---
title: "What is TIL (Today I Learned)? — Social Media Glossary | Postpone"
canonical_url: "https://www.postpone.app/social-media-glossary/til"
last_updated: "2026-10-08T07:15:55.351Z"
meta:
  description: "TIL, short for today I learned, is a post sharing a surprising fact or discovery, a format that originated on r/todayilearned."
  "og:description": "TIL, short for today I learned, is a post sharing a surprising fact or discovery, a format that originated on r/todayilearned."
  "og:title": "What is TIL (Today I Learned)? — Social Media Glossary"
  "twitter:description": "TIL, short for today I learned, is a post sharing a surprising fact or discovery, a format that originated on r/todayilearned."
  "twitter:title": "What is TIL (Today I Learned)? — Social Media Glossary"
---

**Reddit**

# TIL (Today I Learned)

TIL, short for today I learned, is a post sharing a surprising fact or discovery, a format that originated on r/todayilearned.

[**Reddit **post scheduler](https://www.postpone.app/platforms/reddit-post-scheduler)

Three letters that turned trivia sharing into one of Reddit's most enduring content formats. r/todayilearned has over 33 million members, and "TIL" has spread far beyond that single subreddit into Reddit's universal vocabulary.

The format is simple. Start with "TIL" followed by a surprising fact, link to a credible source, and let the community do the rest. The best TIL posts teach people something they didn't know they wanted to learn.

## What Makes a TIL Post Work

Surprise is the engine. "TIL that octopuses have three hearts" works. "TIL that exercise is good for you" doesn't. The fact needs to make someone pause and think "wait, really?"

Specificity matters too. "TIL that during WWII, a bear named Wojtek was officially enlisted in the Polish army and carried ammunition" outperforms vague generalizations every time. The more concrete and bizarre the detail, the more upvotes it earns.

Source quality is non-negotiable. r/todayilearned requires links to reputable sources. Wikipedia works. Random blog posts don't. This rule keeps the subreddit credible and gives good TIL posts staying power.

## TIL Beyond r/todayilearned

The format has escaped its home subreddit entirely. People use "TIL" in comments across all of Reddit, on Twitter, in Slack channels, and in everyday conversation. It's become shorthand for "here's something interesting."

For content creators, TIL is a proven framework. Wrap your expertise in a surprising fact and you've got a post format that performs on almost any platform. A fintech company sharing "TIL that 40% of Americans can't cover a $400 emergency expense" in a relevant subreddit adds value while being topically relevant to their product.

The catch: TIL posts get reposted constantly. Reddit communities have seen the popular ones dozens of times. If you're going to use the format, bring something genuinely new. The fastest way to get downvoted is sharing a "TIL" that everyone already learned years ago.

**Example**

'TIL that honey never spoils — archaeologists found 3,000-year-old honey in Egyptian tombs that was still edible' pulled over 40,000 upvotes on r/todayilearned. The format works because it wraps information in genuine surprise.

## **Why It Matters**

TIL-style content gets massive organic reach because it triggers curiosity and sharing instincts. Understanding this format helps you create posts that spread naturally instead of feeling like advertising.

## **Related Terms**

[Karma](https://www.postpone.app/social-media-glossary/karma) [Reddit Front Page](https://www.postpone.app/social-media-glossary/reddit-front-page) [Repost](https://www.postpone.app/social-media-glossary/repost) [Subreddit](https://www.postpone.app/social-media-glossary/subreddit) [Upvote / Downvote](https://www.postpone.app/social-media-glossary/upvote-downvote)

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