DM vs. PM – When Did PM Become DM?

“DM” or “PM”? What’s the difference?

There’s been a clear shift in online vernacular recently. And don’t worry, we’re having trouble keeping up too! What we can do, however, is explain what these abbreviations mean and how they are doing in terms of popularity.

DM vs. PM – When Did PM Become DM?

“PM”, short for “private message”, was the most popular term for instant messages on social media sites like Facebook in 2003 and onwards. In 2013, it was replaced by “DM” or “direct message” after networks like Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat rose in popularity.

Unless you’ve been living under a proverbial rock for the last decade, you’ve almost certainly heard the phrase “slide into my DMs”.

This phrase arose alongside the popularity of newer social media platforms like Instagram, Discord, and Twitter. It promptly replaced the previous terminology for instant messages that was used among Facebook and Reddit users in particular.

“PM” is short for “private message”. It refers to the messaging systems on social media platforms like Facebook. The PM option allowed users to send messages to each other directly, rather than having to converse publicly on the platform.

“DM” is short for “direct message”. It also refers to a user’s ability to communicate with another user directly, rather than through public posts.

In normal conversation, these phrases are pretty much interchangeable. That being said, certain social media users still have their favorite choice between the two.

Which Is Used the Most?

PM has remained the most frequently used phrase as recently as 2019.

If you’re a millennial or Gen Z, you might be surprised to learn that “PM” is still winning the vernacular battle. Nevertheless, the Google Ngram Viewer has made it clear that “PM” is a user favorite overall.

This might be the case because most users maintain that a “direct message” is always going to be private. Older users, in particular, seem to express a moderate disdain for the newer abbreviation.

DM or PM on Instagram?

For Instagram users, “DM” is the go-to phrase for messages on the platform. This might be due to the nature of the platform itself.

Instagram is a free app that allows users to share photos and videos with captions. It’s a highly visual platform but does give user’s the opportunity to leave comments on each other’s content.

Users on Instagram can also show their approval for each other’s posts through a small heart emoticon, which symbolizes a “like”.

Direct messages or “DMs” are private messages that users can send to each other without commenting on any public posts.

The use of the word “direct” may seem most suitable since the alternative is to have a back and forth indirectly in the comments under a photograph or video.

DM or PM on Facebook?

Facebook still uses the phrase “private messages” or “PM”. This, too, may have something to do with the nature of this platform.

In addition to sharing photos and videos with captions, Facebook can be used to share a broader range of media. Users can express their thoughts in a status or share links to various sources.

Facebook is a hub for discussion on numerous topics, often occurring on the “Timeline” of the platform.

In addition to allowing users to comment on each other’s posts, Facebook also allows for a broad range of “reactions”. Users can express their approval or disapproval through a series of emoticons.

A “private message” on this platform may be the most appropriate term since the platform is, by design, a hub where users publish their opinions.

The use of “PM” shows the clear distinction between a Timeline post, with which everyone in the user’s “friend list” can interact, and a message only seen between two or more selected users.

DM or PM on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn makes use of “direct messages” or “DMs”. LinkedIn is an employment-oriented social media platform with various uses.

It can be used as a job-searching site, a site to find potential employees, or a space where professionals can network and share business-related news.

It also allows users to publicize their achievements and career progressions. Other users can react in various, professional ways to these public posts.

A “direct message”, on this platform, may be the most suitable phrase. It speaks to the direct link between potential employers and a talented pool of applicants.

DM or PM on WhatsApp?

Users of WhatsApp tend to use “DM” and “PM” interchangeably. By design, WhatsApp is less of a social media site and more of an instant messaging platform

It allows users to send secured messages to each other through various devices. It does not come with its own “feed” or “timeline” where users can permanently publish content.

So, the messages on WhatsApp are both direct and private.

Final Thoughts

Although “DM” is used on more recent popular social media sites like Twitter and Instagram, “PM” remains the most popular abbreviation referring to direct, private messages. “PM” is used by users on older sites like Facebook but remains the most used phrase overall.