What Does “S4S” Mean on Instagram? Plus, How to Give Someone a Shoutout

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Gain more followers and boost your engagement with “S4S”

Co-authored by Bailey Cho Reviewed by Anyah Le Gilmore-Jones

Last Updated: June 18, 2025 Fact Checked

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• “S4S” Meaning
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• Giving a Shoutout on Instagram
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• Alternative Meanings

|Show more |Show less

You may have seen “S4S” on social media, but what exactly does it mean? This popular abbreviation is a shortened form of the phrase “Shoutout for Shoutout,” which is when 2 users agree to give each other a “shoutout” on Instagram. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about “S4S,” including what it means and how to do it. We’re also providing a list of alternative meanings for “S4S” so you can stay up to date on the latest slang.

Things You Should Know

• The abbreviation “S4S” means “Shoutout for Shoutout” on Instagram.
• Promote your page and give a shoutout by messaging an account with a similar theme and following as you. Message them via email, DM, or the “Contact” button on their profile.
• Alternatively, “S4S” can stand for “Share for Share” or “Support for Support” on social media, or “surfaced on 4 sides” in wood lumbering.

Steps

Section 1 of 3:

What does “S4S” mean on Instagram?

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1. 
   The abbreviation “S4S” stands for “Shoutout for Shoutout.” On Instagram, “S4S” is a popular way to grow your account. Two users agree to give each other a “shoutout,” or a photo (or video) of the other person’s account that encourages their followers to follow them. If both users have highly engaged followers, it’s an effective strategy to boost their exposure and gain followers quickly.

   • People usually put their email address in their Instagram profile so other users can contact them for shoutout. Otherwise, they discuss the details via direct message or through the “Contact” button at the top of their profile.
   • Sometimes, users will only agree to shoutout another account if they have a similar number of followers. For example, a popular account with 25,000 followers might put “S4S 25k+” to let others know that they only accept requests from those that have at least 25,000 followers.
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Section 2 of 3:

How to Do “S4S” on Instagram

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1. 
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   Find an account you want to promote yourself on. “S4S” works best if both accounts have a similar brand or aesthetic. So, look for accounts that post similar content as you and have a similar number of followers. If you have 10,000 followers, you’re more likely to get a response if you request a shoutout from users that have between 9,000-12,000 followers.

   • Know your audience. Users that already follow a fitness account, for instance, are more likely to follow you if you post workout-related content (rather than food or fashion).
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   Contact the account owner via email, DM, or the “Contact” button. Once you find an account you want to promote yourself on, message the owner and ask them if they’d be interested in a “S4S.” You might want to send them a photo or video that they can use, along with a description of what they can say to promote you. That way, they don’t have to do any work besides post your content.

   • For example, you could message someone and say, “Hey! I just stumbled upon your account, and I noticed we have a similar theme and a similar number of followers. Would you be interested in a S4S to grow your account?”
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   Promote the other person’s account on your Instagram page. If the other person agrees to do a “S4S,” discuss the details for how you plan to feature each other and then follow through. Oftentimes, people post a shoutout on their story, but you can also upload a normal photo or video to promote their page on your profile.

   • For example, you could post a photo of their page with the text “Shoutout to @bananabreadlover! She posts the most delicious recipes that anyone can make👩‍🍳” or “Follow @gymjunkie101 ASAP! With their workout tips, you’ll be in the best shape of your life🏋️‍♂️💪💯”
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Section 3 of 3:

Alternative Meanings

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   Share for Share On Facebook, the abbreviation “S4S” is when 2 Facebook page admins agree to post links of each other’s pages. It’s essentially cross-promoting someone’s page to gain more followers and traffic, similar to the “Shoutout for Shoutout” strategy on Instagram.
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   Support for Support Back when Myspace was super popular, the abbreviation “S4S” stood for “Support for Support.” Two sites would swap codes with each other and paste it into their bulletins so their friends could add them. Simply put, it was another way to gain more friends.
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   Subscribe for Subscribe On Youtube, the abbreviation “S4S” means 2 channels agree to subscribe to each other. It usually happens when someone comments “S4S” on another person’s video, so it’s a quick and easy way to increase their subscriber count.
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   Surfaced on 4 Sides In the woodworking world, “SxS” refers to the number of sides that have been pre-surfaced, or planed smooth at the mill. “S4S” is lumber that has been smoothed on all 4 sides, which is typically sold at “big box” hardware stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot.
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   Stud for Stud In relationships, “S4S” refers to a relationship between 2 black Studs, or lesbians who present themselves as more masculine. They may also refer to themselves as Butch.
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