Glossary of social media marketing terms
Social Media Marketing Glossary
- Social Media Marketing: The use of social media platforms for marketing and advertising purposes.
- Engagement: The interaction and involvement of users with social media content, such as likes, comments, shares, and clicks.
- Organic Reach: The number of users who see your social media content without paid promotion.
- Paid Reach: The number of users who see your social media content due to paid advertising.
- Algorithm: The set of rules that determines the content displayed in users' social media feeds.
- Hashtag: A keyword or phrase preceded by the "#" symbol used to categorize and discover content on social media.
- Influencer Marketing: Collaborating with individuals who have a large and engaged social media following to promote products or services.
- User-Generated Content (UGC): Content created and shared by users that promotes a brand or its products, often via contests or hashtags.
- Analytics: The collection and analysis of data related to social media performance, including reach, engagement, and conversion metrics.
- Click-Through Rate (CTR): The percentage of users who click on a link within a social media post or ad.
- Impressions: The total number of times a piece of content is displayed on users' screens.
- Viral Marketing: Content that spreads rapidly and extensively on social media due to its compelling or shareable nature.
- Content Calendar: A schedule that outlines when and what type of content will be created and published on social media.
- SEO (Search Engine Optimization): The practice of optimizing social media content to rank higher in search engine results.
- Call to Action (CTA): A prompt within content that encourages the reader or viewer to take a specific action, such as subscribing, downloading, or purchasing.
- Evergreen Content: Content that remains relevant and valuable to the audience over an extended period, often not tied to specific dates or events.
- Lead Magnet: An incentive offered to social media followers in exchange for their contact information, typically in the form of downloadable content like eBooks, guides, or templates.
- Blogging: Creating and maintaining a blog with regular, informative, and engaging posts that provide value to the audience.
- Content Marketing KPIs: Key Performance Indicators specific to content marketing on social media, including metrics like page views, time on page, and conversion rates.
- Content Amplification: Strategies used to extend the reach of content through social media, email marketing, paid advertising, and other methods.
- Content Syndication: Sharing content on multiple social media platforms, websites, or publications to reach a wider audience.
- A/B Testing: Experimenting with different social media elements (e.g., post content, imagery) to determine what resonates best with the audience.
- Brand Awareness: The extent to which users recognize and recall a brand's existence and associations on social media.
- Conversion Rate: The percentage of social media users who take a desired action after engaging with a brand's content.
- KPI (Key Performance Indicator): Measurable values used to assess the effectiveness and success of social media marketing strategies.
- Social Media Influencer: An individual who has significant influence and credibility in a specific niche on social media platforms.
- UGC Campaign: A planned initiative that encourages users to create and share content related to a brand or product on social media.
- Community Management: The practice of monitoring, engaging with, and moderating social media communities or forums related to a brand or industry.
- Dark Social: Social sharing that occurs through private messages, email, or other non-public channels, making it harder to track and measure.
- Emoticon: A symbol or combination of characters used to convey emotions or reactions in social media posts, e.g., 😊, ❤️, 🤔.
- Geotagging: Adding location information to social media posts to target a specific audience or inform users about the location of an event or product.
- Carousel Ads: A format for social media advertising where multiple images or videos can be swiped or scrolled through within a single post.
- Content Strategy: A plan that outlines the type of content to be posted, the target audience, and the goals of social media marketing efforts.
- CTR (Click-Through Rate): The percentage of users who click on a link or CTA within a social media post or ad.
- Content Marketing Strategy: A comprehensive plan that defines content goals, target audience, content creation, distribution, and performance measurement on social media.
- Dwell Time: The amount of time a user spends engaging with a piece of content on social media, which can be an indicator of content quality and relevance.
- Emoji: Small digital icons or images used to convey emotions or reactions in social media posts, e.g., 😃, 👍, 😂.
- Engagement Rate: A measure of user interaction with social media content, often expressed as a percentage of total followers.
- Follower Growth: The rate at which a brand's social media following increases over a specific period.
- Hashtag Campaign: A coordinated effort to encourage users to share content related to a specific hashtag, often used for promotional or awareness purposes.
- Impression Rate: The percentage of followers who saw a specific social media post or ad, out of the total number of followers.
- Lead Generation: The process of acquiring contact information from social media users who express interest in a brand's products or services.
- Meme: A humorous image, video, or piece of text that is shared and adapted by users on social media.
- News Feed: The continuously updating list of social media content that users see when they log into a platform.
- Paid Advertising: Promoting social media content through paid placements or sponsored ads to increase its reach.
- QR Code: A scannable code that can link to a website, social media profile, or other digital content when scanned by a mobile device.
- Retention Rate: The percentage of social media users who continue to engage with a brand or follow it over time.
- UGC Contest: A competition or giveaway that encourages users to create and share content related to a brand on social media, often for a chance to win prizes.
- Vlogging: Creating video blogs or vlogs to share insights, experiences, or content on social media platforms.
- YouTube: A social media platform primarily focused on video content sharing, with its own unique set of features and best practices for social media marketing.
- Customer Persona: A detailed profile of an ideal customer, which helps in targeting and creating content that resonates with the intended audience on social media.
- Keyword: A specific word or phrase that users search for on social media platforms or search engines to find relevant content.
- Social Listening: Monitoring social media platforms for mentions, conversations, or trends related to a brand, product, or industry.
- Trending Topic: A subject or hashtag that is currently popular and widely discussed on social media platforms.
- Ad Copy: The text and messaging used in social media advertisements to convey information or encourage action.
- Content Engagement Rate: The percentage of users who interact with social media content, including likes, comments, and shares.
- Clickbait: Content or headlines designed to entice users to click on links or engage with content, often sensationalized and misleading.
- Content Personalization: Tailoring social media content to the individual preferences and characteristics of specific users.
- Emoji Marketing: Incorporating emojis into social media content and campaigns to convey emotions, reactions, or brand personality.
- Engagement Bait: Content that explicitly encourages users to like, comment, or share, often discouraged by social media platforms' algorithms.
- Geo-Targeting: Delivering social media content to users based on their geographic location.
- In-Stream Ads: Ads that appear within the content stream on social media platforms, often as short videos or promoted posts.
- KPI (Key Performance Indicator): Metrics and measurements used to evaluate the effectiveness and success of social media marketing efforts.
- Landing Page: A web page designed to capture visitor information or guide them toward a specific action, such as making a purchase, often linked from social media content.
- Memetic Content: Content that leverages popular memes and trends to engage users on social media.
- Owned Media: Content and assets that are directly controlled by a brand, such as its social media profiles and website.
- Pinning: Keeping a specific social media post or tweet at the top of a profile or feed, ensuring it remains visible to users.
- Remarketing: Targeting social media ads at users who have previously interacted with a brand's website or content.
- Storytelling: Creating narratives and compelling stories in social media content to connect with users on an emotional level.
- Tagging: Mentioning or including other users' usernames in social media posts to notify and engage them.
- Viral Content: Content that spreads quickly and widely across social media platforms due to its appealing or shareable nature.
- Call to Action (CTA): A directive within social media content that encourages users to take a specific action, such as subscribing, purchasing, or sharing.
- Dark Post: An unpublished social media ad that does not appear on a brand's profile but can be targeted to specific audiences.
- Emotional Marketing: Creating social media content that taps into users' emotions, often aiming to evoke specific feelings or reactions.
- Follower-to-Lead Conversion: The process of turning social media followers into leads or potential customers.
- Geofilter: A location-based overlay or filter that can be added to photos and videos on social media platforms, often used in conjunction with events or specific geographic areas.
- AI (Artificial Intelligence): The use of machine learning and algorithms to optimize social media advertising, content creation, and user engagement.
- Community Manager: An individual responsible for monitoring, engaging with, and moderating a brand's social media communities or forums.
- Dark Social: The sharing of social media content through private messages, email, or other non-public channels, making it harder to track and measure.
- Emoticon: A digital symbol or combination of characters used to express emotions or reactions in social media posts, e.g., 😊, ❤️, 🤔.
- FB (Facebook): A popular social media platform for sharing content, connecting with friends, and running targeted advertising campaigns.
- Hashtag Campaign: A coordinated effort to encourage users to share content related to a specific hashtag, often for promotional or awareness purposes.
- Impression Rate: The percentage of followers who see a specific social media post or ad out of the total number of followers.
- Meme: A humorous image, video, or piece of text shared and adapted by users on social media.
- News Feed: The continuously updating list of social media content that users see when they log into a platform.
- Paid Advertising: Promoting social media content through paid placements or sponsored ads to increase its reach.
- QR Code: A scannable code that can link to a website, social media profile, or other digital content when scanned by a mobile device.
- Retention Rate: The percentage of social media users who continue to engage with a brand or follow it over time.
- UGC Contest: A competition or giveaway that encourages users to create and share content related to a brand on social media, often for a chance to win prizes.
- Vlogging: Creating video blogs or vlogs to share insights, experiences, or content on social media platforms.
- Twitter: A social media platform known for its short, concise posts and real-time conversations, often used for news and trending topics.
- CPC (Cost-Per-Click): The cost incurred by a brand for each user click on a paid social media ad.
- Content Creation: The process of producing and generating content for social media marketing efforts.
- Dwell Time: The amount of time a user spends engaging with a piece of content on social media, which can be an indicator of content quality and relevance.
- Emoji: Small digital icons or images used to convey emotions or reactions in social media posts, e.g., 😃, 👍, 😂.
- Facebook Ads Manager: A platform for creating, managing, and analyzing Facebook advertising campaigns.
- Facebook Business Page: A dedicated profile for businesses on Facebook, allowing them to interact with users and showcase their products or services.
- Facebook Insights: Analytics and performance metrics provided for Facebook pages, allowing businesses to assess their social media marketing efforts.
- LinkedIn A professional networking platform for businesses and individuals to connect and share industry-related content.
- LinkedIn Company Page: A dedicated profile for businesses on LinkedIn, offering features like job postings and company updates.
- LinkedIn Showcase Page: A subpage of a LinkedIn Company Page that focuses on a specific product, service, or brand aspect.
- LinkedIn Sponsored Content: Paid advertising on LinkedIn, typically appearing as promoted posts in users' feeds.
- LinkedIn Pulse: LinkedIn's content publishing platform where users can share articles and posts with their professional network.
- LinkedIn InMail: A paid messaging feature on LinkedIn that allows users to send private messages to other users, even if they are not connected.
- LinkedIn Groups: Communities on LinkedIn where members can discuss industry-specific topics and share content.
- LinkedIn Lead Generation Forms: Forms integrated into LinkedIn ads that allow users to provide their contact information directly within the ad.
- LinkedIn Video Ads: Video content promoted on LinkedIn to engage and inform users.
- LinkedIn Showcase Ads: Ads designed for LinkedIn Showcase Pages to promote specific products or services.
- LinkedIn Elevate: A platform for employees to share curated content from their companies on their LinkedIn profiles.
- LinkedIn Analytics: Data and performance metrics for LinkedIn marketing efforts, including engagement and follower growth.
- LinkedIn Publishing: The act of sharing original articles and content on LinkedIn to establish thought leadership and engage with a professional network.