What is Remarketing?

Remarketing generally refers to re-engaging people who have previously interacted with a business. The term is often used interchangeably with retargeting, although platform terminology can differ.

Quick Definition

Remarketing is a broad term referring to re-engaging people who have previously interacted with a business through various channels. While often used interchangeably with retargeting, some platforms distinguish between the terms: Google uses "remarketing" for search and display advertising (targeting users who have visited your website), while "retargeting" is more commonly used for social media advertising. Remarketing encompasses various re-engagement tactics: email remarketing (re-engaging email subscribers), retargeting ads (serving ads to previous website visitors), and other re-engagement tactics. The key distinction is that remarketing targets users who have already shown interest in your brand.

How It Works

Remarketing works by identifying users who have previously interacted with your business and re-engaging them through various channels. For ad-based remarketing: tracking pixels or cookies track user behavior, and ads are served to those users when they visit other websites or platforms. For email remarketing: email lists are used to re-engage subscribers with targeted emails. Remarketing can be done across multiple channels: display ads, search ads, social media ads, email, and other channels. The goal is to re-engage users who have already shown interest and move them further down the funnel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between remarketing and retargeting?

The terms are often used interchangeably. Some platforms distinguish them: Google uses "remarketing" for search and display advertising, while "retargeting" is more commonly used for social media. In practice, they refer to the same concept: re-engaging users who have previously interacted with your brand.

Is remarketing the same as email marketing?

Remarketing is a subset of email marketing focused on re-engaging users who have previously interacted with your brand. Email marketing is broader and includes all email marketing activities (newsletters, promotions, etc.). Remarketing specifically targets previous engagers.

How do you comply with privacy regulations for remarketing?

Ensure compliance with privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA) by: obtaining consent for tracking, providing clear privacy policies, offering opt-out mechanisms, using first-party data where possible, and being transparent about data collection and usage. Consult legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.