10 Key Terms to Understand Social Media

These might seem like everyday terms to some people, but they are still relatively unknown to others. Especially if they’ve never used social media or only have a Facebook. This is a good place to start if you need to learn about social media and its ins and outs. Another good way to learn is to immerse yourself in different social media accounts. If it still all goes over your head, we can help. We make it seem easy, but it takes a bit to get it all right and consistently in the loop since things are constantly changing and updating.

So here are ten key terms to understand social media:

Algorithm

An algorithm is a set of formulas developed for a computer to perform a certain function. The most critical algorithms in social media determine which content we see as a user. Instagram is famous for changing its algorithm to one that shows pictures you might find more appealing or have seen. It is no longer in chronological order except for a few times. This can decrease the number of people who see your picture. One foolproof way to increase your ranking in an algorithm is to pay for it with paid social media. Facebook is now a pay-to-play platform for businesses.

DM

AKA Direct Message. These are private conversations that occur on Twitter (Now “X”) and Instagram mainly. On Twitter, in the past, both parties had to follow one another to send a direct message, but this is no longer the case.

Engagement

This refers to talking to, messaging, or otherwise interacting with other people on social networks. At its simplest, social media engagement is any interaction you have with other users. But it also doesn’t necessarily have to be engagement with yourself and another user. The engagement can be on a post that you don’t necessarily converse with others on. Other users engage with the post by liking, commenting, or sharing the post.

GIF

GIF is an acronym for Graphics Interchange Format. Only certain sites allow for GIF use; others might take some work (loopholes) to post or flat-out deny them. This is a gif:

Hashtag

The hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by the “#” sign. #Hashtags are a simple way to mark the topic (or topics). This makes things easier to search for later. It is also for joining a conversation and for reach.

Handle

This is used to describe someone’s username on Twitter. It can also be used for Instagram, “What’s your Insta handle?”

Mention

A mention is also a Twitter term. It’s used to bring someone into the conversation or to reference someone. This is done by including someone’s handle.

Newsfeed or News Feed

On Facebook, the Newsfeed is the homepage of a user’s account where they can see all the latest updates from their friends. Meanwhile, on Twitter, this is known as a timeline. On Instagram, it’s a feed.

Retweet

AKA RT. A Tweet that is re-shared to the followers of another user’s Twitter account. This is easily done with the retweet button.

Verified

A verified account has gone through the necessary steps to confirm that the person running the account is indeed who they say they are. This is for celebrities, brands, companies, and other prominent figures. There are requirements to get verified, and usually requires a high amount of followers, original content, and a few other things. It’s everyone’s dream to get verified.

Conclusion

Navigating social media’s evolving landscape can be daunting, especially with its unique lexica like Algorithms, DMs, and Hashtags. Self-education is a stepping stone, yet the expertise of LuccaAM significantly smooths this digital journey. Our adept SEO services demystify complex algorithms, enhancing content visibility and engagement. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned player in social media, entrusting LuccaAM with your SEO needs is a wise stride toward fruitful digital interactions.