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Want a quick object lesson in developer communications gone wrong?

February 2025

Recently, OpenAI published updates to their API, and one particular social media post explaining the changes caught the attention of observers online. The reason? Unclear language.

Here is why the use of unclear slang language — even in a tweet or other informal social media post — is a problem:

‣ It assumes users already have context about the topic.

‣ It assumes close familiarity with your organization.

‣ It invites confusion about the topic and the language being used.

‣ It assumes the audience possesses the same cultural references and common understanding of the language and tone used. For global products, this is a problem.

Should technical organizations strive to show personality, especially when communicating with practitioners? Of course, the goal is for your tone of voice to be friendly, open, and inviting for your entire audience. Strive for clarity and accuracy, and check the slang when you do.

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