42 social media terms you need to know

As of 2024, there are over 5 billion social media users worldwide – that’s a huge online audience for you to target!

Evolving, confusing, fast-paced, busy – all ways to describe social media. However, it doesn’t have to be these things. Think of the social media space as a major metropolitan city, with visitors coming in from different directions who are all looking to get different things out of their visit.

This city also happens to have its own language.

But how do you successfully navigate the city of social media without knowing the lingo? We’ve listed the key social media terms you need to know to achieve social media success.

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42 essential social media terms

A/B testing

A/B testing, or split testing, involves comparing two versions of a piece of content to see which performs better. This method helps businesses identify what resonates most with their audience by testing variables like headlines, images, or call-to-action buttons. Implementing A/B testing can lead to more effective social media strategies and improved engagement.

Algorithm

An algorithm is a set of rules used by social media platforms to determine which content appears on a user’s feed. These algorithms analyse a user’s behaviour to personalise the experience, showing content that aligns with past interactions and their apparent interests. Understanding algorithms can help optimise content for greater reach and visibility.

Audience

Your audience is the group of people who follow or engage with your brand on social media. Knowing your audience is crucial for tailoring content that meets their interests and needs. Tools like Hootsuite can help monitor and engage with your audience effectively.

Bio

A bio is a short description on your social media profile that outlines who you are or what your business represents. It’s a chance to make a strong first impression, so ensure it’s both informative and engaging. Incorporating relevant keywords and a call to action can further boost engagement.

Boost

Boosting is a paid option to increase the visibility of your posts on social media platforms. This ensures your content reaches a broader audience, potentially increasing engagement and brand awareness. Platforms like Facebook make it easy to boost posts with just a few clicks.

Bot

A bot is an automated program that performs tasks on social media that mimic human behaviour, such as commenting or responding to messages. Bots typically have a negative reputation on social media, providing no real value to businesses and inflating social media metrics. Businesses can use bots for reasonable social media tasks; however, be aware that these interactions may come across as cold and disingenuous to the audience.

Brand advocate

A brand advocate is a loyal customer or fan who promotes your brand through positive word-of-mouth. Advocates voluntarily share their positive experiences with your products or services, enhancing your reputation. Encouraging brand advocacy can organically expand your reach and influence.

Clickbait

Clickbait refers to content with sensational headlines designed to attract clicks, often at the expense of accuracy or quality. While it may temporarily increase traffic, relying on clickbait can erode your audience’s trust and credibility. Compelling yet honest headlines could better engage your audience effectively.

Click-through rate (CTR)

The click-through rate (CTR) measures how often people click on a link in your social media posts, expressed as a percentage of total impressions. A high CTR indicates that your content is engaging and relevant to your audience. Monitoring CTR helps assess the effectiveness of your calls to action.

Read our guide to digital marketing analytics.

Comment

A comment is a type of engagement where users leave public feedback or reactions on your social media posts. Encouraging comments can foster community interaction and provide valuable insights into audience sentiment. Responding to comments promptly demonstrates that you value your audience’s input.

Call to action (CTA)

A CTA is a prompt that encourages your audience to take a specific action, such as “Sign Up”, “Learn More” or “Shop Now.” Effective CTAs can significantly increase engagement and conversion rates. Crafting clear and compelling CTAs is essential for driving the desired outcomes from your social media efforts.

Conversion rate (CR)

The conversion rate is the percentage of users who take a desired action after interacting with your social media content. This could be anything from signing up for a newsletter to making a purchase. Understanding your conversion rate is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of your social media strategy.

Dark post

A dark post is a social media ad that doesn’t appear on your timeline or feed but is targeted to a specific audience. It allows for targeted marketing without cluttering your main profile with promotional content. Dark posts are supported on platforms like Facebook Ads.

DM (direct message)

A direct message (DM) is a private message sent directly from one user to another on social media platforms. This feature allows businesses to engage with customers on a more personal level, addressing queries or providing support discreetly. Almost every major social media platform supports direct messaging.

Engagement

Engagement measures how users interact with your content, including likes, comments, shares and saves. High engagement indicates that your content resonates with your audience, encouraging community and brand loyalty. Tools like Buffer can help monitor and boost engagement rates.

Learn more about how our blog writing services can boost engagement on your website.

Engagement rate (ER)

Engagement rate is a social media term used to gauge the level of interaction your content receives relative to your audience size. Calculated as the total engagement divided by the number of followers, it provides insight into how effectively your content engages your audience. A high engagement rate is often a sign of a successful content strategy.

Feed

A feed is the stream of content that users see when they log onto a social media platform. It consists of posts from followed accounts, recommended content and advertisements. Crafting engaging content for your feed is crucial for capturing your audience’s attention and driving engagement.

Follower

A follower is someone who subscribes to your profile and receives regular updates of your content in their feed. Building a loyal follower base is essential for increasing your brand’s reach and influence on social media. Engaging consistently and providing valuable content can help grow your follower count.

Frequency

Frequency refers to how often you post content on social media. Finding the right balance is key to maintaining audience interest without overwhelming them. Tools such as Later can help you plan and schedule posts to optimise posting frequency.

Geotag

A geotag is a location tag added to a social media post, indicating where the content was created. Geotags can increase the discoverability of your content, particularly for local audiences. Using geotags strategically can enhance local marketing efforts and engagement.

Hashtag

A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by the # symbol, used to categorise content and increase its discoverability. By incorporating relevant hashtags into your posts, you can reach a wider audience interested in similar topics. Tools like Hashtagify can help identify popular hashtags relevant to your industry.

Handle

A handle is your unique username on a social media platform, often preceded by the @ symbol. It serves as your digital identity and is how users can mention or search for your profile. Choosing a memorable and consistent handle across platforms is crucial for brand recognition.

Impressions

Impressions is a social media term that represents the total number of times your content is displayed, regardless of whether it was clicked. Unlike reach, which counts unique viewers, impressions can include multiple views by the same user. Tracking impressions helps businesses understand their content’s visibility and potential impact.

Influencer

An influencer is an individual with a substantial following on social media, known for their ability to affect the opinions and behaviours of their audience. Collaborating with influencers can help amplify your brand’s reach and credibility. We offer influencer campaign management as part of our social media services.

Like

A ‘like’ is a form of social media engagement where users express approval or enjoyment of a post. While it is a basic metric, likes can indicate content popularity and influence algorithms. Encouraging likes can help boost your content’s visibility across platforms.

Mentions

Mentions occur when a user tags another account in a post using the @ symbol followed by their handle. This notifies the user mentioned and can increase engagement by encouraging responses or collaborations. Being mentioned by others can boost your brand’s visibility and credibility.

Monetisation

Monetisation refers to the process of earning revenue from your social media presence. This can be achieved through sponsored content, affiliate marketing, or selling products directly. Understanding monetisation strategies can help businesses leverage their social media platforms for financial gain.

Organic social

Organic social refers to the use of free tools on social media platforms to build a community and interact with audiences. It relies on content that naturally attracts followers and encourages engagement without paid promotion. Building a strong organic presence requires consistent posting and authentic interactions with your audience.

Paid social

Paid social involves using advertising to promote content on social media platforms. This can increase reach and engagement beyond organic efforts, targeting specific audiences with tailored ads. Platforms like Facebook Ads and LinkedIn Ads offer robust tools for managing paid social campaigns.

Platform

A platform is a social media network where users create, share and interact with content. Each platform, such as Facebook, Instagram or X, has unique features and audiences. Understanding the nuances of each platform helps tailor your content strategy accordingly.

Post

A post is any content shared on a social media platform, including text, images, videos or links. Crafting engaging and relevant posts is key to capturing your audience’s attention and driving interaction. Consistency in posting can help maintain engagement and brand visibility.

Reach

Reach refers to the total number of unique users who see your content. Unlike impressions, reach counts each user only once, providing a clearer picture of content distribution. Maximising reach is crucial for expanding your audience and increasing brand awareness.

Shadowbanning

Shadowbanning is a lesser-known social media term in which a social media platform restricts the visibility of a user’s content without notifying them. It often means posts are less visible in feeds or searchable, reducing engagement without the user knowing why. This practice is typically used to limit spammy or inappropriate behaviour while keeping the user unaware of the restriction.

Social listening

Social listening is the process of monitoring social media channels for mentions of your brand, competitors or industry. It provides valuable insights into audience sentiment and emerging trends. Tools like Mention and Brandwatch can help streamline social listening efforts.

Story

A story is a temporary post that disappears after 24 hours, commonly used on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Stories offer a more casual and spontaneous way to share content with your audience, ideal for sharing announcements and deals. Utilising stories can help maintain engagement and showcase behind-the-scenes content.

Tag

Tagging involves adding a user’s handle to a post, photo or comment, linking to their profile. Tags can increase engagement by notifying tagged users and encouraging interaction. Use tags strategically to foster community involvement and collaboration.

Trend

A trend is a popular topic, hashtag or content style that gains momentum on social media. Keeping aware of trends can help your brand remain relevant and engage with current conversations. Participating in trends can also boost visibility and attract new followers.

Troll

A troll is a user who deliberately provokes or upsets others by posting inflammatory or off-topic messages. Managing trolls is important to maintain a positive online community and protect your brand’s reputation. Implementing moderation strategies can help mitigate the impact of trolls.

UGC (user-generated content)

UGC refers to content created by consumers or users rather than the brand itself. Encouraging UGC can increase engagement, build community, and provide authentic content for your channels. Marketing campaigns that feature UGC often resonate well with audiences due to their genuine nature.

Viral

Viral content spreads rapidly across social media, attracting significant attention and engagement. Achieving virality can dramatically increase brand awareness and reach, although it is inherently unpredictable and, therefore, unplannable. Creating high-quality, shareable content could increase your chances of going viral.

Verification

Verification is the process by which social media platforms authenticate the identity of a user or brand, often indicated by a blue checkmark. Being verified can enhance credibility and trustworthiness, distinguishing your brand from impersonators. Platforms like Twitter and Instagram have specific criteria for verification.

In a fast-paced and diverse world like social media, a strong understanding of key social media terms is essential for anyone looking to effectively engage with audiences and enhance their brand’s online presence.

Knowing these social media terms can help your business develop better, more precise strategies and communicate more effectively with its audience across various platforms.

Learn more about Submerge’s paid social media services and learn more with our guide to website terminology.