A bangtag is a textual symbol beginning with an exclamation point or bang (!). Bangtags are similar in purpose to hashtags and slashtags. The purpose of a bangtag is to alert the user to the content of a link included in a tweet or status update. Applications that display tweets or status updates could interpret the bangtags and display appropriate warnings or alerts. Think of them as a ratings system for links in status updates, akin to those used for movies, TV and video games. This is particularly useful for links that have been compressed using a service like bitly.com.
Why use a bangtag instead of a hashtag? First, hashtags are not standardized, whereas bangtags will be standardized by definition. Second, the exclamation mark has an imperative connotation that the hashmark—and the slashmark, for that matter—do not have.
Basic bangtags should be very short, one or two characters at most, allowing multiple basic bangtags to be combined into one tag. For example, "!vn" means "video and/containing nudity."
Bangtags can also be used to indicate the language or locality of the content. Use the standard codes for countries and languages.
# represents a positive integer number.
| Defined Bangtags | |
|---|---|
| !#m !#g |
Approximate size of download. |
| !13 | Content may be inappropriate for children under 13. |
| !a | Audio. |
| !b | High-bandwidth content (other than audio or video) or large data file.1 |
| !d | Download: Content will attempt to download file(s) upon visiting. |
| !e | "Else": Posted by someone other than the person represented by the account (a staffer or secretary, e.g.) |
| !f | Requires Flash (especially newer versions that may require an update).2 |
| !g | Multiple or excessive graphics. |
| !i | Requires Internet Explorer or may render improperly on non-Explorer browsers.3 |
| !j | JavaScript or scripting errors. |
| !jv | Requires Java. |
| !l | Runs in or supports Linux. |
| !m | May not work properly on mobile devices. |
| !mac | Runs on or supports MacOS. |
| !n | Nudity. |
| !o | Offensive or derogatory content or language. |
| !p | Pop-up, pop-over or pop-under windows or advertising. |
| !r | Registration required to access content. |
| !s | Sexual content. |
| !u | "Unrelated": content is not maintained by the poster. |
| !v | Video. |
| !w | Requires Microsoft Windows.4 |
| !x | Explicit, graphic or disturbing material. |
| !z | "Zip": content is compressed and will need to be expanded after downloading. |
