Instagram is among the most popular social networking services in the world since it has over one billion active users per month. Social media marketing is on the rise, and, therefore, people, especially influencers and businesses, use Instagram as a marketing channel.
Because of this, it is important to understand some common symbols and abbreviations present on the platform like ST and TM. In this blog post, let’s understand what these acronyms or symbols are, and their relevance on Insta.
If you have used Instagram you must have come across the ST and TM symbols, do you have any idea what they intend?
It is important to understand when exactly ST and TM are used; whether in a post or in a message on Instagram or in a conversation. Here’s how to interpret them.
How To Interpret “ST” And “TM” Mean On Instagram?
ST (Story)
If you come across a tag ST on Instagram, it may mean a social media account’s Instagram Story. Instagram Stories are temporary posts that can be in the form of images and graphics, videos and texts among others. IG Stories are only available for 24 hours before they are deleted from the user’s IG account. Users employ Stories to post real-life episodes and statuses or even to interact with the audience. Thus, they mean Instagram when they say things like “Check out my ST.”
TM (Tag Me)
TM is rare and is used to refer to Tag Me. On Instagram, tagging refers to the process of pointing out or informing another user of your status update or comment you are making. It is a means of sourcing audience approval, complimenting a person, or simply making them notice that you have written them a post. Thus, when you see somebody writing “TM” in your comment section, they might want you to tag them.
Importance Of Acronyms, Symbols, And Emojis On Instagram
Instagram is a social application that shares pictures and videos of someone for those people who tend that account to see. People post in reels, photos, and stories, while people still use comments, likes, and emojis to show how they feel. The users of Instagram discover several other icons and abbreviations apart from basic features like likes and comments on the posts.
What Else Could ST Mean On Instagram?
Depending on what context is used when posting on Instagram, ST can have several meanings, represented by the following options.
Swipe Up: Occasionally, a user will remind their audience via ST that the only way to check out something extra or a link is by swiping up on the story. Many IG account holders use this with the swipe-up facility activated alongside it.
Shoutout: ST can also mean Shoutout when a user recommends or features another user’s page, content, or account in their posts or stories.
Shoot: In a broader perspective, it may mean “Shoot” an abbreviation that is used in photography or filming.
What Are The Other Possible Meanings For TM On Instagram?
TM can represent different meanings on Instagram depending on the context. Here are a few possibilities.
Trade Mark: TM can mean Trade Mark in a different sense. Individuals can employ it when talking about trademarks, copyrights, or any other intellectual property when marketing or talking about branded products.
Text Message: Sometimes, especially in a conversation between two people, TM stands for Text Message. In other cases, it is relatively rare but can mean that a person wants to keep talking on other media instead of IG.
Team: In some cases, TM may stand for Team as the abbreviation of the full name of the project team. For instance, when a person wants to express support for that specific team, he or she may write TM (Team Name).
What Does TM (Trademark) Mean On Instagram?
On the Instagram platform, TM is short for “Trademark”. It proves that a word, phrase, logo, or symbol is a trademark belonging to one business or an individual.
Those using Instagram should know that ‘TM’ means someone owns the post content and one cannot use it or replicate it without permission. For instance, in the event the user uploads a picture of a product with the “TM” sign beside the brand name, the brand owner has the legal right in defense of the trademark, and the brand is trademarked.
How Does One Place TM (Trademark) On Instagram?
- Open Instagram on a browser then go to the app store and download and install it.
- Unlock the application, and subsequently, create an account with the community work email address.
- The name of your trademark must be entered when requested to input a username.
- You are also free to crop your photos by using the +Photo option or upload your brand’s logo.
What Does The Story (ST) On The Social Network Instagram Mean?
In the context of Instagram users, “ST” is the short name of the “Story”. The social site Instagram contains a Service called Stories and allows its users to post pictures and videos that disappear after 24 hours. The “ST” icon, which means that the follower has new stories to check out, appears on a profile picture after the user has posted a story.
Viewers also can reply to users via direct messages and know who has viewed their story. Overall, storytelling is a great method for a user to engage and share information with their followers and reveal themselves or their brand.
Is ST (Story) An Efficient Way To Use The Abbreviation On The Instagram Platform?
To achieve the following goals and better navigate the platform, you should use the features of the ST (Story) section successfully. The following tips about the effective utilization of ST are provided below:
Share Authentic Stories: Use Stories as a way of posting about companies or individuals behind the scenes, teasers, glimpses, or just sheer posts about a personal life. Be organic in the content that you are producing because it garners many followers.
Use Polls and Questions: To keep your audience hooked make sure to include polls, questions, or quizzes into your Stories.
Highlight Important Updates: Say Stories to draw straightforward attention to important messages and let new reels, promotions product launches, etc. These can be time-sensitive – that is, their resolution cannot wait.
Create Story Highlights: Save your greatest Stories as Highlights, so your followers can view your content even if you remove it after 24 hours.
Here Are A Few Examples Of Some Of The More Often-Used Acronyms Or Abbreviations On Instagram
Just like any other social platform, there is a list of shortened names and unique ways of expressing things on Instagram. Here are other standard abbreviations you encounter on Instagram.
- IG: Short for “Instagram.”
- IGTV: Instagram’s long-form video platform.
- DM: Direct Message, used for private messaging.
- FOMO: Fear Of Missing Out, referring to the anxiety of missing out on something interesting.
- TBH: To Be Honest is often used when someone wants to be candid.
- FBF or Flashback Friday: Posting a photo or memory from the past on a Friday.
- MCM or WCW: Man Crush Monday or Woman Crush Wednesday, where users post about someone they admire.
- OOTD: Outfit Of The Day, showcasing your daily fashion style.
- TBT: Throwback Thursday for sharing old photos or memories.
- FF: Follow Friday, recommending other users to follow.
- BRB: Be Right Back, indicating a temporary absence.
- SMH: Shaking My Head, expressing disbelief or disapproval.
- YOLO: You Only Live Once, often used to justify taking risks or trying new things.
- ICYMI: In Case You Missed It, used to draw attention to important posts.
- ROFL or LOL: Rolling On the Floor Laughing or Laugh Out Loud, expressing laughter.
Conclusion
In general, there is nothing wrong with thinking about “ST” and “TM” for anyone who uses Instagram in their personal or working life. The users may apply all these acronyms in order to maximize their communication with followers and continue reading this article to find several helpful tips.
