General Rules:
  • Language continually changes and evolves. With it, terminology and specific spellings and meanings develop for particular words, jargon and new technology.
  • For spellings and rules related to specific terminology usage not outlined in this guide, refer to the following:
    • First to the official AP Stylebook
    • Second to Webster’s New World College Dictionary, Fourth Edition.

Computer File Extensions


Rule: File extensions are considered technical jargon in most cases and are easily avoided by rewriting the sentence. When writing about file formats, though, it is often essential to include the extension.


Rule: When a file extension is essential, put the extension in quotation marks, and give a brief explanation.

  • Example: Installation requires you to download an “.exe” file, a common file type for launching programs.


Rule: When a file extension is being discussed more at length, acronyms are acceptable in almost every instance where you are giving instructions on handling the specific file type.

  • Example: JPG or JPEG files are short for Joint Photographic Experts Group, one of two main types of image compression mechanisms on the Web.
  • Example: JPEG files do not allow you to save the layers within an image; they compress the layers into a simpler file format.


Computer-Related Instructions


Rule: When typing computer-related instructions, enclose any series of keystrokes within quotation marks. 

Rule: Place any punctuation outside the quotation marks – even when it breaks the rule for periods and commas.

  • Type “chkntfs c:”, and hit Enter.


Note: When typing navigation instructions for moving around a website, troubleshooting a computer or software or providing step-by-step instructions, omit quotations around the names of keys and tabs, but use capitalization.

  • Go to the Start Menu. From there, click on Control Panel.


Computer and Technical Terms

The following list outlines common terms focusing on computers and technology. Use these preferred spelling and capitalization in AP that’s provided below.

  • Ajax, not AJAX
  • bit, an abbreviation for binary digits and acceptable in all references
  • byte, a computer word made up of bits, or binary numbers
  • cellphone, not cell phone
  • click-through rate
  • email, not e-mail
  • gigabyte, kilobyte
  • Google
  • Google Plus, not Google+
  • JavaScript
  • Java
  • Internet
  • URL
  • Web
  • Web pages
  • website

Internet and Social Media Terms

The following list of terms contains the preferred spelling and capitalization for terms related to social media.

  • aggregator
  • API
  • app (application on first reference preferred)
  • avatar
  • blog
  • Bluetooth
  • check in
  • click-thrus
  • cloud
  • crowdsourcing
  • curate
  • direct message
  • download
  • e-book
  • e-reader
  • emoticon
  • end user
  • Facebook
  • feed
  • Foursquare
  • friend, follow, like
  • geolocation
  • geotagging
  • Google Plus, not Google+
  • Google, Googling, Googled
  • handle
  • hashtag
  • IM
  • Internet
  • Internet TV
  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • keywords
  • link shortener
  • LinkedIn
  • live-blog
  • mashup
  • mention
  • metadata
  • microsite
  • modified tweet
  • Myspace
  • reply
  • retweet
  • RSS
  • scraping, mirroring
  • search engine optimization, not SEO
  • smartphone
  • social media
  • social media optimization
  • social networks
  • status
  • streaming
  • subscribe
  • tablet
  • tag
  • text messaging, instant messaging
  • trending
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter
  • unfollow
  • unfriend
  • user interface
  • VoIP
  • WAP
  • website, Web, Web page
  • widget
  • Wi-Fi
  • wiki
  • Wikipedia
  • YouTube