Slay the Day with the Pink Sheep Social Media Terminology Glossary

Okay, let’s spill some social tea. Translation: I’m going to give you some details on this drama with social media terms and slang.

Nothing can make you feel more out of place like not understanding what people around you are saying. Being a Pink Sheep is about standing OUT from the crowd, but in a good way, not a confused and frustrated way. When it comes to social media, there are a lot of terms out there that cause confusion. With that in mind, I’ve prepared a social media glossary for easy reference of those terms making you feel salty (upset), that will help you slay (excel) the day! I’ve broken it down into four sections:

• Social Media Specific
• Social Media Analytics
• Marketing & Business
• Slang You Saw on Social Media

Social Media Specific

1. Bio Link – The clickable link found in a social media profile’s bio, often used on platforms like Instagram where clickable links are limited.
2. Boosting – Paying to increase the reach of a specific social media post to a broader or more targeted audience.
3. Carousel – A post format on Instagram and Facebook that allows users to share multiple photos or videos in a single post that can be swiped through.
4. DM (Direct Message) – A private conversation between two users on a platform like Instagram or Twitter. “Send me a DM if you have any questions.”
5. Explore Page – A discovery feature on Instagram where users can find posts, stories, and reels based on their interests and prior engagements.
6. Group – A space for users with shared interests to interact. Facebook groups can be public, closed, or private, and they allow more community-based interaction. Groups can also be found on LinkedIn.
7. Hashtags – Keywords or phrases preceded by a “#” that make it easier to find content on social media. They help categorize posts and increase visibility.
8. Meme – A humorous image, video, or text that is spread widely online, often with variations. Memes can be highly shareable and go viral quickly.
9. Meta – Refers to the company formerly known as Facebook, which owns platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus. Meta focuses on creating the “metaverse,” a virtual reality space.
10. Meta Business Suite – A tool by Meta (formerly Facebook) that allows businesses to manage their Facebook and Instagram pages, schedule posts, and view analytics all in one place.
11. Page – A public profile for businesses, organizations, or public figures where they can post updates and engage with followers.
12. Pay-to-Play – The need for businesses and creators to invest in paid advertising or promotion to reach a wider audience. Due to changes in algorithms on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, organic (unpaid) reach has diminished significantly, meaning posts from brands and businesses are less likely to be seen without some form of paid promotion. “To get more visibility, you need to “pay to play” by boosting posts or running ad campaigns.”
13. Pinned Post – A post that a user or brand can ‘pin’ to the top of their profile for ongoing visibility, even as new posts are made.
14. PM (Private Message) – Similar to DM, a private communication between two individuals, commonly used on platforms like Facebook.
15. Reel – A short-form video format on Instagram (and Facebook), often used for entertainment, tutorials, or brand promotions.
16. Shadowban – When a user’s content is hidden or restricted without their knowledge, usually due to breaking platform guidelines.
    “I think my account was shadowbanned; my posts aren’t reaching anyone.”
17. Stories – Temporary posts that disappear after 24 hours, available on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. They’re great for real-time updates.
18. Swipe Up – A feature in Instagram Stories (for accounts with 10,000+ followers) allowing users to swipe up to access a link. It’s now evolving into Link Stickers for easier linking.
    “Swipe up to get 20% off your next order!”
19. Thread – A series of connected tweets from the same user that are linked together for better storytelling or sharing complex information.
20. Threads – A new(ish) social media platform owned by Meta. It is a rival to Twitter.
21. Troll – Someone who leaves negative, off-topic, or provocative comments on social media posts to deliberately stir up conflict.
22. UGC (User-Generated Content) – Content created by a brand’s followers or customers, rather than the brand itself. It’s valuable for authenticity and social proof.
23. Viral – Content that spreads rapidly across the internet due to high engagement, shares, and reactions.

Social Media Analytics

1. Comment – A response or feedback left by users on a social media post, often seen as a more valuable form of engagement.
2. Engagement Rate – The percentage of followers or viewers who interact with a post, calculated by dividing total engagement (likes, comments, shares) by reach or impressions.
3. Engagement Types – Refers to any interaction with a post, such as likes, shares, comments, or clicks.
4. Follower – Someone who follows your account on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter to see your posts regularly.
5. Impression – The number of times your content was displayed to users, regardless of whether it was clicked or interacted with.
6. Like – A simple engagement where users click a button to express approval or appreciation for a post.
7. Page Like – Someone on Facebook who “Likes” your page, and subsequently Follows the page.Page Likes can impact the types of ads you are shown on Facebook. A “Like” is an automatic “Follow” but a “Follow” isn’t an automatic “Like” (Confusing much??)
8. Play – Used for video content, it refers to how many times the video was viewed.
9. Reach – The total number of unique users who have seen your content.
10. Reactions – Various responses to a post, such as a “like,” “love,” “wow,” or “sad” emoji, typically on platforms like Facebook.
11. Share – When a user reposts someone else’s content on their profile or sends it to another user, increasing the post’s visibility.
12. Subscriber – Someone who subscribes to your content, usually on platforms like YouTube, to get updates when you post new content.
13. Vanity Metrics – Metrics that look impressive but don’t necessarily provide real value or impact, like follower count, which doesn’t always indicate actual engagement or sales.

Marketing & Business

1. Algorithm – A set of rules used by platforms like Instagram or Facebook to determine what content is shown to users.
   “The Instagram algorithm favors reels and video content right now.”
2. AOV (Average Order Value) – The average amount spent by a customer when placing an order. In social media, this is often linked to e-commerce and paid campaigns.
3. Avatar – A user’s online representation, often a profile picture or a character. It can also refer to a business persona. An avatar can also be refer to your ideal customers persona.
4. Chatbot – An automated program that mimics human conversation, often used by businesses to answer common questions or handle customer service inquiries.
5. CPC (Cost Per Click) – The amount you pay for each click in a pay-per-click advertising campaign.
6. Organic Content – Content posted on social media without paid promotion. It typically relies on natural engagement from followers.
7. Paid Content – Content that is promoted through advertising, usually involving budget allocation to boost reach or target specific audiences.
8. CTA (Call to Action) – A prompt in your content encouraging users to take a specific action, like clicking a link, signing up, or making a purchase.
9. CTR (Click-Through Rate) – The percentage of users who click on a link after seeing it in a post or ad. It’s calculated by dividing the number of clicks by the number of impressions.
10. Evergreen Content – Content that remains relevant and valuable over time, requiring little to no updates.
11. KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) – Specific metrics used to evaluate the success of a social media strategy, such as engagement, reach, follower growth, or conversions.
12. Influencer Marketing – The practice of working with influencers to promote a product or service to their audience, leveraging their trust and credibility.
    “Our influencer marketing campaign increased brand awareness among Gen Z.”
13. PPC (Pay-Per-Click) – A form of digital marketing where advertisers pay a fee each time their ad is clicked, commonly used in social media advertising.
14. Retargeting – A form of online advertising that targets users who have previously interacted with your content or visited your website, encouraging them to return and complete an action.
15. ROI (Return on Investment) – A metric used to measure the profitability of an investment, in social media, it’s often used to gauge how much return you get from ad spend, campaigns, etc.

Slang You Saw on Social Media

1.  FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) – Anxiety or the feeling of being left out when others are participating in something you’re not involved in.
   “I’m getting FOMO from seeing all those concert pics.”
2. Ghosting – Suddenly cutting off all communication with someone without explanation. “I thought things were going well, but then she ghosted me.”
3. Highkey – The opposite of lowkey, meaning something that’s definitely true or obvious. “I’m highkey obsessed with that show!”
4. Influencer – A person with a significant online following who can sway opinions or behaviors, often used for brand collaborations.
   “We partnered with a local influencer to promote our new line.”
5. IYKYK – Acronym for “If You Know, You Know,” used when something is only understood by those in the know. “The party last night… IYKYK.”
6. JOMO (Joy of Missing Out) – The feeling of contentment with not attending or participating in something. Opposite of FOMO. “I’m happy staying in tonight—total JOMO!”
7. Lowkey – Describes something done subtly or without making a big deal of it. “I’m lowkey excited for the weekend.”
8. Main Character – Refers to someone who acts like the star of their own story. “She’s totally the main character of her friend group.”
9. Ratio – On social media, if someone’s reply gets more likes than the original post, they “ratioed” the person, implying they had a better take. “You just got ratioed!”
10. Simp – A person (usually a guy) who shows excessive attention or affection towards someone in a way that makes them seem desperate. “Stop simping over her, man!”
11. Stan – A combination of “stalker” and “fan,” it means to obsessively support or admire someone.
    “I totally stan Pink Sheep Co.”
12. Trending – Topics, hashtags, or content that is currently popular and widely discussed across social media platforms.
13. Vibe Check – Asking or assessing if someone’s vibe or mood is good or in line with the situation. “He failed the vibe check.”
14. Vlog – A video blog where users share video content, usually personal stories or experiences.

And there you have it, a social media glossary to help navigate the sometimes complicated world of social media. These terms are important to know when planning and analyzing your social media efforts. Feeling overwhelmed by all this? Check out my upcoming workshop where we go over how to optimize your account and what to do with these analytics. My next workshop is Monday, Oct. 21 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.