Celebrities have a talent for keeping everyone guessing. Think of the times Justin Bieber posted an emotional message about love and forgiveness, or when Britney Spears disappeared from Instagram after a streak of unsettling posts that were hard to decode. But this kind of mystery isn’t reserved for stars. You’ve probably seen a friend share a pointed line like “People forget who stood by them,” with zero context and plenty of implication.
That style of posting has a name, vaguebooking. Neuropsychologist Sanam Hafeez describes it as intentionally sharing unclear messages online to spark questions or pull attention without explaining what’s really going on. It’s common, but it’s not the healthiest way to communicate. The tricky part is that it leaves everyone else wondering whether to check in, comment, or simply keep scrolling.
Vaguebooking often looks like a personal update that’s missing the key detail. Someone might post a photo of their dog with “Pray for him” and never say what happened, almost inviting people to ask in the comments. It can also show up after a breakup or a fight, when someone posts something that feels raw but still vague enough to deny. Harvard emotional intelligence researcher Jenny Woo notes that these posts are usually ambiguous but deeply personal, and they often carry the energy of “I’m hurt” without naming the reason.
Not everyone does it to manipulate. Sometimes people want comfort and support, but they’re afraid of judgment or rejection if they say the truth outright. Woo says more emotionally unsteady or introverted people may use vaguebooking to see who cares enough to ask, “Are you okay?” It can also be a way to aim a message at one specific person without speaking to them directly, which can pull bystanders into the drama through a pattern known as triangulation.
Therapist Sofie Roos points out that vague posts can leave followers confused because they could mean anything from burnout to a personal crisis. For public figures, there’s an extra layer, since a cryptic post can let them share a version of events without inviting a media storm. Woo suggests it can also be strategy, a way to keep attention high with emotional bait. Thais Gibson, founder of The Personal Development School, adds that it can feel like a last resort when someone refuses to communicate, even though it rarely leads to real resolution.
If you see a vague post from someone you know, Hafeez suggests avoiding public comments and reaching out privately instead. A simple message like “I saw your post and wanted to check in” offers support without turning it into a spectacle. If you barely know the person, it’s also okay to read it and move on. And if you suspect the post is about you, Roos and Gibson recommend addressing it directly and calmly, so the conversation stays between the two people involved.
Have you ever been tempted to post something vague, or been left guessing by someone else’s cryptic update? Share your thoughts in the comments.
