Algospeak

Algospeak is the use of coded expressions to evade automated moderation algorithms on social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube. It is used to discuss topics deemed sensitive to moderation algorithms while avoiding penalties such as shadow banning. A type of internet slang,[1] Calhoun and Fawcett described it as a "linguistic self-censorship".[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][excessive citations]

The term algospeak is a blend of Algorithm and -speak;[10] it is also known as slang replacement or Voldemorting,[8] referencing the fictional character known as "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named".[11] Algospeak is different from other types of netspeak in that its primary purpose is to avoid moderation, rather than to create communal identity. However, algospeak may still be used in online communities.[1]

In 2022, Forbes reported that almost a third of American social media users reported using "emojis or alternative phrases" to subvert content moderation.[12]

  1. ^ a b Steen, Ella; Yurechko, Kathryn; Klug, Daniel (September 2023). "You Can (Not) Say What You Want: Using Algospeak to Contest and Evade Algorithmic Content Moderation on TikTok". Social Media + Society. 9 (3). doi:10.1177/20563051231194586. ISSN 2056-3051.
  2. ^ Kendra, Alexia; Calhoun, Fawcett (December 30, 2023). ""They Edited Out her Nip Nops": Linguistic Innovation as Textual Censorship Avoidance on TikTok". Language@Internet. 21: 1–30.
  3. ^ Lorenz, Taylor (8 April 2022). "Internet 'algospeak' is changing our language in real time, from 'nip nops' to 'le dollar bean'". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  4. ^ Delkic, Melina (2022-11-19). "Leg Booty? Panoramic? Seggs? How TikTok Is Changing Language". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  5. ^ Kreuz, Roger J. (13 April 2023). "What is 'algospeak'? Inside the newest version of linguistic subterfuge". The Conversation. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  6. ^ "From Camping to Cheese Pizza, 'Algospeak' is Taking over Social Media". Forbes. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  7. ^ Klug, Daniel; Steen, Ella; Yurechko, Kathryn (2022). "How Algorithm Awareness Impacts Algospeak Use on TikTok". Companion Proceedings of the ACM Web Conference 2022. pp. 234–237. doi:10.1145/3543873.3587355. ISBN 9781450394192. S2CID 258377709. Retrieved 2 January 2024.
  8. ^ a b Stano, Simona (2022). "Linguistic guerrilla warfare 2.0: On the "forms" of online resistance". Rivista Italiana di Filosofia del Linguaggio (2022: SFL - Language, powers, rights (eds. A. Bertollini & S. Garello)). doi:10.4396/2022SFL13. ISSN 2036-6728.
  9. ^ Ifeanyi, KC (2022-10-31). "Decoding what algospeak really means for Content Creators". Fast Company.
  10. ^ Kireeva, Anna (2022). "Neologisms: Sociolinguistic Approach". SSRN Electronic Journal. doi:10.2139/ssrn.4232119. ISSN 1556-5068.
  11. ^ McCulloch, Gretchen. "Welcome to Voldemorting, the Ultimate SEO Dis". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2024-08-12.
  12. ^ Levine, Alexandra S. "From Camping To Cheese Pizza, 'Algospeak' Is Taking Over Social Media". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-08-27.