AFFILIATE

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

AGGREGATOR

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

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.

BLOG

BLOGThis is the accessible online journal of a person, corporation, or association, normally

encouraging interaction with its readers through a forum for comments

BOOKMARK

BOOKMARKThis is a method of highlighting and saving links to websites so users can revisit later

BROWSER

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 ACRONYMS

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

CLICK-THROUGH

CLICK-THROUGHThis is when a web user clicks on a hyperlink to another site

COMMENT

COMMENTThis is what followers do when they post (place) their opinion on websites, blogs,

microblogs, and so on

CONTENT

CONTENTThis is the topic expressed in website copy

CROWDSOURCING

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.

DOMAIN NAME

DOMAIN NAMEThis is a site’s name created by website owner

DOWNLOAD

DOWNLOADThis is how users copy files, images, music, etc. to their digital devices, such as

computers, mp3s, etc. See upload

FACEBOOK FAN PAGE

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.

FLOG

FLOGThis fake blog is sponsored, but is written as if it were a personal, unbiased blog. See

example in chapter 10

GOOGLE

GOOGLEThis is a search portal site or search engine that enables users to surf the Web

ADSENSE®

ADSENSE®This is a program where Google places ads on websites and pays owners for

placement

ADWORDS®

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.

ANALYTICS

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.

HASHTAG

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.”

HTML

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.)

HYPERLINK

HYPERLINKThese are website links that are included (“embedded”) to appear as buttons or

underlined text and allow users to click-thru to other sites

IM

IMThis is the abbreviation for “Instant Messaging” and represents real-time digital

(online and mobile) communication

LANDING PAGE

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.

KEYWORD

KEYWORDThese main words in copy are used to help search engines track site content and

traffic. Also known as “Key Term” or “Tag”

MEDIA NEWSROOM

MEDIA NEWSROOMThis kind of web page targets members of the press and provides information to

facilitate coverage

MENU BAR

MENU BARThis allows users to select where they’d like to go next from a “menu” of options listed

NAVIGATION

NAVIGATIONThis is how users move around websites. The simpler the navigation, the better the

online experience

OPT-IN

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)

PAY-PER-CLICK (PPC)This advertising service allows sponsors to generate income each time a user clicks on

a hyperlink. See Adwords®

PERMALINK

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.

PING

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 (Several meanings, see Figure 11.1)

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 NEUTRAL

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

PLOG

PLOGThis kind of blog has a few meanings

a. A political blogb. A photo blogc. A personal, not corporate, blog

PODCASTS

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

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 ENGINE

SEARCH ENGINEThese are applications that search for information using keywords and allow users to

find web pages

SEARCH ENGINE RESULTS 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 SITE

SEARCH PORTAL SITEThis search engine site allows users to search the Internet, like Google, Yahoo, etc.

SEO

SEO(Search Engine Optimization) These are various techniques used to improve website

rankings.

SERVER

SERVERMaster computer that houses and organizes website pages, so other computers can

access them

SHARE

SHAREThis is how users send others links to and examples of their favorite finds, from

photos, music, information, websites, blogs, etc.

SOCIAL BOOKMARKING

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 NETWORKING

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.

SPAMMING

SPAMMINGThese unsolicited e-mail messages are usually sent as an online promotional or

advertising message

STREAMING

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.

SURF

SURFThis is how users look for information or browse and navigate the Web

SWICKI

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

SYNDICATE

SYNDICATEThis describes the act of distributing and making available sections of websites on

other sites or to opted-in subscribers

TAGS

TAGSThese are words that put blog posts, websites, etc. into categories for easy search

engine recognition

TWITTER

TWITTERThis popular micro blog site and real-time short messaging service limits each post or

“tweet” to 140 characters

UPLOAD

UPLOADThis is how users transfer files, images, music, etc. from their digital devices to the

Internet. See download

URL

URLThis is each website’s actual name and Internet address that describes the location

and access method of a site

VIDCASTING (or webcasting)

VIDCASTING (or webcasting)This is the abridged word for video casting

VIRTUAL WORLDS

VIRTUAL WORLDS These alternate universes “live” in cyberspace, like www.secondlife.com

VLOG

VLOGLike a blog, this is the video version of an online journal

VODCASTS

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”

WEB HOST

WEB HOSTThis is a business site that houses and connects websites to the Internet

WEB MASTER (“Meister”)

WEB MASTER (“Meister”)This is the person responsible for designing and maintaining a website

WEBINARS

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)

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

WIKI

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.

WORDPRESS

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.

WORLD WIDE WEB

WORLD WIDE WEBThis is another term for the Internet, commonly known as “the Web.” The letters

“www” are the abbreviation for the World Wide Web