Real Conversation: With all of the social media acronyms in use right now, it can be difficult to figure out what's going on. For those who don't know, it's basically a different language.
However, if your brand is using social media for business, proper use of social media acronyms and abbreviations can be part of an effective social strategy. In fact, it's one of the many social media trends your brand wants to understand.
So don't worry if you think YOLO is a frozen dessert. Or GOAT was literally just a goat.
To help you crack the social media acronym code, we've rounded up the top social media acronyms, initials, and abbreviations that every marketer should know. They are divided into five categories:
- Network-specific abbreviations
- Business-specific social media acronyms and abbreviations
- Technical acronyms and abbreviations used on social media
- Gen Z Social Media Acronyms and Abbreviations
- Social media acronyms for emotions
Okay – it's time to improve your RN social vocabulary (right now).
Bonus: Download our free, customizable social media calendar template to easily plan and schedule all your content in advance.
Network-specific abbreviations
FB: Facebook
G +: Google +
IG: Instagram
LI: LinkedIn
TW: Twitter
YT: YouTube
DM: direct message
This is a private form of communication that is only seen between the sender and recipient. On Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, users can "slide" into someone else's DMs by sending a private message.
MT: Changed tweet
Tweets that begin with MT indicate that the tweeter edited the content they are retweeted for brevity or other reasons. This is also known as a quote tweet.
PM: Private message
Private messages are the same as direct messages. Essentially, when someone asks you to PM, they are asking to move a public conversation to private.
PRT: Partial retweet
This is very similar to an RT but is used to show that you are only quoting part of what the other Twitter user originally said. Perhaps you condense it, for example to save space for your own comment.
RT: Retweet
Instead of clicking the retweet button or retweeted with a comment, some Twitter users repost a tweet using "RT" plus the user's handle for the association.
AFAIK: As far as I know
Used when sharing facts or indicating something that you believe is true. However, when you type in AFAIK, you are not entirely sure. Not sure and after all not an expert.
AFAIK, people are not introverted from birth. So, dear reddit introverts, what event / chain of events made you want to become who you are right now? by AskReddit
AMA: Ask me something
AMAs are social question-and-answer sessions. Businesses, influencers, and brand reps can host AMAs on Twitter, Reddit, or on a Facebook or Instagram live stream.
I'll be right back
This is one of the original social media acronyms that was first used in the late 1980s or early 1990s. It dates from the chat forum era but finds its way back into the social world when the right occasion calls for it.
Brb is packing our suitcases 🤩https: //t.co/b1xo3ErJfb
– Metro (@MetroUK) December 16, 2020
BTS: behind the scenes
No, TIME was not named Entertainer of the Year 2020 by the Korean boy band. This acronym is used to give followers a behind-the-scenes look at your brand.
By the way: By the way
This social media acronym is used to add additional information, create a tangent, or cast shadows.
CMV: Change my mind
You share an opinion, but you understand that your opinion may be flawed. You are open to a civil conversation. In fact, there is an entire subreddit devoted to CMV discussions.
DYK: Did you know?
Did you know the DYK acronym is a great way to share a fun fact with your social media audience? Write on your social media label or add it as a hashtag.
ELI5: Explain to me like I am five
This social media abbreviation is very popular on Reddit and is a way of introducing you to explain something complex in a simple way.
ELI5: Why does it feel colder inside in winter even though the thermostat says the temperature is the same? by EXPLAINLEIMFIVE
FBF: Flashback Friday
A way to throw it back in time on a Friday.
#fbf to whatever the hell was going on here pic.twitter.com/lM8FMxkwPb
– Topher Grace (@TopherGrace) December 11, 2020
FOMO: Afraid of missing out
If you haven't heard from FOMO, you have missed it. This socially-bred phobia expresses fear of absence. For the homebodies there is the antonym acronym JOMO, which means Joy of Missing Out.
Cake FOMO is real, so we recommend ordering the whole cake. Check out which whole cakes are available in different sizes that are perfect for every occasion. 😉
Posted by The Cheesecake Factory on Thursday 3rd Dec 2020
FTW: For the profit
A sometimes sincere, sometimes sarcastic, sometimes excited acclamation. (And on the other side of the coin, FTL means loss.)
🚨 KYLE GUY FTW 🚨 # NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/nGtyl3suO0
– NBA TV (@NBATV) December 16, 2020
FWIW: For what it's worth
This social media acronym is often used to express one's opinion, but in a way that isn't rude or presumptuous. It shows that you are not deliberately trying to call someone when they are sharing something that you do not see right. You can find this most often on Twitter or on message boards.
FWIW, you should never use "Facts Don't Care About Your Feelings" – even if you are a US Senator – when asking, "Who lost the 2020 presidential race?" Can't answer. without much stammering, mumbling or "squirrel!"
– Jonah Goldberg (@JonahDispatch) December 15, 2020
For your information: For your information
This social media acronym is an informative abbreviation that is sometimes supplied with a touch of sass.
"I'm a big girl who did a smoothie detox. Every big girl should do what she wants with her body." Lizzo responded to critics who said she was promoting "diet culture" with her smoothie cleansing. For your information, she does what SHE wants. https://t.co/mtFZpz6H0t
– InStyle (@InStyle) December 15, 2020
H / T: hat tip
Sometimes just HT, a hat tip, is a virtual nod indicating an original source of information or a picture. It can also stand for listening through.
ICYMI: In case you missed it
A way to highlight content or news that may have been overlooked in the never-ending flash of social media.
IMO / IMHO: In my opinion / In my humble opinion
A disclaimer that someone shares their opinion and not facts about something. Opinions are divided as to whether the H stands for humble or honest.
Tesla's share price is too high IMO by Wallstreetbets
IRL: In real life
IRL is used to distinguish when something is happening in real life, not on social media, in games, or anywhere else on the internet.
Do you check out the #SuperBlueBloodMoon #IRL or do you live online? It's happening now so don't miss out! The earth will continue to block light from the sun and cast a reddish hue on the moon until around 9:07 a.m. ET / 6:07 a.m. PT. Check this out: https://t.co/r6X6SoMfLn pic.twitter.com/J9UfDz2NTF
– NASA (@NASA) January 31, 2018
LMK: please let me know
When someone uses this social media abbreviation, they are waiting for feedback or information.
Made my first house moc today! It's a beach house what you think of Lego
NBD: Not a big deal
Often used as a humble brag about something that is actually a big deal to the social post writer.
NBD! just picked up a bulkhead film 20 (2021). Delayed due to the pandemic so the maiden voyage will be on a coach. from cycling
NSFW: Not safe for work
This one is literally unsafe for work. Think twice before using it – and sharing NSFW content with a corporate account.
OK: Original content
Another way to show that you are sharing your own content, not others' ideas or words. Basically the opposite of RT. For example, if you share a photo that you took on Twitter, it is OC. Sharing someone else's photo wouldn't do this.
WFH: Work from home
Probably the 2020 social media acronym. Often used in online chatting with coworkers, but can also be useful for social media.
SMH: Shake your head
At times when it is necessary, people know you are unfazed or in disbelief and you may literally be shaking your head behind this screen.
TBH: To be honest
Similar to IMO, this social media abbreviation is used as a humble flex to share an opinion or to show that you either agree or disagree with something.
Fair enough, tbh
Posted by Cosmopolitan UK on Tuesday 1st Dec 2020
TBT: Relapse Thursday
As with the FBF, this is another day of nostalgia on social media.
#tbt I'm lucky 😍
Posted by Joe Montana on Thursday 19th Nov 2020
TFTF: Thanks for following
Twitter slang. This social media acronym is a way to positively interact with someone who recently followed you on social networks.
TFW: The feeling when
Precedes an often relatable experience and is usually accompanied by a meme.
TGIF: Thank goodness it's Friday
Because everyone works for the weekend.
2021 is already a huge improvement over 2020 as TGIF favorite #Dinosaurs is directed to @disneyplus: https://t.co/l1EETZeOLd
– Collider (@Collider) December 15, 2020
TL; DR: Too long; not read
Usually used to offer a pithy summary on something too long for internet attention spans. Or it is the summary typed before or after the long explanation, much like the Coles Notes version of a social media label.
TLDR: I drove 100 miles and earned 65 TRAIL miles with a PR for the time on my feet! 🏃🏼♀️💪🏼 My motto for 2020 …
Posted by Stephanie Stonebraker on Sunday December 6th, 2020
WBW: Wayback Wednesday
Wayback Wednesday takes a trip into the past on humpback day.
WCW: Woman Crush Wednesday
A day of the week to celebrate a self-identifying woman, usually on Instagram for whatever reason! (There's also MCM: Man Crush Monday.) WCW can be used in a caption or as a hashtag.
B2B: Business to Business
Abbreviation for a company with business priorities.
B2C: Business To Consumer
Describes a company that offers products or services directly to customers.
CMGR: Community Manager
Community managers cultivate a brand's relationships on social media. Not to be confused with social media managers. Community managers engage and promote the company's community.
CTA: call to action
A call to action is an oral, written, or visual prompt. It provides an instruction to people on what to do next, whether it be "Subscribe", "Subscribe", or "Call Us Today".
Resource: Here's how to write an effective CTA.
EOD: End of the day
Usually to indicate a deadline. For example: "Please return this report to me by EOD Monday."
EM – send me an email
There is no need to schedule another Zoom meeting. This can be found out in writing.
ETA: Estimated Time of Arrival
The abbreviation used to guess when an outcome is due. Example: "What is the ETA for this item we are waiting for?"
F2F: Face to face
Not often used during the pandemic, but this abbreviation is used when you want to schedule a face-to-face meeting. Example: "Instead of another Zoom meeting, schedule something F2F."
I am in a meeting
A shortcut to show that now is not the ideal time for a phone call or an endless flood of text messages. You are busy and most likely with a client.
KPI: Key Performance Indicator
A key performance indicator is a comprehensive measurement that measures how effectively a company is achieving its goals.
Resource: These are the KPIs that need to be tracked in order to measure the success of your brand.
MoM: month after month
Used to show growth or quantitative changes that occur every four weeks. Often used for sales changes, active users, page views, or logins. There's YoY too: year after year. This measures the same quantitative metrics but compares data over 12 months instead of 4 weeks.
Outside of the house
Usually contained in an automated email to be sent when someone knows they are away from the office on vacation, on a business trip, or in an extended workshop. For example: "I will try to get back to you by Monday as I will be on vacation OOO for the next three days."
P / E: value for money
A measure or metric often used by investors and business analysts to determine the value of a company.
ROI: return on investment
The ROI measures how much profit is being made for certain business initiatives. The ROI is one of the most common methods companies use to evaluate the success of campaigns and ventures.
Resource: Learn how to track and improve your ROI on social media.
SEM: Search Engine Marketing
Search engine marketing is an online advertising method. It involves buying ads on search engines to increase website traffic.
SEO: search engine optimization
Search engine optimization aims to improve the results of organic search engines and improve the visibility of content on the web.
Resource: Does Social Media Affect SEO? We'll let you know here.
SERP: Search engine results page
These are the paid and organic page results displayed by a search engine after a user performs a search.
SMART: Specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, timely
A common business acronym used in goal setting. It reminds the person to set the goals in order to create goals that can be pursued and actually achieved.
Resource: Here's how to set SMART goals to build your brand for social media success.
SME: Small and medium-sized companies
Small businesses are companies with fewer than 50 employees. Medium-sized companies (or medium-sized companies) typically have fewer than 250 companies. They are also sometimes referred to as small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Resource: Is your brand a small business? Here are some tips to help you with your social media strategy.
SMP: social media platform
A social media abbreviation that is sometimes used to refer to a specific social network.
SMM: Social Media Marketing
The practice of increasing brand awareness and exposure on social media with the aim of building relationships and generating leads.
SMO: Social Media Optimization
The optimization of social media ensures the use of suitable platforms for brand marketing. It's very similar to SMM.
SoLoMo: social, local, mobile
Social, Local, Mobile describes the convergence of mobile and locally oriented social media marketing, which is becoming increasingly popular thanks to geo-location technology.
SRP: Social Relationship Platform
An SRP is a centralized platform that uses enterprise technology to enable businesses to post, as well as monitor, moderate, and analyze on multiple social media websites.
Resource: If you're looking for an example of an SRP, look no further. Hootsuite is a social relationships platform. Here's how to use it.
Terms and Conditions: Terms of Use
Terms of use are the legal rules that users agree to use a social platform.
UGC: User Generated Content
User generated content refers to any content, including a post, image, or video, created by users of a platform rather than a brand.
Woman: word of mouth
Word-of-mouth marketing refers to the viral transmission of branded conversations online through the active encouragement of a business.
API: application programming interface
An API is a set of tools, definitions, and protocols that software developers can use to build a system with a different backend. For example, Google Maps has APIs for integrating web browsers and apps so that different companies can integrate the map technology.
CMS: Content Management System
A content management system is a platform on which digital content is created and managed. Popular content management systems are WordPress, Joomla and Drupal.
CPC: cost per click
Also known as pay-per-click (PPC), this abbreviation refers to the price an advertiser pays for each click in a campaign.
CR: conversion rate
Conversion rate measures the percentage of people who took an action for your campaign, e.g. B. Views, registrations, downloads and purchases. Conversions are an important metric in calculating ROI.
CRO: Conversion Rate Optimization
Measures to improve conversions.
CTR: click rate
A CTR is the percentage of people who clicked a link after seeing the option.
CX: customer experience
Customer experience refers to a customer's relationship with a company through various interactions and touchpoints. Mapping the customer journey is a great way to ensure that a customer has a good experience with your company.
ESP: email service provider
In simple terms, an ESP is a third party company that offers email services such as delivering newsletters or marketing campaigns. Popular companies are MailChimp, Constant Contact and Drip.
FTP: File Transport Protocol
A way of transferring files or copying files between computers. Often used to transfer files between a server on a network and a client's computer. This is one of the easiest ways to transfer files – and the oldest too, as it happened before the internet.
GA: Google Analytics
Google Analytics is an analysis platform for websites. It enables marketers to track website visitors, referrals, bounce rates, and more.
Resource: We explain how to set up Google Analytics and thus track the success of your brand on social media.
IM: instant messaging
Send a typed message to someone else's computer instantly. For example, you can send an instant message through Slack, Google's Hangout Conversations, or Skype chat.
Operating system: operating system
The software that runs a computer, tablet, or smartphone. For example, if you get a notification on your iPhone to update to 14.3, update the operating system your phone is running on.
PV: Pageviews
Page views indicate how many visitors landed on a particular website. General pageview statistics are often tracked along with unique pageviews.
RSS: Rich Site Summary
RSS, sometimes referred to as Really Simple Syndication, is a format for syndicating web content. (This means that content from one website is made available to another website.) Podcasts, blogs, and publishers rely on RSS feeds to bring their content to a wide audience.
Resource: Check out the Hootsuite Syndicator.
Saas: software as a service
Software as a Service refers to cloud-based applications that are available to customers over the Internet. It is sometimes referred to as "on-demand software" or "software plus services". "Examples include email and calendar apps and Hootsuite.
SOV: proportion of the vote
The language share measures a company's commitment compared to its competitors. The social component of the voice, on the other hand, measures brand awareness based on social conversations about a company.
User interface: user interface
The visual part of a system designed for end users. Basically, people and machines meet here.
URL: Uniform Resource Locator
A URL is the global web address of a website or page.
UV: Unique views
Unique views is the number of individual viewers of a page, a video or an image. For example, if a single user reads a story ten times on a website, they will be registered as ten pageviews and one unique view.
UX: user experience
In digital design, user experience studies how effectively people communicate with systems such as websites or applications. Good UX aims to understand users' values, needs, skills and barriers.
VPN: Virtual private network
A private network that provides anonymity to the user when using the Internet by offering an encrypted connection instead of being on a public network. A VPN can be used to protect the user from hackers or spyware.
Be able to connect with Gen Zers on social media. This generation has a purchasing power of over 143 billion US dollars in the USA, values individualism and puts their money where their values are. How do you market them?
Sometimes you have to speak their language to do this. Here are the social media abbreviations Gen Z is currently using.
411: information
When you have the 411, you know what's going on.
AF: As F –––
An addition to emphasis, i.e. H. I have hungry AF.
AFK: Get off the keyboard
Used to let others know that there may be a delay in replying to their message because you are not at your keyboard or offline.
BAE: Before everyone else
Affectionate term for a person's boyfriend, girlfriend or crush.
BC: Because
Because BC is just easier.
BFF: Best friends forever
An acronym that indicates someone is a very, very close friend. Like the best.
FFS: For God's sake
Just total trouble.
FML: F ––– My life
Often used before or after an unfortunate anecdote.
FWIW: For what it's worth
One way to save two cents.
GOAT: Greatest of all time
This social media acronym recognizes the best in their field. Not everyone becomes a goat. For example, Simone Biles is the gym goat.
HMU: Hit me
Call me, get in touch, slide into my DMs, etc.
IDK: I don't know
If you don't know what this means, help IDK.
ILY: I love you
Sometimes also written as ILU. Hearts and blow-kiss emojis are also acceptable.
ISO: Looking for
Often used in forums and groups where things are requested, sold, or exchanged.
JK: Just kidding
A helpful addition when the joke isn't obvious.
Insert stories into the Wendy app.
jk nobody asked for it. pic.twitter.com/AqIA0o1C2V
– Wendy & # 39; s (@Wendys) November 18, 2020
JTM: Just the messenger
Shorthand to indicate that you are not the source of the information you are sharing. Often used in groups and message boards.
KK: Okay
A way of saying "cool" or "all good" or "I got it". However, when you enter KK, you show that you are calm about this decision. You are casual
Laugh out loud
Because we can't hear your laugh on the internet.
LMAO: Laugh my A–– Off
Because when laughter doesn't usually cut. Or when something is really funny.
MRW: My reaction when
An acronym for social media, most often combined with an image or GIF to show how you are feeling about something.
NVM: Forget it
Forget it.
NYT: Name your trade
Used in groups and forums where exchange takes place. Has misled many into believing that the New York Times is in high demand.
Front: Obviously
Obvs goes without saying.
OH: Overheard
Before a direct quote or a paraphrase that was picked up while listening.
OMG: Oh my god
Or "Oh my goodness" works too.
OMW: On my way
Means someone comes IRL.
Please please
Please without vowels.
PSA: Public Service Announcement
A way to send a message that will be considered valuable to the general public.
You asked for a #PSA about the overuse of high beam headlights.
Ask and receive; Have fun! #RoadSafety pic.twitter.com/rdofyNsmIB
– Cst. Marc Taraso (@ CstTaraso9345) December 6, 2020
RN: Right now
A real-time mood, i.e. H. "So Hungry RN". You can also ask someone WYD RN? (Translation: What are you doing now?)
ROFL: Roll on the floor and laugh
A full degree on LMAO.
SRSLY: Seriously
For serious disbelief.
TIL: Today I learned
An opening for sharing new knowledge, derived from a Reddit forum of the same name.
TIL: The animals most commonly referred to as daddy longlegs spiders are not spiders. They are opiliones and also known as harvestmen. They are also arachnids but are more closely related to scorpions. Therefore they produce neither poison nor silk and also have no fangs and are completely harmless from now on
TMI: Too much information
Used before providing too much information (i.e. "This can be TMI, but …"). Or to tell someone that they have: "That's gross! TMI!"
TTKU: Try to keep up
Often used in a cheeky way to call someone when they're not quick enough to understand a joke or fact.
TY: Thank you
Or thank you.
WBU: What about you?
"I'm fine WBU?"
WDYM: What do you mean?
A shortcut that shows that you don't know exactly what is going on. You need someone to clear things up for you.
WTF: What about the F –––
Seriously, WTF.
Yolo you only live once
Just a few years ago, YOLO was widely used to show that you were living your best life. Now, in true Gen Z style, it's mostly used in ironic ways.
YW: You're welcome
Don't mention it and only use as many letters as necessary.
The social media managers know that social media acronyms are basically a different language. (Especially when you add all those social media definitions, you need to know too!)
But it's not difficult to master. Indeed, you can consider this list as your cheat sheet for the acronym between English and social media. In addition to our social media dictionary, you'll be fluent in no time.
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