Social Media Vocabulary Quiz
12 multiple-choice questions on social media vocabulary: posts, hashtags, followers, feeds, engagement and going viral. A2–B2 level.
This quiz focuses on how the target vocabulary for Social Media is actually used in context at A2–B2 level, rather than testing bare definitions. Correct answers you will need to identify include terms such as hashtag, viral, influencer, engagement and algorithm, each embedded in a full example sentence so you have to judge meaning from context, not just recognise an isolated word.
Working through all 12 questions and checking the explanations in the FAQ below is a quick way to spot any terms you are still unsure of. Revisiting the quiz again after a day or two, rather than only once, is one of the most reliable ways to move new vocabulary from passive recognition into words you can use confidently yourself in speaking and writing.
Keep building your social media vocabulary.
Social Media Vocabulary — FAQ
What is a 'hashtag'?
A hashtag is a word or phrase preceded by the # symbol, used to categorise content on social media so that it can be found more easily by people searching for that topic. Campaigns often use a specific hashtag to encourage people to share their own related posts.
What does it mean for content to 'go viral'?
Content that goes viral spreads rapidly and widely across social networks, often reaching millions of people within a very short time. A short, entertaining video, for example, might go viral and reach thirty million views within just two days.
What is the difference between a 'follower' and a 'friend' on social media?
A follower is a person who subscribes to someone's account to see their content, and this relationship does not have to be mutual, as is common on platforms like Instagram or TikTok. On platforms built around mutual connections, being 'friends' usually implies both people have agreed to connect with each other.
What is an 'influencer'?
An influencer is a person with a large and engaged following who can affect the purchasing decisions or opinions of their audience. Brands often partner with influencers to promote products to audiences that trust their recommendations.
What does 'engagement' mean on social media?
Engagement refers to the interaction a post receives, including likes, comments, shares and saves. High engagement signals to a platform's algorithm that content is valuable, which often means it gets shown to even more people.
What is a platform's 'algorithm'?
An algorithm is the set of rules a social media platform uses to decide what content to show to each user, based on factors such as past behaviour and engagement. Changes to a platform's algorithm can significantly affect how many people see a person's or brand's posts.
What is a 'story' on social media?
A story is a short-lived piece of content, typically visible for only 24 hours before it disappears, popularised by platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat. Many users document their day through a series of stories rather than permanent posts.
What does 'trending' mean?
Trending describes a topic or piece of content that is currently very popular or being widely discussed across a platform. A topic can start trending quickly after a major event or announcement, as many users post about it at the same time.
What is 'cyberbullying'?
Cyberbullying is the use of online platforms to harass, intimidate or harm other people, and it can include sending threatening messages, spreading rumours or excluding someone from online groups. Many schools now run programmes to help students recognise and report cyberbullying.
Why is 'privacy' important on social media?
Privacy refers to the control a user has over who can see their personal content and information. As data collection by platforms has grown, users have become increasingly concerned about their privacy and about who has access to what they share online.