Algospeak: How Social Media Is Transforming the Future of Language is a 2025 non-fiction book by linguist and content creator Adam Aleksic, known online as Etymology Nerd. It explores various linguistic phenomena on the internet, including algospeak, internet slang, and linguistic innovations driven by social media algorithms.[1][2][3]
The book primarily argues that the internet and social media are driving many of recent linguistic innovations, and even crossing over to the offline world.[4] The book covers how social media algorithms—the system that determines which content will be shown to the user—drive content creators to optimize their expression for greater reach.[1] Aleksic argues for an expanded definition of algospeak to encapsulate this new way of social media-influenced expression, going beyond its original definition of the use of coded expressions to evade automated content moderation.[1]
Reception
Our Culture listed Algospeak on its list of most anticipated books set to release in the summer of 2025.[7]Kirkus Reviews commented that the book is "an insightful and entertaining examination of social media’s impact on how we speak."[4]New Scientist opined that while the book will quickly be outdated, "The underlying insights on how technology shapes language, however, will stay relevant."[1] Aleksic's writing was described as "personable and knowledgeable" in a review for the Associated Press, which also endorsed the book's balance between academic rhetoric and an accessible style.[8]
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