Publishers can utilize audience segmentation to categorize their audience based on their online activity. In this piece, we’ll define audience segmentation, explain why it’s important, and discuss how publishers can benefit from it. We’ll also offer some helpful audience segmentation tips and best practices.
What is Audience Segmentation?
Audience segmentation is the process of dividing an audience into segments based on predefined criteria such as behavior, geographical location, historical data, product consumption, and other characteristics. In the ad tech industry, audience segmentation is utilized for ad targeting.
A publisher, for example, may create distinct advertisements for different audiences based on whether they use iOS or Android, Windows or Mac, or desktop or mobile. Another example is a fitness-oriented website that delivers targeted advertising to individuals who have demonstrated a desire for fitness-related information.
This technique makes use of website cookies. Cookies are small pieces of data that a website sends to a user’s web browser. Cookies, once installed, track the user’s actions, allowing the publisher to collect and analyze data.
Why is Audience Segmentation Important?
There are several reasons why publishers should invest in audience segmentation:
1. Overcoming Competitors: Publishers must carefully target their customers with segmented ads in the competitive world of online marketing. This strategy can help businesses differentiate themselves from the competition and enhance their chances of turning leads into clients.
2. Building Relationships with Audiences: Publishers may create deeper relationships with their users by generating more personalized and audience-centric content.
3. Personalizing the Approach: Customers prefer relevant and personalized experiences. Publishers can give these experiences at the proper moment by segmenting their audiences.
How Can Segmentation Benefit Publishers?
Publishers can benefit from segmentation in a variety of ways, including: – Increased focus on each consumer type
– An advantage in the marketplace
– The capacity to attract and keep qualified customers
– A marketing strategy centered on the customer
– Discovering undiscovered opportunities
Audience segmentation can also be used by publishers to create more engaging content experiences. They can, for example, assess when their users are most active, what types of content are most appreciated, and whether there are possibilities to improve the quality of their content.
How Can Publishers Segment Their Audience?
Publishers can segment their audiences using a variety of techniques and platforms. Google Analytics is a popular application that provides some data management platform (DMP) functionality. Google Analytics allows publishers to construct segments based on factors such as age, gender, location, behavior, traffic source, and more.
A separate DMP is not required if a publisher utilizes Google Ad Manager or Google AdSense to monetize their inventory, as Google will seamlessly transmit information between its platforms. However, if a publisher employs the services of other ad networks and ad exchanges, a DMP may be required to securely communicate data with advertisers.
Common Filters for Audience Segmentation
Here are some fundamental audience segmentation parameters that publishers can employ when getting started:
– Demographic: Factors such as age, gender, language, affinity category, behavior, traffic source, and geography are included.
– Behaviour analytics: It includes session length, clicks, and bounce rate. Publishers can benefit from behavioral segmentation by better understanding how users interact with their content.
– Technology: This category contains elements such as the operating system, browser, screen resolution, and device category.
– Traffic Source: This refers to the source of a publisher’s visitors, which could be direct, organic, paid campaigns, social media, or referrals.
Best Practices for Segmentation Success
Here are some audience segmentation ideas that help publishers succeed:
1. Develop Data-Driven Customer Personas: Begin with fundamental demographics and then expand on that information with insights into customer preferences, behaviors, interests, and affinities.
2. Learn More About Your Customers: To learn how to communicate your message more effectively, go beyond past data and map out specific customer journeys.
3. Use Various Channels: Reach out to different people on various platforms to establish a strong presence and deliver value to your viewers.
4. A/B Test Your Segmentation Strategy: Experiment with various segmentation tactics until you discover the most effective one.
5. Don’t Go Overboard: Strike a balance by establishing segments that are neither too broad nor too narrow.
Conclusion:
Regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) are making audience segmentation more difficult. While user data security and privacy are crucial, the advertising industry relies on audience-targeting information to operate properly. Publishers must accept responsibility for the security of the information they gather and share with advertisers.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. What is the purpose of audience segmentation?
– Audience segmentation is the process of dividing an audience into groups based on characteristics such as behavior, geographic location, historical data, and product consumption. It is utilized in the advertising sector for ad targeting.
Q2. What are the types of audience segmentation?
– Demographic segmentation, behavioral segmentation, technological segmentation, and traffic source segmentation are the four basic types of audience segmentation.
Q3. What are some important audience segmentation tips?
– Some helpful hints include developing data-driven client personas, learning more about your customers, utilizing various channels, A/B testing your segmentation strategy, and personalizing your approach.
