Unalive, mascara, accountant, le dollar bean or corn- all of these words might seem nonsensical to you but they're actually a language popping up on the popular social media platform TikTok.
These words appear completely random but they're a specific vocabulary or language alteration to navigate a platform's content moderation - it's called algospeak.
Let's break it down.
Have you been shadowbanned? Contact the reporter on smeacham@nine.com.au
What is "algospeak"?
It's how social media users alter words on social media to avoid being censored, taken down or banned.
TikTok expert Milovan Savic said it isn't only about avoiding censorship, it can be used to boost audience and content reach.
"For example, users may use euphemisms or code words to discuss sensitive topics like politics, sex, or drugs, in an attempt to evade algorithmic detection or censorship," Savic told 9news.com.au.
"Similarly, they may use certain hashtags or keywords to reach specific audiences or increase their content's visibility."
This isn't new, but we've seen it before with the common "Netflix and Chill" or "420" on Facebook and Instagram and even before that since the "advent internet services".
"Although algospeak may seem like a new phenomenon, particularly in the context of TikTok, where content is distributed to users based on what the algorithm thinks they want to see rather than whom they follow, this practice has actually existed since the advent of internet services, online communities, forums, chat groups, and early social media," Savic said.
"While the advancements in algorithmic content moderation have made algospeak more prevalent, it has been used in various forms since the early days of the internet."
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Who decides on the words?
Savic said it's usually decided on by the community or subculture.
"These terms may arise from a variety of factors, including local slang, shared experiences, or historical context," he said.
"Users may try out different symbols until they find some that achieve their desired outcome, and the uptake of a symbol or term will depend on the specific community from which it originates."
Some terms like "le dollar bean" on TikTok came about from the automated voice that read out video captions.
Originally the $ sign was used to avoid the word lesbian being picked up
Originally, it was "le$bean" in the videos however the voice pronounced the symbol and voila - le dollar bean came about.
Algospeak has taken off to new levels on TikTok due to strict algorithms but "superior" algorithms and the prevalence of shadowbanning.
So, what is shadowbanning?
Well, it doesn't just happen on TikTok, it also occurs on Instagram, but it refers to losing visibility on a platform and not being alerted to it.
The content can still be accessed but it won't have a big reach.
So say you're wondering why your latest TikTok on "accounting" or in other words "sex work" isn't getting the usual views, it's likely due to the platform imposing a shadowban and not sending you a notification to say "hey, that wasn't appropriate".
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This leads to algospeak where users use specific terminology and language to avoid triggering the algorithm to censor the content if it's deemed "inappropriate or offensive".
TikTok said shadowbanning isn't the term used by the company, but that not all content is recommended in the For You feed.
"TikTok's For You Feed shows personalised content to users, and is powered by our recommendation system," the spokesperson said.
"The safety of the TikTok community is our highest priority, and our recommendation system is designed with this in mind.
"This means that not all content is eligible for recommendation, including some from users who are under 16 years of age, overtly sexual content, or content that promotes or mentions alcohol and tobacco.
"Our users sometimes refer to this process as 'shadowbanning', though this is not a term we use."
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Does algospeak change?
Yes, it can given the speed of things evolving on the internet - especially algorithms.
With the prevalence of shadowbanning, terminology may change to keep up with the algorithms.
"As algorithms pick up on existing terms, users are likely to find new ways to circumvent detection," Savic said.
"Rather than having an expiry date, algospeak should be thought of as a constantly evolving language that is the result of the interactions between humans and technology."
A TikTok spokesperson confirmed the platform is working to update its algorithms to moderate some of this content.
"'Algospeak' is not unique to TikTok as it is found across all platforms, and we are constantly updating and improving our moderation practices so that this type of content is captured and removed," the spokesperson said.
Does algospeak and shadowbanning impact specific communities?
Short answer, yes.
Savic said algospeak is helpful for marginalised communities to talk about sensitive subjects for example "le dollar bean" to talk about the lesbian community.
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"In the past, social media algorithms have been accused of being biased or discriminatory, leading to the removal of content that is not actually offensive or harmful," Savic said.
"Algospreak can help users express themselves in a way that is less likely to be flagged, while still conveying the intended meaning to their audience."
Will we see algospeak used in everyday life?
We've seen online languages become widely understood before like "lol" for "laughing out loud" or "yolo" for "you online live one" infiltrating the way some people talk.
Savic said algospeak may not stick around long enough or be understood outside specific communities to enter everyday life.
"Examples of 'accountant' and 'corn' (and many other similar algo-terms) are too context-specific with already established mainstream meanings, which can be difficult to change in the general language use."
But perhaps algospeak will become "community-specific slang" instead of changing the "mainstream language", Savic added.
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