If you’ve ever received a text with abbreviations like “wyd” (what are you doing?) or “rly” (really), you might be less likely to respond—or even view the message as less sincere. A new study, published on Nov. 14 in The Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, reveals that frequent use of abbreviations in text messages may be hurting your digital communication more than you think.
David Fang, a doctoral student in behavioral marketing at Stanford University, conducted the study after noticing how his own preference for full sentences seemed to contrast with the common trend of using abbreviations. Curious about the impact, Fang set out to understand whether abbreviations enhance or hinder texting interactions.
The study’s findings are clear: abbreviations in texts are often perceived as insincere, leading to shorter responses—or no response at all. “I was surprised at how significant the negative results were,” Fang said. Despite being subtle, abbreviations signal to recipients that the sender is putting in less effort, which in turn triggers negative perceptions.
Fang and his team conducted eight experiments, analyzing thousands of conversations from platforms like Tinder and Discord. The results were consistent: users were less likely to exchange contact information or respond to messages containing abbreviations. Participants also described these messages as less sincere and indicated a lower likelihood of replying.
Interestingly, this trend holds true across age groups. Even younger texters—who are often associated with creating and using shorthand language—disliked abbreviated texts as much as older generations did. “Younger people dislike abbreviations just as much as older people,” Fang noted. This broad aversion may be explained by social exchange theory, which suggests that relationships depend on a balance of effort. When one party appears to put less effort into communication—such as by using shortcuts—it can lead to a breakdown in reciprocal effort.
While abbreviations are widely used, Fang’s study suggests that they may be damaging to both new and existing relationships. In one experiment, participants were less likely to form strong connections on platforms like Tinder when conversations were dominated by abbreviations. Even in closer relationships, excessive use of shorthand can signal a lack of sincerity over time, potentially harming long-term communication.
Despite these findings, Fang acknowledges that abbreviations may still be appropriate for certain situations—such as texting a delivery driver. But when it comes to more significant relationships—whether with potential dates, friends, or colleagues—using complete sentences may be a better strategy to foster genuine connections.
Michelle Drouin, a psychology professor at Purdue University, agrees with Fang’s conclusions. She suggests that abbreviations might be perceived as a way of signaling casualness or indifference. In her view, texting habits play a crucial role in shaping how people perceive us, especially in a world where digital communication is central to maintaining relationships. “People should really pay attention to the way in which they say things,” she advises, “It matters.”
