. Learn how brands are using TikTok to engage younger audiences.

Traffic

Traffic refers to the visitors who land on your website. Learn how to drive more traffic and increase conversions.

Troll

A troll is someone who posts inflammatory or off-topic comments online to upset others. You might encounter them in social media comments, forums, or chat rooms.

Tweet

A tweet is a short post shared on X (formerly Twitter). Learn how to craft tweets that drive engagement.

Twitter

What is Twitter? | Brandwatch Social Media Glossary

U

Unfollow

Unfollow means stopping updates from a user without blocking them. Learn how unfollowing works on social media platforms.

URL

A URL is the web address you type into your browser to visit a website. It stands for Uniform Resource Locator and acts like a digital street address for online content.

URL shortener

A URL shortener is a tool that converts long web addresses into shorter, more manageable links. It's especially useful for social media, where character limits can be an issue.

User-generated content (UGC)

User-generated content (UGC) is stuff made by regular people about brands and products. It's not created by companies themselves.

UTM code

A UTM code is a tracking tag added to a URL for campaign tracking. Learn how UTM codes improve your marketing analytics.

V

Vanity Metric

A vanity metric is a surface-level data point that looks impressive but doesn't really tell you much about your social media success. These metrics might make you feel good, but they don't always lead to meaningful results.

Verified

A verified account on social media usually indicates that the platform has confirmed the identity of the account holder, signified with a blue checkmark next to their name.

Viral

Viral refers to content that spreads quickly across social media platforms. When something goes viral, it gains lots of attention in a short time. This happens through massive sharing and engagement.

Viral marketing

Viral marketing is a strategy that gets people to share your content widely on social media. It's like a digital version of word-of-mouth advertising. You create something catchy or interesting that spreads quickly among users, much like a virus.

Vlog

A vlog is a video blog where you share your thoughts, experiences, or information through video instead of written text. It's a popular form of content on social media platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

W

Watch time

Watch time is the total amount of minutes users spend viewing your videos on platforms like YouTube, Facebook, or TikTok. It's a key metric for measuring audience engagement with your content.

Webinar

A webinar is a live, online seminar that lets you connect with an audience in real-time. It's a virtual event where you can share information, give presentations, or hold discussions from anywhere in the world.

X

X Spaces

X Spaces is a live audio chat feature on X (formerly Twitter). It lets you join real-time conversations with other users right from your mobile device. You can host your own Space or listen in on others' discussions.

Y

YouTube

YouTube is a global video-sharing platform where you can upload, watch, and share videos. Founded in 2005 and later bought by Google, it's become a huge part of online culture.

YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts are bite-sized vertical videos you can create and watch on YouTube. They're up to 60 seconds long and designed for quick, engaging content on your phone.

Social Media Glossary

No results found

Suggestions