Don't call it a "Zoom meeting"

Nader K. Rad, 2025-12-18

Are you one of those people who calls it a "Zoom meeting" instead of an "online meeting"? If so, please don't, because

1. it's harmful to us as consumers, and

2. it's not great for your reputation.

Problem 1

The main problem is that when you use the term "Zoom meeting" to mean "online meeting", you're giving too much power to Zoom, as if it's the only way of having a proper online meeting.

What's wrong with that? That makes competition harder and brings all of us toward a monopoly. Monopolies harm our freedoms.

Even if you think that Zoom is the best online meeting platform ever, you still shouldn't replace the term "online meeting" with "Zoom meeting", just to make sure Zoom remains as good as you think it is.

Problem 2

Many people make this type of mistake:

• Don't ask me, Google it!
• We're running out of Tide; buy some.
• Do you have a Kleenex?
• Use the original for Xeroxing; don't Xerox the Xerox!
• Send me your PowerPoint file.
• What was the last time you Hoovered this place?
• I don't trust this photo; it looks Photoshopped.
• He always has tens of Post-It notes on his monitor.

People who are not very knowledgeable in a domain are more likely to make these mistakes because they can't see the true position that each of these has in its context. That's why when you generalize a brand into a type like this, you're losing a few reputation points in the eyes of your educated audience, especially if your mistake is in a domain you're supposed to be an expert at.