Digital Marketing Terminology

Fresh terminology and acronyms emerge at a rapid pace within Digital Marketing, making it challenging to stay informed. To assist you, we’ve curated a comprehensive glossary of the most frequently used digital marketing terminology and their definitions.

Whether you’re embarking on your career journey or seeking to grasp the intricacies of your agency’s work, our digital marketing glossary is designed to illuminate the essential terms utilised by industry professionals.

This collection is regularly updated to incorporate new developments and terminology, so it’s beneficial to revisit it occasionally, even if you’re an experienced practitioner.

Digital Marketing Terminology and Definitions

Digital Marketing Terminology #

200 OK – The term 200 OK refers to a specific type of HTTP status code. This code indicates that the request made by the user has been successfully received and processed by the server without any issues. As a result, the user will be directed to the desired destination URL smoothly and efficiently.

201 Created – The request sent has been successfully fulfilled, resulting in the creation and establishment of a new resource that is now available.

204 No Content – The server has successfully processed the request; however, there is no content available to return in the response.

301 Permanent Redirect – A 301 redirect is a specific type of HTTP status code that signifies that a particular URL has been permanently relocated to a new destination URL. When a server provides a response indicating a 301 redirect for a given URL, the browser is subsequently redirected to the new destination URL seamlessly.

302 Temporary Redirect – A 302 temporary redirect is a HTTP status code, used to signal that the requested URL has been temporarily moved.

304 Not Modified – The requested resource has not experienced any modifications since the last time it was requested. Therefore, this response allows the client to utilise the cached version they already have.

400 Bad Request The server is unable to process the request made by the client due to an error on the client’s side (such as malformed request syntax that does not comply with the expected format).

401 Unauthorized – The server requires authentication, which has either failed to be provided or has not yet been supplied. For the client to receive the requested response, proper authentication must be provided.

403 Forbidden – The server comprehended the request; however, it refuses to authorise it for some reason. This scenario can happen if the client lacks the necessary permissions to access the requested resource.

404 Not Found – A 404 status code signifies a specific type of HTTP response indicating that the server cannot find the requested file or webpage. This code is generated when the server concludes that the resource has either been permanently deleted or never existed. In certain situations, when a 404 error arises, it may be prudent to implement a 301 redirect, guiding users to a relevant or alternative URL that provides the information or content they seek.

500 Internal Server Error – This is a general error message that indicates the server encountered an unexpected condition that hindered it from fulfilling the request made by the client.

502 Bad Gateway – While functioning as a gateway, the server has received an invalid response from the upstream server it was trying to reach to fulfil the request.

503 Service Unavailable – Currently, the server is unable to handle the request due to a temporary overload or ongoing maintenance that is affecting its ability to respond at this time.

Digital Marketing Terms A-C

A

A/B Split Testing – Involves conducting an experiment with two versions to determine which one yields better results in a specific setting or context. This practice allows you to gain insights into your target audience’s preferences and aversions regarding the asset you’re testing, whether it be your website, social media platforms, or advertising platforms.

Above The Fold – “Above the fold” signifies the area of a webpage that is visible to the user at the very moment the page loads, prior to any action of scrolling down to view additional content.

Ad Budget – An advertising budget is the allocated amount of money a company designates for promoting its products and services to target audiences. This budget typically encompasses various expenses, including paid media, photography, printing, mailing, and the employment of advertising professionals. Companies often determine their advertising budget based on a percentage of their sales, ensuring that they invest appropriately in marketing efforts. It is crucial for businesses to keep their return on investment (ROI) in mind when setting and managing their advertising budget. A well-defined budget enables businesses to track spending and assess the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns, ultimately helping them to achieve their marketing goals.

Ad extensions – Refers to the supplemental information displayed beneath a Google Ad. This may include sitelinks, callouts, pricing details, or any other relevant information about the company or its product offerings. A more comprehensive ad enhances visibility on the search results page, ultimately boosting its click-through rate.

Ad Group – This term refers to a specific collection or grouping of advertisements that all focus on and target the same set of keywords.

Ad Manager – Ad Manager is a powerful tool provided by Facebook, which allows users to create, publish, and effectively monitor the advertisements displayed on the platform.

Ad Relevance – This term is primarily utilised in the context of paid search advertising to evaluate how closely related specific keywords are to the ads being displayed.

AI-powered search – An encompassing term that refers to any search result generated by artificial intelligence. This includes emerging platforms like Google AI Overviews (AIO), voice search inquiries, and conventional search results that leverage AI for ranking, all of which fall under the category of AI-powered search.

Attribution – Attribution is the process of identifying which marketing channel or touchpoint deserves credit for a conversion, such as a sale or lead generation. In the realm of digital marketing, this entails evaluating whether the success of a conversion can be traced back to the first interaction, the last interaction, or a combination of various touchpoints throughout the customer journey. Multiple attribution models present different methodologies, including first-click, last-click, linear, time decay, and position-based approaches. Each of these models offers distinct insights, along with their respective benefits and drawbacks. Understanding and choosing the most suitable attribution model is essential for accurately assessing the performance of each channel and enhancing overall marketing strategies.

Audience Segmentation – Is the process of dividing a broad audience into smaller, more defined groups based on specific characteristics, behaviours, or demographics. This practice allows marketers to tailor their messaging and marketing strategies to resonate more effectively with each segment, thereby enhancing the overall customer experience. By analysing data such as professional demographics, purchasing behavior, and product usage, businesses can create targeted campaigns that address the unique needs and preferences of different audience segments. This personalised approach not only improves engagement and conversion rates but also allows companies to allocate their marketing resources more efficiently, ultimately driving better results and increasing return on investment.

Augmented Reality – Commonly referred to as AR, provides customers with the innovative capability to view three-dimensional models of products integrated into their actual real-world surroundings by utilising the camera features on their devices. As a leader in e-commerce, Shopify offers robust AR functionalities that allow shoppers to visualise how various items, including furniture, clothing, and accessories, will appear and fit within their personal spaces prior to making a purchase decision. This capability enhances the shopping experience by bridging the gap between online and physical retail environments.

Autoresponders – Are email marketing newsletters that are automatically dispatched to subscribers who are part of a mailing list. These messages are sent out based on predetermined criteria and specific time intervals, which are defined by the individual or organisation managing that mailing list.

Average Order Value – A critical metric in e-commerce, commonly referred to as ‘AOV’, signifies the average dollar amount spent per order with a merchant over a specific timeframe. Boosting AOV is a widely adopted strategy aimed at maximising revenue.

B

B2B – The acronym B2B stands for ‘Business-to-Business,’ referring to a segment of companies that conduct transactions solely with each other, rather than offering their products or services directly to consumers.

B2C – Conversely, the term B2C stands for ‘Business-to-Consumer,’ referring to businesses that sell goods and services directly to individual customers or the broader public.

Backlink – A backlink is an external hyperlink that leads users back to your website. A prevalent example occurs when an online publication cites your site within an article, thus forming a link. The process of obtaining backlinks to your website, known as “link building,” is regarded as a vital factor in influencing search engine rankings, in conjunction with producing high-quality content and employing effective technical SEO strategies.

Banner Ad – A type of advertisement displayed on a webpage, usually served by an ad network or display network including an image or text. Banner ads can either be static or animated and typically includes a hyperlink with the purpose of driving traffic to a website or landing page.

Bid – A term predominantly found in paid search advertising, where marketers assign a monetary value to particular keywords to enhance the visibility of their ads. This value indicates the highest amount you are willing to spend for each click on your advertisement.

Bid Strategy – A bidding strategy in Google Ads is designed to assist marketers in effectively reaching their target audiences while fulfilling a variety of marketing objectives. Within this system, you can select from three key bid types: by click (PPC), by conversion or impression. This flexibility enables you to tailor your advertising campaigns to meet a wide array of marketing goals, providing a more focused approach to achieving the results you seek.

Blackhat – Blackhat SEO refers to unethical search engine optimisation practices and is often used to identify strategies that violate Google’s established guidelines. This encompasses a range of activities, but not limited to, techniques such as keyword stuffing, which involves excessively using targeted keywords, and purchasing backlinks from low-quality or spammy websites.

Blog – A blog, short for “web log,” is an online platform or section of a website that features a collection of regularly updated articles or posts on specific topics. Initially popularied as personal journals, blogs have evolved into powerful marketing tools for businesses, allowing them to share valuable insights, industry news, and educational content with their audience. By consistently publishing engaging and relevant content, brands can attract new customers, enhance their online presence, and establish credibility within their industry. Furthermore, blogs often encourage user interaction through comments, fostering a community around the brand and providing opportunities for feedback and engagement. This dynamic format not only helps drive traffic to the website but also contributes to building brand awareness and loyalty.

Blog Post – A blog post is a written piece of content published on a blog, which is a type of website or web page that features regularly updated articles on various topics. Each blog post typically focuses on a specific subject, offering insights, information, or opinions that engage readers and encourage interaction, often through comments. Blog posts are characterised by their conversational tone and are designed to provide value to the audience, whether through educating them, entertaining them, or sharing relevant industry news. By frequently updating their blogs with fresh content, brands and individuals can attract and retain an audience, enhance their online presence, and potentially monetise their efforts through advertising or affiliate marketing.

Bounce Rate – Bounce Rate is a term commonly used in web analytics that calculates the percentage of visitors who access a site and subsequently leave (‘bounce’) without navigating to any additional pages within that same site. When the bounce rate is high, it typically suggests that the landing page is not successful in engaging and retaining visitors, which may necessitate a review and potential optimisation of the page’s content and design.

Breadcrumbs – Breadcrumbs serve as a navigational tool that displays the hierarchical path a user has taken to reach a particular page on a website. Typically positioned at the top of the page, these breadcrumbs consist of a series of clickable links that represent the user’s location within the site’s architecture. For example, a common breadcrumbs trail might appear as follows: Home > Books > Fiction > Horror. This thoughtfully designed feature aids users in grasping their current position within the larger site context, thereby simplifying navigation and enriching the overall user experience.

Broken links – A broken link, commonly known as a dead link, is a hyperlink on a web page that no longer functions properly because the intended destination page has either been deleted or currently does not exist. Several factors can lead to this situation, such as an incorrectly formatted URL resulting from the removal of the linked page, the page being deleted or permanently relocated, or even a server error happening at the time of the request. For more detailed insights into specific scenarios that cause these issues, it is useful to explore related topics such as ‘404 Not Found’ errors and ‘5XX Server Errors’.

C

CAC – CAC stands for “Customer Acquisition Cost” and refers to the total expenses incurred by a company in order to attract and secure a new customer. This metric encompasses various costs associated with marketing, advertising, sales personnel, and other efforts aimed at converting prospects into paying customers. To calculate CAC, a business sums up all these expenses and divides that total by the number of new customers acquired during a specific period. Understanding CAC is crucial for businesses as it helps assess the effectiveness of their customer acquisition strategies and informs decisions on how much can be sustainably spent on marketing and sales initiatives to drive growth.

Campaign – A marketing campaign is a structured series of coordinated marketing activities specifically crafted to achieve a defined and measurable objective. These campaigns are usually organised around distinct marketing channels, including social media initiatives, email outreach aimed at subscribers, or paid search efforts focused on relevant queries. Within the framework of paid advertising, a campaign typically consists of multiple ad groups, each aimed at different keywords and showcasing various advertisements designed to effectively attract and engage prospective customers.

Cart – In the realm of online shopping, a cart refers to a digital basket where customers can temporarily hold and organise the products they plan to purchase. This virtual cart not only saves a record of the items selected by the customers but also provides them with the ability to review their choices. Additionally, customers can easily add new products or remove existing ones as needed, all before making their final decision and proceeding to the checkout process.

Canonical Tag/Rel=Canonical – A canonical tag is an HTML element that designates the preferred or primary version of a web page chosen by its owner. Utilising a canonical tag helps to address duplicate content challenges within a search engine’s index, especially when similar or identical content exists across several web pages. Depending on the situation and the rationale behind its use, search engines may choose to acknowledge or ignore canonical tags.

Causal impact – Causal Impact is a technique used to demonstrate that one occurrence directly influences another—for example, establishing that an increase in media spending led to higher revenue. A prime illustration of this is incrementality testing, a form of causal analysis that shows how one specific event can precipitate another.

Checkout – The checkout process represents the final and crucial step in the journey of making a purchase in the realm of e-commerce. During this phase, customers meticulously review the contents of their shopping cart, input their shipping information for delivery, select their preferred payment methods, and apply any relevant discount codes. Once all these steps are completed, they finalise their transaction and successfully complete the purchase.

Churn Rate – Also known as attrition, churn refers to the percentage of customers or subscribers who discontinue using a product or service over a specific period. It serves as a critical metric for businesses, highlighting the rate at which they are losing customers and providing insights into customer retention efforts. A high churn rate can indicate underlying issues, such as dissatisfaction with the product or service, lack of engagement, or better offerings from competitors. By analysing churn rate, companies can identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to enhance customer loyalty and retention, ultimately leading to a more stable revenue stream.

CMS – CMS, or ‘Content Management System,’ is a software platform designed to streamline the processes of creating, managing, and editing content on websites. These systems feature user-friendly interfaces that empower individuals, regardless of technical expertise, to easily craft and alter web pages. Notable examples of popular CMS platforms include WordPress, a favorite for blogging and business sites; Magento, specifically designed for e-commerce applications; and Drupal, acclaimed for its versatility and strength in handling complex content requirements.

Collection – A ‘collection’ in Shopify refers to a grouping of products that are organised together, helping customers to easily locate and explore them. Collections can be categorised by product type, seasonal themes, promotional items, and more.

Cold Email – A marketing tactic used by salespeople and businesses to reach out to potential customers via email without prior contact or relationship. Similar to cold calling, cold emailing aims to introduce a product or service to recipients who may not be familiar with the brand. The goal is to generate interest, initiate a conversation, and ultimately convert the recipient into a lead or customer. Cold emails are often personalised to increase engagement and may include specific information tailored to the recipient’s needs or interests. While effective in expanding outreach, it is crucial to adhere to legal regulations and best practices to avoid being perceived as spam and to ensure that recipients have the option to opt out of future communications.

Content – Content encompasses the information accessible to users across diverse platforms, including websites, mobile applications, and social media channels, allowing for interaction and consumption. It can take numerous forms, featuring written text, visual imagery, or audiovisual elements like videos.

Content Marketing – A strategic approach focused on creating and distributing valuable, relevant content to attract, engage, and retain a clearly defined target audience. This encompasses various formats, including articles, blogs, videos, podcasts, and social media posts, each designed to provide informative and engaging material without overtly promoting a brand. The primary goal of content marketing is to establish expertise, foster brand awareness, and keep the business top of mind for consumers when they are ready to make a purchase. By delivering meaningful content that addresses the needs and interests of the audience, businesses can effectively drive customer actions and build lasting relationships.

Content Categorisation – The systematic organisation of web pages into designated categories based on their specific purpose or function. This helps users to easily navigate and find the information they are looking for.

Conversion – A conversion refers to the successful achievement of a specific, desired action performed by a visitor on your website. Although it is most frequently linked to the purchase of a product, for sites emphasising lead generation, a conversion can also signify instances where a user completes a contact form or makes a phone call to request more information about services or products offered.

Conversion Funnel – The conversion funnel serves as a comprehensive framework illustrating the step-by-step journey users undertake before committing to purchase a specific product or service. A prominent model within this context is the AIDA framework, which breaks down the process into four essential stages: Awareness, Interest, Desire, and Action. Each stage is pivotal in directing potential customers along their decision-making path. Importantly, this conversion funnel can be optimised on your website through a strategy known as Conversion Rate Optimisation (CRO). This approach entails a meticulous evaluation and enhancement of the user journey, ensuring maximum efficiency and effectiveness. Furthermore, optimisation can be achieved through various touchpoints across your owned and earned media channels, fostering deeper engagement and interaction with your target audience.

Conversion Rate – A Conversion Rate is the percentage of website visitors who have completed an action on a site, be that macro or micro, such as buying a product or signing up for a newsletter. High conversion rates could also mean that prices are too low and you’re actually missing out on revenue, or that you’re tracking meaningless action as conversions.

Cookies – A cookie is a small data file saved on a user’s computer whenever they access a particular website. These cookies allow websites to retain important information and monitor the user’s browsing activities over time. In digital marketing, cookies are crucial for retargeting users via paid advertising campaigns, prompting them to reconsider a product they previously viewed. This ability to remember past interactions with a product can greatly boost marketing initiatives and enhance conversion rates.

Copy – Written material encompasses the text created for a variety of purposes in marketing communications. The main aim of this copy is often to persuade consumers to purchase goods or services, or to boost and increase brand awareness within the marketplace.

Copywriting – Copywriting refers to the art and science of composing written content specifically designed for your website. When engaging in copywriting while keeping SEO considerations in mind, this process includes strategically incorporating relevant keywords, utilising appropriate headings, and considering numerous other factors related to relevance. All of these elements work together to enhance the likelihood of your page achieving higher rankings on search engine results pages.

Core Web Vitals – Making up part of Google’s Page Experience update in 2021, the Core Web Vitals are a set of three ranking signals based on the performance and experience offered by your website: 

  • Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) measures when the largest content element is visible in the viewport.
  • First Input Delay (FID) assesses page responsiveness during loading, focusing on clicks, taps, and key presses.
  • Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) quantifies unexpected movements of page elements upon loading.

CPA – Standing for “Cost Per Acquisition,” CPA refers to the total investment incurred when a marketing campaign successfully generates a conversion. To determine this metric, the overall costs of the marketing initiative are divided by the number of conversions achieved from that initiative. This formula yields important insights into the efficiency and effectiveness of your marketing strategies.

CPC – CPC, which stands for “Cost Per Click,” refers to the fee an advertiser must pay each time a user clicks on their advertisement. This metric is crucial for assessing the cost-effectiveness of online advertising campaigns.

CPL – CPL stands for “Cost Per Lead” and refers to the amount you pay for each lead generated by a campaign. 

CPM – CPM stands for “Cost Per Mille” and refers to the amount you pay for impressions.

Crawler – When we refer to a web crawler, we are discussing specialised software tools designed to locate both new and updated content scattered throughout the internet. Search engine crawlers execute this function by traversing hyperlinks from one page to another and subsequently forwarding the gathered information to an indexer. This process involves a comprehensive analysis of the content’s context, relevance, and trustworthiness. Web crawlers are also known by several other terms, such as “bots,” “robots,” “spiders,” or “user-agents,” all highlighting their role in navigating and indexing web content effectively.

CRO – CRO stands for “Conversion Rate Optimisation”. This is the practice of improving the user journey on your website to increase the percentage of sessions which result in a goal or transaction, otherwise known as a “conversion”.

CSS – CSS stands for “Cascading Style Sheet,” which is a fundamental technology used in web development to format and design the layout as well as the visual appearance of a web page. For instance, utilising CSS allows you to specify various aspects such as text style, font colour, and table structures, thereby enhancing the overall presentation and user experience of the site.

CTA – The term is an abbreviation for “Call to Action.” This concept may appear as a clickable button on a website or be expressed through text. Its main objective is to motivate users to take a defined action, which could include requesting more information, subscribing to a newsletter, or purchasing the products or services you provide.

CTR – Stands for “Click-Through Rate,” measures the frequency at which users click on a specific hyperlink in relation to the total number of visitors who view the page containing that link.

Customer Base – In digital marketing, the term “customer base” denotes the particular group of consumers who regularly engage with and buy a company’s products or services. This essential group forms the foundation of the company’s revenue model. It encompasses both dedicated loyal customers and prospective new clients who engage with the brand across various digital channels, including websites, social media platforms, email, and more. Gaining a comprehensive understanding of this customer base is vital for marketers since it allows them to refine their digital marketing strategies to cater to the distinct needs and preferences of these consumers. By meticulously analysing factors such as demographics, consumer behavior, and purchasing trends within the customer base, marketers can develop targeted campaigns. Such initiatives can significantly enhance brand loyalty, stimulate repeat purchases, and ultimately propel substantial growth in overall business performance.

Customer Data Platforms – Also known as a Customer Data Platform (CDP), this cutting-edge system consolidates data from multiple sources, creating a unified and coherent customer database. Unlike conventional data management solutions, CDPs are specifically designed to gather, sanitise, and integrate data in real time. This capability guarantees that the maintained records are both accurate and duplicate-free. By offering a holistic view of customer information, marketers can enhance their segmentation strategies, tailor their marketing approaches, and perform more in-depth analytics, ultimately resulting in more impactful marketing campaigns.

Customer Relationship Management – Also known as CRM, are systems designed to manage and analyse customer interactions and relationships throughout the customer lifecycle. CRMs facilitate effective communication, track sales, and enhance customer service by storing valuable information about customers and their behaviours. Many CRMs also have the capability to integrate additional customer data from various sources, enabling businesses to create a comprehensive single-customer view.

Customer Loyalty – In digital marketing, this refers to the ongoing relationship and commitment that a customer has towards a brand or company, characterised by repeat purchases and advocacy over time. It is fostered through strategies that enhance the overall customer experience, such as personalised communication, targeted content curation, and effective customer retention programs. By prioritising factors like user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) in digital interactions, businesses can create a positive environment that encourages customers to remain engaged and satisfied. Loyal customers not only contribute to sustained revenue through their repeat business but also become brand advocates, promoting the company through word-of-mouth and referrals. Consequently, understanding and nurturing customer loyalty is vital for maximising customer lifetime value (CLV) and minimising customer churn rate.

Digital Marketing Terms D-F

D

Data Management Platforms – Also known as a DMP, collect, organise, and manage customer and third-party data to enable targeted advertising across various channels. DMPs aggregate data from multiple sources, such as websites, apps, and offline systems, to create audience segments, which are then used for more precise ad targeting.

Demand Generation – A strategy focused on building brand awareness and interest in a product or service through marketing campaigns.

Digital Content – Refers to any type of information that is created, distributed, and consumed in a digital format. This includes a wide range of materials such as written articles, blog posts, images, graphics, podcasts, videos, and online courses, all designed for consumption via websites, social media, or other digital platforms. Digital content can engage audiences through various formats, appealing to different preferences and learning styles. It is often crafted by digital creators who possess skills in graphic design, writing, video editing, and more, allowing them to effectively reach and influence their target audience. As an intangible asset, digital content plays a crucial role in marketing strategies, driving engagement, building brand awareness, and facilitating conversions.

Digital Garage – Digital Garage is a free online learning platform that helps you to learn more about everything digital and will help you to understand other Google tools.

Digital Marketing – A term that is commonly used to connect and associate various marketing techniques with digital technologies, particularly the internet. This concept encompasses all forms of marketing that leverage digital devices and technologies, making use of a wide range of digital channels such as search engines, display networks, social media platforms, and email. Additionally, it includes the use of marketing analytics tools that are designed to effectively monitor and evaluate the activity and performance metrics of different digital channels in order to optimise marketing strategies.

Digital Marketing Channels – Refer to the various digital platforms and mediums through which businesses can promote their products and services online. These channels include search engines, websites, social media platforms, email, and mobile applications, among others. By leveraging these channels, marketers can effectively target specific audiences, build brand awareness, and drive sales. Digital marketing channels utilise internet technologies to facilitate communication and engagement with potential customers, allowing for measurable and targeted advertising strategies that enhance overall marketing effectiveness.

Digital Marketing Campaigns – Digital marketing campaigns are structured and strategic online advertising efforts aimed at achieving specific marketing goals. These campaigns leverage various digital marketing channels—such as social media, search engines, email, and websites—to engage consumers effectively. By incorporating diverse advertising methods, including pay-per-click (PPC) and content marketing, marketers plan and execute campaigns designed to drive traffic, enhance brand awareness, convert leads into customers, and ultimately increase revenue. The success of a digital marketing campaign hinges on its ability to resonate with the target audience, utilising data-driven insights to optimise performance and achieve desired outcomes.

Digital PR – Digital PR, short for digital public relations, represents a strategic initiative aimed at establishing links and nurturing connections through diverse online campaigns, compelling thought-leadership articles, and insightful expert commentary. Professionals in digital PR are dedicated to building and maintaining robust relationships with journalists and writers, particularly those associated with esteemed and authoritative online platforms. This approach empowers them to effectively disseminate brand narratives and messages across influential digital channels, guaranteeing that the brand’s voice resonates and stands out in the competitive online environment.

Direct Traffic – Visitors who land on a website by typing its URL directly into a browser rather than arriving through a search engine or referral.

Display Advertising – A form of digital advertising that makes use of banners and/or other visual media and is distributed through a display network to third-parties.

Display Network – A digital network specifically created to effectively distribute and display your advertisements across various platforms.

DR – DR stands for Domain Rating, which is a specific metric related to links that was developed by the marketing platform known as Ahrefs. This metric is used to assess and define the authority and overall ranking potential that a particular website possesses in the digital landscape. There exists a comparable metric called DA, or Domain Authority, which was created by another well-known marketing platform called Moz. Generally speaking, the higher the domain rating, the greater authority and enhanced ranking potential a website is likely to have within search engine results.

Drip Campaign – A series of automated marketing messages sent to leads or customers over a period of time.

Dynamic Content – Website or email content that changes based on user behaviour, preferences, or demographics.

E

Earned MediaThis term encompasses the successful placement of a digital or physical asset on a third-party platform, achieved through various promotional strategies. Such placements are deemed “earned” because they result from a mix of organic efforts and paid initiatives, including press releases, social media interactions, and collaborations with influencers.

E-commerce – Short for “Electronic Commerce,” this term describes all businesses involved in selling products or services over the internet. A common example of an e-commerce business is an online retailer that offers a range of products directly to consumers via its website or online storefront, enabling seamless transactions online.

Econometrics – Econometrics utilises a variety of sophisticated statistical techniques, including methods like Marketing Mix Modelling (MMM), to meticulously analyse and predict the impact of various marketing elements. By employing statistical tools such as linear regression analysis, econometrics is essential for marketers to grasp the intricate relationships between critical marketing inputs—such as advertising expenditure—and their resulting effects, such as conversion rates. These robust methodologies equip businesses with the necessary capabilities to accurately forecast consumer behaviors, enhance their marketing strategies for optimal performance, and make well-informed decisions grounded in comprehensive, data-driven insights.

E-E-A-T – Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness, serve as Google’s quality criteria to assess the credibility and relevance of web pages and websites. It’s important to note here that it is not a ranking factor of Google’s search algorithm, but a component of Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines to assess the expertise of content.

Email Marketing – This is a strategic marketing approach that utilises email as a channel to effectively promote a brand or specific product offerings to potential and existing customers.

Email List – An email list is a collection of email addresses gathered by businesses and marketers, typically through websites, blogs, or other online platforms. These addresses are essential for executing targeted email marketing campaigns, allowing companies to communicate directly with their audience. Email lists are often segmented based on user classifications, such as prospects or existing customers, enabling marketers to tailor their messaging and offers to specific groups. This targeted approach enhances the effectiveness of email marketing efforts by ensuring that the content delivered aligns with the interests and needs of the recipients, ultimately fostering better engagement and conversion rates.

Engagement Rate – An engagement rate is a specific type of metric that serves to indicate the level of interaction and engagement occurring within your social media account, website, or application. This metric can be calculated by taking the total number of likes, shares, and comments received on your posts or content and dividing that sum by the overall number of followers you have. This calculation provides valuable insights into how effectively your audience is engaging with your content.

Entities – Refer to distinct and identifiable items, concepts, or organisations that can be recognised and categorised within the digital landscape. Entities play a crucial role in the structuring and understanding of data, as they help to clarify relationships, enhance targeting, and improve the overall effectiveness of marketing strategies.

Evergreen Content – Evergreen content is a category of material featured on websites that retains its relevance and value regarding a business’s products or services over time. Such content maintains its appeal and consistently draws in users. Common examples of evergreen content include comprehensive case studies and insightful how-to guides, both of which remain engaging and beneficial for readers no matter when they access them.

Exit Rate – The percentage of visitors who leave a specific page on a website rather than navigating to another page.

F

Facebook Advertising – Refers to the Facebook Ad Network, allowing users to market their brand, product and/or service to reach consumers within the Facebook Community. It is unique to Google and other ad networks, as it doesn’t use keywords and that the audiences are based on vast demographic information from Facebook user information.

Facebook Audience Insights – Refers to a specialised tool provided by Facebook that is utilised by marketers in order to effectively target specific audiences. This tool includes comprehensive aggregate information related to various factors such as demographics, geographical locations, consumer purchasing behaviors, and much more. By using this tool, marketers can gain essential insights and identify trends concerning both their current customers and potential clients across the Facebook platform.

Facebook Business Page – Refers to a dedicated business profile page created by marketers on the Facebook social media platform. This page resembles a personal Facebook page but is specifically tailored for a business’s needs and objectives. Any kind of business, regardless of its size or industry, can utilise a Facebook Business Page effectively to promote their brands, showcase their products, and highlight the services they offer to a broader audience.

Facebook Live  – This feature enables Facebook users to engage and interact through live streaming videos instantly. It creates a distinctive platform for individuals, businesses, and organisations to broadcast events, share updates, or connect directly with their audience, promoting a vibrant and interactive experience.

Facebook Pixel – A piece of code offered by Facebook that can be integrated into your website to monitor and assess various actions performed by visitors. This tool enables website owners to collect essential data on user behavior, enhance advertising campaigns, and develop targeted audiences for effective remarketing efforts.

Featured Snippet – A featured snippet is a distinct type of search result box that stands out on the search results page presented by search engines. Its main objective is to deliver a direct response to a user’s query or question prior to their clicking on any specific search result link. To optimise for featured snippets, it’s crucial to structure your content in a way that clearly and succinctly answers particular questions that users are inclined to ask.

Digital Marketing Terms G-K

G

GDPR – The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a comprehensive data protection law enacted by the European Union that sets guidelines for the collection and processing of personal information. In the context of digital marketing, GDPR mandates that businesses must obtain explicit consent from users before collecting and utilising their personal data, such as email addresses and browsing behaviour. This regulation enhances user privacy rights by giving individuals greater control over their personal information, including the right to access, correct, and delete their data. For digital marketers, compliance with GDPR is crucial, as it not only helps avoid hefty fines but also fosters trust and transparency with customers. Marketers must implement clear consent mechanisms, provide detailed privacy notices, and ensure that any data processing activities align with the principles outlined in the regulation, thus influencing strategies for customer engagement and data-driven marketing.

Google Ads – This term denotes the online advertising service provided by Google. It enables marketers to connect with consumers through various channels, including the Google search result pages as well as the expansive display networks that Google operates across the internet.

Google Algorithm –  The term describes a sophisticated mathematical framework specifically created for Google search engines. Its main role is to decide how and where websites appear on the search results pages presented to users. Commonly known as the “Core” algorithm, this vital system typically experiences between 500 to 600 updates annually, averaging around two each day. These modifications are intended to guarantee that users consistently receive the most relevant, precise, and reliable search results possible. The details of Google’s algorithm remain closely protected, making it challenging for webmasters and marketers to manipulate it for improved rankings in search results.

Google Algorithm Update – Google frequently refreshes its algorithm to ensure users access the most relevant, high-quality, and trustworthy search results available. Among the most notable historical updates is the Google Penguin update, which targeted and penalised websites engaged in link-buying practices. Another significant change was the Google Panda update, which aimed at those sites featuring spammy or “thin” content that provided minimal value to visitors. More recent algorithm changes have placed heightened importance on factors such as mobile-friendliness and page speed optimisation, along with a broader focus on E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) to guarantee that websites adhere to elevated quality standards.

Google Analytics – Google Analytics is a free analytical tool offered by Google, tailored to assist you in tracking and assessing your website’s performance. Utilising this robust tool, you can obtain valuable insights into the number of visitors accessing your site, the sources that led them there, the particular pages they explored during their session, and a wealth of additional metrics that are essential for comprehending user behaviour and enhancing your content strategy.

Google Business Profile  – Formerly known as Google My Business, this platform provides marketers with the ability to create a dedicated Google business page. Users can input vital information, including the business name, website URL, operating hours, and other pertinent details. By doing so, businesses significantly boost their visibility, potentially appearing prominently in search results, local searches, the map pack, and various other Google platforms.

GoogleBot – GoogleBot is Google’s specific user-agent that crawls web pages and other assets before sending information to Google’s index to eventually display and rank in their search engine.

Generative Engine Optimisation (GEO) – A discipline that arose with the launch of AI-powered surfaces like Google’s AI Overviews (AIO) and ChatGPT. Similar to SEO, which involves optimising to improve organic visibility in search engines, GEO centres around making sites more visible in AI engine results.

Google Keyword Planner – As an integral component of the suite of services provided by Google, this powerful tool is designed to assist you in conducting thorough research on keywords that you can effectively target in your search marketing campaigns.

Google Search Console – Google Search Console allows website owners and marketers to check the organic performance of their website on Google web search and provides suggestions towards optimising its visibility.

GTM – Google Tag Manager is another free tool from Google that allows you to manage and implement tags (snippets of code) on your website, without having to modify the site code.

H

Hashtag – The term “Hashtag” is used to describe the symbol “#” that appears frequently in social media platforms. This symbol serves a specific purpose: it allows users of social networks to find content more easily based on their interests. Hashtags can cater to a variety of topics, ranging from broad to very detailed, including specialised or niche subjects.

H1 Tag – An H1 tag refers to the primary heading tag found on a webpage, frequently representing the title of that page, and it is typically regarded as the most crucial tag for SEO purposes. Following the H1 tag, there are additional tags such as the H2 tag which serves as a subheading, and the H3 tag for smaller headings, continuing in this hierarchical format.

Hreflang Tag – The hreflang tag provides a technical remedy for websites that contain similar content in various languages or targeted regions. This tag communicates to Google that identical content exists across multiple languages, effectively eliminating the problem of duplicate content and ensuring that users from different geographical locations receive the appropriate language version.

HTML – Is an acronym for “Hyper Text Markup Language” which represents the standardised code used for constructing web pages and organising the overall layout of those pages in a browser.

HTTP Requests – The term ‘HTTP Requests’ refers to ‘Hypertext Transfer Protocol,’ which is a protocol that facilitates the sharing and transmission of information between your web browser and the server hosting the website.

HTTPS – Stands for “Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure” and is utilised to establish a secure connection over a computer network. The communication that takes place on an HTTPS webpage is encrypted courtesy of Transport Layer Security (TLS) or its older counterpart, Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). If a website does not utilise security, it will display HTTP instead, which indicates that the data is not encrypted and may potentially be vulnerable to attacks from cybercriminals.

Hyperlink – Refers to an HTML element that establishes a connection from one webpage to another. Typically, a hyperlink is represented by highlighted text or an image that, when clicked by the user, navigates them to the specified location or resource.

I

Image Optimisation – This essential process ensures that an image retains its high quality while being effectively compressed, allowing for rapid loading times on a webpage. The primary goal is to boost overall site performance without sacrificing user experience, thereby keeping visitors engaged and interested in the content.

Impression – Are the total number of times your website appears or is viewed in search engine results pages. This term also encompasses how often a specific advertisement is displayed to your target audience across diverse marketing platforms. Monitoring impressions offers valuable insights into the reach and visibility of your content or campaigns, aiding in the assessment of their effectiveness.

Impression Share – Refers to a term usually used in paid media to represent a percentage of consumer ad views. 

Inbound Links – These are links that are found on various external domains and direct users to your website.

Inbound Marketing – Is an aggressively pushing messages to a broad audience. This strategy employs various tactics such as blogging, social media engagement, and search engine optimisation (SEO) to draw potential customers in, creating an organic connection with the brand. In contrast to outbound marketing techniques like paid advertisements or cold calling, which often have limited time frames, inbound marketing builds a sustainable and scalable return on investment (ROI) over time. By delivering helpful information and addressing the needs of customers, inbound marketing fosters trust and encourages long-term relationships, ultimately guiding prospects through their buyer’s journey and increasing the likelihood of conversion into loyal customers.

IncrementalityRefers to the measurable and quantifiable uplift in revenue or critical key performance indicators directly attributable to specific marketing activities. Through incrementality testing, marketers can isolate the true effects of their advertising efforts by comparing results from a treatment group exposed to particular marketing strategies against a control group that has not experienced those efforts. This testing method provides clearer insights into which marketing campaigns generate actual additional value, as opposed to multi-touch attribution, which often distributes credit among all marketing interactions during the customer journey. Incrementality testing further supports the optimisation of marketing budgets by pinpointing where investments yield the highest returns.

Instagram Advertising – This term describes the practice of paying to prominently display advertisements on the Instagram platform, thereby allowing brands to connect with a broad audience.

Instagram Stories – This term signifies a temporary format where users can share video or photo posts with their followers for a brief period, typically 24 hours.

Instagram TV – This feature on Instagram empowers users to share and watch longer video content. Unlike Instagram Stories, Instagram TV allows for uploads lasting up to an hour, remaining accessible beyond the 24-hour lifecycle of stories. Users can engage with Instagram TV through the main Instagram app or the specialised IGTV app.

JavaScript – JavaScript is a programming language widely utilised to create interactive elements and dynamic effects on web pages. It is usually embedded within HTML code using <script> tags to enhance the overall user experience.

Keyword – A keyword represents a common search term that users enter when seeking transactional, navigational, or informational content. Effectively incorporating these keywords on relevant web pages enables users to discover your site within search engine results. Keywords can also be monitored to evaluate site performance and further optimised to elevate overall search engine rankings.

Keyword Density – This term refers to the proportion of times a keyword appears on a webpage compared to the total word count. Maintaining optimal keyword density is essential for search engine optimisation (SEO), as a higher density can increase a webpage’s relevance in search results. However, it is vital to avoid “keyword stuffing,” which can result in penalties from search engines and diminish the user experience.

Keyword Research – Is the process of identifying and analysing the search terms that prospective visitors use when looking for information online. This practice is essential for optimising content to appear on search engine results pages (SERPs), thereby increasing a website’s visibility and driving targeted traffic. By discovering which keywords are popular and relevant to a particular topic, marketers can create content that directly addresses the needs and queries of their audience. This not only enhances the likelihood of attracting visitors but also improves the effectiveness of search engine optimisation (SEO) strategies. Ultimately, keyword research serves as a foundational element in digital marketing, allowing brands to tailor their online presence to meet user intent and preferences.

Keyword Stuffing – Is the practice of overloading a webpage with keywords or phrases in an attempt to manipulate search engine rankings and improve visibility. This tactic involves inserting an excessive number of keywords into the content, often in a manner that disrupts the natural flow of the text and makes it less readable for users. Search engines, like Google, consider keyword stuffing a deceptive practice aimed at artificially boosting a page’s relevance in search results. Consequently, websites engaging in this tactic risk penalties, including lower search rankings or de-indexing, as search engines increasingly prioritise high-quality, user-friendly content. Instead of enhancing visibility, keyword stuffing can lead to negative consequences, highlighting the importance of strategic keyword research and ethical SEO practices.

KPI – KPI stands for “Key Performance Indicator” and refers to a type of performance measurement used to demonstrate how effectively a marketing project, company, or employee is achieving its business objectives.

Digital Marketing Terms L-O

L

Landing Page – A landing page is the first webpage users encounter upon visiting your site. In advertising, you can direct users to a tailored page specifically designed to motivate them to take action and convert into customers. Furthermore, from an SEO perspective, optimising a landing page can significantly boost its visibility and elevate its position in organic search results.

Lead – A lead is an individual or potential customer who has expressed interest in your products or services. Qualified leads are those that have been evaluated and identified as likely to result in a sale or conversion.

Lead Generation – Lead generation is the intentional process of attracting and converting new potential customers, aimed at driving future sales.

Lead Magnet – A valuable piece of content, such as an ebook or webinar, offered in exchange for contact information.

Lift Studies/ Conversion Lift Studies – Lift Studies assess the effectiveness of a campaign by comparing the performance of a group exposed to marketing activity with a control group that is not exposed. By measuring metrics like conversions or brand awareness for both groups and analysing the difference, the analysis evaluates the increase (lift) in performance attributed to the campaign, providing insights into its impact and informing future marketing activity.

Linear Regression – Multiple linear regression is a statistical technique used in Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM) to predict a dependent variable (marketing output) based on two or more independent variables (marketing inputs). Within linear regression, certain variable transformations can be made in order to account for delayed effects and the effects of diminishing returns.

Link Building – Link building encompasses the strategic process of encouraging other websites to create and place hyperlinks that direct back to your own site. It is widely recognised as one of the most effective approaches for boosting your organic online visibility, especially when paired with high-quality on-site content.

Link Equity – Link equity, commonly known as “link juice,” describes the authority and value a hyperlink can convey from one webpage to another. This authority can flow through both internal links (originating from the same site) and external links (coming from separate sites). Initially, Google’s algorithm, known as PageRank, evaluated link equity along with the overall link structure to determine website rankings in search results. However, it’s essential to recognise that many other factors now significantly influence page rankings.

Long-Tail Keywords – Refer to search phrases that have lower search volume than more commonly used keywords. While these long-tail keywords may attract fewer searches compared to their short-tail or mid-tail counterparts, they often indicate a higher intent from users. Furthermore, they provide more specific targeting options, meet considerable demand at scale, face lower competition, and frequently convert at significantly higher rates into tangible results.

Local SEO – SEO practices focused on improving search visibility for businesses with physical locations.

Lookalike Audience – Refer to a targeted advertising strategy that enables marketers to reach new potential customers who share similar characteristics, behaviours, and interests with their existing customer base. By utilising platforms like Facebook, marketers can upload their current customer data—such as email lists or engagement metrics—and the platform will analyse this information to identify common traits among the audience. The result is a lookalike audience comprised of individuals who are likely to engage with the marketer’s ads, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of advertising campaigns and expanding market reach. This approach is particularly valuable for increasing conversion rates and acquiring new customers who are more inclined to resonate with a brand’s offerings.

M

Marketing Automation – A platform which streamlines activities like email campaigns, social media posts, lead nurturing and among other things, automating repetitive tasks to improve efficiency and ensure consistency.

Marketing Funnel – Illustrates the journey that an individual undergoes from being a mere prospect to ultimately transforming into a paying customer. The various stages of this journey are frequently represented using the AIDA model, which stands for awareness, interest, desire, and action. To gain a deeper understanding of this framework, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide on AIDA model marketing for additional insights and information.

Media Buying – Media buying is the process of purchasing advertising space across various platforms to deliver targeted messages to the right audience at the right time. Effective media buying ensures optimal exposure for a brand, driving engagement and conversions by strategically selecting the most suitable media channels based on audience behaviour, market trends, and campaign goals.

Media Planning – Media planning is a strategic process that aims to optimise organic, earned and paid media investments to reach and engage a target audience effectively. It involves analysing industry trends, competitor activity, and first- and third-party data to create a data-driven plan that maximises media spend across channels. A media plan outlines the best platforms, ad frequencies, and timelines, ensuring the brand’s message reaches the right audience at the right time. By integrating organic, earned, and paid media, media planning delivers a strategy that enhances marketing impact and efficiency, driving measurable returns.

Metadata – In the context of digital marketing and web development, metadata refers to a page’s “hidden information” that’s typically stored in the <head> of a document.

Mobile-first – A digital marketing strategy that assumes that smartphones, tablets and brand-specific apps are consumers’ primary tools to visit a company’s website or other owned media.

Multi-Channel Marketing – This strategy involves leveraging multiple marketing channels, including but not limited to websites, social media platforms, email communications, and display advertisements, to connect with a broader audience and enhance brand visibility. By utilising various channels, businesses can maximise their outreach efforts and effectively engage potential customers across different touchpoints.

Mobile Page Optimisation – This process entails fine-tuning a website to ensure that it delivers a seamless and fully functional viewing experience on any device screen size, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops. A strong mobile page optimisation will improve user experience, thus potentially increasing engagement, retention, and conversions among users accessing the site from various devices.

N

Nofollow/rel=”nofollow” – Nofollow is an attribute value used to suggest that search engines should not crawl and therefore shouldn’t pass link equity through any given link. One implied application of this is to prevent any association with intentional bad practice, such as purchasing links.

O

Off-Page Optimisation – Off-page optimisation refers to a variety of external factors and strategies external to a website that can boost its organic performance in search engine rankings. This term is primarily associated with link-building techniques, which can be executed through diverse methodologies, such as digital public relations (PR) campaigns. Additionally, it includes initiatives to engage with social media platforms, customer review sites, and other pertinent channels that play a significant role in building and enhancing a business’s credibility, trust, and overall authority within its industry.

On-Page Optimisation – This term pertains to the various measures and actions that can be implemented directly within a website to enhance its organic performance in search engines. These tasks encompass a range of activities, including the optimisation of keyword targeting strategies, crafting engaging and relevant meta descriptions, as well as the development and creation of high-quality content.

Organic Traffic – This is the number of people who visit your website through natural search engine listings, i.e. without clicking an advertisement or a referral link. Similarly, you can also receive traffic through Organic Social – again, via users who found you on social media through unpaid means – though this is often tagged simply as “Social” through analytics platforms. Organic Traffic does not include what is called “Direct Traffic” – when a user types your URL directly into the search bar, or clicks on their saved bookmark.

Owned Media – Any online property that a brand, business or entity directly controls, for example, your website, blog, social media profiles and posts.

Digital Marketing Terms P-T

P

Page View – This term signifies a specific instance when a user opens and views a webpage in their web browser. It represents a single engagement where the content is rendered for the user.

Paid Media – This marketing strategy focuses on leveraging paid placements to effectively promote and advertise your owned assets across various third-party platforms. Paid Media includes various advertising formats, such as paid search ads, social media promotions, and display ads found throughout the internet.

Performance Max (PMax) – This is an automated campaign type designed around specific goals. It utilises sophisticated machine learning algorithms to deliver relevant advertisements to targeted audiences, aiming to optimise overall campaign performance and effectiveness.

Product Detail Page – Also known as a PDP, is a page on a website that provides information about a specific product, including its title, description, images, price, specifications, customer reviews, and more. The page helps customers make informed purchase decisions along with details on shipping, return policies, and any promotional offers. The PDP plays a crucial role in converting browsing visitors into buyers by offering all the necessary details in one place.

Product Listing Page – Also known as a PLP, is a webpage that displays a collection of products with key details like images, titles, prices, and ratings. It allows users to browse, compare, and filter products by categories, with the goal of guiding them to specific Product Detail Pages (PDPs) for more information, ultimately leading to a purchase.

PPC – PPC is an acronym that stands for “Pay Per Click.” This refers to a specific type of online advertising strategy wherein advertisers are charged a predetermined fee each time an internet user clicks on their advertisement. Various platforms utilise this pay-per-click model, including prominent ones like Google Ads (previously known as AdWords) and Microsoft Advertising (which was formerly branded as Bing Ads).

Publisher – A publisher is defined as an individual or entity that owns digital space on the internet which advertisers can purchase for promotional purposes. Examples of publishers include various online mediums such as gaming applications, websites, and platforms that facilitate video sharing.

P Values – The “P” in the p-value stands for probability and indicates how likely it is that any observed difference in results is of random chance. For instance, if you test a new marketing strategy and obtain a p-value, it suggests the likelihood that the observed effect is due to random variation rather than the effectiveness of the strategy itself.

Q

Quality Score – A type of way Google rates the quality of its paid media ads. Usually determined by three factors; ad content/copy, expected click-through rate and landing page relevance and quality. 

Query –  This refers to the actual keyword or phrase a searcher types into a search engine in order to find out about a particular subject or topic. 

QR code –  QR code stands for “Quick Response code” and is a scannable barcode used to encode data such as text or an URL. 

R

Rankings – This refers to a general term associated with the position of a website in the search engine results. 

Ranking Signals – Ranking signals are the criteria and benchmarks that search engines use to evaluate web pages for their ranking in search results. This evaluation is crucial for determining the visibility and positioning of these pages for users. Ranking signals can include various factors such as the quality and relevance of a website’s content, its technical structure and implementation, user engagement metrics that indicate behavior, the strength and credibility of its backlink profile, and any other characteristics deemed important by the search engine for ranking purposes.

Remarketing – Often referred to as retargeting in the digital marketing arena, remarketing is a strategic approach aimed at users who have previously visited your website and interacted with your products or services. For example, after browsing a specific dress on a retail site, you may start to see targeted ads across multiple platforms and websites throughout the internet. These advertisements serve to remind you of that particular dress, encouraging you to return to the site and finalise your purchase, thereby enhancing the likelihood of conversion.

Responsive Design – is a web design and development approach that ensures a website is optimised for a variety of devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. This strategy enables the website to automatically adjust its layout, content, and images based on the screen size and resolution of the device being used. By using flexible grids, fluid images, and CSS media queries, responsive design guarantees that users have a seamless browsing experience, regardless of the device they are using. This adaptability not only enhances usability but also plays a crucial role in search engine optimisation, as search engines favour websites that provide a consistent experience across different platforms. Ultimately, responsive web design allows businesses to reach a wider audience and improve user engagement by ensuring that their website looks and functions well on any device.

Rich Snippets – Bits of text, data or visual content that appear in the abstracts or summaries of a Google search engine results page. Rich snippets are pulled from a website on the SERP, usually (but not always!) from one of the pages ranking in positions 1-3.

ROAS – ROAS stands for “Return on Ad Spend” and refers to the amount of revenue your ads receive in comparison to the cost. It is typically expressed as a ratio.

Robots.txt – A robots.txt file is used to tell crawlers which pages on a website they can and can’t crawl. This is indicated by “allow” and “disallow” directives.

ROI – ROI stands for “Return On Investment”. This is the financial results that you see after investing in a service to improve your business, such as Digital Marketing.

R-Squared – R-squared is a key metric used to evaluate the fit of a statistical model, such as MMM, showing how well the data points used to train the model match the predicted outcomes. R-squared ranges from 0 to 1, where 0 indicates no explanatory power and 1 indicates a perfect fit.

S

Schema Markup/Schema.org – Schema markup is a form of structured metadata that can be implemented into a website to give search engines more understanding of your website’s content. Search engines then use this information to display different types of content on their platforms. For example, you can add Schema to a recipe to show the recipe and cooking steps within search results. See our guide to schema to learn how.

Search Impression Share – Search impression share is the number of impressions you’ve received on your adverts, divided by the estimated number of impressions you were eligible to receive.

Search Engine – This refers to any software system that searches and identifies content on the web, related to a specific search query. Examples of search engines include Google, Bing, Yahoo and more.

Search Intent – This term refers to the underlying motivation or reason that compels a user to perform a specific search query on the internet. Understanding this concept is crucial for effective digital marketing strategies.

Search Terms – Often referred to as keyword phrases or queries, are the specific words or phrases that users input into search engines when seeking information or answers. These terms reflect the user’s intent and can vary widely in specificity and length, ranging from broad queries like “best restaurants” to more detailed phrases such as “Italian restaurants near me.” Effective digital marketers carefully analyse and incorporate these search terms into their website content and SEO strategies to enhance visibility and improve the likelihood that their pages appear in relevant search engine results pages (SERPs). By aligning website content with popular search terms, businesses can attract more organic traffic and better connect with their target audience.

SEM – SEM, which stands for “Search Engine Marketing,” refers to a broad category that encompasses all forms of paid advertising strategies used to promote content or services on search engine platforms.

SEO – SEO is an acronym that stands for “Search Engine Optimisation.” The primary goal of SEO is to improve a website’s visibility and presence within the standard, unpaid, or ‘organic’ search results that are displayed when users perform searches online. By optimising various on-page and off-page factors, businesses can increase the likelihood that their content ranks higher in these search results, thereby attracting more traffic and engaging potential customers effectively.

SEO Audit – Used more and more, this term refers to a complete check of websites health and potential performance in search results. SEO Audits are usually the first thing offered by SEO agencies to website owners.

SERPs – SERPs, which is an abbreviation for “Search Engine Results Pages,” is the term used to describe the specific web pages that are presented to users after they have input a query into a search engine. These pages display a list of results that are deemed relevant to the query made, offering users various links to websites, images, videos, and other content that match their search intent.

Sessions – This term pertains to a specific metric used to measure user activity. In the realm of web analytics, a session—often referred to as a site visit—indicates the duration that a visitor actively engages with a website. For instance, in Google Analytics, a session is defined as a key performance indicator that tracks and measures how users interact with the site, with Google setting the default duration for a session to 30 minutes of inactivity.

Shopify – A comprehensive and widely-used proprietary e-commerce platform designed specifically for online stores as well as retail point-of-sale (POS) systems. This robust platform provides retailers with a diverse suite of essential services, which encompasses payment processing, marketing solutions

Site Navigation – The process of navigating from one web page to another web page through the use of internal links that exist within the same domain.

Social Media Marketing – This refers to any marketing activity, whether it is paid or organic, that focuses on leveraging Social Media platforms and channels. Examples of these platforms include popular sites like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, among others.

Social Media Traffic – This refers to the volume of people who have landed onto another website, or app when they have clicked an ad or link from a social media site.

Social Proof – Is a psychological phenomenon where individuals look to the actions of others to determine the correct way to act in a given situation. In the context of digital marketing, social proof manifests in various forms, such as testimonials, reviews, and endorsements on social media platforms. It plays a critical role in building trust and credibility for a brand or product, as potential customers are more likely to make a purchase if they see that others have had positive experiences. By showcasing a strong following, positive feedback, and high engagement on social media, businesses can leverage social proof to influence consumer perception and encourage new customers to engage with their offerings.

SSL Certificate – An SSL certificate is a specific kind of digital certificate that serves the dual purpose of providing authentication for a website while also enabling an encrypted and secure connection between the user’s browser and the web server.

Style Guide – A comprehensive document that is supplied by an agency or company to ensure that when they are crafting written copy, it aligns closely with the specific personality and tone of voice that defines the brand’s identity.

T

Target Audience – This term describes a distinctive group of individuals sharing common traits that align with a marketer’s purchasing personas. This segment is most likely to exhibit interest in and ultimately purchase a marketer’s product or service.

Technical SEO – These are practices aimed at enhancing how your website is crawled, indexed, and rendered by search engines, thereby improving its visibility in organic search results.

Title Tag – An HTML element that delineates the topic of a specific webpage. Title tags typically appear as clickable headlines in search engine results pages (SERPs). They play a crucial role in SEO, enhancing usability, and facilitating social sharing. A well-crafted title tag should be descriptive, incorporate primary keywords, and deliver an accurate overview of the page’s content.

Top Of Funnel Marketing – This refers to the initial stage of the sales funnel, where marketing efforts aim to foster brand awareness and stimulate sales. Typical channels employed include social media, blogging, SEO, online advertising, video marketing, and influencer partnerships.

Tracking Cookie – These are small text files placed on a visitor’s browser by websites to monitor their browsing habits. Tracking cookies gather data about the pages users visit and the information they seek, such as keywords and geographic locations, enabling marketers to target the appropriate audience more effectively.

Digital Marketing Terms U-Z

U

UI – UI, or “User Interface,” refers to the specific interaction points between users and computers. This crucial element of UX design focuses primarily on the visual aesthetics and graphical elements of a design. In contrast, UX design encompasses a broader scope, considering the overall user experience, including interaction, usability, and satisfaction.

UR – UR stands for URL Rating, a valuable linking metric developed by the marketing platform Ahrefs. This metric is designed to assess and quantify an individual URL’s authority and its potential for achieving higher rankings in search engine results. Similarly, Moz offers a comparable metric known as PA, or Page Authority. A higher UR indicates greater authority and increased ranking potential for a page. UR also serves as a counterpart to Ahrefs’ other link metric, called ‘DR.’

URL – URL, or “Uniform Resource Locator,” denotes the standardised format that specifies the address of a particular webpage on the internet.

User Engagement – Assesses how visitors react to a product or service page, as well as to articles, blogs, or other content offered on a website.

User-Generated Content – User-generated content, abbreviated as “UGC,” encompasses all types of content—such as images, videos, text, and audio—that individuals create and share on various online platforms. Common examples include blog comments and discussion threads in forums.

UX – Stands for “User Experience,” effectively describing the overall emotions, responses, and interactions that users experience while navigating a website. Ensuring a positive user experience is essential, as it significantly boosts the chances of converting visitors into customers for your products or services.

V

Video Marketing – This refers to a type of marketing strategy that integrates video with advertising. Video marketing can be used for various types of promotion, such as customer testimonials, how-to videos, interactive videos, live stream events and video advertisements. 

Visits – This refers to a metric used to calculate the total number of site navigations from a visitor to a website.

W

Webinar – This term refers to what is known as an online seminar. A webinar, which is essentially an online seminar, can be organised with the purpose of informing, training, or selling to an audience that shows interest in a particular brand, product, or service.

Website Analytics – This involves the detailed analysis and comprehensive reporting of web data, which aims to provide valuable insights that help in better understanding the behaviour of visitors on a website.

Wireframe – A wireframe serves as a visual guide that showcases the various contents of a webpage. This tool is instrumental during the web design process as it helps designers determine the most effective arrangement of elements to enhance user usability and overall experience.

X

XML Sitemap – An XML sitemap is essentially an XML file that is designed to comprehensively detail the indexable pages present on a particular website. Search engines utilise this information to effectively understand which specific web pages are available for crawling, allowing them to store these pages in their search index for easier access and retrieval by users.

Y

Youtube Advertising – This refers to advertising on Youtube. It offers marketers 6 advertising formats; display ads, skippable video, overlay ads, non-skippable video ads, sponsored cards and bumper ads, which can also be created and run on Google Ads. 

Need Digital Marketing Assistance?

Did you find this digital marketing glossary to be helpful and informative? If so, you might want to explore the additional resources listed below, which offer further insights.

If you are seeking the expertise and support of a digital marketing agency to assist in growing your business online effectively, Better Ranking can help! Please feel free to reach out to us. We’d love to help!

David Xu
David Xu

SEO strategist and digital marketing expert with a passion for helping businesses grow online. As Co-Founder of Better Ranking, David brings a wealth of experience in delivering tailored SEO solutions that drive measurable results. Skilled in optimising websites, enhancing user experiences, and creating impactful strategies for businesses of all sizes.

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