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Targeting: meaning, definitions and examples

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targeting

 

[ˈtɑːrɡɪtɪŋ ]

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • 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.

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.

Translations

Translations of the word "targeting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 direcionamento

🇮🇳 लक्ष्य निर्धारण

🇩🇪 Zielsetzung

🇮🇩 penargetan

🇺🇦 цілеспрямування

🇵🇱 celowanie

🇯🇵 ターゲティング

🇫🇷 ciblage

🇪🇸 orientación

🇹🇷 hedefleme

🇰🇷 타겟팅

🇸🇦 استهداف

🇨🇿 cílení

🇸🇰 cielenie

🇨🇳 目标设定

🇸🇮 ciljanje

🇮🇸 markmiðun

🇰🇿 нысаналау

🇬🇪 მიზანმიმართვა

🇦🇿 hədəfləmə

🇲🇽 orientación

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.