Trendy Social Media Acronyms and Abbreviations for Budding Digital Marketers
Trendy Social Media Acronyms and Abbreviations for Budding Digital Marketers
Social media is the ultimate go to platform for the modern world. The amount of purpose it serves is vast and still growing. We have careers, businesses and various kinds of relationships being established on social media. Digital marketers who are the emissaries of social media are and should be well versed of the coded language this world speaks.
It is not sufficient anymore to get good at it merely based on interest. Having a proper understanding of the internet language is the ultimate key to the door of digital media. Let’s put it this way, suppose you admire a foreign country and decide to travel there on a hunch. You reach there and start to look around. You will be more than appeased about the visual appeal and enjoy your new environment. But just in a matter of days you will realize something big- you don’t understand their language! You will be miserable when you won’t be able to communicate with the locals. Reason being- you didn’t prepare well to know the language!
The social media world is exactly the same. If you replace the example of a foreign country with social media in the above mentioned scenario, you will get the same outcome. You will be lost without the knowledge of trendy internet terms which are essential to keep up. For example, if someone writes FTW to you, they actually mean to motivate you and not reversing WTF!
FTW is For The Win btw (by the way)
and WTF is well, not appropriate!
The quick paced digital age adopts short cuts and cropped up communication methods. We all are part of it now. It is either keep up or get left behind. For marketers, not having any idea about social media acronyms is equivalent to being oblivious to the popular trends. Which is obviously not a smart trait to exhibit.
This blog will enlighten the start up marketers and update the professionals about the fundamental social media acronyms and abbreviations that are all-inclusive and essential.
To be honest there are many number of abbreviations and acronyms out there. New ones get created every now and then. For the sake of simplistic understanding, let’s divide the most prevalent ones into three basic categories:
Digital marketing technical abbreviations for social media:
This covers those abbreviations which are used on digital platforms for business purposes. Surely it will get technical.
Trendy and candid social media abbreviations:
As the title suggests, it includes those abbreviations that are used in informal or casual conversations.
Abbreviations for Social networking platforms:
Do you know the major social media channels such as twitter, facebook have acronyms of their own!
So here is the list of everything with the meaning and examples given wherever necessary:
Category 1
Digital marketing technical abbreviations for social media
Abbreviations (In the alphabetic order) |
Full form |
Meaning |
API |
Application Programming Interface |
An Application Programming Interface denotes to a full on set of tools, protocols and routines that software developers utilize to build swifter software applications. For example, Apple iOS API detects its touch screen interactions. |
B2B |
Business To Business |
Business To Business are the sales that one makes to other businesses. Example: Automobile manufacturing services. |
B2C |
Business To Consumer |
Sales of products and services made to the end-users or customers is called Business To Consumer service. Example: Online shopping. |
CMGR |
Community Manager |
A Community Manager is responsible for strategising and refining the company’s plans for social media engagement. |
CTA |
Call To Action |
It is an engaging prompt via visual, verbal or written means. Advertisements are often laced with Call To Action tools for directing consumer’s responses. Example: Click Here for more info, Sign In, Subscribe, etc. “Subscribe,” or “Call us today.” |
CMS |
Content Management System |
A content management system refers to a computer software or a platform that is responsible for the creation and management of digital content. Example: WordPress, Microsoft SharePoint. |
CPC |
Cost Per Click |
It is an online advertising model in which an advertiser is bound to pay the publisher whenever his ad is clicked. Cost Per Click is also called Pay per Click and is a highly profitable digital marketing method. |
CR |
Conversion Rate |
Conversion Rate is the ultimate measure to identify the percentage of people who have taken potential actions after going through an internet campaign. Their actions are calculated in the form of views, downloads and purchases. |
CRO |
Conversion Rate Optimization |
It simply refers to the optimization process that is taken to improve conversion rate. |
CTR |
Click-Through Rate |
Click-Through Rate refers to the percentage of people who have clicked on a link after an option have been given to them. |
CX |
Customer Experience |
Customer Experience is based on the client- company relationship and is built through various means of interactions between them. CX is the vital core of a business. Major focal point is to increase the rate of positive customer experience. |
ESP |
Email Service Provider |
An Email Service Provider refers to a third-party company that offers email services, such as newsletter distribution or marketing campaigns. |
GA |
Google Analytics |
Google Analytics is a platform for analysing websites that are established on search engines. It allows tracking of website visitors and analyse important factors such as bounce rates. |
KPI |
Key Performance Indicator |
It is an indicator tool to track the accomplishments of a company strategies. |
PV |
Page Views |
Page views is a tally to find out how many visitors are registered on a given page. |
RSS |
Rich Site Summary |
It is a format for handelling web content. Podcasts, blogs, and publishers utilize RSS feeds to share their content with a wide audience. It is also known as Really Simple Syndication. |
ROI |
Return On Investment |
Return on investment analyses how much profit is delivered for the given corporate initiatives. Many businesses assess the success of digital campaigns through ROI. |
SEM |
Search Engine Marketing |
Search engine marketing is one of the digital marketing methods of Internet advertisement that involves searching ads on search engine platforms and increasing website traffic. |
SEO |
Search Engine Optimization |
Search engine optimization is the method of improving organic search results for the purpose of increasing the online visibility of a business brand. |
SERP |
Search Engine Results Page |
When a user searches for some information on a search engine, the page results that come up are Search Engine Result Pages. These are basically organic but can be paid as well. |
SMB |
Small and Midsize Businesses |
Any business that has an employee size less than 50 is a Small Business and the those which has less than 250 employees are midsize Businesses. SMBs are also called Small and Midsize Enterprises (SMEs). |
SMP |
Social Media Platform |
The social network site where social media operates. |
SMM |
Social Media Marketing |
The digital marketing method of increasing brand awareness on the social media, for the purpose of building strong relationships and lead generation is called Social Media Marketing. |
SMO |
Social Media Optimization |
It refers to the usage of the best suited platforms for effective brand marketing. |
SoLoMo |
Social, Local, Mobile |
Due to geo-location technology, the convergence of mobile and locally targeted social media marketing that is SoLoMo has become more popular. |
SRP |
Social Relationship Platform |
It is a centralized platform that utilizes enterprise-standard technology to allow companies to advertise on multiple social media sites. It also allows them to analyze and monitor. |
Saas |
Software As A Service |
Software As A Service are the cloud-based applications that are there to serve the customers over the Internet. Also called as On-Demand Software and Software Plus Services. Example: E-mail, calendar Apps. |
SOV |
Share Of Voice |
Share of Voice calculates the amount of exposure a company withholds as compared to its competitors. |
TOS |
Terms Of Service |
The terms of service refers to the legal rules that users agree to abide with while using a social platform. |
UGC |
User-Generated Content |
Any content in the form of posts, texts, images or videos, that is shared by the consumers of a social media platform is referred to as User-generated Content. |
UI |
User Interface |
The User Interface is the visual part of a system that’s been structured for the consumers. |
URL |
Uniform Resource Locator |
A URL refers to the web address of a website or webpage and allows global access. |
UV |
Unique Views |
Unique Views refers to the number of individual viewers of a image or video or web page. |
UX |
User Experience |
User Experience is an important part of the digital design of a system which examines how effectively people interact with its applications. |
WOM |
Word Of Mouth |
Word-of-mouth is another form of marketing which refers to the viral conveyance of online brand conversation. |
Category 2
Trendy and candid social media abbreviations
.
Abbreviations (In the alphabetic order) |
Full form |
Meaning |
411 |
Information |
It means that you have been now given the information. |
AMA |
Ask Me Anything |
This comprises of question and answer sessions related to social matters. Such sessions are often hosted on social media channels such as Twitter, Reddit. |
AF |
As F*** |
Used to amplify a particular situation. Example sentence: “This is crazy AF!” |
BAE |
Before Anyone Else |
Affectionate term for partners of a romantic relationship. |
BC |
Because |
It is used for saving time, apparently! |
BRB |
Be Right Back |
When a person wants to carry on with the conversation after they have attended to some obligation. |
BTS |
Behind the Scenes |
A chance to take a look at the process of creation of a product. Often contains candid and light-hearted moments. |
BTW |
By The Way |
An abbreviated way for adding extra information or a critical comment. |
DYK |
Did You Know |
Often used to share info or start a gossip. |
ELI5 |
Explain It To Me Like I’m Five |
Demanding for a simple explanation of some complex info. |
FBF |
Flashback Friday |
Used for posting old pictures on a Friday. |
FOMO |
Fear Of Missing Out |
This expresses the anxiety of absence from a social event. |
FTW |
For The Win |
An acclamation used at the end of a post for motivation. |
FYI |
For Your Information |
Often used to hint at a sassy comment. |
FFS |
For F***‘s Sake |
Used for total exasperation. |
FML |
F*** My Life |
Often used before or after an unfortunate incident. It acts as an expression to show frustration. |
FWIW |
For What It’s Worth |
Used before giving an information that you are unsure whether its useful or not for the reciever. |
HMU |
Hit Me Up |
It is used to convey to make a contact either with a text or phone call. |
H/T |
Hat Tip |
A Hat Tip is a virtual nod for crediting an original source for information. |
IDK |
I Don’t Know |
Simply to deny any information. |
ILY |
I Love You |
A phrase of showing love and affection. |
ICYMI |
In Case You Missed It |
Take it as a sort of a reminder or update. |
IRL |
In Real Life |
For making comparison between the virtual world and the real world where we actually live. It is often used to make you aware of the actuality of life which is way different than the internet world. |
ISO |
In Search Of |
It is often used in forums and groups where things are sold, bargained or exchanged. |
JK |
Just Kidding |
For pointing at an obvious joke. Sometimes people get offended by a lot of things, JK is the ultimate saviour to save the situation. |
JTM |
Just the Messenger |
A proclamation to clarify that you’re not the source of the information that you have been sharing. |
LMK |
Let Me Know |
People use this when they are waiting for a feedback from you soon. |
LMAO |
Laughing My A** Off |
Used for exaggerating your laughter in a hilarious situation. |
LOL |
Laughing Out Loud |
For telling others that you are actually laughing even if they can’t hear you. |
IMHO |
In My Humble Opinion |
A disclaimer for a well thought take on some topic. |
NBD |
No Big Deal |
Often used to try not to be too proud for something that is indeed a big deal. |
NSFW |
Not Safe For Work |
For a content that is not proper to watch. |
NVM |
Nevermind |
If someone is not understanding your point, you can say NVM and change the topic. |
NYT |
Name Your Trade |
It is used in internet groups and forums where exchanges takes place. |
Obv |
Obviously |
For making a simple point. |
OH |
Overheard |
To indicate that the information was overheard somewhere. |
OMG |
Oh My God |
Or “Oh My Goodness” for the non-blasphemous folks. |
OMW |
On My Way |
It generally is said when someone is driving or began to put shoes on. |
Pls |
Please |
For making an appeal. |
PSA |
Public Service Announcement |
A way to broadcast a message considered valuable to the general public. |
RN |
Right Now |
Mentioning the exact time. |
ROFL |
Rolling On The Floor Laughing |
When LOL and LMFAO are not sufficient to describe your laughter. |
SMH |
Shaking My Head |
For the times when it’s necessary people know that you’re shaking your head behind that screen. |
SRSLY |
Seriously |
For making a serious point. |
TIL |
Today I Learned |
Used before sharing a new piece of knowledge. |
TMI |
Too Much Information |
Used to point out before or after providing too much information. |
TY |
Thank You |
For being grateful for a favour. |
TBH |
To Be Honest |
Used before making a straightforward answer. |
TBT |
Throwback Thursday |
Often put as “Hash Tag Throw Back Thursday”. |
TFW |
That Feeling When |
For being relatable to a situation. Memes are the direct way of expressing it. |
TGIF |
Thank God It’s Friday |
An expression of relief after a long week at work. |
TL;DR |
Too Long; Didn’t Read |
If you find a content too lengthy you can pass it by saying TL;DR. |
WFH |
Working From Home |
Working with an internet connection or telephonic media. With the current pandemic alert of Coronavirus WFH is the ultimate option. |
WTF |
What The F*** |
To express astonishment or disbelief. |
YW |
You’re Welcome |
For giving a humble response for someone’s TY. |
Category 3
Abbreviations for Social networking platforms
Abbreviations (In the alphabetic order) |
Full form |
Meaning |
DM |
Direct Message |
Used for sending a private message on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. |
FB |
|
One of the pioneers of social networking! |
G+ |
Google + |
Makes Google document sharing easier. |
IG |
|
For sharing visual content online. |
LI |
|
Hub for scholars and intellectuals. |
MT |
Modified Tweet |
For indicating that the MT is not the original version of the Tweet and has been modified. |
PM |
Private Message |
A direct message for personal conversation. |
RT |
Retweet |
For reposting a Tweet. You can Retweet your own Tweets or other’s . |
TW |
|
Share your thoughts on twitter. |
YT |
YouTube |
The ultimate source of visual entertainment. |
Although not all of these are used on daily basis, they are still the popular choice of making short and direct conversations. The hi-tech generation of today do not have time to express their thoughts in detail. A simple acronym or abbreviation is sometimes sufficient enough to carry on with the conversation.
So next time when you stumble upon a new internet acronym, make sure to save it in your mind dictionary.