What does “Ratio” mean?

In social media, being "ratioed" occurs when a post receives a significantly higher number of replies, comments, or negative reactions compared to likes, shares, or retweets. This usually indicates that the content has sparked controversy, disagreement, or disapproval from the audience. The term originated on Twitter, where users would notice that controversial posts would often be met with more replies (often critical) than positive engagements.

A post that is ratioed is typically seen as a failure in terms of engagement, as the majority of the reactions are negative or critical.

Example

That tweet about the controversial policy got ratioed hard—more than 1,000 replies and only 100 likes. #Ratioed #Disagreement

What are ways to recognize if a post is being “Ratioed”?

To spot if a post is ratioed, check the engagement numbers. If the post has a large number of replies (often negative or critical) but a significantly lower number of likes or shares, it's likely being ratioed. This is often seen as an indicator that the content didn’t resonate well with the audience or that it sparked strong opposition.

Being ratioed can sometimes result from controversial opinions, misinformation, or unpopular statements.

Pro Tip

If you’re worried about being ratioed, ensure that your posts are well thought out and consider the potential reactions from your audience. Engaging in respectful dialogue and addressing concerns can help prevent a post from being ratioed.