On Instagram, “fw” typically signifies “follow,” “following,” or “follows.” It is often used in comments or direct messages to request or acknowledge a user’s account being followed. For instance, a user might comment “fw” on a post to indicate their intention to follow the poster or might say, “I sent you a fw request” to inform someone they’ve requested to follow their private account.
Understanding this abbreviation is beneficial for navigating Instagram’s social interactions, especially when engaging with other users. It streamlines communication, making it quicker to express intent or confirmation regarding social connections. The evolution of social media slang reflects a broader trend of abbreviated language use within digital communication to maximize efficiency and brevity.