The Ultimate Social Media Glossary: 90+ Terms All Brands Should Know
Strategy is just one ingredient for running a successful social media marketing campaign. Equally important is understanding the language of social media. Knowing the key terms and their applications will help you formulate impactful strategies and fully appreciate the nuances of marketing on these platforms.
Whether you’re a budding social media manager or a small business owner, understanding these terms is essential. Without them, you may struggle to make meaningful progress. This glossary covers 90+ common social media terms every business should know, from A/B testing to viral content. Let’s dive in.
A. Advertising and Analytics
A/B Testing
Also known as split testing, this process compares the performance of two social media posts. Traffic is divided into two groups, each shown a different post with a single-element variation—like button color. The winner is the post with higher engagement or clicks.
Ads Manager
A Facebook tool for creating, managing, and analyzing ad campaigns across Facebook, Instagram, and the Audience Network. Features include targeting, budgeting, and optimizing campaigns.
Advocacy
Promoting a cause or mission through social media by sharing valuable information, creating content, and mobilizing support.
Analytics
Tracking and measuring key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate the success of your campaigns. Metrics like views, clicks, and engagement help identify effective strategies.
Algorithm
A set of rules that determines the content ranking on social media feeds. Algorithms analyze user preferences, past interactions, and other factors to prioritize content visibility.
B. Branding and Engagement
Bio
A short description on your social media profile that tells users who you are and what your business does. Often includes a link to your website or store.
Boosted Posts
Facebook posts that are paid to reach a larger audience. They start as organic posts and are later promoted.
Brand Advocate
An enthusiastic social media user who promotes your brand by liking, sharing, and commenting on posts.
Brand Awareness
The extent to which your business is recognized on social media. Increased brand awareness often correlates with higher engagement and sales.
Business-to-Business (B2B)
Businesses that sell products or services to other businesses. Social media campaigns often aim to establish authority and provide valuable content.
Business-to-Consumer (B2C)
Businesses that sell directly to consumers. Their social media goals include building a community and providing excellent customer support.
Call to Action (CTA)
A prompt that encourages users to take a specific action, like making a purchase, signing up, or clicking a link.
Caption
Text accompanying a social media post, providing context or encouraging interaction. Captions can be funny, serious, or informative.
C. Content and Formats
Chatbot
AI-powered tools for automating conversations with users. Commonly used for customer support and lead generation.
Clickbait
Attention-grabbing titles or images designed to compel clicks, often with exaggerated claims.
Clickthrough Rate (CTR)
The percentage of users who click on your ad after seeing it. A high CTR indicates effective targeting and messaging.
Cross-Posting
Sharing the same content across multiple platforms to maximize reach.
Disappearing Content
Temporary posts, such as Instagram Stories or WhatsApp statuses, that disappear after 24 hours. Often used to create urgency (FOMO).
Direct Messaging (DM)
Private messages sent between social media users. Often used for customer service or private conversations.
Ebook
Digital books that can be downloaded and shared on social media to educate or inform followers.
Evergreen Content
Posts that remain relevant over time, like how-to guides or definitions of terms. Unlike time-sensitive content, evergreen posts provide ongoing value.
Feed
A stream of content displayed to users on social media platforms, curated by algorithms based on user interests.
FOMO
An acronym for “fear of missing out,” often used in marketing to create urgency with limited-time offers or disappearing content.
GIF
Short, looping video clips often used to react to events or add humor to posts.
Geotagging
Adding geographical information to posts to target specific locations.
Groups
Spaces on social platforms where users with shared interests can interact and share information.
Handle
A social media username or identifier (e.g., @username).
Hashtag
A keyword or phrase prefixed with a # symbol, linking your post to a broader conversation or topic.
Header Image
The large image at the top of a profile or page, often used for branding or advertising purposes.
HTML
The language used to create web pages, integral to displaying content on social platforms.
ICYMI
“In case you missed it,” a term often used to resurface older or important content.
D. Metrics and Performance
Impressions
The total number of times your content is displayed, regardless of clicks or interactions.
Engagement Rate
A metric showing how users interact with your posts, calculated by dividing total interactions (likes, comments, shares) by the number of followers.
Reach
The number of unique users who see your post.
Metrics
Key parameters indicating the performance of your posts, ads, or overall account.
Relevance Score
A rating on Facebook Ads Manager showing how well your ads resonate with your target audience.
Retargeting
A strategy that directs ads to users who previously interacted with your brand, such as those who abandoned their shopping cart.
Sentiment Analysis
A software-driven method for analyzing the emotional tone of social media content.
Social Media ROI
The return on investment from social media marketing efforts, calculated as the profit generated divided by campaign cost.
Traffic
The number of users visiting a website or page over a period. Often a key goal of social media campaigns.
E. Tools and Strategies
Influencers
Individuals with large social media followings who can influence their audience’s purchasing decisions.
Insights
Analytics data that provide valuable observations about your audience and campaign performance.
Listicle
A blog post or article presented as a list, often used for its engaging and easily digestible format.
Live Stream
Broadcasting an event in real-time to engage your audience more intimately. Businesses use live streams for product launches, Q&A sessions, and behind-the-scenes content.
Meme
Humorous or satirical images, videos, or text that spread virally on social media.
Native Advertising
Sponsored posts designed to blend seamlessly into organic content, often yielding higher engagement.
Newsjacking
Leveraging breaking news stories to create relevant and timely content for your audience.
NFT (Non-Fungible Token)
Unique digital assets, often used for collectibles, art, or virtual real estate.
Permalink
A permanent URL for a specific piece of content, ensuring easy sharing and access.
Platform
The social media network or channel where your content is shared (e.g., Facebook, Instagram).
Selfie
A self-portrait photo taken with a smartphone, often shared on social media.
Social Proof
Evidence, such as reviews or testimonials, that builds trust and encourages others to engage with your brand.
Subscribers
Users who follow your page or channel for updates and new content.
Tagging
Adding another user’s name to a post or photo, often for engagement or credit.
Targeting
Directing your ads to specific audiences based on demographics, interests, or behaviors.
Thread
A series of connected posts that explore a topic in depth.
TBT (Throwback Thursday)
A popular hashtag used to share nostalgic content.
Twitterverse
The community and culture of Twitter users and interactions.
UGC (User-Generated Content)
Content created by users rather than brands, often seen as authentic and relatable.
Verified
A badge indicating that a social media account is authentic, often represented by a blue checkmark.
Viral
Content that is widely shared across social networks due to its popularity or relevance.
Vlogging
The practice of sharing personal or professional experiences through video blogs.
Webinar
An online seminar or lecture, often used for education or marketing purposes.
Final Thoughts
Understanding social media terminology is crucial for crafting effective campaigns and engaging with your audience. Use this glossary as a reference to navigate the complexities of social media marketing.
Now it’s your turn! Apply these terms in your strategy and start seeing results. If you have questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to us directly through our contact page.
