Social Media & Messaging terms
70 Social Media & Messaging terms explained in plain English.
- BlueskyBluesky is a social media platform for short posts, similar in style to X (formerly Twitter), built on an open technology called the AT Protocol.
- Bluetooth item trackerA Bluetooth item tracker is a small device you attach to keys, a wallet, luggage, or a bike so you can find it if it's lost.
- CatfishingCatfishing is the practice of creating a fake online identity (using fabricated photos, false personal details, and a constructed persona) to deceive another person, typically for romantic manipulation, financial fraud (romance scams), or emotional harm.
- ClickbaitClickbait describes online content (headlines, thumbnails, titles) deliberately crafted to maximize clicks by triggering curiosity, outrage, or emotional response, often while delivering content that does not match the headline's implied promise.
- Content moderationContent moderation is the process online platforms use to decide which posts, comments, images, and videos are allowed, removed, labelled, or shown to fewer people.
- CyberbullyingCyberbullying is bullying that occurs through digital channels: social media, messaging apps, online gaming, email, and websites.
- DeepfakeA deepfake is a piece of media (usually a video, image, or audio clip) that has been created or altered using artificial intelligence to convincingly show someone saying or doing something they never actually did.
- Digital DetoxA digital detox is a voluntary, time-limited reduction or complete break from digital devices (smartphones, computers, social media) with the goal of reducing stress, improving mental wellbeing, resetting unhealthy digital habits, and increasing in-person presence and engagement.
- Digital FootprintYour digital footprint is the trail of information you leave behind whenever you use the internet.
- Digital WellbeingDigital wellbeing is the idea of maintaining a healthy and intentional relationship with technology so that it enhances your life rather than detracting from it.
- Direct Message (DM)A direct message, or DM, is a private message sent between users on a social media platform.
- DiscordDiscord is a real-time communication platform organized around 'servers' (community spaces) containing channels for text chat, voice calls, video calls, and screen sharing.
- DoomscrollingDoomscrolling describes the compulsive behaviour of continuously scrolling through news feeds, social media, or other online content focused on negative, alarming, or distressing information: continuing despite feeling worse as a result.
- Echo ChamberAn echo chamber is a social or digital environment in which a person encounters only information and opinions that reinforce their existing beliefs, while alternative perspectives are effectively excluded.
- Email aliasAn email alias is an additional email address that delivers messages to an existing inbox.
- Emoji vs EmoticonEmoticons are typographic character combinations used to express emotions in text (:-) for smile, :-( for frown, ;-) for wink), created from keyboard characters.
- FacebookFacebook (rebranded as part of Meta in 2021) is the world's largest social networking platform with over 3 billion monthly active users.
- Fact-CheckingFact-checking is the practice of verifying factual claims by examining primary evidence, credible sources, and documented evidence.
- Feed (social media feed)A feed is the main stream of content you see when you open a social media app like Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or LinkedIn.
- Filter BubbleA filter bubble is the personalized information environment produced when algorithms predict what content you will engage with and selectively show you more of it: progressively narrowing the information you encounter toward content matching your past behaviour.
- Follower vs Friend vs ConnectionSocial media platforms use different terms for the relationships between users.
- Forum / Message BoardA forum or message board is a website where people post messages organized by topics, and others can reply to create ongoing conversations called threads.
- GIFGIF (Graphics Interchange Format) is a digital image format introduced in 1987 that supports animation through a sequence of frames that loop continuously.
- Going ViralGoing viral describes online content (a video, post, image, phrase, or meme) that spreads exponentially through user sharing across social media, messaging apps, and the broader internet in a short time period: reaching audiences far larger than the creator's normal following.
- HashtagA hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by the pound sign (#) used on social media to label and categorize content by topic.
- Hoax / Chain MessageA hoax is deliberately fabricated false information designed to trick people into believing something untrue, often spread through social media, messaging apps, and email.
- InfluencerAn influencer is a social media content creator who has built an audience that follows and trusts their recommendations, opinions, and lifestyle content.
- InstagramInstagram is a photo and video sharing social media platform owned by Meta (formerly Facebook), with about 3 billion monthly active users (as of 2025).
- Instant MessagingInstant messaging is a way to send and receive text messages in real time using an app or service on your phone or computer.
- LinkedInLinkedIn is the world's largest professional social network, owned by Microsoft (acquired 2016 for $26.2 billion), with over 1 billion members across 200+ countries.
- Location sharingLocation sharing is a phone feature that lets chosen people see your real-time or recent location on a map, through apps such as Apple's Find My, Google Maps, Life360, WhatsApp, and Snapchat's Snap Map.
- MastodonMastodon is an open-source, decentralized social networking platform where the software is run by thousands of independent servers (called instances), each with its own rules and moderation, yet able to communicate with each other.
- MemeIn internet usage, a meme is a piece of content (typically an image with text overlay, a video clip, or a specific format) that spreads across the internet through imitation and variation.
- Mention / TagA mention or tag is when you reference another person or account in a social media post, comment, or message, usually by typing the @ symbol followed by their username.
- Misinformation vs DisinformationMisinformation and disinformation both refer to false or inaccurate information, but they differ in intent.
- Mute / Block / ReportMute, block, and report are three tools available on most social media platforms that help you manage unwanted interactions.
- Newsletter (email newsletter)An email newsletter is a regular email sent by a person, company, or organization to a list of people who have signed up to receive it.
- Notification SettingsNotification settings are the controls that let you decide which alerts you receive from your apps and devices, and how those alerts are delivered.
- Parasocial RelationshipA parasocial relationship is a one-sided emotional bond that an audience member develops with a media figure (a creator, celebrity, podcast host, fictional character, or public personality) feeling genuine connection, familiarity, and investment in that person's life despite the relationship being fundamentally one-directional: the audience member knows the public figure through their content; the public figure does not know the audience member personally.
- PatreonPatreon is a membership platform that allows creators (podcasters, YouTubers, artists, writers, musicians, educators) to earn recurring monthly income from fans (patrons) who pay in exchange for exclusive content, early access, behind-the-scenes material, community access, or other rewards.
- PaywallA paywall is a mechanism that restricts access to digital content (news articles, research, videos, software tools) unless the user pays a subscription fee or per-article fee.
- PinterestPinterest is a visual discovery platform where users save (pin) images and videos to themed boards, collecting inspiration for projects, purchases, and ideas.
- PodcastA podcast is an audio show that you can listen to on your phone, computer, or smart speaker, usually for free.
- Profile vs PageOn social media, a profile and a page serve different purposes.
- Push notificationA push notification is a message an app or website sends to your device that appears on your lock screen, notification panel, or desktop, even when the app isn't open.
- Rage BaitRage bait is a category of content (posts, videos, articles) intentionally crafted to provoke anger and outrage in the audience, generating high engagement (comments, shares, reactions) that social media algorithms reward with wider distribution.
- RCS messagingRCS, short for Rich Communication Services, is the modern successor to SMS and MMS text messaging.
- RedditReddit is a social platform organized into thousands of user-created communities called subreddits (r/technology, r/personalfinance, r/cooking, etc.), each with their own moderators, rules, and culture.
- RSS FeedRSS stands for Really Simple Syndication, and an RSS feed is a way for websites to automatically send their latest content to you.
- Scam vs SpamSpam refers to unsolicited bulk messages sent indiscriminately to large numbers of people: typically for marketing, advertising, or as vectors for scams.
- Screen TimeScreen time refers to the total amount of time you spend looking at screens: phones, tablets, computers, and televisions.
- ShadowbanA shadowban is when a social media platform or forum reduces the visibility of a user's posts, by hiding them from search, recommendations, or other users, without notifying the person.
- Signal (messaging app)Signal is a free messaging app for texts, voice and video calls, and group chats, with end-to-end encryption on by default for everything.
- SMS vs iMessage vs WhatsAppSMS, iMessage, and WhatsApp are all ways to send messages, but they work differently.
- SnapchatSnapchat is a mobile app created by Snap Inc. where users send photos and videos (Snaps) that disappear after being viewed, and share Stories (content visible for 24 hours).
- Social Media AlgorithmA social media algorithm is a set of rules and calculations that a platform like Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook uses to decide which posts to show you and in what order.
- Source CredibilitySource credibility is the degree to which an information source can be trusted to provide accurate, unbiased, well-evidenced content.
- SubstackSubstack is a platform for publishing newsletters and podcasts directly to email subscribers, with built-in paid subscription features.
- TelegramTelegram is a cloud-based messaging app known for its large group capacity (up to 200,000 members), broadcast Channels, strong encryption options (Secret Chats use end-to-end encryption), and permissive content moderation compared to competing platforms.
- ThreadsThreads is Meta's text-based social media platform launched on July 5, 2023: directly positioning it as an alternative to X (formerly Twitter).
- TikTokTikTok is a short-form video platform created by Chinese company ByteDance where users create and watch videos usually a few seconds to a few minutes long.
- TrollingTrolling describes the practice of posting deliberately provocative, inflammatory, misleading, or offensive content in online spaces with the intent of provoking emotional reactions (anger, distress, confusion) in others.
- TwitchTwitch is a live streaming platform primarily known for gaming and esports content, owned by Amazon (acquired 2014 for approximately $970 million).
- Unsubscribe linkAn unsubscribe link is a link in marketing emails that lets recipients stop receiving future messages from that sender.
- Verified AccountA verified account is a social media account that has been confirmed as authentic by the platform, usually indicated by a blue checkmark badge next to the account name.
- Video CallA video call lets you have a face-to-face conversation with someone using a camera and microphone on your phone, tablet, or computer.
- VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, which is a technology that lets you make phone calls using the internet instead of a regular phone line.
- WebinarA webinar is a live, online seminar or presentation that you watch through your web browser or a special app.
- X (Twitter)X, formerly Twitter, is a social media platform centred on short-form public posts (280 characters for free accounts, much longer for paying subscribers) where users follow accounts, engage with breaking news, public discourse, and trending topics.
- YouTubeYouTube is the world's largest video-sharing platform, owned by Google (Alphabet), with over 2.7 billion monthly active users.