Social Media and Consumer Behavior Flashcards

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering how social media platforms influence the modern consumer journey, psychological triggers, and transactional shifts.

Discovery Phase

The beginning of the consumer journey that has shifted from outbound marketing to a model where products dynamically find consumers through algorithmic content delivery.

Algorithmic Content Delivery

A system that uses precise data tracking, such as brief pauses on videos or casual searches, to populate a user's feed with tailor-made advertisements.

Social Proof

The human tendency to rely on the behavior of others to dictate their own actions, amplified by peer reviews, unboxing videos, and viral trends.

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

A psychological phenomenon where a product becomes a symbol of cultural inclusion, driving consumers to buy to feel connected to a global digital moment.

Influencers

Content creators who bridge the gap between celebrity endorsements and word-of-mouth recommendations by cultivating deep, para-social relationships with their audiences.

Para-social Relationships

One-sided connections where followers perceive content creators as trusted friends because of intimate glimpses shared into their daily lives.

Micro-influencers

Content creators with smaller, highly dedicated followings whose perceived reliability gives them potent control over niche markets.

Transaction Friction

The delay or difficulty in completing a sale, such as navigating to external websites or inputting payment details, which historically provided a window for rational reflection.

Social Commerce

Native platform features, such as integrated storefronts and "Swipe Up" links, that allow consumers to purchase items with a single tap while scrolling.

Throwaway Culture

A cycle of unsustainable consumption where items are celebrated briefly and then discarded as algorithms and trends rotate rapidly.