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Targeting Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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targeting

[หˆtษ‘หrษกษชtษชล‹ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

online advertising

The action of directing advertisements to a specific audience based on their demographics, interests, or behavior.

Synonyms

aiming, directing, focusing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
targeting

Use when specifically trying to reach or affect a certain group or area, often in marketing, military, or strategic contexts.

  • The company is targeting young adults with this new product.
  • The military operation involved targeting key enemy positions.
directing

Use when managing, guiding, or controlling the course or actions of people, equipment, or thoughts.

  • The teacher was directing the students to their seats.
  • She is directing a new movie this summer.
aiming

Use when setting a specific goal or intention, whether literal like aiming a weapon or figurative like aiming to achieve something.

  • She is aiming for a career in medicine.
  • He was aiming the arrow at the target.
focusing

Use when concentrating attention or effort on a particular task, topic, or problem.

  • He is focusing on his studies to improve his grades.
  • Focusing the camera lens to get a clearer picture.

Examples of usage

  • Targeting is crucial for maximizing the effectiveness of online advertising campaigns.
  • Advertisers use targeting to reach their desired audience more efficiently.
Context #2 | Verb

marketing

The act of selecting a particular market segment as the focus of a marketing campaign.

Synonyms

aiming at, directing towards, focusing on.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
targeting

Used in situations where someone or something is being specifically chosen or selected, often in a strategic manner. This term can sometimes have a negative connotation, especially when it implies singling out for negative attention.

  • The marketing team is targeting young adults for the new product launch.
  • The cyber attack was specifically targeting government websites.
focusing on

Best used when mentioning concentration or attention on a particular subject or task. It implies a deep level of engagement and commitment.

  • He is focusing on improving his technical skills.
  • The project team is focusing on completing the next milestone.
aiming at

Commonly used in situations where a person or organization is directing their efforts or intentions towards a particular goal or result. It can be used both literally and figuratively.

  • She is aiming at becoming the top student in her class.
  • The coach is aiming at winning the championship this season.
directing towards

Usually employed when guiding or leading something in a specific direction, often involving physical, emotional, or intellectual guidance.

  • The teacher is directing her students towards better study habits.
  • The traffic officer is directing cars towards the detour route.

Examples of usage

  • Our company is targeting young professionals with our new product.
  • The marketing team is targeting customers who are interested in sustainable products.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Marketing

  • In advertising, targeting helps companies focus their messages on particular groups based on demographics like age and interests.
  • Behavioral targeting uses user data to show personalized ads to individuals based on their online actions.
  • Geotargeting allows businesses to send specific messages to users based on their location, improving relevance and engagement.

Psychology

  • Targeting can influence decision-making; when people know their choices are aimed at a specific goal, they often feel more motivated.
  • In cognitive psychology, targeting memory retrieval can enhance learning by directing attention to relevant information.
  • Goal-setting theory emphasizes that when targets are clear and specific, people are more likely to achieve them.

Technology

  • In data analytics, targeting algorithms help businesses pinpoint trends and behaviors by processing vast amounts of information quickly.
  • Machine learning models can improve targeting effectiveness by learning from user interactions, refining strategies over time.
  • Mobile apps use targeting to send notifications based on user behavior, aiming to increase engagement and retention.

Education

  • In educational settings, targeting refers to identifying specific learning goals and outcomes for students to enhance their learning experience.
  • Differentiated instruction involves targeting various teaching methods to cater to diverse learning styles in the classroom.
  • Assessment targeting helps educators focus on individual student needs, allowing for tailored support and resources.

Origin of 'targeting'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'target' comes from the Old French 'tergette', meaning a small shield or a mark to aim at.
  • In military terminology, targeting often refers to identifying and designating specific objectives for action during operations.
  • The addition of 'ing' indicates an ongoing action, highlighting the dynamic nature of focusing efforts.

The term 'targeting' originated from the field of military strategy, where it referred to the selection of specific objectives or goals. In the context of marketing and advertising, targeting evolved to describe the practice of directing messages or advertisements towards specific audiences. The concept of targeting has become central to modern marketing strategies, allowing businesses to tailor their messages to reach the most relevant and receptive audience.

See also: target, targeted, targeter, targets.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,379, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.