130+ Social Media Acronyms Every Marketer Should Know
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Loading... - Willow Morrison
- 14 Jul 2022
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Learning a new language isn’t easy, and there is unfortunately no Duolingo Owl for social media acronyms (Duo, if you’re reading this, I’m totally going to practice my Japanese later, please stop texting me). But proper, clever use of internet abbreviations is part of a successful social media strategy — so if your brand is using social media for business, you’re going to want to study up.
Improper use of acronyms online can be confusing at best and embarrassing at worst. You don’t want your company to sound like someone’s great aunt Margy:
So we’ve put together the ultimate guide to social media acronyms. Read on for a crash course in internet lingo.
Network-specific abbreviations
Network names
FB: Facebook
G+: Google +
IG: Instagram
LI: LinkedIn
TW: Twitter
YT: YouTube
DM: Direct message
This is a private form of communication, seen only between the sender and the recipient. On Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, users can “slide into” someone’s DMs by sending a private message.
MT: Modified Tweet
Tweets that begin with MT indicate that the Tweeter has edited the content they’re retweeting for brevity or other reasons. This is also called a Quote Tweet.
PM: Private message
Private messages are the same as direct messages. If someone asks you to PM them, they’re essentially asking to move a public conversation into the private realm.
PRT: Partial Retweet
This is very similar to a RT, but is used to show that you’re only quoting part of what the other Twitter user said originally. Maybe you’re condensing to save space for your own commentary, for example.
RT: Retweet
Instead of hitting the retweet button, or retweeting with a comment, some Twitter users repost a tweet and use “RT” plus the user’s handle for attribution.
Popular social media acronyms and abbreviations
AFAIK: As far as I know
Used when sharing facts or stating something that you believe to be true, but typing AFAIK shows that you aren’t completely sure. You’re not an expert, after all.
AKA: Also known as
This is a useful abbreviation when referring to folks who literally go by two names (Stefani Germanotta AKA Lady Gaga) or referencing a common nickname (Simone Biles aka the GOAT). Also, see “GOAT.”
AMA: Ask me anything
AMAs are social question-and-answer sessions. Companies, influencers, brand representatives and everyday folks might post AMAs on Twitter, Reddit, or in a Facebook or Instagram live stream.
ASAP: As soon as possible
For when you need something, right now.
BRB: Be right back
This is one of the original social media abbreviations, first used in the late 1980s or early 1990s. It’s from the chat forum era, but finds its way back on social when the right occasion calls for it.
BTS: Behind the scenes
Nope, not the Korean boy band. This abbreviation is used to offer followers a behind-the-scenes look at your brand.
BTW: By the way
This social media acronym is used to add extra info, go on a tangent, or throw some shade. Read More…
