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The term "social media" is a concept having roots in the late 1970s with the Usenet and electronic bulletin board systems (BBS). A few other synonyms have emerged, but according to Google Trends, none of the primary alternatives are mentioned quite as often. There are three primary social media synonyms. An "online community" refers to individuals or companies connected over one or more interests. A "social platform" concerns the technologies and systems used to connect on the internet. A "social network" maps the connections between people and groups. Let's go through each of these synonymous terms and dig deeper into their meaning. We've included a reference table of terms from 13 social media companies showing functionally related words along with some social media slang words you should know. Synonyms For Social Media With Definitions Each synonym for "social media" has the same loose definition with subtle differences. Social media refers specifically to the content shared between users. The types of social media sent between linked accounts includes: TextPhotosVideosAudio clips Reactions/Likes Interactive games This media is electronically shared over an online connection and mostly via a browser or mobile app. "Social Platform" A social platform is the combination of technologies that allow users to communicate and share media. Everything from the smartphone app and the website to the servers and third-party vendors comprises the social platform. As large companies acquire rival or complimentary internet services or companies, they link the data and offerings, expanding their platform. For example, Facebook bought and combined data and capabilities from Whatsapp, Instagram, Oculus, and Onavo to expand its platform of tools. This video (4m36s@2x) from The Hated One YouTube channel digs deeper into the impetus and goals of Facebook's growing social platform. "Online Community" Before there were online communities, there were just communities—people who were geographically nearby or would gather around certain activities or common goals. In the internet age, communities expanded past their locality. Members can now communicate and collaborate: without being tied to real-world meeting locationsacross time zones consuming and producing media asynchronouslyusing a growing number of tools making the experience as good or better than before Social platform technologies facilitate, record, and maintain the connection of online community participants. "Social Network" The term social network is the primary synonym for social media. However, the word "network" refers to the mapping or relationship between two or more accounts, users, companies, etc. Social networks also measure the strength of the connection between any two points in the graph or social web through Distance: the number of nodes or hops between two measured pointsInteractivity: such as likes, shares, comments, and return visits Social networking is using a social network to get to know and expand your social graph. So: As an online community shares social media across a social platform, the way users interact with each other alters the social network of connections. Each company uses different terminology to describe the interaction with their services. The following table gives you the branded jargon or vocabulary for popular social media services. Social Media Terms By Brand [Reference Table] Digital marketing includes coining new terms or naming tool parts on their social media platform. Companies ensure brand awareness and guide the average user to engaging with the social networking site. The following table gives you a good cross-reference of terminology relating similar words together. BrandAdded Piece of MediaReaction to MediaAccount ConnectionNotesFacebookPostLike/ReactionFollowerInstagramPostLikeFollowerTwitterTweetRetweetFollowerYouTubeVideoLike/DislikeSubscriberPinterestPinSaveFollowerMediumStoryClapFollowerSnapchatSnapReplyFriendLinkedInPostLike/ReactionConnectionRedditPostVoteFollowerMastodonTootFavouriteFollowerFacebook & Twitter alternativePeertubeVideoLike/DislikeSubscriberYouTube alternativeWriteFreelyPostN/AN/AMedium alternativeDiscourseTopicLikeN/AReddit alternative As you use some of the above social platforms, you'll inevitably come across internet terms, slang, or a phrase or two that are unfamiliar. You'll need some translation. 59 Social Media Terms You Should Know Let's arm you with a dictionary of commonly-used internet, social media acronyms, and some must-know jargon. 41 Actually-Useful Social Media Acronyms afaik: as far as I knowama: ask me anythingbbl: be back laterbrb: be right backbtw: by the waycu: see youdm: direct messagefb: Facebookftw: for the winfwiw: for what it's worthg2g/gtg: got to gogg: good gameidk: i don't knowig: i guess or Instagramikr: i know, right?imho: in my humble opinionimo: in my opinionirl: in real lifejk: just kiddingl8r: (see you) laterlmk: let me knowlol: laughing out loudnp: no problemnsfw: not safe for worknvm: never mindomg: oh my goshomw: on my wayOTL: desperation; ASCII art/emoji person on all fours on the floorpm: private messagerofl: rolling on floor laughingsrs: serioustbh: to be honesttldr: too long didn't readtmi: too much informationttyl: talk to you latertw: Twitterty: thank youwfh: working from homeyolo: you only live onceyt: YouTubeyw: you're welcome 18 Commonly-Used Social Media Words and Phrases Bae: really close friend or mate; babe or before anyone elseEpic fail: easily-avoided or overly-complex mistake or eventFacepalm: reaction to something obvious or stupid 🤦♀️Friendversary: friendship anniversaryHere for it: expressing pleasure or supportI can't even: when something causes several emotions or reactions at onceLit: when something exceeds expectationLurker: someone who browses an online community without interactingMeme: text, image, video copied, modified, and passed aroundNoob: a newcomer to an online communityNoice: more than just nice, excellentOn fleek: when something is executed perfectlyPhotobomb: as a prank, moving quickly into the frame of a photo being takenPwned: expression of complete victory over an opponent; misspelling of "ownedSlay: executed perfectly; "killed it"Spamming: sending a lot of messages to the point of annoyanceTrending: when a topic is popular on a social networkTroll: a person who deliberately annoys others online Do some of these terms sound concerning? We've listed some of the safest social networks.