What does 'AMA' stand for on Q&A sites?

“What does ‘AMA’ stand for on Q&A sites?” — “Ask Me Anything.” An AMA is an open question-and-answer session in which a person, group, or organization invites users to ask questions. The host may be a celebrity, scientist, public official, specialist, or ordinary person with an unusual experience.

The format is strongly associated with Reddit’s r/IAmA community, launched in May 2009. Its title reflects the phrase “I am a ___, ask me anything,” and many prominent participants have used the format for public interviews. Reddit’s 2012 AMA with Barack Obama became particularly notable after the traffic temporarily strained parts of the site.

AMA does not always mean that literally every question will receive an answer. Hosts normally choose which questions to address, and organized AMAs may restrict topics or require identity verification. Outside internet culture, AMA can also refer to unrelated organizations, including the American Medical Association, so context matters.