The Ultimate List of Social Media Acronyms and Abbreviations

Written By Tom Reidy

Social media acronyms are the airport codes of the Internet. You need to know them to get where you’re going, and you usually have to pick them up on the fly.We’ve all experienced that awkward moment when we have no idea what coded language people are talking. Worse is when you get it wrong. Every office employs someone who thinks WTF stands for Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.To help you crack the code, we’ve collected the top social media acronyms, initialisms, and abbreviations every marketer should know. They’re broken into four 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

So, WYD RN? It’s time to up your social vocabulary FTW. Bonus: Get the step-by-step social media strategy guide with pro tips on how to grow your social media presence.

Network specific abbreviations

FB: FacebookG+: Google +IG: Instagram LI: LinkedIn TW: Twitter YT: YouTubeDM: Direct MessageOn Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, users can “slide into” someone’s DMs by sending a private message.MT: Modified TweetTweets that begin with MT indicate that the Tweeter has edited the content they’re retweeting for brevity or other reasons. Also called a Quote Tweet.PM: Private MessagePrivate messages are the same as direct messages. If someone asks you to PM them, they’re essentially asking to move a public convo into the private realm.RT: RetweetInstead of hitting the retweet button, or retweeting with a comment, some Twitter users repost a tweet and use “RT” plus the user’s handle for attribution.social media acronyms

Popular social media acronyms and abbreviations

AMA: Ask Me AnythingAMAs are social question and answer sessions. Companies and brand representatives host often host AMAs on Twitter, Reddit, or in a live stream.

 BRB: Be Right BackThis relic from the chat forum era finds its way back on social when the right occasion calls for it.

BTS: Behind the ScenesOffer your followers a behind-the-scenes look at your brand with this shorthand.

‪Day 2: LIVE from #LAX w/ our Panasonic Technical Services Team. #BTS #PTS #PanasonicAvionics #PanasonicJobs‬Posted by Life at Panasonic Avionics on Thursday, March 8, 2018

BTW: By The WayAn abbreviated way to add extra info, go on a tangent, or throw some shade.

DYK: Did You KnowDid you know the DYK abbreviation is a great way to offer a fun fact?ELI5: Explain It To Me Like I’m FiveTo put it simply, this popular-on-Reddit abbreviation calls for a straightforward explanation of something complex.FBF: Flashback FridayFBF is a way to throw it back to the past on a Friday.

View this post on Instagram

I’d love to tell you about my dear friend, the iconic photographer Herb Ritts. Herb began his career in the late 70s as an American fashion photographer and director. His work showcased the human form yet defied all the norms of gender, race, and society. It was a real privilege to work with him over the years and be captured in so many different lights Xx #FBF

A post shared by Nicole Kidman (@nicolekidman) on Apr 5, 2019 at 9:57am PDT

FOMO: Fear Of Missing OutIf you haven’t heard of FOMO, you’ve been missing out. This social-bred phobia expresses the anxiety of absence. For homebodies there’s the antonym acronym JOMO, which means Joy of Missing Out.

FTW: For The WinA sometimes sincere, sometimes sarcastic, acclamation used at the end of a post.

FYI: For Your InformationJust FYI, this informative abbreviation is often (but not always) delivered with a hint of sass.

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FYI you can now get Ref stuff with @afterpayusa. Go forth and probably live your best life.

A post shared by Reformation (@reformation) on Apr 3, 2019 at 10:10am PDT

H/T: Hat TipSometimes just HT, a hat tip is a virtual nod that credits an original source for intel or an image.ICYMI: In Case You Missed ItA re-up of content or news that might have been missed in the everlasting blitz that is social media.

IMO/IMHO: In My Opinion / In My Humble OpinionA disclaimer for a hot take on something. Opinions are divided on whether the H stands for humble or honest. IMHO, why would anyone be sharing their dishonest opinion?

IRL: In Real LifeSticklers will insist that the Internet is real life, and away from keyboard (AFK) is a better way to refer to things that happen offline. But IRL is also used occasionally to take a jab at the fronting that’s done on social media.

LMK: Let Me KnowWhen someone uses this, they’re usually waiting for feedback.

NBD: No Big DealOften used as a humble brag for something that is actually a big deal.

NSFW: Not Safe For WorkThis one is literally not safe for work. Think twice before using it on a corporate account. Here are a few other words to avoid, too.WFH: Working From HomeOften used in online chats with colleagues, but useful for social media as well.

SMH: Shaking My HeadFor the times when it’s necessary people know that you’re shaking your head behind that screen.

TBH: To Be HonestAbbreviated padding for a humble flex or a negative opinion.

TBT: Throwback ThursdaySocial media’s designated day of nostalgia.TFW: That Feeling WhenPrecedes an often relatable experience, usually accompanied by a meme.

TGIF: Thank God It’s FridayBecause everybody’s working for the weekend.

TGIF: Thank Goodness It's FLY-day!Posted by Japan Airlines on Thursday, November 23, 2017

TL;DR: Too Long; Didn’t ReadUsually used to offer a pithy summary on something too lengthy for Internet attention spans.

WBW: Wayback WednesdayWayback Wednesday takes a trip down memory lane on hump day.

social media acronyms

Business specific social media acronyms and abbreviations

B2B: Business To BusinessShorthand for a company with business-facing priorities.B2C: Business To ConsumerDescribes a company that offers products or services directly to customers.CMGR: Community ManagerCommunity managers cultivate a brand’s relationships on social media. Not to be confused with social media managers, community managers engage and nurture the company’s community.CTA: Call To ActionA call-to-action is a verbal, written, or visual prompt. It offers people a directive on what to do next, whether that’s “Sign up,” “Subscribe,” or “Call us today.”Here’s how to write an effective CTA.KPI: Key Performance IndicatorA key performance indicator is a broad measurement that tracks how effectively a company is accomplishing its goals.These are the Social Media KPIs That You Can’t Ignore.ROI: Return On InvestmentReturn on investment measures how much profit is delivered for given corporate initiatives. ROI is one of the most common ways businesses assess the success of campaigns and ventures. Learn how to track and improve your social media ROI.SEM: Search Engine MarketingSearch engine marketing refers to a method of advertising on the Internet that involves purchasing ads on search engines in order to increase website traffic.SEO: Search Engine OptimizationSearch engine optimization aims to improve organic search engine results and increase the visibility of content on the web.SERP: Search Engine Results PageThese are the paid and organic page results that are displayed by a search engine after a user performs a search.SMB: Small and Midsize BusinessesSmall businesses are classified as businesses with less than 50 employees, while midsize (or medium-sized) businesses typically have less than 250. They also are sometimes referred to as small and midsize enterprises (SMEs).SMP: Social Media PlatformAn abbreviation that is sometimes used to refer to the site of a particular social network.SMM: Social Media MarketingThe practice of increasing brand awareness and consideration on social media, with the objective of building relationships and generating leads.SMO: Social Media OptimizationSimilar to SMM, social media optimization involves the use of the appropriate platforms for brand marketing.SoLoMo: Social, Local, MobileSocial, local, mobile describes the convergence of mobile and locally targeted social media marketing that’s grown in popularity thanks to geo-location technology.SRP: Social Relationship PlatformAn SRP is a centralized platform that uses enterprise-grade technology to allow companies to publish on multiple social media sites, as well as monitor, moderate, and analyze.Looking for an example? Look no further: Hootsuite is a social relationship platform.TOS: Terms Of ServiceThe terms of service are the legal rules users agree to follow to use a social platform.UGC: User-Generated ContentUser-generated content refers to any content, such as posts, images, or videos, that is shared by the end users of a social media platform or other site.WOM: Word Of MouthWord-of-mouth marketing refers to the buzz and viral passing of brand conversation online through the active encouragement of a company.social media acronyms

Technical acronyms and abbreviations used on social media

API: Application Programming InterfaceAn API is a set of tools, definitions, and protocols that allows software developers to backend one system with another. For instance, Google Maps has APIs available for web browser and app integration, so that different companies can integrate map technology.CMS: Content Management SystemA content management system is a platform that hosts the creation and management of digital content. Popular content management systems include WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal.CPC: Cost Per ClickAlso known as pay per click (PPC), cost per click refers to the price an advertiser pays for each click earned on a campaign.CR: Conversion RateThe conversion rate measures the percentage of people who have taken an action on your campaign such as views, registrations, downloads, purchases. Conversions are a key metric when it comes to calculating ROI.CRO: Conversion Rate OptimizationConversion rate optimization refers to measures taken to improve conversions.CTR: Click-Through RateA click-through rate represents the percentage of people who click on a link after being presented with the option.CX: Customer ExperienceCustomer experience refers to the relationship a customer has with a company through various interactions and touchpoints. Mapping out the customer journey is a good way to ensure a customer will have a good experience with your company.ESP: Email Service ProviderIn simple terms, an ESP is a third-party company that offers email services, such as newsletter deployment or marketing campaigns. Popular companies include MailChimp, Constant Contact, and Drip.GA: Google AnalyticsGoogle Analytics is an analytics platform for websites. Tools allow marketers to track website visitors, referrals, bounce rates, and more. Read our guide to tracking Google Analytics.PV: Page ViewsPage views is a tally of how many visitors have landed on a given page. Overall page views stats often tracked alongside unique page views.RSS: Rich Site SummaryAlso known as: Really Simple Syndication, RSS is a format for syndicating web content. Podcasts, blogs, and publishers rely on RSS feeds to share their content with a wide audience.Check Out The Hootsuite Syndicator.Saas: Software As A ServiceSoftware as a service refers to cloud-based applications that are available to customers over the Internet. It’s sometimes also known as “on-demand software” or software plus services.” Examples include email and calendar apps, and Hootsuite.SOV: Share Of VoiceShare of voice measures the amount of exposure a company owns compared to its competitors. Social share of voice, on the other hand, measures brand exposure based on social conversation about a company.UI: User InterfaceA user interface is the visual part of a system that’s been designed for end users. It’s where humans and machines meet.URL: Uniform Resource LocatorA URL is the global web address of website or page.UV: Unique ViewsUnique views are the number of individual viewers of a page, video, or image. For example, if a single user views something 10 times, it will register as 10 views and one unique view.UX: User ExperienceIn digital design, user experience examines how effectively people interface with systems such as websites or applications. Good UX aims to understand users’ values, needs, abilities, and barriers.social media acronyms

Gen Z social media acronyms and abbreviations

To connect with Gen Zers on social media, you’ve sometimes go to speak their language.411: InformationIf you’ve got the 411, you know what’s up.AF: As F–––Emphatic punctuation for an observation, i.e. I’m hungry AF.BAE: Before Anyone ElseAffectionate term for someone’s boyfriend, girlfriend, or crush.BC: Because‘Cause BC is just easier.FFS: For F–––‘s SakeJust total exasperation.FML: F––– My LifeOften used before or after an unfortunate anecdote.FWIW: For What It’s WorthA way to chip in one’s two cents.HMU: Hit Me UpCall me, get in touch, slide into my DMs, etc.IDK: I Don’t KnowIf you don’t know what this means, IDK how to help you.ILY: I Love YouAlso acceptable are hearts and blow-kiss emojis.ISO: In Search OfOften used in forums and groups where things are solicited, sold, or exchanged.JK: Just KiddingA helpful add-on for when the joke’s not obvious.JTM: Just the MessengerShorthand to indicate that you’re not the source of the info you’re sharing. Often used in groups and message boards.LMAO: Laughing My A–– OffFor when laughing normally doesn’t cut it.LOL: Laughing Out LoudBecause we can’t hear your laughter on the Internet.NVM: NevermindJust, forget about it.NYT: Name Your TradeUsed in groups and forums where exchanges are made. Has misled many to assume The New York Times is in very high demand.Obv: ObviouslyObvs goes without saying.OH: OverheardPrecedes a direct quote or paraphrase picked up from eavesdropping.OMG: Oh My GodOr “Oh My Goodness” for the non-blasphemous folks.OMW: On My WayMeans someone is coming IRL.Pls: PleasePlease, sans vowels.PSA: Public Service AnnouncementA way to broadcast a message considered valuable to the general public.RN: Right NowA real-time mood, i.e. So hungry rn. You can also ask someone WYD RN? (What you doing right now?).ROFL: Rolling On The Floor LaughingA full degree above LMAO.SRSLY: SeriouslyFor serious incredulity.TIL: Today I LearnedAn opening for sharing a new bit of knowledge, derived from a Reddit forum of the same name.TMI: Too Much InformationEither used before providing too much information (i.e. “this may be TMI, but…”), or to tell someone they have (i.e. Ew! TMI).TY: Thank YouOr thx.WTF: What The F–––Seriously, WTF.YW: You’re WelcomeDon’t mention it with more letters than necessary.social media acronymsLooking to add more lingo to your social vocabulary? Check out our social media glossary.DYK Hootsuite makes SMM easier and quicker? Schedule, compose, and publish posts to FB, IG, LI, TW, and YT all from one dashboard. Srsly! Try it free rn.

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The post The Ultimate List of Social Media Acronyms and Abbreviations appeared first on Hootsuite Social Media Management.Article syndicated from HootSuite https://blog.hootsuite.com/social-media-acronyms-marketers-know/

Tom Reidy https://www.tomreidy.com
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