Urban Dictionary defined vaguebooking as an intentionally vague Facebook status update that prompts friends to ask what’s going on or is possibly a cry for help.
or as Vaguebook.org says, You know those posts on Facebook where it’s obvious the poster is just BEGGING for attention?
There’s an art to Vaguebooking and I’m here to teach it to you.
First, how NOT to Vaguebook:
Here’s a good example of a frustrating vaguebook:
What a day! I heard the sirens within minutes. The paramedics were great and I should be out of the hospital in a few days but it will take a while to get back to normal. Needless to say, I was completely freaked out!
So: what do you think happened? You don’t know, right?
But it was serious enough to trigger emergency response and the poster was hospitalized and won’t be well for a while. A post like that is usually followed by about 120 responses from Facebook friends, all expressing sympathy and asking what happened. So. Much. Attention. To which the original poster never responds.
Why post something like that if you aren’t going to say what happened? Is it just for attention?
After seeing a post like that a few months, it was followed by what I consider to be an effective and acceptable vaguebook post:
I’m sorry to vaguebook but please bear with me. I have had some of the toughest times in my life these past months and could really need your prayers and positive energy. I can’t talk about it more but I will be able to soon. In the meantime, I hope you’ll bear with me and sned your most positive energy my way.
Here’s why it’s a suitable Vaguebook:
It acknowledges that the poster is actually vaguebooking and apologizes.
It explains that s/he can not reveal more but will in the future.
It comes out and asks for prayers and positive energy.
The objective of an attention-seeking vaguebook seems to be to get people to respond without revealing anything about the situation. The objective in this acceptable vaguebooking is to ask for support.
So there you have it: How to vaguebook. I know you’re glad to have this important information today. Right?
Do you see much vaguebooking in your Facebook feed?
My feed is absolutely filled with vaguebooking and I hate it! I think anyone who needs help or prayers but doesn’t want to get into specifics should read this. Your approach is a good one.
Everyone needs to read this and bookmark it. Vaguebooking is so frustrating. And now I see it’s because people don’t do it right. If I saw a vaguebook like the one you showed us, I would not be irritated at all, but I usually am…
Oh wow – this is the 1st time I’ve heard of the term “vaguebooking.” It is very interesting! I do see some vaguebooking on my feed, but I refrain from replying – who knows whats happening, right? I’m not one for drama and I find that FB – because of the nature of it – can be a source of much frustration, as is redemption. Thanks for opening my eyes to this (I’m sure more will appear now that I know its a thing, and there’s an actual term for it – yikes!) 😀 xo
I had NEVER heard of this before. Very interesting. I’m wondering if the first example does it wrong because maybe they are truly in a traumatic crisis and aren’t thinking straight? And they never come back to update or answer questions because things got worse for them in the hospital? I dunno. I tend to be naive and give people the benefit of the doubt but sure appreciate this post bringing it to my attention!
Stephanie
I don’t see a lot of this, occasionally I am guilty but it’s usually over something I can announce later on, not the typical kind I see where it seems to be seeking pity. I don’t worry about what others post, if they want to vague book so be it, it is there social media account 🙂
This is the first time I have learned about the term. I do get some status posts like that from my friends, but instead of replying to the post, I send a private message to the person. I think that is better because sometimes a person does not want to open up about their issue and let the entire cyberworld to know about it.
I have seen vague booking in operation in Facebook but didn’t know it was an established concept and hence a strategy exploited by those in the know. Thanks for the enlightenment.
This world of nothing happens unless it is on facebook is getting too crazy. I say if you want people to know your life post. If you don ‘t want to disclose don’t post it.
I have read a lot of vaguebooking on my newsfeed but instead if replying to their posts I just send them a private message. It is pretty much better to talk things privately.
Vaguebooking is so obnoxious and I have unfriended people who do it constantly before. Keep your private things private and stop looking for attention…that is not what FB is for.
Vaguebooking seems to be a trend these days especially when people are trying their best to catch someone’s attention. It’s better to be apologetic about it, I guess.
I don’t like posting this way, and I never do especially since it’s just a move for attention. I think people who do this need more friends, lol. I really find it desperate!
Wow I see vaguebooking all the time. Can’t believe there’s a real term for it.. it’s very frustrating and to me, it’s the equivalent of click bait.. unfortunately, I’ve become immune to both because of the frustration of getting half a story.
Wow I was talking about this yesteday to someone but didnt know the term was coined vaguebooking. Yeah its annoying when I see it, we call it “subliminals” but yes people need to not be vague for attention and likes. Ask for positive energy if it is something that really is a cry for help.
I don’t like vaguebooking but I have encountered many posts similar to this. It is actually not needed. I prefer shutting my phone rather than seeking fake attention on social media.
Oh, I have seen so many Facebook updates like that! I had no idea it has its own proper name. Have to keep in mind not to do any vaguebookingon my account.
I understand being so low that just venting your frustration helps. True even if you don’t follow up. Sometimes all people need is an atta’ boy, or an ‘it’s going to be ok.’
Hahaha oh boy. Honestly I don’t spend that much time on FB to be annoyed by this. I don’t spend my much time on FB b/c I more or less despise it for a whole host or reasons. Which I could to in to detail but I won’t haha.
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Urban Dictionary defined 
My feed is absolutely filled with vaguebooking and I hate it! I think anyone who needs help or prayers but doesn’t want to get into specifics should read this. Your approach is a good one.
Everyone needs to read this and bookmark it. Vaguebooking is so frustrating. And now I see it’s because people don’t do it right. If I saw a vaguebook like the one you showed us, I would not be irritated at all, but I usually am…
Oh wow – this is the 1st time I’ve heard of the term “vaguebooking.” It is very interesting! I do see some vaguebooking on my feed, but I refrain from replying – who knows whats happening, right? I’m not one for drama and I find that FB – because of the nature of it – can be a source of much frustration, as is redemption. Thanks for opening my eyes to this (I’m sure more will appear now that I know its a thing, and there’s an actual term for it – yikes!) 😀 xo
I’m so not a fan of vaguebooking, especially when it come to the humble brag! Love your post on this important social media topic!
I had NEVER heard of this before. Very interesting. I’m wondering if the first example does it wrong because maybe they are truly in a traumatic crisis and aren’t thinking straight? And they never come back to update or answer questions because things got worse for them in the hospital? I dunno. I tend to be naive and give people the benefit of the doubt but sure appreciate this post bringing it to my attention!
Stephanie
This frustrates me when I see it on Facebook, but I didn’t know Vaguebooking had a name. I just ignore those post when I see them.
I don’t see a lot of this, occasionally I am guilty but it’s usually over something I can announce later on, not the typical kind I see where it seems to be seeking pity. I don’t worry about what others post, if they want to vague book so be it, it is there social media account 🙂
This is the first time I have learned about the term. I do get some status posts like that from my friends, but instead of replying to the post, I send a private message to the person. I think that is better because sometimes a person does not want to open up about their issue and let the entire cyberworld to know about it.
I have seen vague booking in operation in Facebook but didn’t know it was an established concept and hence a strategy exploited by those in the know. Thanks for the enlightenment.
This world of nothing happens unless it is on facebook is getting too crazy. I say if you want people to know your life post. If you don ‘t want to disclose don’t post it.
aaargh! yes this is so annoying. too many of this sort of status updates gets people hidden from my feeds. i don’t need this sort of thing.
I have read a lot of vaguebooking on my newsfeed but instead if replying to their posts I just send them a private message. It is pretty much better to talk things privately.
Vaguebooking is so obnoxious and I have unfriended people who do it constantly before. Keep your private things private and stop looking for attention…that is not what FB is for.
Vaguebooking seems to be a trend these days especially when people are trying their best to catch someone’s attention. It’s better to be apologetic about it, I guess.
I don’t like posting this way, and I never do especially since it’s just a move for attention. I think people who do this need more friends, lol. I really find it desperate!
I hate vaguebooking most of the time.It frustrates me. i don’t see a lot of it on my feed thankfully!
I just love this term and it’s so true! I am sharing this to my Facebook wall now!
I didn’t know this term but I’ve seen these types of posts before. Sometimes it’s hard to know whether or not they actually want to talk about it.
This is a very helpful article. This will help out a ton of cunfesed people.
I can’t stand when people post vague statuses like that. I often ignore those who post it or unfollow them so I don’t have to see drama like that.
This is the kind of junk I avoid on Facebook. I’m there for family and friends, not drama.
ha ha love this. I have so many friends that vaguebook, and I hate it. The second post would definitely be so much more effective.
This is awesome! I had no idea there is a right term for those Facebook statuses! Haha!
Wow I see vaguebooking all the time. Can’t believe there’s a real term for it.. it’s very frustrating and to me, it’s the equivalent of click bait.. unfortunately, I’ve become immune to both because of the frustration of getting half a story.
I hat vaguebooking! It really is quite frustrating. Happy to help but hard to know how to with vagueboking!
Wow I was talking about this yesteday to someone but didnt know the term was coined vaguebooking. Yeah its annoying when I see it, we call it “subliminals” but yes people need to not be vague for attention and likes. Ask for positive energy if it is something that really is a cry for help.
I didn’t knew there was a term for that particular act! ha and to answer your question, yes i see some vaguebooking in my feed as well!
I hate vaguebooking. I am always wondering what’s going on and drive me nuts!
okay, I’m clueless. I have never heard of this! I guess I need to check this out!
I don’t like vaguebooking but I have encountered many posts similar to this. It is actually not needed. I prefer shutting my phone rather than seeking fake attention on social media.
Oh, I have seen so many Facebook updates like that! I had no idea it has its own proper name. Have to keep in mind not to do any vaguebookingon my account.
I have read a lot of vaguebooking on my newsfeed. It is a trend now on Facebook. I am thinking about how to avoid this kind of issue.
I understand being so low that just venting your frustration helps. True even if you don’t follow up. Sometimes all people need is an atta’ boy, or an ‘it’s going to be ok.’
This is something new to me. Now I know a brand new terminology!
Facebook is THE place for vaguebooking! I am one that doesn’t do this. I don’t like sharing so much personal information.
Hahaha oh boy. Honestly I don’t spend that much time on FB to be annoyed by this. I don’t spend my much time on FB b/c I more or less despise it for a whole host or reasons. Which I could to in to detail but I won’t haha.
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