Atom Feed - A format of feeds developed as an alternative to RSS using an XML file. Web feeds allow software programs to check for updates published on a web site. Specialized software publishes a list (the "feed") of recent articles or content in a standardized, machine-readable format. The feed can then be downloaded by web sites that syndicate content from the feed, or by feed reader programs. Feeds are a primary way to syndicate content from publishing platforms such as blogs and websites.

Blog - The word blog is derived from “web log,” or a means of simple content management that was originated with the purpose of keeping a log of thoughts and activities and making it public by publishing it online. Blogs are now driving online discussions and have the power to influence public opinion almost in real time, due to their ease of use. Blogs have become an integral part of today’s marketing strategies for large and small business alike.

Blogosphere - Coined in 1999, the term took its origin from the Greek word "logosphere,” logos meaning word, and sphere, interpreted as world. The word has come to mean the interconnectivity of blogs across the Internet, creating a sphere of influence.

Consumer Generated Content (CGC), also known as User Generated Content (UGC) - Refers to kinds of online content created and distributed by people using publishing platforms such as digital video, blogs, podcasting and wikis.

Feedburner - Located at www.feedburner.com, Feedburner provides custom RSS feed and management tools to people who publish web-based content, such as blogs and podcasts.

Feed Reader, also known as a feed aggregator, news reader, or simply an aggregator - Software which allows syndicated web content such as news or blog postings, to be compiled into one location for easy viewing.

Folksonomy, also known as collaborative tagging, social classification, social indexing, social tagging and tagging - A word taken from the classification and organization of the web system known as Taxonomy. Folksonomy is based on users assigning descriptive “tags” to content to aid in categorization. Tags help users of social media categorize content in groups for other users to find more easily.

Forum - A community allowing for a group of users to post questions and answers for discussion and support. Forums cover many topics and allow for ongoing discussions based on common themes.

Glocalisation - A combination of the words “globalization” and “localization.” It refers to the global scale of the Internet and the need and desire for people to find information related to their local geographic area.

IP Address - A unique number which identifies a computer or system.

Mash Up - A web application that combines data and/or functionality from more than one source.

Optimization - The act of changing the content and technical structure of a web page in order to increase it's rankings in the results pages of search engines and directories.

Ping - A tool that notifies a server that new content has been added, most commonly used by bloggers to when they post new content.

Podcast - An audio file typically containing news or music, made available online for users to download and listen to. Podcasts can be subscribed to and syndicated, allowing them to reach a wide audience.

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) - Like Atom feeds, RSS uses XML to publish content from websites, blogs, podcasts and other platforms in the form of “feeds” for use in a “feed reader” or content “aggregator.”

Server - A computer that holds data to be shared over a network. A server connects computers together and allows them to communicate with each other. All web pages are held on servers, and the server “serves” up the web page when a computer connected to it requests the page.

Spam or Spamming - Any of a number of techniques which often use deceit to cause a search engine to place a greater authority on a site. Examples of Internet spamming include excessive repetition of a keyword in the written content of a page and using invisible text. Most search engines will penalize a page that engages in spamming. The terms spam and spamming also refers to unsolicited email that is often of a commercial nature.

Social Bookmarking -These services allow users to store and tag websites online in a similar manner as traditional browser bookmarking (adding to favorites). These social bookmarks can then be made public and shared with other users.

Social media - A new form of media that allows and encourages social interactions online such as the sharing of ideas and content through social bookmarking, blogs, social networks, wikis, podcasts, and vlogs.

Social network - Social networks are online communities, where users become members and connect with other users in the community based on common interests.

Syndication - Making online content that originates from one source like a website or blog, and making it widely available by publishing via feeds.

Tag Cloud - A visual representation of the tags used on a website, blog or community. In a tag cloud, larger fonts indicate the most popular tags.

Tagging - The process of labeling online content to help classify the content and make searching and sharing easier. You can tag your own content, and in many cases users can tag your content with other descriptors if they share it.

Technorati - Located at www.technorati.com, Technorati indexes blogs like a search engine does for web pages. The name Technorati is a combination of technology and literati, meaning those that are well-versed in technology.

Trackback - A tool that allows web publishers such as bloggers to receive notification when somebody links to one of their documents, allowing them to keep track of who is linking to their content.

Viral - A term that refers to a viral phenomenon, such as a video or other idea that is shared among large numbers of people. The term relates to the spread of cold viruses but has come to mean a spread of information. As a marketer, you want your content to “go viral,” meaning that it has become popular and is shared with no further effort on your part.

Vlog or video blog - A blog with content provided in the form of video rather than text.

Widget - Generally a third-party item that can be embedded in a web page and adds some kind of dynamic content to the page. Web widgets can be many things, including badges, ad distribution methods, links, and images, anything that provides “live,” changing content.

Wiki - Software that that allows users to edit and control content through collaborative means. Wikipedia is probably the best known wiki.

XML (Extensible Markup Language) - A programming language used to encode documents and share data with users being able to define their own elements. It is the basis of the RSS and Atom feeds and syndication that allows for widespread content distribution.