Social Media Marketing Terms: A Complete Glossary
All the buzzwords and acronyms used in Social Media Marketing explained by the Postel team. Learn what they mean and become an expert at it.











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A
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is a performance-based strategy where individuals or businesses (affiliates) promote a company's products or services and earn a commission for each sale/lead.
Algorithm
An algorithm in social media is a set of rules used to determine which content to show users and in what order.
Algospeak
Algospeak is the use of alternative words or phrases to bypass content moderation algorithms on social media platforms.
Analytics
Social media analytics involves data collection and analysis of social media activity to measure performance and inform strategy.
B
Batching
Batching is a technique that groups similar tasks together (in batches) in order to increase productivity.
BeReal
BeReal is a social media app that focuses on authenticity and spontaneity by encouraging users to share unfiltered moments of their day.
Bio
A social media bio is a short descriptive piece of text found at the top of a user's social media profile.
Bluesky
Bluesky is a decentralized social media platform seen as an alternative to Twitter/X.
Boomerang
An Instagram boomerang is a short, looping video format created by Instagram that plays forward and backward in a continuous loop.
Boosted Post
A boosted post is a paid promotion of an organic social media post to increase its reach and engagement.
Brand Awareness
Brand awareness is the level of recognition and recall a brand achieves among its target audience and consumers.
C
CAC
CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost) is a metric measuring the total cost of acquiring a new customer through marketing efforts.
Campaign
A social media campaign is a series of coordinated posts designed to achieve a specific marketing objective.
Caption
A caption is text accompanying a social media post, providing context, description, or additional information about the visual content.
Carousel Post
A carousel post is a multi-image or video post format allowing users to swipe through multiple pieces of content.
CFBR
CFBR stands for 'Comment for Better Reach' and it's used by creators to encourage people to comment on their content.
Character Counter
A character counter is a tool for tracking the number of characters in a social media post to meet platform-specific limits.
Clickbait
Clickbait is sensationalized or misleading content designed to entice users to click on a link.
Community
A social media community is a group of users connected by shared interests, values, or goals, fostering interaction and engagement.
Community Manager
A community manager is someone responsible for building and nurturing relationships between a brand and its audience.
Content Pillars
Content pillars are core themes or topics that guide and structure a brand's social media content strategy.
Creator Economy
The creator economy is the ecosystem of independent content creators monetizing their skills, content, or influence through digital platforms and direct audience engagement.
Cross Posting
Cross posting is the practice of sharing the same content across multiple social media platforms simultaneously.
Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing in social media is when brands or individuals ask their online communities for ideas, content, or feedback.
D
Dark Social
Dark social refers to the private sharing of content through messaging apps or email, making it difficult to track in analytics.
Decentralized
Decentralized social media is a network that runs across multiple independent servers, rather than one central organization.
Demure
Demure, when used in a social media context, refers to a modest or reserved online presence that avoids attention‑seeking content.
DM
A DM (Direct Message) is a private communication between users on social media platforms, allowing one‑on‑one or group conversations.
Duet (TikTok)
Duets on TikTok are a popular feature where you can create a split-screen video alongside an existing one.
E
Emoji
People use emojis, small digital icons, to express emotions, ideas, or objects in text‑based communication on social media platforms.
Engagement Rate
Engagement rate is a metric measuring the level of interaction (likes, comments, shares) a post receives relative to its reach.
Ephemeral Content
Ephemeral content refers to temporary social media posts, like Stories, that disappear after a set time, creating urgency and encouraging engagement.
Evergreen Content
Evergreen content is social media content that remains relevant and valuable to the audience over an extended period.
F
Fediverse
The fediverse is a decentralized network of social platforms that operate independently but are interconnected.
Feed
A social media feed is a stream of content you see on apps like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
Filter Bubble
A filter bubble is a personalized online experience where algorithms show users content that aligns with their existing views.
Finsta
"Finsta" is short for "fake instagram" and is a secondary Instagram account used to share more personal or unfiltered content with a select audience.
Follower Growth
Follower growth is the increase in the number of people following your social profiles over a given time period.
FYP
FYP (For You Page) is a personalized video feed on TikTok, algorithmically curated based on user interests and interactions.
G
Generation Z
Generation Z, shortened to and popularly known as Gen Z, is the demographic group born between 1997 and 2012.
Geotag
A geotag is location information added to social media posts, photos, or videos.
GIF
A GIF is an animated image file that loops continuously, often used to convey reactions or emotions on social media.
Google Business Profile
Google Business Profile is a free tool used to help manage and optimize the online presence for your business.
Growth Hacking
Growth hacking involves strategies focused on rapid user acquisition and engagement growth for social media platforms or accounts.
GRWM
'GRWM', which stands for 'Get Ready With Me,' is a type of social media video where creators or vloggers share their getting-ready routine.
H
I
Impression
An impression is the number of times a piece of content is displayed on social media, regardless of user interaction.
Influencer
An influencer is a social media user with a significant following who can impact their audience's purchasing decisions.
Instagram Broadcast Channel
Instagram Broadcast Channels are one‑to‑many messaging channels, a new way for creators to deepen connections with their followers.
Instagram Close Friends
Instagram's Close Friends feature lets you share Stories with a select group rather than your entire follower list.
Instagram Insights
Instagram Insights is an in‑app analytics tool that offers detailed performance metrics for anyone with an Instagram business or creator account.
Instagram Notes
Instagram Notes are short‑lived status updates or thoughts shared with mutual followers in the Direct Messages section, typically lasting 24 hours.
Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels are 90‑second short, snappy videos that users create and share on Instagram.
Instagram Story Highlights
Instagram Story Highlights are a feature allowing users to save and showcase selected Stories permanently on their profile.
Instagrammable
Instagrammable refers to anything visually appealing enough to be shared on Instagram.
J
K
Keyword
A keyword is a specific word or phrase that users type into a search bar to find content, products, or information.
KOL
KOL, or Key Opinion Leader, is an influential individual within a specific industry or niche.
KPI
A KPI, or Key Performance Indicator, is a measurable value that shows how effectively a business is achieving its key objectives.
L
Link in Bio
A link in bio refers to the link found in a user's social media bio, directing followers to a separate website.
LinkedIn Algorithm
The LinkedIn algorithm is a system determining the visibility and order of content in users' feeds based on relevance and engagement.
LinkedIn Analytics
LinkedIn Analytics is a tool providing insights into the performance of LinkedIn profiles, pages, and content.
LinkedIn Articles
LinkedIn Articles are long‑form content pieces you can publish directly on LinkedIn, helping you establish thought leadership.
LinkedIn Company Page
A LinkedIn Company Page is an official profile for businesses, showcasing company information, updates, and job opportunities.
LinkedIn Creator Mode
LinkedIn Creator Mode is a profile setting designed for those looking to build influence and share expertise on the platform.
LinkedIn Newsletter
A LinkedIn newsletter is a recurring publication you can share directly with your network on the platform.
LinkedIn Showcase Page
A LinkedIn Showcase Page is a subpage of a Company Page dedicated to highlighting specific brands, business units, or initiatives.
Long‑form Video
Long‑form video is content that typically lasts longer than a few minutes, allowing people to dive deeper into topics.
M
Main Character Energy
Main character energy is the social media buzzword for living like you're the protagonist of your own movie.
Marketing Funnel
A marketing funnel is a step‑by‑step process that guides potential customers from first hearing about your brand to becoming paying customers.
Meme
A meme is an image, video, or text that is humorous in nature and that spreads quickly across the internet.
Meta Business Suite
Meta Business Suite is a centralized tool for managing Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp business accounts and advertising.
Meta Verified
Meta Verified is Meta's subscription bundle that offers a blue verification badge on Instagram and Facebook.
Micro‑Influencer
A micro‑influencer is a social media user with a smaller, highly engaged following in a specific niche.
N
Native Advertising
Native advertising is paid content that matches the form and function of the platform on which it appears.
Newsjacking
Newsjacking is a strategy of leveraging trending news or events to create relevant content and gain attention for a brand.
NPS
NPS stands for Net Promoter Score, a metric measuring customer satisfaction and likelihood to recommend a brand or product.
O
P
PFP (Profile Picture)
A PFP (Profile Picture) is an image representing a user's identity on social media platforms.
Photo Dump
A photo dump is a carousel‑like post of images and/or videos that show a more authentic, messy vibe.
Pinned Post
A pinned post is a feature allowing users to keep a specific post at the top of their profile for increased visibility.
POV
POV means 'Point of View,' referring to videos on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram Reels where the video is filmed from the creator's perspective.
Q
Quality Control
Quality control (QC) in social media ensures content meets brand standards before publishing, maintaining consistency and professionalism across platforms.
Quiet Mode
Quiet mode on Instagram is a feature designed to help you take a break from notifications without having to mute everything manually.
R
Reach
Social media reach refers to the number of unique users who see a particular piece of content on social media platforms.
Reddit is a forum‑style social media platform where users share content, ask questions, and engage in discussions within niche communities.
ROI
ROI (Return on Investment) is a metric measuring the profitability of social media marketing efforts relative to their cost.
S
Sentiment Analysis
Social media sentiment analysis is the process of determining the emotional tone behind mentions to gauge public opinion about a brand.
Shadow Banned
Being shadow banned means a user's content has reduced visibility on social media platforms without their knowledge.
Short‑Form Video
Short‑form videos are quick, engaging clips, usually under 60 seconds, designed to grab attention fast.
SMART Goals
SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time‑bound) goals are a popular framework for defining goals and objectives when running a business.
Social Listening
Social listening involves monitoring social media platforms for mentions, trends, and conversations related to a brand or industry.
Social Media
Social media encompasses all the platforms and apps that allow people, creators, and businesses to communicate with one another, create online communities, exchange ideas, and share content.
Sponsored Post
Sponsored posts are paid social media content promoting a product, service, or brand to a targeted audience.
Stickers
Instagram Stickers are interactive elements you can add to your Stories to make them more engaging.
Stitch (TikTok)
Stitches on TikTok are a popular feature that allows you to take a snippet (up to five seconds) from someone else's video and add your own video as a follow‑up.
T
Thought Leader
A thought leader is an individual recognized as an expert in their field who shares valuable insights and influences others.
Threads (Instagram)
Threads is a text‑based social media platform by Instagram for sharing updates and engaging in conversations.
Threads Analytics
Threads Analytics provides data insights to help users understand their content's performance and audience engagement on the Threads app.
TikTok Challenge
A TikTok challenge is a strategy for creators and brands to boost engagement by prompting followers to create videos that perform an action, like a dance move.
TikTok Shop
TikTok Shop is an e‑commerce feature allowing businesses and creators to sell products directly through the TikTok app.
Touch Grass
'Touch grass' is a social media expression used to represent connecting with nature and going outside, while disconnecting from screens/virtual worlds.
Trending
Trending refers to topics or hashtags experiencing a surge in popularity and engagement on social media platforms.
Twitter Algorithm
The Twitter algorithm is a system determining the order and visibility of tweets in users' timelines based on relevance and engagement.
Twitter Analytics
Twitter Analytics is a tool providing data on tweet performance, audience demographics, and engagement metrics for Twitter accounts.
Twitter Thread
A Twitter thread is a series of connected tweets allowing users to share longer stories or ideas beyond the character limit.
U
UGC (User Generated Content)
UGC (User Generated Content) is content created by users featuring a brand's products or services, often shared on social media.
URL Shortener
A URL Shortener is a tool that shortens long, complicated links into short, polished links to make them easier to share on social media while still directing to the same page.
UX (User Experience)
UX stands for User Experience, referring to the overall experience a user has when interacting with a social media platform or app.
V
Vanish Mode
Vanish Mode on Instagram is a feature enabling disappearing messages in direct conversations for enhanced privacy and temporary communication.
Verification Badge
A verification badge is a visual indicator on social media profiles confirming the authenticity of notable accounts.
Viral
Content that 'goes viral' spreads rapidly across social media platforms, gaining significant attention and engagement in a short time.
Vlog
A vlog is a video blog featuring regular uploads of content chronicling an individual's life, experiences, or expertise.
W
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