Simple explanations for digital marketing terms
Confused by all the jargon in digital marketing? From impressions and ROI to CTR and SEO, we're here to break down the most common marketing terms with clear explanations, real-world examples, and language you'll actually understand.
Ad Clicks
What it is…
The total number of times users clicked on your ad (headlines, buttons, images, links).What it means…
Ad clicks show raw interaction with your ad before quality or cost is considered.Real-world use…
A campaign gets 2,500 ad clicks but only 50 leads — lots of interest, few takers.Think of it like…
People walking through your store door — not purchases yet.Ad Rank
What it is…
Google Ads metric that determines ad position on the results page.What it means…
Higher Ad Rank usually means higher placement for your ad.Real-world use…
Two equal bids, but the ad with better expected performance ranks higher.Think of it like…
Priority seating — better prep gets the better table.Ad Relevance Score / Quality Ranking
What it is…
Meta’s measure of how relevant your ad is to your selected audience.What it means…
Higher relevance typically improves performance and lowers costs.Real-world use…
Poor targeting drops your score and makes each click more expensive.Think of it like…
How well your message fits the room you’re speaking to.Average % Viewed
What it is…
Average portion of a video watched across all views.What it means…
Shows where viewers lose interest so you can adjust hooks and pacing.Real-world use…
Viewers watch an average of 62% of a 30‑second ad.Think of it like…
How far through the song the audience listens.Average CPC (Cost Per Click)
What it is…
Average amount paid per click across a campaign. Formula: Total Ad Spend ÷ Total ClicksWhat it means…
Shows what you pay to attract a visitor and signals competition/relevance.Real-world use…
Spend $500 for 1,000 clicks; average CPC is $0.50.Think of it like…
Your average dinner tab per guest.Average CPM
What it is…
Average cost to serve 1,000 ad impressions. Formula: (Total Cost ÷ Impressions) × 1,000What it means…
Useful for comparing awareness pricing across display and video.Real-world use…
$1,200 for 200,000 impressions = $6 CPM.Think of it like…
Buying views in packs of 1,000.
