Social Media Glossary

Term	Definition
Algorithm	A set of rules or processes used by social media platforms to determine what content appears in users' feeds, based on factors like relevance and engagement.
Engagement	Interactions between users and content, such as likes, comments, shares, and views, which indicate audience interest and influence visibility.
Hashtag	A word or phrase preceded by the # symbol, used to categorize content and make it discoverable on platforms like Instagram and Twitter.
Influencer	An individual with a significant following who can affect the opinions or purchasing decisions of others through sponsored or organic content.
Viral	Content that spreads rapidly across social media through shares and reposts, often gaining massive visibility in a short time.
Post	Any piece of content shared on a social media platform, such as text, images, videos, or links.
Feed	The stream of content displayed to a user on their homepage, curated by the platform's algorithm.
Story	Temporary content that disappears after 24 hours, popularized by Snapchat and adopted by Instagram and Facebook.
Reel	Short-form video content, typically 15-60 seconds, designed for quick consumption and high engagement on platforms like Instagram.
Live	Real-time video streaming where users can interact with the broadcaster through comments and reactions.
DM (Direct Message)	Private messages sent between users on social media platforms, separate from public comments.
Follower	A user who subscribes to another user's account to receive updates in their feed.
Following	The list of accounts a user has subscribed to, whose content appears in their feed.
Like	A simple interaction where a user expresses approval of a post, often represented by a heart or thumbs-up icon.
Comment	A written response or feedback left by a user on a post, fostering discussion.
Share	Redistributing someone else's content to one's own audience or network.
Retweet	On Twitter (X), sharing another user's tweet with one's followers, often with added commentary.
Thread	A series of connected posts on the same topic, commonly used on Twitter for in-depth discussions.
Meme	Humorous images, videos, or text that spread rapidly online, often with cultural references.
Troll	A user who deliberately posts provocative or disruptive content to elicit reactions from others.
Bot	An automated account that performs tasks like posting or interacting without human intervention.
Shadowban	A hidden restriction where a user's content is limited in visibility without notification, often due to policy violations.
Analytics	Tools and data provided by platforms to track performance metrics like reach, engagement, and audience insights.
Reach	The total number of unique users who see a piece of content.
Impressions	The total number of times content is displayed, regardless of whether it's seen by unique users.
CTR (Click-Through Rate)	The percentage of users who click on a link or call-to-action in a post relative to impressions.
Conversion	When a user takes a desired action, such as making a purchase or signing up, after interacting with social media content.
UGC (User-Generated Content)	Content created by users rather than brands, often shared to build community and authenticity.
FYP (For You Page)	TikTok's personalized feed that recommends content based on user preferences and behavior.
Trending	Topics, hashtags, or content that are currently popular and gaining rapid attention on a platform.
Emoji	Small digital images or icons used to express emotions or ideas in posts and comments.
Filter	A digital overlay or effect applied to photos or videos to alter appearance, common on Instagram and Snapchat.
AR Filter	Augmented reality effects that overlay digital elements onto real-world images via camera, enhancing interactivity.
Bio	A short description or profile summary on a user's account, often including links or contact info.
Profile	The public page representing a user or brand, including bio, posts, and follower count.
Handle	The unique username or identifier for an account, preceded by @ (e.g., @username).
Verified	A badge (e.g., blue checkmark) indicating an account's authenticity, granted by platforms to public figures or brands.
Sponsored	Content paid for by a brand, disclosed as an advertisement to comply with regulations.
Ad	Promoted content designed to reach a targeted audience, often with options for boosting visibility.
Boost	A feature to pay for increased visibility of an organic post to a wider audience.
Insights	Detailed data on post performance, audience demographics, and engagement trends provided by platforms.
Audience	The group of users who follow or interact with an account, segmented by demographics or interests.
Demographics	Statistical data about an audience, such as age, gender, location, and interests.
Organic	Content that gains visibility naturally through algorithms and shares, without paid promotion.
Paid	Content promoted through advertising budgets to reach beyond organic audiences.
Collaboration	A partnership between users, influencers, or brands to co-create content.
Giveaway	A promotional contest where participants enter to win prizes, often requiring follows or shares.
Contest	An interactive competition on social media to engage users and grow followers.
Poll	A feature allowing users to vote on questions, used to gather opinions and boost interaction.
Q&A	A session where users ask questions and receive answers, often via stories or live streams.
Mention	Tagging another user in a post or comment using @handle to notify them.
Tag	Linking to another user's profile or a location in content to increase visibility or context.
Duet	A TikTok feature allowing users to create side-by-side videos responding to original content.
Stitch	A TikTok tool to clip and integrate a portion of another video into a new creation.
Reaction	Quick responses to content, such as emojis or stickers, beyond basic likes.

Social Media Glossary

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