AFFILIATEThis is a website, company, or marketing program that enables fee-paid links to other
websites in order to drive traffic to their sites in exchange for commission
AGGREGATORThis software or website gathers (“aggregates”) information from various sites and
sources, like news, videos, polls, reviews (for books, movies, etc.), or search (can organize search results, etc.) into a consolidated view
APPS(A nickname for “applications”) These mobile Web applications are software programs that facilitate searches by topic. They were designed for handheld Web-enabled digital
devices like Kindle and iPad, as well as smartphones like the iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, etc.
BLOGThis is the accessible online journal of a person, corporation, or association, normally
encouraging interaction with its readers through a forum for comments
BROWSERThis software application allows web pages to be displayed and then found by users
conducting Internet searches or “browsing the Web.” Some browsers are Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera, Safari, among others
CHAT & TEXT ACRONYMSThis is a list of commonly used shorthand for text messaging and online chatting, such
as “121” for “one-to-one,” “AITR” for “adult in the room,” or “CSN” for “chuckle, snicker, grin.” See handy list at http://www.netlingo.com/acronyms.php
COMMENTThis is what followers do when they post (place) their opinion on websites, blogs,
microblogs, and so on
CROWDSOURCINGUnlike social bookmarking, these are sites that share news stories and other types of information, not just the links to those sites. These include Reddit, Mixx, Gabbr, etc.
DOWNLOADThis is how users copy files, images, music, etc. to their digital devices, such as
computers, mp3s, etc. See upload
FACEBOOK FAN PAGEThis Facebook page lets website owners increase traffic by establishing a loyal fan base of people who show their support by clicking the “Like” button. Search engines notice
fan pages and that helps improve a website’s ranking.
FLOGThis fake blog is sponsored, but is written as if it were a personal, unbiased blog. See
example in chapter 10
ADWORDS®These are keywords used as ads. In the US, advertiser pays Google who then shares
the proceeds with the website owners. In the UK, advertiser pays to place ads in relevant search results driven by keywords in the content.
ANALYTICSThis is a free analytical service by Google for all website owners so they can track
visitors in various ways: by volume, geography, dates, etc.
HASHTAGThis sign, a pound sign, is what Twitter users add before a word to categorize their tweets (140- character comments). Today people use hashtags to show a sense of humor, irony, coolness or to billboard a word, like “#Pound award!” It’s crept into
everyday speech with people saying, “Hashtag sorry I’m late.”
HTMLHyperText Markup Language – This is the language “code” or “source code” website
programmers and designers use to indicate how the website and its pages should appear (italics, bold, indented, etc.)
HYPERLINKThese are website links that are included (“embedded”) to appear as buttons or
underlined text and allow users to click-thru to other sites
IMThis is the abbreviation for “Instant Messaging” and represents real-time digital
(online and mobile) communication
LANDING PAGEThis is a web page that acts like an ad and invites people to take action, like placing an
order or subscribing to a blog, newsletter, e-store, etc.
KEYWORDThese main words in copy are used to help search engines track site content and
traffic. Also known as “Key Term” or “Tag”
MEDIA NEWSROOMThis kind of web page targets members of the press and provides information to
facilitate coverage
NAVIGATIONThis is how users move around websites. The simpler the navigation, the better the
online experience
OPT-INThis is how consumers request information from a company or individual. They could
subscribe to receive the information for free or for a fee.
PAY-PER-CLICK (PPC)This advertising service allows sponsors to generate income each time a user clicks on
a hyperlink. See Adwords®
PERMALINKAlso known as a permanent link, this is a URL that links to a specific news story or
posting. Permalinks are commonly used for blog entries, so followers can get right to that specific post and not have to scroll through the entire site.
PINGThis is a test to see if the Internet is working. The Ping site (http://ping.fm) provides connectivity so consumers can post on one social networking site and the others are
updated automatically.
PLATFORMS(1) Executional platform – This describes the Internet as a technologically driven environment allowing the execution of programs and ideas via websites
(2) Developmental platform – This shows users have used the Internet as building blocks to create new connections and interactions
(3) Personal or brand platform – This identifies what you, your firm, or your client are famous for, such as your main message, hook, big idea, or slogan. Ex: political candidates’ platforms that portray their beliefs.
PLATFORMS(4) Media platforms – This includes all communication vehicles: digital, print, broadcast, interactive, etc.
(5) Social media platforms – These social networking sites and aggregators let you: a. Network (Facebook, LinkedIn, Meet The Boss) b. Share (Digg, Delicious, Flickr, Tumblr, StumbleUpon, foursquare). See Social Networkingc. Promote (YouTube, vidcasts, podcasts, blogs)
PLATFORM NEUTRALThis demonstrates the ability to be understood or used regardless of the media vehicle. Here are a few examples:
a. PDF (Portable Document Format) file can be read by any computer, whether it’s PC-based or a Mac-based operating systemb. Advertising ideas that can work equally well in all mediac. Programs, like Flash, that run on all computer systems
PLOGThis kind of blog has a few meanings
a. A political blogb. A photo blogc. A personal, not corporate, blog
PODCASTSThese user-created digital audio recordings allow consumers to present their own
speeches, programs, workshops, musical performances, etc. for people to download to their computers or other digital devices and play at their convenience
RSS FEEDS(Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary) This digital format allows users to publish and broadcast (syndicate) frequently updated information like blog posts,
news reports, financial news, etc. as web feeds
SEARCH ENGINEThese are applications that search for information using keywords and allow users to
find web pages
SEARCH ENGINE RESULTS PAGES(SERPs) These web pages display the statistics gathered from searches that show
keywords and where they appeared (on which sites).
SEARCH PORTAL SITEThis search engine site allows users to search the Internet, like Google, Yahoo, etc.
SHAREThis is how users send others links to and examples of their favorite finds, from
photos, music, information, websites, blogs, etc.
SOCIAL BOOKMARKINGThis allows users to save their favorite sites on a site other than their own. Many social bookmarking sites become popular sources of shared information like Digg, Delicious, and Shelfari. StumbleUpon recommends popular sites others have “stumbled upon.”
SOCIAL NETWORKINGThese sites enable users to interact with each other for many reasons, like to stay in
touch, network, promote themselves, and share information, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, foursquare, MySpace, FriendFeed, Flickr, Tumblr, StumbleUpon, Digg,
Delicious, Shelfari, Friendster, Naymz, among many others.
SPAMMINGThese unsolicited e-mail messages are usually sent as an online promotional or
advertising message
STREAMINGOn the Internet, it means broadcasting something as it is happening or “in real time,” like streaming video.
In media, it’s the difference between media that is being updated, like radio and television, versus non-streaming, non-changing media, like books, CDs, DVDs, etc.
SWICKIThis is a social search portal like Google that anyone can create from their website, so
users can learn more about a specific topic and search right from the same site
SYNDICATEThis describes the act of distributing and making available sections of websites on
other sites or to opted-in subscribers
TAGSThese are words that put blog posts, websites, etc. into categories for easy search
engine recognition
TWITTERThis popular micro blog site and real-time short messaging service limits each post or
“tweet” to 140 characters
UPLOADThis is how users transfer files, images, music, etc. from their digital devices to the
Internet. See download
URLThis is each website’s actual name and Internet address that describes the location
and access method of a site
VODCASTSThese online videos can be user-created or produced by corporations to showcase a
talent, highlight a product, or show news, among other video “stories”
WEBINARSThese online seminars let people participate in a program in real time. They often
download the PowerPoint presentation and follow along as the presenter delivers the workshop.
WIDGET (Badge or Gadget)Tiny pieces of HTML code that appear as icons and:a. Allow portions of website information to be syndicated (distributed and available on other computers)b. Enable interactivity
WIKIThese websites allow users to post, update and edit, like Wikipedia or Webopedia, and can be used by open or restricted collaborators who want to share research on specific
topics, work on corporate projects, etc.
WORDPRESSAn easy-to-use web content management program that has syndication and widget capability already built in. Users can update data without using HTML code and can
readily expand their digital footprint through the use of social media.