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Digital Culture DictionaryFree

The internet, in plain English.

A word you keep seeing. An acronym nobody explains. A metric that sounds more useful than it is. Look it up here.

Terms across internet culture, content, platforms, marketing, branding and AI. Plain-English definitions, everyday examples and the context that helps them make sense.

Internet culture

1437

A numeric message meaning “I love you forever”, using the letter count of each word.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone ends an affectionate message with 1437.

Keep in mind: It is a context-dependent code, not a mathematical or platform function.

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Internet culture

4lifers

Slang for people expected to remain close for life.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “Different cities, same group chat. 4lifers.”

Keep in mind: It expresses loyalty, not a literal contract or guarantee.

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Marketing & measurement

A/B test

A comparison of two versions designed to understand the effect of a change.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Eligible visitors are split between two headlines while other conditions stay comparable.

Keep in mind: Running two ads at different times is not automatically a controlled test.

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Internet culture

Abow

An exclamation associated with surprise or admiration and a recognisable TikTok audio trend.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A reaction caption uses abow to express amazement.

Keep in mind: The audio-trend use and regional slang use are not always identical.

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AI & the web

Accessibility

Making content and interfaces usable by people with a range of abilities and access needs.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A search field has a label, keyboard support and readable contrast.

Keep in mind: Accessibility is part of usability, not simply a checkbox.

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AI & the web

Accessibility tree

The browser's accessibility-focused representation of a page's elements.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A screen reader receives a button's name and state from this structure.

Keep in mind: Visual appearance alone does not show what assistive technology receives.

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AI & the web

Accessible description

Additional information explaining an interface element beyond its name.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An email field explains why the address is requested.

Keep in mind: A description supplements a clear label; it should not replace one.

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AI & the web

Accessible name

The label assistive technology uses to identify an interface control.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An icon-only button is named Search the dictionary.

Keep in mind: Use a meaningful name that matches the visible task.

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Content & creators

Accidental music

A content idea that turns everyday sounds into something musical.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A creator builds a rhythm from a printer, footsteps and a closing door.

Keep in mind: It describes a creative format, not a claim that ordinary sounds are royalty-free recordings.

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Internet culture

Accountant

An ordinary job title that has also been used online as a joking euphemism for adult-content or sex work.

Example & what to watch for

Example: In a discussion of creator slang, someone explains the euphemistic use of accountant.

Keep in mind: Do not assume a person's occupation from the word alone.

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Platforms & communities

Ad Center

A simplified interface for creating or managing advertisements, commonly associated with a Facebook Page.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A Page owner reviews a promoted post through Ad Center.

Keep in mind: It is not identical to the full Ads Manager. Labels and available controls can change.

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Tools & services

AddThis

A former website sharing and bookmarking service commonly mentioned in older marketing guides.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An old website tutorial recommends adding an AddThis widget.

Keep in mind: Historical service: Oracle ended AddThis services in May 2023. It is not a current setup recommendation.

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Platforms & communities

Ads Manager

A platform's interface for organising advertising campaigns, audiences, creative and reporting.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A marketer checks spending and results in Ads Manager.

Keep in mind: Different platforms use the same general label for different products.

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Internet culture

Adult Swim

An entertainment brand whose distinctive interstitial clips inspired a TikTok imitation format.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A creator makes a surreal clip resembling an Adult Swim bumper.

Keep in mind: The trend reference does not make the creator's clip an official Adult Swim production.

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Marketing & measurement

Advertising

Paid communication intended to draw attention to an offering, message or organisation.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A business pays to show a product video to a selected audience.

Keep in mind: Paid placement does not guarantee that the audience finds it relevant.

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Marketing & measurement

Advocacy

Supporting or recommending a cause, person or brand to other people.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A satisfied customer voluntarily recommends a useful product.

Keep in mind: Genuine advocacy differs from a paid endorsement; the relationship should be clear.

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Marketing & measurement

Affiliate marketing

A commercial arrangement in which a partner earns commission for attributed outcomes such as sales.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A publisher earns a percentage when a reader buys through its tracked link.

Keep in mind: Commission and tracking terms matter; disclose commercial relationships clearly.

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AI & the web

AI

Artificial intelligence: a broad label for systems designed to perform tasks associated with intelligence.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A system identifies objects in photos or generates a draft answer.

Keep in mind: Different AI systems have different capabilities; fluency is not reliability.

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AI & the web

AI agent

An AI-based system that can use tools and perform steps towards a task, rather than only returning a single text answer.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An assistant searches a catalogue, compares options and prepares a draft.

Keep in mind: The label does not guarantee autonomy or reliability. Tool permissions and human approval still matter.

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Platforms & communities

Algorithm

A set of steps or rules used to carry out a task; online, often shorthand for recommendation systems.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A platform ranks possible posts using signals about content and viewers.

Keep in mind: There is rarely one simple rule that explains every recommendation.

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Content & creators

Alpha channel

The image channel controlling opacity and transparency.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A logo export preserves a transparent background.

Keep in mind: Not every image format or destination preserves transparency.

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Internet culture

ALR

A casual abbreviation commonly used for “alright”; it can also mean “already” in some messages.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “ALR, I will check it after work.”

Keep in mind: Use the surrounding sentence to work out the intended meaning.

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AI & the web

Alt text

A text alternative describing an image's purpose or information in context.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A chart's alt text explains the trend rather than saying “chart image”.

Keep in mind: Decorative images may need empty alt text; avoid keyword stuffing.

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Internet culture

Alt TikTok

A community label historically used for alternative or less mainstream TikTok content and aesthetics.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An older discussion contrasts surreal Alt TikTok clips with mainstream dance trends.

Keep in mind: These are informal labels, not official app sections or reliable indicators of someone's identity.

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Internet culture

AMA

Ask me anything: an invitation for an audience to ask questions.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A designer hosts an AMA about their first year freelancing.

Keep in mind: The host can still set boundaries or decline personal questions.

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AI & the web

Analytics

Collecting and interpreting data to understand activity and support decisions.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A team reviews which pages people use before downloading a resource.

Keep in mind: Reports are only as useful as their definitions, data quality and interpretation.

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Internet culture

And I oop

A reaction phrase used for surprise, awkwardness or an unexpected interruption.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “I confidently opened the wrong presentation. And I oop.”

Keep in mind: Often refers to a recognisable meme reaction rather than literal speech.

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Marketing & measurement

AOV

Average order value: order revenue divided by the number of orders in a defined scope.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A$600 across ten orders gives an AOV of A$60.

Keep in mind: State whether refunds, tax and shipping are included.

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AI & the web

API

Application programming interface: a defined way for software components to interact.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A store sends an order event to another service through an API.

Keep in mind: Access can require credentials and permissions; an API is not necessarily public.

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AI & the web

AR

Augmented reality: digital elements presented alongside a view of the physical world.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A phone overlays a virtual object on the room seen through its camera.

Keep in mind: It differs from fully replacing the surrounding view with a virtual environment.

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Platforms & communities

AR lens

An augmented-reality effect that adds or changes elements in a camera view.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A lens overlays an animated object on someone's face.

Keep in mind: It may be decorative, functional or commercially sponsored; a lens is not a camera's physical glass.

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Platforms & communities

Archive

To move content out of its normal public display while retaining it within a service.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone archives an old post instead of permanently deleting it.

Keep in mind: Recovery and visibility depend on the service; confirm what its archive action does.

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AI & the web

ARIA

Attributes that describe interface roles, states and relationships for assistive technology.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A disclosure button exposes whether its panel is expanded.

Keep in mind: Prefer suitable native HTML; incorrect ARIA can make accessibility worse.

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AI & the web

ASCII

A character standard covering basic English letters, digits, punctuation and control characters.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A simple technical identifier uses ASCII letters and numbers.

Keep in mind: ASCII cannot represent all languages or modern symbols on its own.

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Content & creators

Aspect ratio

The proportional relationship between an image or frame's width and height.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A vertical video uses a 9:16 frame.

Keep in mind: Matching the ratio does not guarantee adequate resolution or safe text placement.

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AI & the web

Asynchronous

Happening without requiring related work to complete at the same moment.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An import runs in the background while you continue editing.

Keep in mind: A submitted request is not the same as a completed task.

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Internet culture

ATP

Often “at this point” in online conversation; sometimes “answer the phone” in messaging.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “ATP, I should just start again.”

Keep in mind: The acronym has other meanings in science and sport, so context matters.

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Marketing & measurement

Attribution

Assigning credit for an outcome to earlier interactions.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An analytics tool credits a purchase to an ad click within its reporting window.

Keep in mind: Models and windows differ; credited revenue is not proof that the ad caused all of it.

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Marketing & measurement

Audience

The people who see, use or are intended to receive a message or offering.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A guide is written for people new to brand building.

Keep in mind: The intended audience and the people actually reached may differ.

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Content & creators

Audio description

Spoken description of important visual information that is not conveyed by a video's existing audio.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A narrator explains an on-screen action during a pause in dialogue.

Keep in mind: Describe information needed to understand the content; do not simply repeat the dialogue.

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AI & the web

Authentication

Checking that a person or system is who it claims to be.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A shop asks you to sign in before viewing an order.

Keep in mind: Being signed in does not mean you have permission to do everything.

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AI & the web

Avatar

A representation of a person or character in a digital environment.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A user chooses an illustrated profile image or an in-game character.

Keep in mind: An avatar does not prove who controls an account.

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Content & creators

B-roll

Supporting footage used alongside the main action or spoken explanation.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Close-ups of a notebook play while the founder explains a decision.

Keep in mind: B-roll should help the viewer understand, not just fill time.

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Marketing & measurement

B2B

Business to business: activity in which a business serves or sells to other businesses.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A software company sells a team subscription to a design studio.

Keep in mind: The buyer is still a person making decisions in an organisational context.

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Marketing & measurement

B2C

Business to consumer: activity in which a business serves or sells to individuals for their own use.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A shop sells a notebook to someone for personal use.

Keep in mind: Some businesses serve both consumers and organisations.

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Internet culture

Baka

A Japanese word commonly translated as fool or idiot, also borrowed into anime-related online conversation.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A fan recognises baka in dialogue and asks what it means.

Keep in mind: It can be insulting; a playful internet use does not make it polite in every context.

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Platforms & communities

Ban

A restriction preventing an account or person from using a service or part of it.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An account loses posting access after a policy decision.

Keep in mind: A ban, a temporary action limit and reduced recommendation eligibility are different conditions.

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AI & the web

Bandwidth

The data-carrying capacity of a connection over a period of time.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A connection with more bandwidth can carry more video data each second.

Keep in mind: Available capacity and actual transfer speed can differ. High bandwidth does not necessarily mean low latency.

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Content & creators

Banner

A wide promotional or identifying graphic placed on a page, profile or advertising surface.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A website displays a banner introducing a resource.

Keep in mind: Its purpose and dimensions depend on where it is used.

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AI & the web

Base64

A way of representing binary data using text characters.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An email encodes an attachment for transmission.

Keep in mind: Base64 is encoding, not encryption or a privacy safeguard.

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Content & creators

Batching

Doing similar content tasks together rather than switching between them repeatedly.

Example & what to watch for

Example: You record three introductions in one session.

Keep in mind: Batching should leave room for corrections and timely updates.

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Internet culture

BBL

Brazilian butt lift: a cosmetic surgery term also used in appearance-related memes.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A comment discusses the “BBL effect” as an online joke.

Keep in mind: A meme is not medical advice or evidence about somebody's body or surgery.

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Tools & services

BeReal

A social app associated with prompted photo updates showing everyday moments.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An article discusses BeReal as an alternative social format.

Keep in mind: App features and posting rules can change; this entry is not a current account-setup guide.

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Platforms & communities

Bio

A short profile description introducing a person, brand or account.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A bio explains what an account shares and who it is for.

Keep in mind: It is a summary, not a full company history.

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Tools & services

Bitly

A service associated with shortening and managing links.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A publisher uses a shorter redirect URL in printed material.

Keep in mind: A shortened link can hide its destination; verify the final page before opening or sharing.

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Tools & services

Bitmoji

A service for creating a personalised cartoon avatar and related stickers.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone uses their cartoon avatar in a message.

Keep in mind: An avatar is a representation, not identity verification.

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AI & the web

Blockchain

A system for maintaining a linked record of transactions or other data across a defined network.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A token transaction is recorded on a blockchain.

Keep in mind: Security, governance and privacy depend on the specific system; the label alone guarantees none of them.

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Content & creators

Blog

A website or section publishing articles or posts, often in a dated series.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A company maintains a blog answering recurring customer questions.

Keep in mind: A blog can be professional or personal, written by one person or a team.

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Internet culture

BMS

“Broke my scale”: slang for a rating going beyond a supposed scale, often as a compliment about appearance.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A commenter uses BMS to exaggerate a compliment.

Keep in mind: It usually refers to a rating scale, not a person's weight.

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Marketing & measurement

BOFU

Bottom of funnel: the decision-oriented part of a marketing model.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone checks the price, delivery and fit before buying.

Keep in mind: Remove uncertainty rather than manufacturing pressure.

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Internet culture

Bones day

A historical meme for a day of energy or motivation, paired with “no bones day” for a low-energy day.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “The files are finally organised. This is a bones day.”

Keep in mind: The label comes from a pet-based internet trend, not a health assessment.

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Platforms & communities

BookTok

The book-focused communities and conversations on TikTok.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Readers share recommendations, reactions and reading discussions.

Keep in mind: It is a community label, not one account or a guarantee of sales.

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AI & the web

Boolean

A data value with two possible states: true or false.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An automation checks whether a consent flag is true.

Keep in mind: A Boolean flag only helps if the underlying state was captured correctly.

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Content & creators

Boomerang

A short looping video effect associated with Instagram that plays movement back and forth.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A brief hand wave is shown in a repeating loop.

Keep in mind: This is a format name, not a promise that a standalone app or specific button is currently available.

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Platforms & communities

Boost Post

A simplified way to pay for additional distribution of an existing social post.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A Page owner promotes an already-published announcement.

Keep in mind: A boost is advertising. Its simplified controls may differ from a full campaign setup.

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AI & the web

Bot

Software that performs tasks automatically, sometimes through an account or conversational interface.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A bot checks for a keyword and delivers the requested link.

Keep in mind: Not every bot uses AI, and automation can be useful or abusive.

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Marketing & measurement

Bounce rate

A metric describing visits or sessions that do not meet a system's engagement criteria.

Example & what to watch for

Example: In GA4, a non-engaged session contributes to bounce rate.

Keep in mind: GA4 defines it as the inverse of engagement rate. It is not universally a one-page visit.

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Internet culture

Brain emoji

The brain symbol, 🧠, used for thinking or intelligence and, in some contexts, sexual slang.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A study post uses a brain to indicate learning.

Keep in mind: Some communities use it for oral sex. Do not assign that meaning without context.

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Internet culture

Brain rot

Slang for low-value, repetitive online content, or the feeling of being mentally dulled by consuming it.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “I spent an hour watching the same joke in different videos. Enough brain rot for today.”

Keep in mind: Often ironic. The phrase is not a clinical diagnosis.

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Branding

Brand

The associations and expectations people form about a person, organisation or offering.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A customer expects a particular shop to give clear advice and reliable service.

Keep in mind: A logo is one expression of a brand, not the whole brand.

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Branding

Brand ambassador

A person who represents or advocates for a brand through an agreed or ongoing relationship.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An athlete regularly represents a sport brand at events.

Keep in mind: The relationship can be paid; the title alone does not explain its terms.

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Branding

Brand awareness

How familiar people are with a brand or recognise it.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone recognises a brand's name before they have bought from it.

Keep in mind: Recognition does not necessarily mean understanding, preference or trust.

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Branding

Brand guidelines

Documented rules and examples for expressing a brand consistently.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A guide shows logo spacing, colours and examples of approved language.

Keep in mind: Useful examples matter as much as rules.

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Branding

Brand identity

The chosen visual and verbal elements used to express a brand.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A brand uses a recognisable symbol, colour palette and way of writing.

Keep in mind: Identity is what you put forward; people may perceive it differently.

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Branding

Brand reputation

The collective judgements people form about a brand's conduct and performance.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A business becomes known for resolving problems fairly.

Keep in mind: Reputation develops through experience as well as communication.

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Branding

Brand tone

How a brand adjusts its language to a particular situation or audience.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A launch message is upbeat, while a support reply is calm and practical.

Keep in mind: Tone can change while the underlying brand voice remains recognisable.

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Branding

Brand voice

The recognisable way a brand expresses itself through language.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A brand explains difficult subjects directly and without talking down to people.

Keep in mind: Voice is relatively consistent; tone can change with the situation.

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AI & the web

Breadcrumb

A navigation trail showing a page's location or the path taken to it.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Home > Dictionary > Screen reader helps a visitor move back.

Keep in mind: A breadcrumb supplements the main navigation.

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Internet culture

Broetry

An informal, often critical name for dramatic social posts written as many short lines, commonly associated with LinkedIn.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A routine business update is broken into one-sentence lines with a dramatic reveal.

Keep in mind: Short paragraphs alone are not broetry; the label usually critiques a performative style.

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AI & the web

Browser

Software used to access and display web content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Chrome, Brave and Firefox are web browsers.

Keep in mind: A browser is different from a search engine or a website.

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AI & the web

Bug

An unintended problem in software's behaviour.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A save button appears to work but does not keep the change.

Keep in mind: Describe what happened and how to reproduce it rather than guessing the cause.

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Content & creators

Build in public

Sharing the work, decisions and learning involved in building something.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A founder explains why they changed a prototype after testing it.

Keep in mind: It does not necessarily mean livestreaming or exposing private information.

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Platforms & communities

Business Manager

A name associated with Meta's business tools for managing assets and access.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A business assigns someone access to an advertising account.

Keep in mind: Names and interfaces evolve; do not confuse business access management with creating an ad.

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Internet culture

Bussin

Slang for very good or enjoyable, frequently used about food.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “That lunch was bussin.”

Keep in mind: Informal language associated with particular speech communities; do not force it into every brand voice.

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Marketing & measurement

CAC

Customer acquisition cost: the relevant acquisition costs divided by new customers in a defined scope.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A team compares its sales and marketing cost with new customers acquired in the period.

Keep in mind: Specify included costs and timing; it is not automatically the same as ad CPA.

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AI & the web

Cache

A stored copy of data kept so a later request can be served more quickly.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Your browser reuses a downloaded logo rather than downloading it again.

Keep in mind: A cached copy may be older than the current version. Clearing one cache does not clear every cache.

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AI & the web

Canonical URL

The preferred address for a piece of content when several URLs represent substantially the same page.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A page identifies its main URL rather than a tracking-parameter variant.

Keep in mind: Search engines treat canonical signals as guidance, not an absolute command.

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AI & the web

Canvas

An HTML drawing surface controlled through graphics APIs.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A web tool draws a chart inside a canvas.

Keep in mind: Drawn pixels do not automatically provide accessible text or structure.

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Content & creators

Caption

Text accompanying an image or video; also text displaying spoken audio.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A post caption gives context; video captions make speech readable.

Keep in mind: Check which meaning is intended. Accessibility captions are not just decorative text.

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AI & the web

Card sorting

A research technique for grouping content in ways users understand.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Participants group dictionary topics into meaningful categories.

Keep in mind: Test the resulting structure; one group's categories may not suit everyone.

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Content & creators

Carousel

A post containing multiple items that people swipe or click through.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Slide one asks a question; the next slides explain the answer.

Keep in mind: Formats and limits vary by platform and can change.

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Internet culture

Caught in 4K

Slang for being clearly caught doing something, usually with visible evidence.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “You said you finished the draft, but the screenshot says otherwise. Caught in 4K.”

Keep in mind: It does not literally require a 4K recording. Evidence can still be misleading without context.

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Internet culture

CEO of

A joking way to say somebody is especially known for a habit, talent or behaviour.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “I am the CEO of saving drafts and forgetting them.”

Keep in mind: In this slang use it is not a real company appointment.

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Internet culture

CFBR

“Commenting for better reach”: a comment intended to give a post more visibility.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A colleague writes CFBR beneath a job announcement.

Keep in mind: It is an intention, not proof that the platform will distribute the post more widely.

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Internet culture

Chair emoji

The chair symbol, 🪑, which also appeared as a historical inside-joke substitute for a laughing reaction.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An old comment thread uses chairs where readers expect laughter.

Keep in mind: This is a community-specific meme reference, not the symbol's universal meaning.

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Content & creators

Challenge

A shared prompt or activity that people participate in and reinterpret online.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Creators respond to the same drawing prompt in their own style.

Keep in mind: Popularity is not evidence that a challenge is safe, appropriate or worth joining.

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Content & creators

Channel banner

The prominent header artwork on a video channel or profile.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A channel banner introduces the subject of a YouTube channel.

Keep in mind: Check the destination's safe areas rather than reusing one size everywhere.

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Content & creators

Channel trailer

An introductory video intended to help new visitors understand a channel.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A short trailer explains what viewers can expect from the series.

Keep in mind: A trailer should represent the actual content rather than promise an unrelated experience.

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AI & the web

Character encoding

Rules mapping stored bytes to readable characters.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An export declares UTF-8 so accented names display correctly.

Keep in mind: Wrong decoding can corrupt text even when the file opens.

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Platforms & communities

Chat

A conversation through a messaging interface, privately or in a group.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A customer asks an access question in a support chat.

Keep in mind: A chat can involve a person, a bot or both.

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Platforms & communities

Chatbot

Software that responds through a conversational interface.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A bot sends a resource when someone types an agreed keyword.

Keep in mind: A chatbot can use simple rules; it does not necessarily use an LLM.

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Internet culture

Cheugy

A subjective slang label for something considered dated, trying too hard or no longer fashionable.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A comment calls an old decorative slogan cheugy.

Keep in mind: It is a judgement about taste, not an objective fact about someone's age or value.

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Internet culture

Chupaghetti

A label associated with a historical TikTok comment-spam meme involving a made-up recipe.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An old comment section contains repeated references to chupaghetti.

Keep in mind: Understand it as a meme reference; it is not a meaningful request or a recipe recommendation.

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AI & the web

Cipher

An algorithm for encrypting and decrypting information.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A security description names the cipher protecting a connection.

Keep in mind: Older or poorly implemented ciphers may offer weak protection.

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AI & the web

Ciphertext

The coded output produced by encryption.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone intercepting an encrypted message sees coded data.

Keep in mind: Protection depends on the cipher, keys and implementation.

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Platforms & communities

Circles

A historical Twitter/X feature for sharing posts with a selected smaller audience.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An older tutorial explains how to post to a Twitter Circle.

Keep in mind: X retired Circle creation and new Circle posts. Do not treat old instructions as a current privacy feature.

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Internet culture

Clickbait

A headline or preview designed to draw clicks, often by withholding or exaggerating information.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “You won't believe what happened next” leads to an ordinary update.

Keep in mind: An interesting headline is not automatically clickbait; the promise matters.

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AI & the web

Client-side rendering

Generating page content in the browser using JavaScript.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An application builds its view after the initial document arrives.

Keep in mind: Content may be delayed or unavailable if the script fails.

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Content & creators

Closed captions

Text equivalents of speech and meaningful audio that viewers can turn on or off.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A video caption includes a speaker label and a relevant sound cue.

Keep in mind: Dialogue-only subtitles can omit sound information. Captions need accurate timing and text.

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Tools & services

Clubhouse

A social service associated with audio-based conversations and communities.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A historical platform guide discusses hosting an audio conversation on Clubhouse.

Keep in mind: Available formats and account features change; consult the service rather than old screenshots.

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Marketing & measurement

Co-marketing

Two or more organisations working together on marketing that serves a shared purpose.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Two complementary businesses produce a useful joint guide.

Keep in mind: Agree responsibilities, attribution and audience permissions before sharing data.

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Content & creators

Codec

A method or implementation used to encode and decode media data.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A video export uses H.264 encoding inside an MP4 file.

Keep in mind: The codec and the file container are different. Check whether the destination supports both.

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Internet culture

Coffin emoji

The coffin symbol, ⚰️, sometimes used in humorous “I'm dead” reactions as well as literal contexts.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A meme reaction uses a coffin to exaggerate laughter.

Keep in mind: Do not assume a humorous meaning in a bereavement or safety discussion.

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Marketing & measurement

Cohort

A group sharing a characteristic or starting condition, analysed together over time.

Example & what to watch for

Example: You compare readers who signed up in September with those who signed up in October.

Keep in mind: Differences between cohorts may reflect season, acquisition source or other factors, rather than your latest change alone.

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Branding

Colour space

A defined system for representing a range of colours within a colour model.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An export uses sRGB for web display.

Keep in mind: Changing colour spaces can change appearance; check converted artwork.

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Branding

Colour wheel

A circular arrangement used to compare colour relationships.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A designer explores neighbouring hues for a palette.

Keep in mind: Colour relationships do not replace contrast checks or audience judgement.

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Platforms & communities

Community guidelines

A platform or community's rules for acceptable content and behaviour.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A forum explains which posts will be removed and how to appeal.

Keep in mind: Read the current rules for the specific service; they differ.

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Platforms & communities

Community manager

Someone responsible for helping an online community function and communicating with its members.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A community manager answers recurring questions and enforces discussion rules.

Keep in mind: The role involves relationships and judgement, not just replying quickly.

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Platforms & communities

Connection

An account relationship, often a mutual professional link on LinkedIn.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Two colleagues connect so they can keep up with each other's work.

Keep in mind: A connection, a follower and a personal friendship are not interchangeable.

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Content & creators

Content calendar

A schedule of what content is intended to be published and when.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A calendar lists Friday's video, its owner and the platform.

Keep in mind: A calendar records a plan; it does not guarantee the work gets done.

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Content & creators

Content curation

Selecting and organising existing material around a useful topic or purpose.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A newsletter explains why five selected articles are worth reading.

Keep in mind: Credit the sources; curation is not permission to copy entire works.

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AI & the web

Content delivery network

A network of servers that delivers content from locations closer to the people requesting it.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A visitor in Australia downloads an image from a nearby delivery server.

Keep in mind: A CDN can improve delivery speed, but caching rules and the original server still affect the result.

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AI & the web

Content management system

Software for creating, organising and publishing digital content without editing every page's underlying code.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An editor updates an article through a publishing dashboard.

Keep in mind: Different systems offer different permissions, export options and hosting arrangements.

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Content & creators

Content marketing

Using useful content to attract and serve an audience in support of a business goal.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A product team publishes genuinely helpful tutorials for people facing the problem its tool addresses.

Keep in mind: Useful content still needs a clear relationship to the audience and offering.

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Content & creators

Content pillar

A recurring subject area that helps organise what an account publishes.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A running coach uses training, recovery and race preparation as pillars.

Keep in mind: A pillar is a subject, not necessarily a format or a sales category.

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AI & the web

Context window

The amount of input and output a model can consider within a particular interaction.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A long document can exceed the space available to a model.

Keep in mind: It is not the same as permanent memory; limits vary by model.

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AI & the web

Continuous integration

Frequently combining code changes with shared checks in the main codebase.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A proposed website change runs automated checks before merging.

Keep in mind: Passing checks only covers what those checks actually test.

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AI & the web

Conversational AI

AI systems designed to process or generate conversational interactions.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An assistant answers follow-up questions about a document.

Keep in mind: Conversational fluency does not guarantee accuracy or human understanding.

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Marketing & measurement

Conversational commerce

Shopping or purchase-related help delivered through a conversation.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A customer asks about product fit through a messaging service before buying.

Keep in mind: Clear identity, privacy and transaction terms still matter in a chat.

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Marketing & measurement

Conversion

A defined action you want a person to complete.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A purchase, booking or confirmed sign-up can be a conversion.

Keep in mind: Define it before judging performance; not every conversion is revenue.

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Marketing & measurement

Conversion rate

The proportion of a defined starting group that completes a particular action.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Five purchases from 100 eligible visits gives 5% for that scope.

Keep in mind: Platforms may use interactions rather than visits; specify the denominator.

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Marketing & measurement

Conversions API

A server-to-server method for sending eligible business events to an advertising platform, notably Meta.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A store sends a verified purchase event from its server.

Keep in mind: It does not remove consent, privacy or event-deduplication responsibilities.

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AI & the web

Cookie

Data a website asks a browser to store and return with relevant requests.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A cookie can help a website remember a signed-in session.

Keep in mind: Not all cookies serve the same purpose; tracking rules need separate consideration.

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AI & the web

Copyleft

A licensing approach requiring covered redistributed work to retain specified freedoms or licence conditions.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A modified project must be distributed under compatible terms.

Keep in mind: Requirements depend on the exact licence and how the work is used.

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Internet culture

Copypasta

Text copied and reposted repeatedly, often as a joke or recognisable reference.

Example & what to watch for

Example: The same exaggerated complaint appears in several unrelated comment sections.

Keep in mind: Repeated text can be humour, spam or harassment depending on its use.

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Content & creators

Copyright

Legal rights associated with qualifying creative works, such as writing, photographs, music and software.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A photographer controls certain uses of their original photograph.

Keep in mind: Online availability does not make a work free to reuse. Rules and exceptions depend on the jurisdiction.

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AI & the web

Core Web Vitals

Metrics concerning loading performance, responsiveness and visual stability of web pages.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A site checks whether its main content loads promptly and its layout stays steady.

Keep in mind: Strong performance helps user experience but does not guarantee a search ranking.

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AI & the web

CORS

Browser rules and response headers controlling cross-origin access by frontend scripts.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An embedded tool needs permission to read data from another domain.

Keep in mind: It is not a general replacement for authentication or server-side access controls.

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Content & creators

Cover image

Artwork used to introduce a profile, page, publication or piece of content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A cover image makes a resource recognisable before someone opens it.

Keep in mind: A cover should accurately represent what is inside.

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Marketing & measurement

CPA

Cost per acquisition or action: spend divided by the defined outcomes.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A$100 spent for five attributed sign-ups gives A$20 per sign-up.

Keep in mind: Say what the action is. A sign-up is not necessarily a paying customer.

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Marketing & measurement

CPC

Cost per click: advertising spend divided by the counted clicks.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A$20 spent for 40 link clicks gives A$0.50 per link click.

Keep in mind: The click definition and attribution scope affect comparisons.

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Marketing & measurement

CPI

Cost per install: advertising spend divided by the app installs counted.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A report shows A$100 spent for 25 attributed installs, giving A$4 CPI.

Keep in mind: An install is not necessarily an active or paying user.

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Marketing & measurement

CPL

Cost per lead: spend divided by the number of leads counted.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A$60 for 12 valid leads gives a CPL of A$5.

Keep in mind: Cheap leads are not necessarily qualified buyers.

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Marketing & measurement

CPM

Cost per thousand impressions.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A$30 for 10,000 impressions gives a CPM of A$3.

Keep in mind: It prices exposure, not purchases or unique people.

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Marketing & measurement

CPR

Cost per result: spend divided by the outcome selected in an advertising report.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A campaign reports its cost per qualifying lead as its CPR.

Keep in mind: Always say which result is counted; “result” is not a universal action.

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Marketing & measurement

CPV

Cost per view: spend divided by the video views counted under the relevant definition.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A report divides A$20 of spend by 200 qualifying views to show A$0.10 CPV.

Keep in mind: “View” criteria differ by platform and ad format.

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AI & the web

Crawler

A program that visits URLs to discover or retrieve content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A search crawler follows a link to a public dictionary entry.

Keep in mind: Crawling, indexing and showing a result are separate steps.

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AI & the web

Creative Commons

A family of licences that let creators grant specified permissions for using their work.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A photo licence permits reuse with attribution under stated conditions.

Keep in mind: Check the exact licence and version; not all permit commercial use or adaptations.

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Content & creators

Creator

Someone who makes and publishes content for an audience.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A person publishes tutorials, essays or videos around a topic.

Keep in mind: Creating content does not require a large following or sponsorships.

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AI & the web

Credential

Information or a cryptographic object used to prove identity during authentication.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A service checks a password or a security-key assertion.

Keep in mind: Avoid sharing credentials with people or unapproved integrations.

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Internet culture

Cringe

A feeling of embarrassment or discomfort, often about something socially awkward.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “Reading my old captions makes me cringe.”

Keep in mind: Calling other people cringe can become an easy way to mock harmless interests.

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Marketing & measurement

Crisis management

Preparing for and responding to an event that can seriously affect an organisation and its stakeholders.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A business investigates a product problem and communicates what it knows.

Keep in mind: Accuracy and practical action matter more than trying to control every comment.

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Internet culture

Crop

To cut the edges from an image or video; in comments, sometimes a request for a cleaner reusable version.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A viewer comments “crop?” under a reaction image.

Keep in mind: A request to crop does not grant rights to reuse somebody else's content.

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Content & creators

Cross-posting

Publishing the same or very similar content on more than one platform.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A brand shares the same announcement on two social accounts.

Keep in mind: It may be useful, but it is not the same as adapting the content.

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Marketing & measurement

Cross-selling

Offering an additional, related product alongside a purchase or existing relationship.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A shop suggests a compatible case with a camera.

Keep in mind: A useful complement is different from pressuring someone to buy unrelated extras.

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Marketing & measurement

Crowdsourcing

Seeking contributions, ideas or work from a wider group of people.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A brand invites its audience to suggest names.

Keep in mind: Be clear about credit, rights and how contributions will be used.

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AI & the web

CRUD

Create, Read, Update and Delete: four basic operations on stored records.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A content tool lets an editor add, view, change and remove a draft.

Keep in mind: Deletion may be permanent or recoverable depending on the system.

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Internet culture

Crying emoji

The loudly crying face symbol, 😭, used for sadness, overwhelm or, in some contexts, laughter.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “I exported the wrong file again 😭” can convey comic frustration.

Keep in mind: Emoji meanings depend on the conversation; it does not always indicate distress.

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AI & the web

Cryptography

The study and practice of mathematical methods for protecting information and verifying it.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A service uses cryptographic signatures to check a software download.

Keep in mind: Security also depends on how the methods and keys are handled.

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Internet culture

CSL

“Can't stop laughing”: shorthand for finding something very funny.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “The outtake at the end. CSL.”

Keep in mind: An informal reaction, not a feature exclusive to Instagram.

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AI & the web

CSP

A browser-enforced policy restricting which content and code a webpage may load or run.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A website allows scripts only from specified sources.

Keep in mind: A policy helps limit attacks but must be configured and tested.

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AI & the web

CSS

The language used to describe how web content should look and adapt to different displays.

Example & what to watch for

Example: CSS changes a page from two columns on a laptop to one column on a phone.

Keep in mind: A visual change alone does not guarantee that the page remains accessible.

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Content & creators

CTA

Call to action: a clear invitation to take a particular next step.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “Comment A, B, C or D under the original video.”

Keep in mind: One relevant action is often clearer than several competing requests.

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Marketing & measurement

CTR

Click-through rate: clicks divided by impressions, usually expressed as a percentage.

Example & what to watch for

Example: 20 clicks from 1,000 impressions gives a CTR of 2%.

Keep in mind: Specify which clicks are counted, such as link clicks or all clicks.

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AI & the web

Cumulative Layout Shift

A metric measuring unexpected movement of visible page elements.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A late-loading image pushes a button just before someone taps it.

Keep in mind: Reserve space for media; intentional interaction changes are treated differently.

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Marketing & measurement

Customer journey

The experiences and decisions a person goes through in relation to an offering.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone hears about a tool, compares options, buys and later asks for help.

Keep in mind: The journey includes use and support, not just the purchase funnel.

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Marketing & measurement

Customer lifetime value

An estimate of the value a customer contributes over the relationship with a business.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A business estimates repeat purchases and associated costs over a typical relationship.

Keep in mind: Revenue-based and profit-based versions differ; specify your method and assumptions.

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Marketing & measurement

Dark post

An informal term for an ad post that is not published as a normal post on an account's feed.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A brand creates an ad variation without adding it to its usual profile posts.

Keep in mind: It is not a secret or private message; ad transparency tools may still expose it.

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Marketing & measurement

Dark social

Sharing that is difficult to attribute precisely, such as links passed through private messages.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A friend sends a product URL in a chat and the visit appears without a clear referral source.

Keep in mind: The label is about attribution gaps, not necessarily secrecy or wrongdoing.

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AI & the web

Dashboard

A view that brings selected information or metrics together.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A dashboard shows recent orders and delivery errors.

Keep in mind: A dashboard presents information; it does not make the decisions for you.

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AI & the web

Database

An organised system for storing, finding and updating data.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A shop stores products and orders in a database.

Keep in mind: A database needs appropriate access, backup and retention practices.

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Content & creators

DC

Dance credit: a shorthand attribution to the creator of a dance or routine.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A dance caption includes DC and the original choreographer's handle.

Keep in mind: Credit acknowledges a source; it is not automatically permission for every reuse.

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AI & the web

Decryption

Turning encrypted information back into readable data with the appropriate method and key.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Your device decodes a message you are allowed to read.

Keep in mind: Encoding a file is not necessarily encrypting it.

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Internet culture

Delulu

Playful slang for being unrealistic or believing what you want to believe despite the evidence.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “I am being delulu if I think I can edit ten videos tonight.”

Keep in mind: It is casual language, not a medical description. Avoid using it to dismiss someone's mental health.

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AI & the web

Denial of Service

An attack that exhausts resources or otherwise prevents a service from serving legitimate users.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A website becomes unavailable under malicious requests.

Keep in mind: An ordinary outage is not automatically evidence of an attack.

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Internet culture

Devious lick

A slang phrase associated with a harmful theft-and-vandalism trend.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A report describes a school warning about a devious-lick trend.

Keep in mind: Historical context only. The popularity of a trend does not justify stealing or damaging property.

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AI & the web

Digital certificate

A digital record connecting a public cryptographic key with an identified entity.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A browser checks a website's certificate when connecting securely.

Keep in mind: A valid certificate does not prove the seller's claims are true.

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Internet culture

Digital divide

Unequal access to digital technology and the skills and conditions needed to use it effectively.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Two students have different opportunities because only one has reliable internet and a suitable device.

Keep in mind: Access involves affordability, skills and practical circumstances as well as connectivity.

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Internet culture

Digital literacy

The ability to use digital tools and information confidently, critically and appropriately.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone checks a source, shares a file safely and solves a basic device problem.

Keep in mind: Knowing how to tap an app is only one part of digital literacy.

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AI & the web

Digital signature

Cryptographic data used to verify a message's origin and whether signed data changed.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A download is checked against its publisher's signature.

Keep in mind: It is different from an image of a handwritten signature.

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AI & the web

Digital wellbeing

Managing how digital technology affects attention, rest and everyday life.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone uses screen-time reminders to pause a long scrolling session.

Keep in mind: Platform tools can help, but they are not a clinical diagnosis or a guarantee of wellbeing.

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Marketing & measurement

Dimension

An attribute used to describe or group data in a report.

Example & what to watch for

Example: You group sign-ups by the country or traffic source recorded for them.

Keep in mind: A dimension describes a characteristic; a metric measures a quantity. Some combinations cannot be meaningfully compared.

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Internet culture

Disinformation

False or misleading information spread deliberately to deceive or secure an advantage.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A fabricated claim is presented as a genuine announcement.

Keep in mind: Intent cannot always be established from one post. Separate evidence about accuracy from evidence about intent.

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AI & the web

Distributed Denial of Service

A denial-of-service attack using many systems against a target.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A flood of requests arrives from numerous compromised devices.

Keep in mind: Distinguish hostile traffic from a genuine surge before drawing conclusions.

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AI & the web

DKIM

DomainKeys Identified Mail: a method using a digital signature to authenticate email and check signed content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A receiving server checks a newsletter's signature against its domain's public key.

Keep in mind: A valid signature does not mean the message is wanted or that its claims are trustworthy.

Open this term →

Platforms & communities

DM

Direct message: a message sent through a platform's private messaging feature.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “Send me a DM if the download link does not open.”

Keep in mind: Private messaging still depends on platform settings and data policies.

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AI & the web

DMARC

An email-authentication framework connecting domain alignment, handling policies and reports with SPF and DKIM.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A domain publishes instructions for receiving servers handling messages that fail its authentication requirements.

Keep in mind: Authentication supports protection against impersonation; it does not promise delivery or remove the need for consent.

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Internet culture

DNI

“Do not interact”: a statement of the people or accounts someone does not want engaging with them.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A bio says “minors DNI” beside an adult-content warning.

Keep in mind: It expresses a boundary, but does not technically verify age or enforce access control.

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AI & the web

DNS

The system that looks up the network addresses associated with domain names.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Your browser uses DNS to find where example.com is hosted.

Keep in mind: DNS changes can take time to reach different resolvers. DNS does not encrypt the website connection.

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AI & the web

DOM

The browser's structured representation of a document, which scripts can inspect and change.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A search field updates the visible list of definitions.

Keep in mind: The live DOM can differ from the HTML originally sent by the server.

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AI & the web

Domain name

A readable name used to identify an address on the internet.

Example & what to watch for

Example: You type perspectism.com instead of remembering a server's numeric address.

Keep in mind: A domain is an address, not the website files or a guarantee of ownership of a brand.

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Internet culture

Doomscrolling

Continuing to scroll through distressing news or posts even when it makes you feel worse.

Example & what to watch for

Example: You check one headline before bed and spend an hour reading bad news.

Keep in mind: It describes a behaviour, not a clinical diagnosis.

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Marketing & measurement

Double opt-in

A sign-up process that asks a person to confirm their email request, usually through an emailed link.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A subscriber clicks a confirmation link before joining the mailing list.

Keep in mind: It helps confirm control of the address; the consent wording still needs to be clear.

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Platforms & communities

Double tap

Tapping twice in quick succession; on some social surfaces this adds a like.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A viewer double-taps an image to react.

Keep in mind: The action differs by app and surface; do not assume it always has the same effect.

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Internet culture

Doxxing

Publishing or spreading someone's personal identifying information without their consent, often to expose or intimidate them.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An account shares a person's private address during an argument.

Keep in mind: Do not reproduce the information when reporting the incident.

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Internet culture

DTB

An acronym used in some relationship conversations for “don't trust boys” or a version using a derogatory word for women.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A post uses DTB after describing a disappointing relationship.

Keep in mind: These are hostile generalisations, not sound advice about a whole gender. Meaning varies by community.

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Platforms & communities

Duet

A TikTok format that places a new video alongside an existing one.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A musician performs alongside another creator's recording.

Keep in mind: Availability depends on the original creator's settings and platform rules.

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Marketing & measurement

Dynamic Showcase Ads

An older TikTok catalogue-ad format name for personalised product advertising.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A historical advertising tutorial refers to Dynamic Showcase Ads.

Keep in mind: TikTok says core functionality moved into Video Shopping Ads. Use current documentation for setup.

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Internet culture

E-boy

A label for an internet-influenced alternative fashion and aesthetic, often associated with TikTok.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A style discussion describes dark eyeliner and layered clothing as an e-boy look.

Keep in mind: An aesthetic label does not establish someone's personality, sexuality or gender.

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AI & the web

E-E-A-T

Experience, expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness: qualities used in Google's guidance for assessing content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An author explains their experience and gives evidence for a claim.

Keep in mind: E-E-A-T is not a single score you can buy or add through a plugin.

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Internet culture

E-girl

A label for an internet-influenced fashion and makeup aesthetic, often associated with TikTok.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A makeup tutorial discusses an e-girl-inspired look.

Keep in mind: It can be used neutrally or dismissively; do not treat the label as a judgement about someone's behaviour.

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Content & creators

Editorial plan

The decisions about what to publish, for whom and why, before assigning publication dates.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A plan defines recurring topics and the purpose of each series.

Keep in mind: The calendar schedules execution; the editorial plan explains the choices.

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AI & the web

Embed

To display content from another source within a page or interface.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An article embeds a video player rather than linking away.

Keep in mind: Embedded content can have performance, privacy and availability implications.

Open this term →

Platforms & communities

Emoji

A pictograph used in digital communication to express an idea, object or reaction.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A reader adds a smile to soften a short reply.

Keep in mind: Meanings vary by context, culture and community, not just the official symbol name.

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AI & the web

Encryption

Transforming readable information into coded data using a cryptographic method and key.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A connection protects a submitted email address while it travels.

Keep in mind: Encryption does not make an untrustworthy recipient trustworthy.

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Marketing & measurement

Engaged session

In GA4, a session that meets a duration, key-event or page-view criterion.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A visit with a recorded purchase can qualify even if it is short.

Keep in mind: GA4's default criteria include longer than ten seconds, a key event, or at least two page or screen views. Check the configured threshold.

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Marketing & measurement

Engagement

Actions people take with content, such as comments, reactions or shares.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A viewer saves a tutorial and asks a question under it.

Keep in mind: Platforms count different actions; do not assume all engagement is equally valuable.

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Marketing & measurement

Engagement rate

A ratio expressing engagement against a chosen base, such as reach, impressions or followers.

Example & what to watch for

Example: 40 interactions divided by 1,000 reached accounts gives 4%.

Keep in mind: Always state the denominator. GA4 uses engaged sessions, a different definition.

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Internet culture

Epic fail

An exaggerated label for a conspicuous mistake or unsuccessful attempt.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “I recorded the whole explanation with the microphone switched off. Epic fail.”

Keep in mind: Do not turn someone else's injury or humiliation into a joke.

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Internet culture

Epic win

An exaggerated, usually playful label for an impressive success.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “The missing file was in the backup. Epic win.”

Keep in mind: It is enthusiastic slang rather than a measurable performance category.

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Marketing & measurement

Event

A recorded occurrence or interaction in a measurement system.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Submitting a form creates an event with information about the form.

Keep in mind: An event is evidence that the tracking fired, not automatic proof that the intended business outcome happened.

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Content & creators

Evergreen content

Content that stays useful beyond a particular event or short-lived trend.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A guide to writing a clear bio remains useful after launch week.

Keep in mind: Evergreen does not mean it never needs reviewing.

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Content & creators

EXIF

A standard for metadata stored with images and other media.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A photo records its capture date and camera settings.

Keep in mind: Metadata can include sensitive information; inspect it before sharing.

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Platforms & communities

Exit

In Story reporting, an action indicating that someone left the Story viewing experience.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A report records exits during a sequence.

Keep in mind: An exit does not alone explain why the person left or whether the content failed.

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Platforms & communities

Explore

A discovery area that presents content beyond the accounts a person follows.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A viewer finds a tutorial through Instagram Explore.

Keep in mind: Recommendations are personalised; two people may see different selections.

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Internet culture

F4F

“Follow for follow”: an invitation to exchange follows.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An account writes F4F in its comments.

Keep in mind: Exchanged follows do not prove genuine interest and may produce an irrelevant audience.

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Internet culture

Face card

Slang commonly referring to someone's facial attractiveness, often in the phrase “face card never declines”.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A selfie caption uses face card as a playful compliment.

Keep in mind: Other communities use it about recognition or reputation. Do not treat looks as a measure of worth.

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Internet culture

Fake news

A loose label commonly used for fabricated news presented as if it were factual.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A made-up report is circulated with a realistic-looking headline.

Keep in mind: The phrase is also misused to dismiss genuine reporting. Check the specific claim and evidence.

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Platforms & communities

Fan

Someone who enjoys or supports a person, work, team or subject.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A reader regularly recommends a favourite writer.

Keep in mind: Being a fan does not necessarily mean following every platform account.

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Platforms & communities

Fanbase

The group of people who support or regularly follow a person, work or brand.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A musician's fanbase discusses new releases.

Keep in mind: Followers can include critics, bots or inactive accounts; they are not automatically fans.

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Internet culture

Fandom

A community of people connected by enthusiasm for a person, story, game or other shared interest.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Fans share theories and organise discussions around a series.

Keep in mind: A fandom can contain many different views and subcommunities.

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Branding

Favicon

A small website icon shown in browser tabs and bookmarks.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Your brand symbol helps someone recognise the correct tab.

Keep in mind: Test legibility at small sizes rather than shrinking detailed artwork blindly.

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Internet culture

FBF

“Flashback Friday”: a hashtag convention for sharing an older memory on Friday.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone shares a childhood photo with #FBF.

Keep in mind: It is a posting convention, not a platform rule.

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AI & the web

Federated identity

Authentication using an identity provider to sign in to other services.

Example & what to watch for

Example: You use an existing identity provider to access another tool.

Keep in mind: Review the destination and permissions requested during sign-in.

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Platforms & communities

Feed

A stream of posts presented by a platform.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Your home feed mixes followed accounts and suggested posts.

Keep in mind: A feed is not necessarily chronological or identical for everyone.

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Internet culture

FFR

An emphatic version of “for real”, often expanded with profanity; some posts also reference a song phrase.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “You finally fixed it? FFR?”

Keep in mind: Informal and potentially profane. The exact expansion depends on context.

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Content & creators

Filter

A tool or effect that changes how an image, video or other content is presented.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A colour filter gives a photo a warmer appearance.

Keep in mind: Some effects alter faces or scenes substantially; the result may not show reality accurately.

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AI & the web

Fine-tuning

Additional training that adapts an existing model using a more specific dataset.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A team adapts a model using examples of a specialised task.

Keep in mind: Fine-tuning changes learned parameters. Adding instructions to a chat is different.

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AI & the web

Fingerprinting

Identifying a browser by combining distinctive device and software characteristics.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A site combines screen size, fonts and language settings to recognise a visitor.

Keep in mind: Tracking can happen without storing a conventional cookie.

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Platforms & communities

Finsta

An informal name for a secondary Instagram account, often used for a smaller or more personal audience.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone keeps a separate account for close friends.

Keep in mind: The name does not guarantee privacy; account settings and other people's sharing still matter.

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AI & the web

Firewall

A system that allows or blocks network traffic according to rules.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A business blocks unwanted incoming connections.

Keep in mind: A firewall does not prevent every scam or account compromise.

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AI & the web

First Contentful Paint

The point when a browser first displays content such as text or an image during loading.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A visitor first sees the page heading.

Keep in mind: An early first appearance does not mean the whole page is ready.

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Internet culture

Fishing emoji

A fishing symbol, 🎣, used literally for fishing or figuratively for baiting a response.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A comment calls an inflammatory post “bait 🎣”.

Keep in mind: The symbol alone does not prove deliberate manipulation.

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Platforms & communities

Fleets

Twitter’s former disappearing-post format, with posts visible for 24 hours.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An older Twitter guide recommends publishing a Fleet; that feature is no longer available.

Keep in mind: Historical feature: Twitter retired Fleets in August 2021. Do not confuse it with current Stories on other platforms.

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Platforms & communities

Follow Friday

A convention of recommending accounts to follow on a Friday.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A user shares a few genuine recommendations with #FF.

Keep in mind: It is a community convention, not a distribution guarantee.

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Platforms & communities

Follower

An account that subscribes to another account's updates using a platform's follow feature.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone follows a brand to keep up with its series.

Keep in mind: Following does not guarantee they will see every post.

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Platforms & communities

Following

The accounts a person has chosen to follow, or the act of subscribing to their updates.

Example & what to watch for

Example: The Following list helps someone find accounts they already know.

Keep in mind: The term can also mean a person's audience; check the sentence.

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Internet culture

FOMO

Fear of missing out: the uneasy feeling that other people are having experiences you should be part of.

Example & what to watch for

Example: You join another platform because everyone seems to be talking about it.

Keep in mind: Online posts show selected moments, not a complete picture of someone's life.

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Internet culture

FoodPorn

A hashtag or label for highly appealing food photographs and videos.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A close-up of a carefully plated meal is labelled #FoodPorn.

Keep in mind: Despite the word, the usual topic is food, not sexual content.

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AI & the web

Fork

A separate copy of a software project used for independent changes.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A developer adapts an openly licensed project in their own fork.

Keep in mind: Check the licence before redistributing changes or assets.

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Internet culture

FR

For real: an expression of sincerity, agreement or surprise.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “That explanation finally makes sense, FR.”

Keep in mind: It is informal and can have other meanings outside a social conversation.

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Content & creators

Frame rate

The number of video frames captured or displayed each second.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A clip recorded at 50 frames per second is slowed for an edit exported at 25.

Keep in mind: Choose settings for the footage, motion and destination. A higher frame rate is not always the appropriate choice.

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Marketing & measurement

Frequency

The average number of impressions per reached person or account within a reporting scope.

Example & what to watch for

Example: 3,000 impressions divided by 1,000 reached people gives a frequency of 3.

Keep in mind: An average hides how differently individual people may be exposed.

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Internet culture

Fruity

Slang sometimes used to suggest that someone or something seems queer or gender-nonconforming.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A person may jokingly describe their own outfit as fruity.

Keep in mind: It can be derogatory. Do not use it to label someone else's sexuality or identity.

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Marketing & measurement

Funnel

A model of the stages people may move through towards an outcome.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone discovers a guide, considers a tool, then buys it.

Keep in mind: Real journeys can loop, skip stages or stop; a funnel is a model.

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Platforms & communities

FYP

For You page: TikTok's personalised recommendation feed.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A clip appears on someone's For You feed even though they do not follow its creator.

Keep in mind: Appearing there is not a promise of a particular number of views.

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Internet culture

Gamer girl

A girl or woman who plays video games; also a label used in gaming-related online aesthetics.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A streamer describes herself as a gamer girl.

Keep in mind: The label does not imply somebody is pretending to play or seeking attention.

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Internet culture

Generation X

A broad generational label for people born between the baby-boomer and millennial generations.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A report compares how different age cohorts use a platform.

Keep in mind: Birth-year boundaries vary by source. A cohort label does not predict an individual's behaviour.

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Internet culture

Generation Z

A broad generational label for the cohort following millennials.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A study discusses social platform use among Gen Z participants.

Keep in mind: Definitions and age ranges vary; use the study's actual sample rather than stereotypes.

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AI & the web

Generative AI

AI systems that generate content such as text, images, audio or code from learned patterns.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A tool drafts a caption from your notes.

Keep in mind: Generated material can be inaccurate. Review it before using it.

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Platforms & communities

Geotag

Location information attached to content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A post includes the name of the venue where it was recorded.

Keep in mind: Be careful about exposing a private or real-time location.

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Internet culture

Ghosting

Suddenly stopping communication without explaining why.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone who had been replying regularly disappears from the conversation.

Keep in mind: A slow reply on its own does not establish ghosting.

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Internet culture

GIF

An image format commonly used online for short looping animations and reactions.

Example & what to watch for

Example: You reply with a looping reaction image instead of writing “well done”.

Keep in mind: Not every animated image or clip is technically a GIF.

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Tools & services

Git

A distributed version-control system for recording changes to files.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A team reviews a website change before merging it.

Keep in mind: Recording a change does not automatically publish it to the live website.

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Tools & services

Google Ads

Google's advertising platform for creating and evaluating paid placements across its supported surfaces.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A business reviews a paid-search campaign through Google Ads.

Keep in mind: An account needs appropriate settings and measurement; paying does not guarantee sales.

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Tools & services

Google Business Profile

Google's system for managing eligible businesses' information in relevant Google experiences.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An eligible business updates its public contact details.

Keep in mind: Eligibility rules apply. Do not assume an online-only project qualifies for a local business profile.

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AI & the web

Graceful degradation

Providing a usable fallback when a full-featured experience cannot run.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An interactive chart falls back to an accessible data table.

Keep in mind: A fallback must preserve the essential task, not just show an error.

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Platforms & communities

Grid

The arrangement of posts displayed together on a profile.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A visitor scans a profile grid to understand what an account publishes.

Keep in mind: Layouts and crops can change; a perfect grid is not a substitute for useful posts.

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AI & the web

Grounding

Connecting an AI response to relevant source information or context.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An assistant answers a product question using the supplied manual.

Keep in mind: Providing sources can help; it does not guarantee an accurate answer.

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Platforms & communities

Group

A space where members can participate in conversations around a shared purpose.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A local club maintains an online group for updates and questions.

Keep in mind: A group, a public Page and a broadcast channel may have different access and participation rules.

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Platforms & communities

Guide

A structured explanation or collection intended to help someone understand or do something.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A guide gathers steps and examples about a topic.

Keep in mind: Instagram also used Guides as a named collection feature; older instructions may refer to that historical format.

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Internet culture

Gyatt

An exaggerated exclamation, often used about somebody's body; sometimes used as a noun for buttocks.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A slang explainer discusses why gyatt appears in reaction comments.

Keep in mind: It can be objectifying or unwelcome. Do not use it to comment on a stranger's body.

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AI & the web

Hallucination

In AI, an output that presents unsupported or incorrect information as if it were reliable.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An assistant invents a source title that does not exist.

Keep in mind: Check important facts and cited sources rather than trusting confident phrasing.

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Platforms & communities

Handle

An account's identifier, often written after an @ sign.

Example & what to watch for

Example: @perspectism_ identifies the Instagram account.

Keep in mind: A display name and a handle can be different.

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AI & the web

Hash function

A calculation that turns input data into a fixed-length digest.

Example & what to watch for

Example: You compare file hashes to check whether two downloads match.

Keep in mind: A hash is not an encrypted copy that you can simply decrypt.

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Platforms & communities

Hashtag

A word or phrase preceded by # that can label or link a topic.

Example & what to watch for

Example: #Branding groups some posts around a shared subject.

Keep in mind: Adding a hashtag does not guarantee distribution.

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Internet culture

Heather

A personal name also used in pop-culture references to a desirable or envied person, or to characters from Heathers.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A comment uses Heather while referring to a song or film.

Keep in mind: The reference determines the meaning; it is not a universal personality label.

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Internet culture

HGS

“Hot girl shit”: a profane expression associated with confidence and doing things on one's own terms.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A caption calls a confident personal choice HGS.

Keep in mind: Informal and context-dependent; it is not a literal description of physical attractiveness.

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Platforms & communities

Highlights

Saved collections of Instagram Stories displayed on a profile.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An account groups useful introductory Stories in a Highlight.

Keep in mind: Story and profile features change; confirm the current app's available controls.

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Content & creators

Hook

The opening that gives someone a reason to keep reading or watching.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “Your reach fell. That does not automatically mean you were shadowbanned.”

Keep in mind: The rest of the content should deliver what the opening promises.

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Tools & services

Hootsuite

A social media management service associated with publishing, coordination and reporting.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A team evaluates Hootsuite for managing several accounts.

Keep in mind: Plans, supported networks and permissions can change; compare current requirements before choosing a tool.

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Internet culture

Hot girl summer

A pop-culture phrase for enjoying a summer with confidence and independence.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Friends use hot girl summer to describe enjoying time together.

Keep in mind: It is an attitude or cultural reference, not a requirement to be single or look a particular way.

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AI & the web

HSTS

A website policy telling browsers to use HTTPS rather than unencrypted HTTP.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A browser automatically upgrades a later visit to HTTPS.

Keep in mind: It requires correct server configuration and certificate handling.

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AI & the web

HTML

The markup language that describes the structure and meaning of web content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An article uses an HTML heading, paragraphs and links.

Keep in mind: HTML provides structure. CSS usually controls appearance and JavaScript adds interactive behaviour.

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AI & the web

HTTP

A protocol through which clients and servers exchange requests and responses on the web.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A browser requests a page and the server returns its content and a status code.

Keep in mind: HTTP itself does not provide the encryption supplied by HTTPS.

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AI & the web

HTTP header

A field supplying information about a web request or response.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A response states that the downloaded file is a PDF.

Keep in mind: Headers describe handling and context; they are separate from the body content.

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AI & the web

HTTPS

HTTP carried over an encrypted connection using TLS.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A checkout address starts with https:// so information is encrypted in transit.

Keep in mind: HTTPS protects the connection. It does not prove that a seller or the information on a page is trustworthy.

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Tools & services

Hydro Flask

A reusable-drinkware brand also referenced in VSCO-girl memes and aesthetics.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A historical meme includes a Hydro Flask bottle as an aesthetic cue.

Keep in mind: A cultural association is not an endorsement or a requirement to buy the brand.

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AI & the web

Hyperlink

A selectable connection to another resource or location.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A term's source link opens its reference page.

Keep in mind: Descriptive link text helps users understand the destination.

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AI & the web

Hypertext

Text connected to other text through links.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A dictionary definition links to a related explanation.

Keep in mind: Links can create useful paths without forcing a single reading order.

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Content & creators

IB

“Inspired by”: shorthand for acknowledging an idea or format that informed a post.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A caption includes IB and the original creator's account.

Keep in mind: Inspiration credit does not replace permission where permission is required.

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Internet culture

IDC

“I don't care”: a blunt expression of indifference.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “IDC which cover we use, as long as the link works.”

Keep in mind: It can sound dismissive; choose fuller wording when tone matters.

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AI & the web

Idempotent

Having the same intended effect when an operation is repeated as when it is performed once.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Retrying a request to set the same value does not add another order.

Keep in mind: Confirm the operation's semantics; not every retry is safe.

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Internet culture

IDK

I don't know.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “IDK which account posted the original.”

Keep in mind: Often used casually in messages; use plain wording if the audience may not know it.

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Platforms & communities

Igers

Informal shorthand for Instagram users or enthusiasts.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A local photo community uses Igers in its name.

Keep in mind: The term does not mean every account is part of a particular organisation.

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Platforms & communities

IGTV

Instagram's former long-form video product and app name.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An old tutorial refers to uploading a video to IGTV.

Keep in mind: Historical term. Do not follow its old publishing limits or interface as current instructions.

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Internet culture

ILY

“I love you”: an affectionate shorthand.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone ends a message to a close friend with ILY.

Keep in mind: The relationship and context determine whether it is romantic or friendly.

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Internet culture

IMO

In my opinion: a way to frame a statement as your own judgement.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “IMO, the simpler version is easier to read.”

Keep in mind: It signals an opinion, but does not make an unsupported factual claim reliable.

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Marketing & measurement

Impressions

The number of times content or an ad is displayed, including repeat displays.

Example & what to watch for

Example: One person sees the same ad three times, producing three impressions.

Keep in mind: Impressions do not necessarily mean attention or a completed view.

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AI & the web

Indexing

Organising discovered content so a search system can consider returning it.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A search engine processes a public page for its index.

Keep in mind: Being crawlable does not guarantee indexing or visibility.

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AI & the web

Inference

Using a trained model to produce a prediction or response from an input.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Your assistant generates an answer after receiving a question.

Keep in mind: Producing an answer is different from training the model.

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Content & creators

Influencer

Someone whose audience relationship can affect people's opinions or purchasing decisions.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A trusted reviewer helps viewers decide which camera suits them.

Keep in mind: Follower count alone does not prove influence or trust.

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Platforms & communities

Insights

A platform's reports about audience activity or content performance.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An account reviews Insights to understand saves and reach.

Keep in mind: Interpret metrics using the platform's definitions and reporting period.

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Internet culture

InstaMood

A hashtag convention for images that express a mood or feeling.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone captions a quiet sunset photo with #InstaMood.

Keep in mind: It has no fixed list of subjects or guaranteed distribution effect.

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AI & the web

Interaction to Next Paint

A responsiveness metric measuring delay from user interaction to the next displayed update.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A visitor presses a filter and waits for the result to appear.

Keep in mind: It concerns interaction responsiveness, not just initial page loading.

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AI & the web

IP Address

An address used to identify a network interface for internet communication.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A server uses an IP address to route a response.

Keep in mind: Shared networks and changing addresses mean it is not a reliable person identifier.

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Internet culture

IRL

In real life: away from an online interaction or setting.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “We have talked for months, but never met IRL.”

Keep in mind: Online relationships and experiences can still be real and meaningful.

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AI & the web

JavaScript

A programming language widely used to add behaviour to websites and applications.

Example & what to watch for

Example: JavaScript filters dictionary entries as someone types into a search field.

Keep in mind: JavaScript is different from Java. A page should handle unavailable scripts gracefully where possible.

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Internet culture

JK

Just kidding: a signal that a previous statement was intended as a joke.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “I will edit all fifty videos tonight. JK.”

Keep in mind: Adding JK does not necessarily undo a hurtful statement.

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Content & creators

JPEG

An image format commonly using lossy compression for photographs.

Example & what to watch for

Example: You export a smaller photographic cover for the web.

Keep in mind: Repeated lossy exports can reduce quality; keep the original.

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AI & the web

JSON

A text format for representing structured data with values, lists and name–value pairs.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A dictionary stores each term, example and source URL in JSON.

Keep in mind: Valid formatting does not make the data accurate or safe to trust.

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Internet culture

Karen

A pejorative meme label for someone seen as entitled, demanding or abusing their position.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A discussion explains why the Karen label appears under a confrontational video.

Keep in mind: It can become sexist or an excuse to dismiss a legitimate complaint. Describe behaviour rather than stereotype people.

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Internet culture

KAW

A context-dependent set of letters reported in older TikTok discussions both around the artist KAWS and as initials for a violent misogynistic slogan.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A reader checks the context before interpreting KAW in an old comment thread.

Keep in mind: Do not equate art-related KAWS references with hateful language. This entry makes no claim about current search restrictions.

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Marketing & measurement

Key event

In GA4, an event marked as important to the business.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A completed purchase is marked as a key event.

Keep in mind: Marking an event changes its reporting importance; it does not repair missing, repeated or incorrect tracking.

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Marketing & measurement

KPI

Key performance indicator: a selected measure used to track progress towards an objective.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Confirmed purchases may be a KPI for a sales launch.

Keep in mind: A metric becomes useful when it relates to a decision or goal.

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Internet culture

L4L

“Like for like”: an invitation to exchange likes.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A comment offers L4L under a new post.

Keep in mind: Reciprocal likes can distort engagement without bringing a relevant audience.

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Marketing & measurement

Landing page

A page built around a particular visitor journey or action.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An ad opens a page explaining one product and how to buy it.

Keep in mind: Any arrival page can be a landing page; the design should match the promise.

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AI & the web

Largest Contentful Paint

A loading metric measuring when the largest relevant visible content element is rendered.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A large hero image is the main element measured.

Keep in mind: Its candidate can change while the page loads; inspect real measurements.

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AI & the web

Latency

The delay between starting an action or request and receiving a response.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A button takes a moment to respond even though the downloaded file is small.

Keep in mind: Latency measures delay, not the total amount of data a connection can carry.

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Platforms & communities

Latergram

An informal label for an Instagram post published after the moment it depicts.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone shares a holiday photo weeks after returning.

Keep in mind: It signals a delayed post, not necessarily scheduled publishing.

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AI & the web

Lazy loading

Deferring the loading of resources until they are needed.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Images further down a page load as the reader approaches them.

Keep in mind: Delaying essential visible content can make the experience worse.

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Marketing & measurement

Lead

A person or organisation that has shown relevant interest and may become a customer.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone requests information about a service they might need.

Keep in mind: A lead is not yet a sale, and not all leads are equally suitable.

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Marketing & measurement

Lead magnet

A useful resource offered to attract people interested in a topic, often through an email sign-up.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A free checklist helps someone prepare their first content plan.

Keep in mind: Explain email delivery and marketing consent clearly; they are separate concerns.

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Content & creators

Licence

Permission to use a work or other protected material under specified terms.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An image licence allows use on a website but restricts resale.

Keep in mind: Check the actual permitted uses and conditions. Permission to use is not necessarily ownership.

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Platforms & communities

Like

A lightweight reaction indicating approval, interest or acknowledgement.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A viewer taps the heart under a post.

Keep in mind: A like does not establish purchase intent or agreement with every claim.

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Marketing & measurement

Link building

Working to earn or obtain links from other websites to relevant pages.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A useful reference earns a link from an article explaining the topic.

Keep in mind: Manipulative link schemes can cause problems; prioritise relevance and genuine usefulness.

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Platforms & communities

Link in bio

A link provided in an account's profile rather than in a particular post.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A caption tells viewers to open the profile link for a guide.

Keep in mind: Make the destination clear; people may arrive long after the post was published.

Open this term →

Tools & services

Linktree

A service for presenting multiple destinations through a link-in-bio page.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A profile directs readers to a page containing several useful links.

Keep in mind: It is one provider of this format, not the only way to share multiple destinations.

Open this term →

Content & creators

Lip syncing

Moving the lips to match existing recorded speech or music.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A creator acts out a recorded line rather than speaking it anew.

Keep in mind: A lip-sync clip still needs appropriate rights and context for the audio it uses.

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Platforms & communities

Livestream

Video or audio broadcast while it is being recorded.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A creator answers audience questions during a live broadcast.

Keep in mind: A recorded build-in-public series is not automatically a livestream.

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Content & creators

Livestream replay

A recording made available after a live broadcast ends.

Example & what to watch for

Example: People who missed a Q&A watch the replay the next day.

Keep in mind: The replay is recorded, so viewers cannot assume their comments reach the live discussion.

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AI & the web

LLM

Large language model: a model trained on large amounts of language data to process and generate text.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An assistant uses an LLM to help organise notes into a draft.

Keep in mind: It may produce plausible errors and does not automatically know your private context.

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AI & the web

Login

The process of authenticating to access an account or service.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A user signs in before opening their private workspace.

Keep in mind: A display name is not proof that a session belongs to the intended account.

Open this term →

Marketing & measurement

Lookalike audience

An advertising audience modelled from characteristics of a selected source group.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A platform uses an eligible customer group to find other potentially similar accounts.

Keep in mind: Similarity does not mean identical needs or guaranteed conversions.

Open this term →

Internet culture

Looted

Ordinarily stolen or taken goods; in some older creator slang, a description of stylish clothing or appearance.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A slang guide contrasts the ordinary meaning with an outfit-related use.

Keep in mind: The niche fashion meaning is not universal. Read the surrounding sentence.

Open this term →

Content & creators

Lossless compression

Reducing data size while allowing the original data to be reconstructed exactly.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A PNG preserves the encoded image data when compressed.

Keep in mind: Lossless does not mean the file will always be small.

Open this term →

Content & creators

Lossy compression

Reducing file size by discarding some information.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A photographic export trades a little detail for a smaller download.

Keep in mind: Discarded detail cannot be recovered simply by saving at higher quality later.

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Internet culture

Low-key

Quietly, subtly or to a modest degree; sometimes used to soften an admission.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “I am low-key excited to share this.”

Keep in mind: The strength of the feeling can be greater than the phrase suggests.

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Internet culture

Lurker

Someone who reads or watches a community without visibly participating.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A forum member reads every discussion but rarely comments.

Keep in mind: Quiet participation does not mean a person gets no value.

Open this term →

AI & the web

Machine learning

Methods through which computer models learn patterns from data rather than relying only on individually written rules.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A model learns to recognise spam from example messages.

Keep in mind: Patterns in training data do not guarantee reliable results in every setting.

Open this term →

Tools & services

Mailchimp

An email marketing service associated with mailing lists, campaigns and automation.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A business considers Mailchimp for managing consented email communications.

Keep in mind: Using an email service does not itself establish permission to market to a contact.

Open this term →

Tools & services

Mastodon

A decentralised social platform organised through connected independently operated servers.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone follows an account hosted on another Mastodon server.

Keep in mind: Server rules and moderation differ; decentralisation does not mean there are no rules.

Open this term →

Internet culture

MCM

“Man crush Monday”: a hashtag convention for sharing admiration for a man on Monday.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A fan posts about a favourite performer with #MCM.

Keep in mind: Use respectfully; admiration is not a personal relationship.

Open this term →

Internet culture

Meme

An idea, image, phrase or format that people repeat and change as it spreads.

Example & what to watch for

Example: People reuse the same reaction photo with captions about completely different situations.

Keep in mind: A meme is a shared pattern, not simply any funny image.

Open this term →

Platforms & communities

Mention

A reference to another account, often using its handle so the platform can link or notify it.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A post mentions the creator whose work it discusses.

Keep in mind: A mention does not automatically mean endorsement or permission.

Open this term →

Tools & services

Messenger

Meta's messaging service commonly associated with Facebook accounts and Pages.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A person asks a Page a question through Messenger.

Keep in mind: The visible chat name and permissions should be checked before sending a message.

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AI & the web

Meta description

A short page summary supplied in an HTML metadata element.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A term page describes the definition and example it provides.

Keep in mind: Search engines may use other text for the result snippet.

Open this term →

AI & the web

Metadata

Information that describes other data or content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A web page includes a title, description and author information in its metadata.

Keep in mind: Metadata helps describe content; it is not a substitute for useful visible content.

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AI & the web

Metaverse

A broad, contested label for connected or immersive digital environments where people can interact.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A proposal describes shared virtual spaces as part of a metaverse.

Keep in mind: It is not one universally defined product, nor a guarantee of a particular technology or business outcome.

Open this term →

Marketing & measurement

Metric

A quantitative measure used to describe activity or results.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A report displays the number of purchases beside each traffic source.

Keep in mind: Check the calculation, time period and unit before comparing values from different tools.

Open this term →

Internet culture

MFW

“My face when”: an introduction to a reaction image or description.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “MFW I realise I exported the wrong file.”

Keep in mind: It presents a reaction, often exaggerated for humour.

Open this term →

Content & creators

Microblogging

Publishing short updates rather than mainly long articles.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone posts brief observations and links throughout the week.

Keep in mind: A platform can support microblogging alongside other formats.

Open this term →

Internet culture

Mid

Slang for average or unimpressive.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “The opening was good, but the rest was mid.”

Keep in mind: It is a subjective judgement, not an objective rating.

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Internet culture

Millennials

A broad generational label for the cohort between Generation X and Generation Z.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An article discusses internet habits among millennials.

Keep in mind: Also called Generation Y. Avoid assuming everyone in a cohort shares the same tastes or resources.

Open this term →

AI & the web

MIME type

A label describing the type of data in a resource.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A PDF response uses application/pdf.

Keep in mind: A file extension alone does not guarantee that its content matches the label.

Open this term →

AI & the web

Minification

Removing unnecessary characters or code to reduce a resource's size without changing its intended behaviour.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A website ships a smaller JavaScript file.

Keep in mind: It does not fix inefficient logic or missing functionality.

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Internet culture

MIRL

“Me in real life”: shorthand used when a post feels relatable.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A reader replies MIRL to a familiar everyday mishap.

Keep in mind: Often used loosely as a joke rather than a literal self-description.

Open this term →

Internet culture

Misinformation

False or misleading information shared without an intention to deceive.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone forwards an outdated warning believing it is current.

Keep in mind: A claim can be wrong without its sharer deliberately lying. Check evidence and context.

Open this term →

Platforms & communities

Moderation

Reviewing and managing content or behaviour according to rules.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A community removes personal attacks while allowing disagreement.

Keep in mind: Moderation can be automated, human or a combination.

Open this term →

Marketing & measurement

MOFU

Middle of funnel: the consideration part of a marketing model.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A visitor compares how two tools solve the same problem.

Keep in mind: Do not assume everyone who reads a comparison is ready to buy.

Open this term →

Platforms & communities

Musers

A historical nickname associated with Musical.ly creators and users.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An older TikTok history refers to musers.

Keep in mind: Historical community language; it is not an official label for all current TikTok users.

Open this term →

Platforms & communities

Nametag

An Instagram label associated with a scannable profile-identification feature.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An older guide refers to sharing an Instagram Nametag.

Keep in mind: Historical interface label; check the current profile-sharing or QR controls.

Open this term →

Marketing & measurement

Native advertising

Paid content designed to fit the format or experience around it.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A sponsored article appears within a publication's editorial layout.

Keep in mind: Fitting the format must not hide the commercial nature of the content.

Open this term →

Marketing & measurement

Newsjacking

Connecting a message or piece of content to a current news event to gain attention.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A company explains how a new rule affects its audience.

Keep in mind: Relevance and sensitivity matter, especially around tragedies or unverified breaking news.

Open this term →

AI & the web

NFT

Non-fungible token: a blockchain-based token designed to be individually identifiable.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A token is associated with a particular digital artwork.

Keep in mind: Owning a token does not automatically grant copyright, exclusive access or financial value.

Open this term →

Internet culture

NGL

Not going to lie: an informal introduction to a candid comment.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “NGL, I preferred the first draft.”

Keep in mind: It often adds emphasis rather than literally announcing a change from dishonesty.

Open this term →

Internet culture

NNN

“No Nut November”: an online abstinence challenge discussed in sexual slang.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An explainer identifies NNN when it appears in November memes.

Keep in mind: This is a cultural reference, not a health recommendation or evidence of medical benefit.

Open this term →

Internet culture

No cap

Slang meaning honestly or without exaggeration.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “That was the best explanation I have seen, no cap.”

Keep in mind: Very informal; unfamiliar audiences may take it literally.

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Internet culture

NoFilter

A label suggesting that an image was shared without a visual filter.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A photo caption includes #NoFilter.

Keep in mind: The label does not prove the image is unedited or unaffected by lighting and camera processing.

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AI & the web

Nofollow

A link relationship value used to indicate that a link should not imply endorsement or normal ranking credit.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A publisher qualifies a link it does not want to endorse.

Keep in mind: It is a search hint, not a guarantee that nobody will visit the link. Sponsored and user-generated links have more specific relationship values.

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AI & the web

Noindex

A directive asking a supporting search engine not to include a page in its search index.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An owner marks a temporary test page noindex.

Keep in mind: The crawler must be able to read the directive. Noindex is not password protection.

Open this term →

Platforms & communities

Notifications

Alerts about activity, messages or other events.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A user receives a notification that someone replied.

Keep in mind: Notification settings and delivery vary; an alert is not proof somebody read the content.

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Internet culture

NPC

Non-player character in a game; online slang sometimes used for someone seen as predictable or lacking individuality.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A joke compares a repetitive reaction to an NPC's scripted dialogue.

Keep in mind: Using it to describe real people can be dismissive or dehumanising.

Open this term →

Internet culture

NSFR

“Not safe for Ramadan”: a contextual content warning used in some online communities during Ramadan.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A creator labels a post NSFR so viewers can choose whether to open it.

Keep in mind: Religious practice and personal boundaries vary; the hashtag does not speak for all Muslims.

Open this term →

Internet culture

NSFW

Not safe for work: a warning that content may be inappropriate to open in a workplace or public setting.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A link is labelled NSFW because it contains explicit material.

Keep in mind: The label is a warning, not a complete description or permission to share it.

Open this term →

Tools & services

OnlyFans

A subscription-oriented creator platform for sharing content with followers or paying subscribers.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A creator offers access to material through an OnlyFans account.

Keep in mind: It is widely associated with adult content but is not limited to one content category.

Open this term →

Internet culture

OOMF

“One of my followers”, or sometimes “one of my friends”: an indirect reference to somebody.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “OOMF recommended this book.”

Keep in mind: It can protect a person's name, but the context may still make them identifiable.

Open this term →

Internet culture

OOTD

Outfit of the day: a label for sharing what someone is wearing.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A creator posts an OOTD photo before going out.

Keep in mind: It describes the post's subject, not a particular style or dress code.

Open this term →

AI & the web

Open Graph

A metadata protocol that describes a web page for rich previews and other uses.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A shared product link has a title, description and preview image.

Keep in mind: Platforms may cache or interpret metadata differently. Test the actual preview.

Open this term →

Marketing & measurement

Opt-in

A person's affirmative choice to receive something or take part.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone checks a clearly explained box to receive marketing emails.

Keep in mind: Buying or downloading is not automatically consent to every marketing use.

Open this term →

Marketing & measurement

Organic

Distribution or traffic that is not bought as a paid placement.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A follower finds a post in their feed without the brand paying to show that placement.

Keep in mind: Organic content still takes time and resources to make.

Open this term →

Platforms & communities

Original sound

An audio track attributed to an upload or account rather than a selected library track.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A spoken explanation appears as an original sound beneath a video.

Keep in mind: The platform label is not proof that the uploader owns every sound in the recording.

Open this term →

AI & the web

OTT

Over the top: delivering media through internet services rather than a traditional distribution network.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone watches a programme through an internet streaming service.

Keep in mind: OTT describes delivery, not necessarily a particular device or business model.

Open this term →

Platforms & communities

Page

A platform presence or web document associated with a topic, organisation or purpose.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A Facebook Page publishes a brand's updates.

Keep in mind: A Page is different from a person's personal profile, even when both use similar names.

Open this term →

Content & creators

Paid partnership

Content made as part of a commercial relationship between a creator and another business.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A creator is paid to demonstrate a product and labels the relationship.

Keep in mind: Disclosure requirements vary; a label should not hide important commercial context.

Open this term →

Marketing & measurement

Paid social

Advertising distributed through social platforms.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A brand pays for a feed placement promoting its product.

Keep in mind: It is different from simply posting on the brand's own account.

Open this term →

Internet culture

Parasocial relationship

A mostly one-sided sense of connection with a public figure or media personality.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A viewer feels they know a presenter who has never met them.

Keep in mind: Feeling familiar with someone does not create a mutual personal relationship.

Open this term →

Branding

Persona

A research-informed sketch of a type of user or buyer.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A persona describes a founder's goals, constraints and typical decisions.

Keep in mind: An invented character is an assumption until supported by evidence.

Open this term →

Branding

Personal brand

The associations people form about an individual and their work.

Example & what to watch for

Example: People associate a writer with clear explanations of difficult topics.

Keep in mind: It includes actual behaviour and work, not only a polished profile.

Open this term →

Internet culture

Petstagram

A hashtag or informal label for pet-focused Instagram content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An account shares pictures of its dog with #Petstagram.

Keep in mind: It is a content label, not a separate platform or official account type.

Open this term →

Internet culture

Pick-me girl

A dismissive label for someone perceived as seeking approval by distancing herself from other women.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A discussion criticises the phrase “I am not like other girls” as pick-me behaviour.

Keep in mind: The label can itself be misogynistic. Personal preferences are not proof somebody seeks approval.

Open this term →

Platforms & communities

Pinned post

A post kept in a prominent position on a profile or community page.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An account pins an introduction so newcomers can find it.

Keep in mind: Pinning does not guarantee extra recommendation or reach.

Open this term →

Tools & services

Pinterest

A visual discovery service organised around Pins, boards and ideas.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A user saves visual references to a Pinterest board.

Keep in mind: A saved image is not automatically licensed for reuse.

Open this term →

Marketing & measurement

Pixel

In advertising, a tracking implementation used to collect eligible website events; in images, a small picture element.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A marketer checks whether a purchase event is recorded by the site's pixel.

Keep in mind: Event accuracy, consent and privacy requirements matter; the word has more than one technical meaning.

Open this term →

AI & the web

Plaintext

Information before encryption or after decryption.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An email address is readable before the connection encrypts it.

Keep in mind: Plaintext need not be ordinary written text; it can be other data.

Open this term →

Content & creators

PNG

An image format supporting lossless compression and transparency.

Example & what to watch for

Example: You export a logo with transparent edges.

Keep in mind: It can produce larger photographic files than a suitable lossy format.

Open this term →

Platforms & communities

Pod

In social media, a group whose members agree to engage with one another's posts.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A private group coordinates comments whenever a member publishes.

Keep in mind: Coordinated engagement can distort signals and conflict with platform rules; it is not genuine audience demand.

Open this term →

Content & creators

Podcast

An episodic audio programme, sometimes also distributed as video.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A weekly interview series is available through listening apps.

Keep in mind: Distribution format and platform features vary; not every audio clip is a podcast.

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Platforms & communities

Poll

A question with a set of response options that people can select.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A community asks which topic members want explained next.

Keep in mind: A casual poll is not necessarily a representative study of the whole audience.

Open this term →

AI & the web

Polyfill

Code providing a feature where the environment lacks native support.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A site supplies a fallback implementation for an older browser.

Keep in mind: A polyfill may have limitations or extra performance costs.

Open this term →

Branding

Positioning

A choice about who an offering is for, which need it addresses and why it is relevant compared with alternatives.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A tool is positioned for first-time founders who need a guided starting point.

Keep in mind: A positioning statement is a decision, not evidence that buyers agree.

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Platforms & communities

Post

A published item on a platform or website.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An account posts a text update with a link.

Keep in mind: A post can contain text, images, video or other formats depending on the service.

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Internet culture

POTD

“Photo of the day” or “picture of the day”: a caption or hashtag label for a selected image.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A photographer shares a favourite frame with #POTD.

Keep in mind: It usually reflects the poster's choice, not an official award.

Open this term →

Internet culture

POV

Point of view. Online, often a caption asking you to imagine a situation.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “POV: you open your camera and it is still facing you.”

Keep in mind: Many social captions use it loosely rather than showing a literal first-person view.

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Marketing & measurement

PPC

Pay per click: an advertising pricing approach where charges are tied to clicks.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A search campaign charges when someone clicks an ad.

Keep in mind: CPC is a cost metric; PPC describes a pricing approach.

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AI & the web

Prefetching

Fetching likely future resources ahead of time.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A browser downloads resources for a likely next page.

Keep in mind: Fetching resources is different from fully rendering that page.

Open this term →

AI & the web

Prerendering

Preparing and rendering a likely next page before the user opens it.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A browser prepares a page linked by a likely next action.

Keep in mind: Speculation consumes resources and is not appropriate for every destination.

Open this term →

Marketing & measurement

Product catalogue

A structured collection of product information used by a store or advertising system.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A catalogue holds product names, images, prices and availability.

Keep in mind: Data should be accurate and maintained; a catalogue is not itself a completed advertising campaign.

Open this term →

Platforms & communities

Profile

An account's public or restricted identity page and associated information.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A profile introduces a person and shows their recent activity.

Keep in mind: A profile may be personal or professional; verify the active account before publishing.

Open this term →

AI & the web

Progressive enhancement

Starting with usable core content and adding features when the device supports them.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A form works normally, with richer feedback added through JavaScript.

Keep in mind: The core task should still work when optional features fail.

Open this term →

AI & the web

Progressive web app

A web application using platform capabilities to offer app-like behaviour.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A web tool can be installed and support selected offline tasks.

Keep in mind: Offline and installation features depend on implementation and browser support.

Open this term →

AI & the web

Prompt

The input that tells an AI system what you want it to do.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “Ask me about my audience before drafting the positioning statement.”

Keep in mind: Instructions, context and examples help; no wording guarantees correctness.

Open this term →

AI & the web

Prompt injection

An attack that places instructions in input or external content to steer an AI system away from its intended task.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A retrieved page tells an assistant to ignore the user's instructions.

Keep in mind: Treat external content as information, not authority to change permissions or disclose data.

Open this term →

AI & the web

Protocol

Agreed rules for exchanging data between systems.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A browser and server use HTTP to exchange requests and responses.

Keep in mind: Matching a protocol does not alone establish trust or permission.

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AI & the web

Proxy server

A server acting between a client and another server when handling requests.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A website uses a reverse proxy in front of its application.

Keep in mind: A proxy can inspect or modify traffic; choose the intermediary carefully.

Open this term →

Content & creators

Public domain

Works or material not protected by copyright in the relevant jurisdiction.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A publisher checks whether copyright has expired before reusing an old work.

Keep in mind: Status can vary between countries. Other rights or contractual restrictions may still apply.

Open this term →

AI & the web

Public-key cryptography

Cryptography using a related pair of keys, one public and one private.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A sender verifies a signature using a publicly available key.

Keep in mind: Keep the private key private; the public key serves a different purpose.

Open this term →

Platforms & communities

Pulse

A historical name associated with LinkedIn's article and publishing experience.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An older tutorial refers to writing a Pulse article.

Keep in mind: Treat the label as historical; use LinkedIn's current publishing interface for instructions.

Open this term →

Internet culture

Pushing P

A song-linked slang phrase commonly used to approve conduct seen as genuine, loyal or respectable.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A meme describes keeping a promise as pushing P.

Keep in mind: Meanings vary with the song and community; it is not a formal moral standard.

Open this term →

AI & the web

QR code

A scannable two-dimensional code that can encode text or a destination such as a URL.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A printed guide includes a QR code linking to its online version.

Keep in mind: Check the destination before sharing; a code can point to an unsafe page.

Open this term →

AI & the web

RAG

Retrieval-augmented generation: using retrieved material to help a model produce an answer.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An assistant searches a knowledge base before answering a product question.

Keep in mind: Retrieval can improve grounding but does not guarantee a correct answer.

Open this term →

Internet culture

Rage bait

Content designed to make people angry so they react or share it.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A post makes an exaggerated claim and invites people to fight in the comments.

Keep in mind: A controversial opinion is not automatically deliberate rage bait.

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Content & creators

Raster image

An image stored as a grid of pixels.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A photograph is exported as a JPEG.

Keep in mind: Enlarging beyond its useful resolution can make pixels visible.

Open this term →

AI & the web

Rate limit

A restriction on how many operations can occur within a period.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An API allows only a set number of requests each minute.

Keep in mind: Repeated retries can worsen the problem; follow the service's retry guidance.

Open this term →

Internet culture

Ratio

Online shorthand for a reply or reaction receiving more support than the original post, often used to signal disagreement.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A critical reply gets more likes than the post it responds to.

Keep in mind: Popularity does not establish which claim is true.

Open this term →

Marketing & measurement

Reach

The number of distinct people or accounts reported as having seen content within a defined scope.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A report estimates that 800 accounts saw the post.

Keep in mind: Check the platform's definition and reporting period before comparing.

Open this term →

Platforms & communities

Reaction

A response to content, such as an emoji response or a video showing someone's response.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A viewer reacts to a post, or a creator records a reaction video.

Keep in mind: The word can mean different platform features; it is not always a specific button.

Open this term →

Marketing & measurement

Real User Monitoring

Measuring performance from real users' interactions and devices.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A site reports loading times experienced by actual visitors.

Keep in mind: Review consent and data handling before collecting visitor measurements.

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Marketing & measurement

Real-time marketing

Creating relevant marketing communication in response to what is happening now.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A business answers a timely question raised by an industry announcement.

Keep in mind: Speed should not come at the expense of accuracy or appropriate tone.

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Platforms & communities

Reel

An Instagram or Facebook video published in the Reels format.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A short demonstration is posted as a reel on the brand account.

Keep in mind: A video on a different platform is not necessarily called a reel.

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Marketing & measurement

Referral

An introduction or visit generated by another person or source.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A customer recommends a product to a friend.

Keep in mind: A referral can be unpaid or incentivised; disclose incentives where needed.

Open this term →

Platforms & communities

Reply

A response linked to a particular message, comment or post.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A reader replies directly to a question under the original post.

Keep in mind: A reply's visibility depends on the platform and conversation settings.

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Platforms & communities

Report

To flag content or an account for review under a service's rules.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone reports an impersonating account through the platform.

Keep in mind: A report requests review; it does not guarantee removal or justify false allegations.

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AI & the web

Repository

A place storing a project's files and revision history.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A website's source and commits are kept in a repository.

Keep in mind: A repository can be private or public; check access before adding files.

Open this term →

Platforms & communities

Repost

Sharing an existing post through a platform's redistribution feature.

Example & what to watch for

Example: You repost a creator's original video instead of uploading a new copy.

Keep in mind: Features differ. A repost may not allow your own caption or reach every follower.

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Content & creators

Repurposing

Turning an existing idea or piece of content into useful material for another context.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A detailed tutorial becomes a short demonstration and a checklist.

Keep in mind: Keep the meaning, but adapt the format and what the audience needs.

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AI & the web

Responsive web design

An approach to designing websites so their layout and behaviour adapt to different screens and devices.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A dictionary card moves below the introduction on a small phone screen.

Keep in mind: Responsive design needs testing with real content, including long words, zoom and touch controls.

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Tools & services

Resso

A music-streaming service name associated with ByteDance and referenced in older TikTok-related guides.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An older glossary lists Resso among music apps.

Keep in mind: Historical context: do not assume its earlier market availability or product identity remains current.

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AI & the web

REST

An architectural style for networked systems using consistent resource interactions.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A service exposes product resources through an HTTP interface.

Keep in mind: Many APIs called REST do not follow every REST constraint.

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Marketing & measurement

Retargeting

Showing advertising to people based on previous interactions with a business or its content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An eligible past website visitor sees an ad about the product they viewed.

Keep in mind: Tracking, consent and targeting rules depend on the context and jurisdiction.

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Content & creators

Retention

How well content keeps its viewers or readers over time.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A video chart shows many viewers leaving during the introduction.

Keep in mind: Content retention is different from customer retention; check the context.

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Branding

RGB

A colour model mixing red, green and blue components.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Your website defines its teal as an RGB colour.

Keep in mind: The same values can appear differently across displays and colour spaces.

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Internet culture

Rizz

Charisma, especially when someone is trying to attract a romantic interest.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “He has great rizz in messages, then forgets how to speak in person.”

Keep in mind: Usually playful. It is not a measure of someone's worth.

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Internet culture

RN

Right now.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “I cannot check the file RN.”

Keep in mind: Common in messages; context determines whether it refers to a moment or a current period.

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Marketing & measurement

ROAS

Return on ad spend: attributed revenue divided by advertising spend.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A$400 in attributed sales from A$100 in ads gives 4× ROAS.

Keep in mind: Revenue is not profit. Returns, fees and attribution can change the picture.

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AI & the web

robots.txt

A file at a website's root that gives participating crawlers instructions about fetching URLs.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A site allows a search crawler to fetch its public dictionary.

Keep in mind: It is not an access-control system and cannot protect private content.

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Marketing & measurement

ROI

Return on investment: net return relative to the investment cost.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A project costs A$100 and returns A$130; its net return is A$30, or 30% of cost.

Keep in mind: State which costs and returns are included. ROI and ROAS are different.

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AI & the web

RSS

A web feed format that lets readers or applications follow updates without visiting each site separately.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A feed reader shows new articles from several websites.

Keep in mind: A feed is not an email newsletter, though both can distribute updates.

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Internet culture

S4S

“Shoutout for shoutout”: an offer to exchange account recommendations.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Two accounts discuss an S4S arrangement.

Keep in mind: An exchange is not an independent endorsement; disclose commercial arrangements where relevant.

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Tools & services

SaaS

Software delivered as an online service rather than managed entirely on your own computer or servers.

Example & what to watch for

Example: You use an online email platform through a browser.

Keep in mind: Check subscription terms, export options and responsibilities for your data.

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AI & the web

Same-origin policy

A browser security rule restricting interactions between resources from different origins.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A script on one site cannot freely read another site's private page.

Keep in mind: An origin includes scheme, host and port; it is more specific than a brand name.

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Platforms & communities

Save

A feature for retaining content so it can be found again within an account.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A viewer saves an explanation for later.

Keep in mind: Saving within a service is not always the same as downloading a permanent copy.

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Platforms & communities

Saved collection

A named grouping of saved items within a service.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone collects useful references under a topic.

Keep in mind: This is different from a carousel of items published together.

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AI & the web

Screen reader

Software presenting screen information through speech, braille or other non-visual output.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A visitor navigates page headings by listening to them.

Keep in mind: Accessible structure matters as much as readable visual text.

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AI & the web

Search engine

A system finding and organising information so users can retrieve relevant results.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone searches for a marketing term and finds a definition.

Keep in mind: A public page is not guaranteed to be indexed or prominently ranked.

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Platforms & communities

Selfie

A photograph or video someone makes of themselves.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A creator takes a selfie while introducing a new project.

Keep in mind: Sharing one can expose location or other personal context unintentionally.

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Internet culture

Selfie Sunday

A hashtag convention for posting a selfie on a Sunday.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone labels a Sunday portrait with #SelfieSunday.

Keep in mind: A hashtag convention is not a guarantee of reach.

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Marketing & measurement

SEM

Search engine marketing: promoting visibility through search; often used specifically for paid search advertising.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A business runs search ads for a relevant query.

Keep in mind: Some definitions include SEO too. Specify whether you mean paid search or the wider discipline.

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Marketing & measurement

Sentiment analysis

Assessing the attitude or emotional tone expressed in text or other material.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A team checks whether product mentions express satisfaction, concern or frustration.

Keep in mind: Automated tools can miss sarcasm, context and mixed opinions.

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AI & the web

SEO

Search engine optimisation: helping search engines understand content and helping people find useful pages.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A site uses clear titles, crawlable links and accurate descriptions.

Keep in mind: SEO does not guarantee a ranking or a sale.

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AI & the web

Serialization

Converting structured data into a form that can be stored or transmitted.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An automation turns a record into JSON before sending it.

Keep in mind: Not every object or relationship survives every serialization format.

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AI & the web

Server

Software or a computer that provides a service or resource to another program over a network.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A web server responds when your browser requests a dictionary page.

Keep in mind: One physical computer can run several services; a server is not always a single dedicated machine.

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AI & the web

Server-side rendering

Generating page HTML on a server before sending it to the browser.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A definition arrives as readable HTML in the initial response.

Keep in mind: Server-rendered content can still use client-side interactions afterwards.

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Marketing & measurement

Session

A group of website or app interactions treated as one visit within a measurement system.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A reader opens a definition and then visits the product page during the same visit.

Keep in mind: Timeout rules and identity handling differ between systems; a session is not necessarily a unique person.

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AI & the web

Session hijacking

Taking over another user's authenticated session.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A stolen session token lets an attacker act as a signed-in user.

Keep in mind: A strong password alone cannot protect a session token that has been stolen.

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Platforms & communities

Shadowban

An informal label for a suspected visibility restriction that is not clearly communicated to the account holder.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A creator notices fewer people finding their posts and suspects a shadowban.

Keep in mind: A reach drop alone is not proof. Check account status, recommendation eligibility and other explanations.

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Platforms & communities

Share

Passing content to other people through a platform feature, message or link.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A reader shares the original tutorial with a friend.

Keep in mind: Sharing a link differs from uploading somebody else's work as your own.

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Marketing & measurement

Share of voice

A brand's share of a defined set of mentions, advertising activity or other market communication.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A report compares relevant mentions of several brands in one category.

Keep in mind: Specify the channel, competitors and measurement method.

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Internet culture

Sheesh

An exclamation of surprise, admiration, frustration or disbelief.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “You finished all the edits already? Sheesh.”

Keep in mind: Voice and context determine whether it is praise or exasperation.

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Internet culture

Shifting

In online subcultures, “reality shifting” refers to attempts or imagined experiences of entering a desired reality.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A fan community discusses shifting to a fictional setting.

Keep in mind: This describes a belief or practice, not established evidence of moving between real universes.

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Internet culture

Ship

To support or imagine a romantic relationship between people or characters.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Fans ship two characters from a series.

Keep in mind: Speculation about real people can intrude on their privacy.

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Internet culture

Shitstorm

A profane term for a large burst of controversy, criticism or conflict.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A careless public reply triggers what a commentator calls a shitstorm.

Keep in mind: Informal and profane; distinguish genuine criticism from abuse.

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Marketing & measurement

Shoppable post

Content with product information or links that support a purchase path.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A post lets a viewer open details about a pictured product.

Keep in mind: The purchase may complete elsewhere; do not assume every account can use the same feature.

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Marketing & measurement

Shopping

An experience for discovering, comparing or purchasing products.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A viewer follows a product tag to a shopping page.

Keep in mind: The availability of a platform's shopping features varies by market, account and product.

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Platforms & communities

Shorts

YouTube's short-form video format and associated viewing experience.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A creator posts a concise demonstration as a Short.

Keep in mind: Length, eligibility and editing rules can change; consult current YouTube documentation.

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Internet culture

Shy fingers emoji

The paired pointing-finger symbols, 👉👈, often used to convey shyness, hesitation or a timid request.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “Could you send the notes? 👉👈” softens the request.

Keep in mind: It can be playful or ironic, and does not necessarily describe a person's emotions.

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Internet culture

Simp

A disparaging slang label for someone seen as excessively seeking another person's attention or approval.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A guide explains why a compliment is being labelled simping in a comment thread.

Keep in mind: It is not a reliable judgement about a relationship, and the crude acronym sometimes circulated is not a sound definition.

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AI & the web

Single-page application

A web application that updates a loaded document rather than loading a full new document for every view.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An app changes views without a traditional full-page reload.

Keep in mind: Navigation, accessibility and discoverability still need deliberate implementation.

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AI & the web

Sitemap

A file or page listing important URLs on a website.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A search engine reads an XML sitemap containing dictionary term URLs.

Keep in mind: A sitemap helps discovery; it does not guarantee indexing.

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Internet culture

Sizing up

Assessing someone or something; some TikTok slang uses it for a sexualised appraisal of another person's body.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “She sized up the room before speaking” uses the ordinary meaning.

Keep in mind: The sexualised use can be objectifying. Do not assume it is intended in every sentence.

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Internet culture

Sksksk

A typed expression of laughter or excitement associated with particular internet aesthetics and communities.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A reaction message ends with sksksk.

Keep in mind: It is a stylised reaction, not a word with one literal translation.

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Internet culture

Skull emoji

The skull symbol, 💀, often used figuratively to mean something was extremely funny or embarrassing.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “That outtake 💀” may mean the viewer is laughing hard.

Keep in mind: It can also refer literally to death or danger; context determines the meaning.

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AI & the web

Slug

The identifying text used in a web address, often its final path segment.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A page uses /dictionary/screen-reader.

Keep in mind: Changing an established slug may require redirects to preserve old links.

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Content & creators

Smart Video

A name used in TikTok advertising materials for automatically assembling video creative from supplied assets.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An older workflow uses Smart Video to make an ad draft.

Keep in mind: Feature names and availability change; review the generated output and current tools.

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Content & creators

Smart Video Soundtrack

A name used for a TikTok advertising tool that helps select or apply background music to video creative.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An older ad-making guide refers to automatic soundtrack selection.

Keep in mind: Music suitability and rights still need checking; do not assume every current account exposes this tool.

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Internet culture

SMH

Shaking my head: shorthand for disappointment, disbelief or disapproval.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “The link still goes to the old page. SMH.”

Keep in mind: The tone can range from a joke to genuine annoyance.

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AI & the web

SMTP

Simple Mail Transfer Protocol: a protocol for sending and relaying email.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An email service sends outgoing messages through SMTP.

Keep in mind: Acceptance by a server does not guarantee inbox placement.

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Platforms & communities

Snap

A photo or video message shared through Snapchat.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone sends a quick visual update as a Snap.

Keep in mind: It is also an ordinary verb; the platform meaning depends on the context.

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Internet culture

Sneaky link

Slang for a secret or discreet romantic or sexual meeting, relationship or person involved.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A post refers vaguely to seeing a sneaky link.

Keep in mind: The term does not establish anybody's relationship status or consent.

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Marketing & measurement

Social commerce

Shopping and selling experiences connected to social platforms.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A viewer discovers a product in a post and follows a shopping path.

Keep in mind: Some flows finish on an external website; availability varies.

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Marketing & measurement

Social customer service

Helping customers through social platform comments or messages.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A company answers an access question in a social inbox.

Keep in mind: Move sensitive details to an appropriate private support channel.

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Internet culture

Social engineering

Manipulating people into disclosing information or taking harmful security actions.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A fake support agent asks for an account code.

Keep in mind: Convincing language and familiar branding do not prove a request is genuine.

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Platforms & communities

Social listening

Following public conversations to understand what people are saying about a topic or brand.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A team reviews recurring customer questions and complaints.

Keep in mind: Counting mentions is only part of listening; context matters.

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Marketing & measurement

Social media automation

Using software to perform defined social media tasks automatically.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A scheduled post is published at the selected time.

Keep in mind: Automation should not invent responses, ignore platform rules or send unwanted messages.

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Marketing & measurement

Social media campaign

A coordinated set of social activities aimed at a defined objective.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A campaign introduces a product through several related posts and ads.

Keep in mind: A set of posts becomes useful through purpose and measurement, not just a shared hashtag.

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Platforms & communities

Social media manager

Someone who plans, publishes and evaluates an organisation's social media activity.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A manager coordinates content, responses and reporting across accounts.

Keep in mind: Responsibilities differ by organisation; one person may not do every specialist task.

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Marketing & measurement

Social media marketing

Using social platforms to communicate with relevant audiences in support of marketing goals.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A business shares useful content, responds to questions and evaluates paid placements.

Keep in mind: It includes more than posting frequently or chasing follower counts.

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Marketing & measurement

Social media monitoring

Tracking specified activity, mentions or signals on social platforms.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A team monitors mentions so it can spot questions or problems.

Keep in mind: Listening adds interpretation and learning; monitoring often focuses on observing and flagging.

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Content & creators

Social media template

A reusable structure for making social content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A template keeps headings and layout consistent across a series.

Keep in mind: Adapt it to the actual message; a template is not a complete strategy.

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Branding

Social proof

Information about other people's behaviour or experience that can influence a decision.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A buyer reads a genuine review before choosing a product.

Keep in mind: Testimonials should be authentic; popularity does not guarantee quality.

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Marketing & measurement

Social selling

Using professional or social relationships to understand needs and support relevant sales conversations.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A specialist answers useful questions and develops trust with potential buyers.

Keep in mind: It is not an excuse for mass unsolicited messages.

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Internet culture

Soft boy / soft girl

Labels for gentle, sentimental or pastel-styled online aesthetics; “soft boy” can also have a critical behavioural meaning.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A style guide describes a pastel outfit as a soft-girl look.

Keep in mind: Separate an aesthetic from a claim about someone's personality or manipulation.

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Internet culture

SoftSZN

“Soft season”: a hashtag label for a softer aesthetic or mood.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A creator captions a shift towards pastel outfits with #SoftSZN.

Keep in mind: A trend label does not require a specific identity or way of behaving.

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AI & the web

Software development kit

A collection of tools and resources for building software for a particular platform or service.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A developer uses a payment provider's SDK to integrate its checkout.

Keep in mind: An SDK may include libraries and documentation. It is broader than a single API endpoint.

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AI & the web

Source map

Data linking transformed code back to its original source for debugging.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A developer traces a compressed script error to the original file.

Keep in mind: Public maps can expose source details; review what they contain.

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Internet culture

Spam

Unwanted or repetitive messages or content, often sent at scale.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An account posts the same unrelated sales link under dozens of videos.

Keep in mind: Frequency, consent and relevance matter; not every repeated update is spam.

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Marketing & measurement

Spark Ads

A TikTok advertising format that uses an eligible existing post with the necessary authorisation.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A brand promotes a creator's existing post after obtaining permission.

Keep in mind: Authorisation, ad eligibility and music rights still matter.

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Internet culture

Sparkles emoji

The sparkles symbol, ✨, used for emphasis, excitement, aesthetic decoration or irony.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “Another ✨perfectly organised✨ draft folder” may be sarcastic.

Keep in mind: Sparkles do not automatically signal approval; surrounding wording matters.

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AI & the web

SPF

Sender Policy Framework: a method that identifies servers permitted to send email for a domain.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A brand's domain lists its authorised email service in a DNS record.

Keep in mind: SPF alone does not guarantee inbox placement or establish that a message is safe.

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AI & the web

SQL

A language for querying and managing data in relational databases.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A report retrieves orders from a table.

Keep in mind: Access permissions and safe query handling still matter.

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Internet culture

Stan

A very devoted fan; also a verb meaning to strongly support someone or something.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “I stan a creator who explains things without making people feel silly.”

Keep in mind: Can be affectionate or critical depending on the context.

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Tools & services

Static site generator

Software generating ready-to-serve website files from source content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An editorial system builds definition pages before deployment.

Keep in mind: Dynamic behaviour may still need separate client or server services.

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Platforms & communities

Sticker

An image, label or interactive element added through a platform's content tools.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A Story uses a link sticker to open a resource.

Keep in mind: A platform sticker's features and availability depend on the account and app.

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Platforms & communities

Stitch

A TikTok format that uses part of an existing video before the new creator's contribution.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone plays a question from another video, then records an answer.

Keep in mind: It differs from a side-by-side Duet; permissions and availability vary.

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Platforms & communities

Stories

Posts displayed in a platform's story format, commonly designed for temporary updates.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An account shares a behind-the-scenes update in its Stories.

Keep in mind: Visibility, duration and saving options vary; do not assume every platform works alike.

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Internet culture

Straight TikTok

A historical, informal label for mainstream dance and trend-focused TikTok content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An older discussion contrasts Straight TikTok and Alt TikTok.

Keep in mind: The label is not a reliable indicator of creators' sexuality or an official app section.

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AI & the web

String

A sequence of characters used to represent text in software.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A subscriber's email address is stored as a string.

Keep in mind: Text that looks like a number is not necessarily stored as a numeric value.

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AI & the web

Structured data

Machine-readable information describing a page's content using a defined vocabulary.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A dictionary page labels an entry as a DefinedTerm.

Keep in mind: Markup must match visible content; it is not a shortcut to guaranteed AI citations.

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Internet culture

Subculture

A community with shared styles, interests or practices within a wider culture.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A platform hosts several music and fashion subcultures.

Keep in mind: Members differ from each other; a label should not flatten people into a stereotype.

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AI & the web

Subdomain

A named section placed before a parent domain.

Example & what to watch for

Example: shop.example.com can lead to a shop separate from www.example.com.

Keep in mind: A subdomain can host different content; do not assume every subdomain has the same privacy policy.

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Platforms & communities

Subscriber

Someone who signs up for updates, content or access; sometimes for a paid plan.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A reader subscribes to an email list, or a viewer subscribes to a channel.

Keep in mind: The meaning and whether payment is involved depend on the service.

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Content & creators

Subtitles

On-screen text representing spoken dialogue, sometimes translated into another language.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An English video offers Italian subtitles.

Keep in mind: Usage varies by region. Dialogue-only subtitles may not communicate important non-speech sounds.

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Platforms & communities

Superzoom

A name associated with an Instagram camera effect that adds a dramatic close-up.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An older tutorial demonstrates a dramatic zoom effect.

Keep in mind: Historical feature label; current camera effects and availability should be checked in the app.

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Internet culture

Sus

Short for suspicious; used when something seems questionable or untrustworthy.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “That message asking for my password looks sus.”

Keep in mind: It can be playful, but it does not provide evidence of wrongdoing.

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Content & creators

SVG

Scalable Vector Graphics: an XML-based format for two-dimensional graphics.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A website displays a vector logo that stays sharp at different sizes.

Keep in mind: SVG can contain active content; use trusted and appropriate files.

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AI & the web

Synchronous

Work or communication coordinated in time, often waiting for a response before continuing.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A program waits for one result before starting its next step.

Keep in mind: The word has different technical meanings; check the surrounding context.

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Marketing & measurement

Synthetic monitoring

Measuring a system through controlled or automated test visits.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A scheduled test checks whether a page loads correctly.

Keep in mind: Test conditions may differ from actual visitors' connections and devices.

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Platforms & communities

Tag

A label or account association attached to content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A photo tags the account of the person pictured.

Keep in mind: A tag can notify or identify someone; it does not grant permission to use their image.

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Platforms & communities

Tap backward

A Story navigation action that moves to an earlier item.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A viewer taps back to reread a definition.

Keep in mind: It can suggest interest or confusion, but the action alone does not reveal the reason.

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Platforms & communities

Tap forward

A Story navigation action that advances to another item.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A viewer taps forward through an introduction.

Keep in mind: It does not automatically mean dislike; people navigate for many reasons.

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Branding

Target audience

The group of people a message or offering is intended to serve.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A beginner tutorial is written for people making their first website.

Keep in mind: Use real needs and behaviour; a demographic label alone is usually too broad.

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Internet culture

TBH

To be honest: a way to introduce a frank opinion or admission.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “TBH, I have not tried that tool yet.”

Keep in mind: It does not replace evidence when the statement is a factual claim.

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AI & the web

TCP

A network protocol providing an ordered, reliable stream of data between connected systems.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A browser and server exchange a page over a TCP connection.

Keep in mind: Reliable transport does not guarantee trustworthy content.

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Internet culture

TFW

“That feeling when”: a caption introducing a relatable reaction or situation.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “TFW the export finishes just before you need to leave.”

Keep in mind: Usually a meme framing device, not a literal explanation of every viewer's feelings.

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Internet culture

TGIF

Thank God it's Friday: a casual expression of relief or enthusiasm at the week's end.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “The final export is done. TGIF.”

Keep in mind: The phrase is informal and can be used outside social media too.

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Platforms & communities

Thread

A connected sequence of messages or posts about a subject.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A writer uses a thread to explain a decision in several short posts.

Keep in mind: Threads is also a platform name; a thread is the conversational format.

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Internet culture

Throwback

A look back at an earlier moment, style or piece of content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A creator shares a photo of their first project as a throwback.

Keep in mind: The label does not mean the material is newly made.

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Content & creators

Thumbnail

A small preview image representing a piece of content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A video thumbnail shows the subject and a short title.

Keep in mind: A misleading preview can attract the wrong click.

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Tools & services

TikTok

A social and entertainment platform strongly associated with short-form video and personalised discovery.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A creator publishes a tutorial for TikTok viewers.

Keep in mind: Formats, eligibility and regional availability can change; avoid relying on fixed limits from old guides.

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Platforms & communities

TikTok Ads Manager

TikTok's interface for creating, managing and evaluating advertising.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A business reviews its TikTok campaigns in Ads Manager.

Keep in mind: Available objectives and controls depend on the current account, market and product.

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AI & the web

Time to First Byte

The elapsed time from requesting a resource to receiving its first response byte.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A browser waits before the server begins returning a page.

Keep in mind: It includes more than application processing and is not full load time.

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Platforms & communities

Timeline

A sequence of posts or events arranged in a feed or chronological view.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An older platform guide calls the home feed a timeline.

Keep in mind: Not every timeline is strictly chronological.

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AI & the web

Title tag

The HTML title element that names a page for browsers and other systems.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A dictionary entry uses a specific term and brand name in its page title.

Keep in mind: Google can display a different title link in search results.

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Internet culture

TL;DR

Too long; didn't read. Often introduces a short summary of a longer text.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “TL;DR: the event moved to Friday.”

Keep in mind: It can also dismiss a long message; tone depends on how it is used.

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AI & the web

TLD

Top-level domain: the final part of a domain name.

Example & what to watch for

Example: The com in perspectism.com is its TLD.

Keep in mind: The ending does not itself prove legitimacy or business quality.

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AI & the web

TLS

A protocol used to protect data exchanged over a network against eavesdropping and alteration.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A browser uses TLS when connecting to an HTTPS website.

Keep in mind: TLS protects data in transit; it does not determine whether the content itself is truthful.

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Internet culture

TMW

A messaging abbreviation commonly used for “tomorrow”.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “I will check the link TMW.”

Keep in mind: In some meme contexts it can mean “that moment when”. The sentence matters.

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Marketing & measurement

TOFU

Top of funnel: the discovery or early-awareness part of a marketing model.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A helpful introductory article reaches people who have not considered the product yet.

Keep in mind: It is a planning label, not a fixed path every buyer follows.

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AI & the web

Token

A unit into which a language model divides text for processing, such as a word, part of a word or punctuation.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A long word may occupy several tokens.

Keep in mind: Token counts depend on the model's tokenizer, not just word count.

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Branding

Touchpoint

A place or moment where someone encounters a brand.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A receipt, support reply and product page are all touchpoints.

Keep in mind: The experience includes practical interactions, not just marketing.

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AI & the web

Training data

Examples used to fit a machine-learning model's learned parameters.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A model is trained on labelled product photographs.

Keep in mind: Data quality, permission and representation matter; more data alone is not enough.

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Internet culture

Transformation Tuesday

A hashtag convention for showing change or before-and-after progress on a Tuesday.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A creator compares an early design with a revised version.

Keep in mind: Before-and-after images can omit context; they are not automatically evidence of cause or typical results.

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Content & creators

Transition

The change between shots, scenes or slides, including a visual editing effect.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A cut or dissolve moves from the explanation to the example.

Keep in mind: A transition should help the flow rather than distract from the point.

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Platforms & communities

Trending topic

A subject currently attracting noticeable activity within a particular platform or community.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A platform highlights discussion around a new release.

Keep in mind: Trending is scoped to a time, place and system; it does not mean everyone is discussing it.

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Internet culture

Trigger warning

A notice that upcoming content contains material that some people may find distressing.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A post warns readers before describing violence.

Keep in mind: A warning helps people choose; it does not make the material harmless.

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Internet culture

Troll

Someone who deliberately provokes or disrupts an online conversation.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An account keeps posting insults to get a reaction rather than discuss the topic.

Keep in mind: Disagreement alone is not trolling.

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AI & the web

TTL

Time to Live: a limit on how long cached data or network packets remain valid.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A DNS record has a cache lifetime before it should be refreshed.

Keep in mind: The meaning and units depend on the system being described.

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Tools & services

Tumblr

A publishing and social platform associated with blogs, multimedia posts and reblogging.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A fan maintains a Tumblr blog collecting commentary and artwork.

Keep in mind: Reblogging within a platform does not automatically permit using the material elsewhere.

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Internet culture

TVA

Time Variance Authority: a fictional organisation associated with Marvel's Loki stories.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A fan meme describes a timeline joke as a TVA problem.

Keep in mind: The acronym has unrelated meanings outside this fictional context.

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Platforms & communities

Tweet

The former product name, still used informally, for a post on Twitter, now X.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An older guide asks a reader to publish a tweet.

Keep in mind: Terminology changes do not mean old references describe a separate current service.

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Tools & services

Twitch

A platform associated with livestreaming and communities built around creators.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A presenter hosts a live discussion and answers chat questions.

Keep in mind: A livestream and a saved replay offer different interaction experiences.

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AI & the web

Two-factor authentication

Signing in using two different types of evidence of identity.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An account requires a password and a code from an authenticator app.

Keep in mind: Keep recovery options safe; not all second factors offer the same protection.

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Branding

Typographic baseline

The reference line along which letters are aligned in a line of text.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A designer aligns labels using their text baselines.

Keep in mind: Different letter shapes can extend above or below that line.

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AI & the web

UDP

A network protocol sending messages without guaranteeing delivery or their order.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A real-time service prioritises timely updates over waiting for every missing packet.

Keep in mind: Applications may add their own recovery or reliability mechanisms.

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Content & creators

UGC

User-generated content: material made by users rather than the organisation itself.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A customer posts a photo of a product they bought.

Keep in mind: Paid “UGC-style” creator ads are not automatically unpaid customer opinions.

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AI & the web

UI

User interface: the controls and surfaces through which someone interacts with a system.

Example & what to watch for

Example: The dictionary's search box and filters are part of its UI.

Keep in mind: An attractive interface can still be difficult to use.

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Platforms & communities

Unfollow

To stop subscribing to an account's updates through its follow feature.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A person unfollows an account that no longer interests them.

Keep in mind: It does not necessarily block the account or remove every possible recommendation.

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AI & the web

Unicode

A standard identifying characters across writing systems and symbols.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A document contains accented letters and emoji.

Keep in mind: Visual appearance and supported glyphs still depend on fonts and rendering.

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Marketing & measurement

Unsubscribe

Choosing to stop receiving a particular set of emails or other recurring communications.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A reader uses the unsubscribe link at the bottom of a newsletter.

Keep in mind: Marketing opt-out should not be confused with necessary purchase or access messages.

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Marketing & measurement

Upselling

Offering a more capable or higher-value version of an option somebody is considering.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A shop explains the difference between a basic and expanded package.

Keep in mind: The upgrade should suit the buyer's needs rather than add unwanted cost.

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AI & the web

URI

A string that identifies a resource, either by its location or by another naming system.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A web URL identifies a page by location, while a book's ISBN can form part of a name-based identifier.

Keep in mind: URL is a familiar type of URI; the two labels are related but not identical.

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AI & the web

URL

Uniform resource locator: the address used to locate a resource on the web.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A dictionary entry has its own URL so you can share that exact term.

Keep in mind: A visible link label and its destination can differ.

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AI & the web

User agent

Software acting for a user when accessing network resources.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A browser or crawler requests a webpage.

Keep in mind: A reported user-agent string can be altered and is not proof of identity.

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Branding

USP

Unique selling proposition: a claimed reason an offering stands apart from alternatives.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A service focuses on a specific audience and provides a distinctive process.

Keep in mind: Being different matters only if the difference is useful and credible.

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AI & the web

UTF-8

A Unicode character encoding widely used for web content.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A page correctly displays English and Italian names together.

Keep in mind: Incorrect encoding can still produce broken characters during import or export.

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Marketing & measurement

UTM parameters

Labels added to a URL so compatible analytics can identify a traffic source, medium or campaign.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A campaign link includes utm_source to distinguish traffic from a newsletter.

Keep in mind: They support reporting, not proof of causation; do not put private data in URLs.

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AI & the web

UX

User experience: how someone experiences using a product or system.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A visitor easily finds a word and understands its example.

Keep in mind: Evaluate real tasks, not only how the screen looks.

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Internet culture

Vabbing

A term for an online trend involving the use of vaginal fluids as a supposed personal scent.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A cultural explainer identifies vabbing when discussing a past trend.

Keep in mind: This is a description of a trend, not advice or evidence that it attracts partners.

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Internet culture

Valid

Reasonable, acceptable or worthy of acknowledgement; online slang also uses it to express approval.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “Not wanting to post every day is valid.”

Keep in mind: Approval in a conversation is not the same as proving a factual claim.

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Branding

Value proposition

An explanation of the useful outcome an offering provides and why someone might choose it.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “Plan your next week of content in one place” describes a practical benefit.

Keep in mind: Avoid claims you cannot demonstrate.

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Marketing & measurement

Vanity metric

A measure that looks impressive but is weakly connected to a useful decision or objective.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A report celebrates views while ignoring whether the intended audience understood the offer.

Keep in mind: The same metric can be useful in another context; explain the goal.

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AI & the web

Vanity URL

A customised, recognisable web address rather than a generic or opaque one.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A profile uses a name-based URL that is easier to remember.

Keep in mind: A neat address is useful, but does not establish authenticity on its own.

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Platforms & communities

Verified badge

A platform marker indicating that an account meets that platform's verification or subscription criteria.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A profile shows a badge beside its name.

Keep in mind: Criteria differ and change. A badge does not automatically prove expertise or trustworthiness.

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Internet culture

Vibe coding

An informal term for creating software by describing what you want to an AI coding tool and iterating on its output.

Example & what to watch for

Example: Someone describes a simple app, tests the generated version and asks for changes.

Keep in mind: Working-looking output still needs checks for correctness, security and maintainability.

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Content & creators

Video resolution

The pixel dimensions of a video frame.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A vertical export uses a frame measuring 1080 by 1920 pixels.

Keep in mind: Higher dimensions do not repair blurry source footage or automatically make a video look better.

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AI & the web

Viewport

The area of a document currently visible through a browser window or device display.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A phone shows a narrower part of a page than a laptop window.

Keep in mind: Zoom can change the visible area. Screen size and the page's layout viewport are not always the same.

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Tools & services

Vine

A former short-looping-video service with lasting influence on internet humour and creator culture.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A compilation references a familiar Vine joke.

Keep in mind: Historical platform. An old Vine tutorial is not a current publishing workflow, and archive availability is a separate question.

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Internet culture

Viral

Describing content that spreads quickly through sharing and recommendation.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A small account's clip is shared far beyond its usual audience.

Keep in mind: There is no universal view count that makes something viral.

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Content & creators

Vlog

A video-based personal account, journal or series of updates.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A founder records a weekly update about building a product.

Keep in mind: A vlog can be planned and edited; it does not have to be a livestream.

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AI & the web

VoIP

Voice over Internet Protocol: carrying voice calls over IP networks.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A business makes calls through an internet calling service.

Keep in mind: Call quality and availability depend on the network and service.

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AI & the web

VR

Virtual reality: an immersive experience of a simulated environment.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A headset lets someone explore a computer-generated space.

Keep in mind: The experience and equipment vary; VR is not synonymous with every 3D image.

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Internet culture

VSCO dog

A playful meme applying accessories associated with the VSCO-girl aesthetic to dogs.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A dog appears beside a scrunchie in a VSCO-dog joke.

Keep in mind: A pet's comfort matters more than recreating an aesthetic.

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Internet culture

VSCO girl

A fashion and lifestyle stereotype associated with the VSCO app and a recognisable casual aesthetic.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A historical meme describes scrunchies and reusable bottles as a VSCO-girl look.

Keep in mind: The label is a cultural shorthand, not an accurate profile of everyone using the app.

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Content & creators

Watch time

The amount of time viewers spend watching content within a defined reporting scope.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A report shows that viewers spent a total of two hours watching a video.

Keep in mind: Total watch time and average watch time answer different questions.

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AI & the web

WCAG

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines: recommendations for making web content more accessible.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A team checks keyboard access and readable contrast against the guidelines.

Keep in mind: A checklist or automated score alone does not establish full conformance.

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Internet culture

WCW

“Woman crush Wednesday”: a hashtag convention for sharing admiration for a woman on Wednesday.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A fan highlights an admired artist with #WCW.

Keep in mind: Keep admiration respectful and avoid implying a personal relationship.

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AI & the web

Web performance

How quickly and smoothly web content loads, responds and runs.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A dictionary opens promptly and filters without noticeable delay.

Keep in mind: Assess actual user experience alongside technical measurements.

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AI & the web

Web standards

Shared specifications defining how web technologies should work.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A site uses standard HTML rather than a browser-specific feature.

Keep in mind: Implementation and support can differ between browsers.

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AI & the web

Web3

A broad label for web projects that emphasise blockchains, tokens or decentralised ownership and participation.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A project describes its token-based community as Web3.

Keep in mind: The label is contested and does not guarantee openness, security or financial value.

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AI & the web

WebGL

A browser graphics API for interactive two- and three-dimensional rendering.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A browser displays an interactive 3D product preview.

Keep in mind: Device support and performance can vary; provide a usable fallback.

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AI & the web

Webhook

An automated notification sent to another system when a specified event happens.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A store sends a purchase event to an automation when an order completes.

Keep in mind: Verify the event and handle retries so it is not processed twice.

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Content & creators

WebM

An open media container format used for web video and audio.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A browser plays a video supplied as a WebM file.

Keep in mind: Container support and codec support are separate checks.

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Content & creators

WebP

An image format supporting lossy and lossless compression.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A website serves a compressed cover as WebP.

Keep in mind: Check destination support and the actual quality of your export.

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AI & the web

WebRTC

Browser technology supporting real-time audio, video and data communication.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A web app supports a video call without a separate native app.

Keep in mind: Camera and microphone access require appropriate permission.

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AI & the web

WebSocket

A protocol maintaining a connection so client and server can exchange data without a new request each time.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A live dashboard receives updates over an open connection.

Keep in mind: Persistent connections still need authentication and error handling.

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Content & creators

WebVTT

A text-track format for time-aligned captions, subtitles and other media information.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A video loads captions from a VTT file.

Keep in mind: Review timing and transcription; having a file does not guarantee useful captions.

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Tools & services

WeChat

A messaging and services platform supporting multiple kinds of communication and interactions.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A person uses WeChat to keep in touch with a group.

Keep in mind: Features, account types and availability depend on the market and service rules.

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Tools & services

WhatsApp

A messaging service used for private and group conversations, calls and other communication formats.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A person shares an update with an existing group on WhatsApp.

Keep in mind: Business messaging, channels and personal Status have different rules and audiences.

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AI & the web

World Wide Web

The system of linked resources accessed over the internet using web technologies.

Example & what to watch for

Example: You open a dictionary webpage in a browser.

Keep in mind: The web is part of the internet, not a synonym for every internet service.

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Internet culture

Writing hand emoji

The writing-hand symbol, ✍️, used to represent taking notes or jokingly recording a useful point.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “Check the link before sharing ✍️” presents the advice as worth noting.

Keep in mind: It is a reaction convention, not proof that the person is actually writing.

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Tools & services

X (Twitter)

The social platform formerly named Twitter, associated with posts, conversations and real-time discussion.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An older article says Twitter while a current link opens X.

Keep in mind: Older labels such as tweet may persist in ordinary conversation; verify current features separately.

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AI & the web

XML

A markup language for structuring and describing data.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A sitemap lists webpage addresses in XML.

Keep in mind: XML structure does not by itself define the meaning of every field.

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Internet culture

XYZBCA

A hashtag used in attempts to gain TikTok visibility, without a stable descriptive topic meaning.

Example & what to watch for

Example: An old caption appends #XYZBCA to an unrelated video.

Keep in mind: Using it does not guarantee recommendation or increased views.

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Internet culture

Yeet

An exclamation associated with enthusiasm or throwing something; also a verb meaning to throw forcefully.

Example & what to watch for

Example: “I almost yeeted the empty box into the recycling.”

Keep in mind: Informal and often exaggerated. Do not apply the joke to hurting people or animals.

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Internet culture

YMCA

Young Men's Christian Association; online references also often point to the song and its recognisable dance.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A dance meme spells YMCA with arm movements.

Keep in mind: An acronym explanation does not imply association with the organisation or permission to use the song.

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Tools & services

YouTube

A video platform supporting published videos, Shorts, livestreams and other viewing experiences.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A viewer opens a creator's channel to watch a tutorial.

Keep in mind: Format rules and monetisation eligibility change; this definition is not a current eligibility checklist.

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Internet culture

YT

Often shorthand for YouTube; in some social conversations, a phonetic spelling of “white”.

Example & what to watch for

Example: A creator says “full video on YT”, while a different discussion uses YT about identity.

Keep in mind: These meanings are not interchangeable; use the surrounding sentence and avoid guessing someone's identity.

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