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Choppy surfing: The Internet initialisms that cause the most confusion

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Choppy surfing: The Internet initialisms that cause the most confusion

There are currently only three emojis with glasses – Copyright AFP TENGKU Bahar

The use of social media and the web in general is awash with odd sayings and initialisms. Sometimes they leave users a little confused.  Social media experts at How Sociable analysed Google searches for common Internet initialisms (How Sociable call these “acronyms” although many do not actually form words).  

The company analysed the number of searches for each standalone initialisms combined with ‘what does acronym mean’, ‘acronym meaning’ and ‘what does acronym stand for’ to find which ones confuse people the most. This search was undertaken from a U.K. user perspective.

This revealed that ‘POV’ was found to be the most confusing initialism, with around 100,541 searches per month. The initialism is well-known among writers and photographers to stand for ‘Point Of View’.  

Over the past year, use of the initialism has appeared to go viral on TikTok and Instagram posts. While it was originally used by content creators to refer to videos shot from the first-person viewer perspective, the term has since been misappropriated by some creators to refer to any skit centring around a person in an uncomfortable or awkward situation. An example of the initialism used within a caption would be, ‘POV: It’s going out time and your date is late.’  

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‘SMH’ was found to be the second most confusing initialism, with 69,850 searches per month on average. The term, which stands for ‘Shaking My Head’, is commonly used online in situations where someone is disappointed or frustrated with the conversation or another person.  

‘SMH’ often features in forums where emojis or other icons are not deployed, such as Reddit, or during online gaming chats on Twitch or Roblox. For iPhone and Android users, typing this acronym over text prompts the Face Palm emoji, which shows a person covering their face in disappointment. 

Coming in as the third most confusing initialism with 36,881 total searches per month is ‘NSFW’. This can mean either ‘Not Safe For Work’ or ‘Not Suitable For Work’ and is used online to indicate text or imagery that is explicit in nature or something that would be considered embarrassing or inappropriate to see or read in public. 

The 20 most Googled initialism in the UK are: 

            Acronym          Meaning  UK Average Monthly Search Volume  
        POV      “Point of View”                                           100,541.67  
        SMH      “Shaking My Head”                                             69,850.00  
        NSFW      “Not Safe For Work”                                             36,881.67  
        LMAO      “Laughing My Ass Off”                                             24,804.17  
        TLDR      “Too Long; Didn’t Read”                                             21,534.17  
        IMO      “In My Opinion”                                             20,423.33  
        AWOL      “Absent Without Leave”                                             20,141.67  
        DM      “Direct Message”                                             19,075.00  
        TBH      “To Be Honest”                                             16,773.33  
        BTW      “By The Way”                                             16,667.50  
        BAE      “Before Anyone Else”                                             13,956.67  
        TMI      “Too Much Information”                                             12,809.17  
        AFK      “Away From Keyboard”                                             11,971.67  
        FYI      “For Your Information”                                             11,774.17  
        IRL      “In Real Life”                                             11,236.67  
        LOL      “Laugh Out Loud”                                             11,118.33  
        TTYL      “Talk To You Later”                                             11,011.67  
        YOLO      “You Only Live Once”                                             10,962.50  
        LMK      “Let Me Know”                                             10,897.50  
        IDK      “I Don’t Know”                                   10,697.50 

Looking at the table, ‘LMAO’ is the fourth most confusing online initialism with 24,804 searches per month on average. The term, which is short for ‘Laughing my ass off’ is typically used online in response to amusing content or situations.  

The fifth most confusing online acronym in the UK is ‘TLDR’ with 21,534 searches per month on average. Meaning ‘Too long; Didn’t Read,’ the term is typically used to preface a simple summary of a longer piece. 

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.

The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.

According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.

Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.

Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.

The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.

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This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.

Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.

As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?

Only time will tell.

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.

When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.

“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.

Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.

“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.” 

“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.

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“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.

Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.

As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.

That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.

Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.

That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.

Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.

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Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.

We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.

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