What does DM mean?

A DM is most popularly known as a texting acronym that has also become social media slang.

The term gained much of its popularity on Facebook and Twitter when they first set up their messaging services.

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What does DM mean?

DM stands for "direct message."

Big Commerce defines the term as: "...a private form of communication between social media users that is only visible to the sender and recipient(s). Online businesses communicating with customers often use direct messages to clarify order details, answer complex product questions, or resolve disputes out of the public eye."

The term is interchangeable with PM, which stands for "private message."

PM became popular on Facebook while DM's origins are associated mostly with Twitter but the two have since been used on all forms of social media websites including Instagram.

How do I send a DM?

DM's are sent in different ways on all social media platforms.

Facebook:

1. Click the messenger button in the left menu
2. Click start a new message
3. Type in the name or names of the people you want to send a message to
4. Select the person
5. Type the message and hit send

You can also download the Facebook Messenger app from the Google Play or App Store to easily access and send messages from your phone.

Twitter:

1. Click the envelop icon
2. Click the message icon to create a new message
3. Enter the name or username of the users you want to send a message to
4. Type your message
5. Add any GIF, photo, or video
6. Click the paper airplane to send

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Instagram:

1. Open Instagram
2. Tap the pencil and paper icon in the top right corner
3. Search for the user you want to message
4. Click chat
5. Type your message
6. Hit send

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How do businesses use DMs?

With social media playing a big role in how people get their information and send out feedback, businesses have added the use of DM's to their business practices.

One way businesses use DMs is to respond to negative feedback.

No company wants to have negative posts linked to their businesses.

As a result, companies will often hire social media managers who sort through comments on different platforms and use DM's to respond to negative comments to try and make the customer's experience with the company better.

Another way businesses use DMs is to communicate with customers when they are having problems.

When a customer tweets, comments, or DMs a company with a question, comment, or concern, DMs can be used by the company to interact with the customer to try and help them.

Many companies will reply to tweets or posts with: "Could you DM us your order number or problem so we can look into that for you?"