Glossary of Online Advertising in E-commerce

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, advertising is essential for gaining visibility and driving sales growth. Whether you’re using Amazon Ads, Flipkart Ads, or promoting your brand through social media marketing, understanding key advertising terms helps optimize your campaigns. This glossary provides definitions, examples, and applications for the most important terms used in advertising on marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart.

1. ACoS (Advertising Cost of Sale)

Definition: A metric measuring the ratio of ad spend to sales generated.
Formula: (Ad Spend / Sales) * 100
Example: If you spend ₹100 on ads and generate ₹500 in sales, your ACoS is 20%.
Application: Essential for evaluating the efficiency of Amazon advertising campaigns.

2. A+ Content

Definition: Enhanced multimedia content for Amazon product listings.
Example: Rich images, videos, and formatted text to boost engagement.
Application: Improves listing quality scores and conversion rates.

3. Attribution

Definition: Identifying which ads led to conversions.
Example: A Facebook Ad resulting in an Amazon purchase.
Application: Optimizes ROAS by pinpointing effective advertising channels.

4. Bid

Definition: The maximum amount you pay per click on a keyword.
Example: A bid of ₹10 for a keyword on Amazon.
Application: Effective bidding strategies control CPC and maximize PPC results.

5. Broad Match

Definition: A keyword match type that includes variations of the keyword.
Example: “Running shoes” might also show for “best running footwear.”
Application: Expands reach and identifies new market demands.

6. Contest

Definition: Engagement tool offering rewards for participation.
Example: An Instagram contest for sharing a brand post.
Application: Increases brand awareness and customer acquisition.

7. CPC (Cost-Per-Click)

Definition: The cost incurred for each click on your ad.
Example: ₹5 per click for a Sponsored Product Ad on Amazon.
Application: Measures the cost-effectiveness of PPC campaigns.

8. Conversion Rate

Definition: The percentage of clicks resulting in sales.
Formula: (Sales / Clicks) * 100
Example: 10 sales from 100 clicks equals a 10% conversion rate.
Application: Indicates the effectiveness of your product listing and ad.

9. Customer Profile

Definition: A detailed description of your ideal customer.
Example: “Men aged 25-35, urban fitness enthusiasts.”
Application: Targets the right audience for marketplace strategies.

10. CTR (Click-Through Rate)

Definition: The percentage of users who click on your ad after seeing it.
Formula: (Clicks / Impressions) * 100
Example: 50 clicks from 1000 impressions equals a 5% CTR.
Application: Measures the appeal of your ad and its relevance.

11. Data Analytics

Definition: Collecting and analyzing data to optimize campaigns.
Example: Tracking sales trends on Flipkart to improve ad placements.
Application: Informs strategic decisions for better e-commerce growth.

12. Deals & Offers

Definition: Promotions that encourage purchasing.
Example: Flipkart’s Big Billion Days offering discounts.
Application: Drives sales, attracts new customers, and clears inventory.

13. Exact Match

Definition: Keyword match type for precise targeting.
Example: “Running shoes” triggers only exact searches.
Application: Delivers highly targeted traffic to boost conversion rates.

14. Headline Search Ads

Definition: Banner ads on top of Amazon search results.
Example: Promoting a product line of electronics.
Application: Increases brand visibility and drives traffic to product pages.

15. Impressions

Definition: The number of times your ad is shown.
Example: 1000 impressions on a Flipkart Ad.
Application: Measures brand visibility and reach.

16. Keywords

Definition: Terms that trigger your ads.
Example: “Ceramic mug” for a coffee mug listing.
Application: Essential for effective Amazon SEO and Flipkart Ads.

17. Listing Quality Score

Definition: A score evaluating product listing completeness.
Example: High-quality images and optimized descriptions lead to higher scores.
Application: Higher scores improve SERP rankings and conversion rates.

18. Negative Keywords

Definition: Keywords to exclude from campaigns.
Example: Adding “cheap” as a negative keyword for luxury watches.
Application: Reduces wasted spend and irrelevant traffic.

19. PPC (Pay-Per-Click)

Definition: An ad model where you pay per click.
Example: Amazon Sponsored Products ads.
Application: Drives targeted traffic and controls ad spend.

20. Predictive Analytics

Definition: Predicting future trends based on data.
Example: Forecasting holiday sales for better inventory management.
Application: Optimizes marketing and supply chain strategies.

21. Ratings & Reviews

Definition: Customer feedback on products.
Example: 4.5-star rating on Amazon boosts trust.
Application: Positive reviews enhance brand credibility and sales.

22. ROAS (Return on Ad Spend)

Definition: Revenue earned per rupee spent on ads.
Formula: (Revenue / Ad Spend) * 100
Example: ₹4000 revenue from ₹1000 spend equals a 400% ROAS.
Application: Evaluates the success of advertising campaigns.

23. SERP (Search Engine Results Page)

Definition: The results displayed by search engines.
Example: Google SERP for “best running shoes.”
Application: Improving SERP rankings drives organic traffic.

24. Sponsored Brands

Definition: Ads promoting multiple products under one brand.
Example: A footwear brand banner on Amazon search results.
Application: Builds brand awareness and promotes product portfolios.

25. Sponsored Display Ads

Definition: Retargeting ads based on browsing behavior.
Example: An ad for a viewed product shown across Amazon’s network.
Application: Recaptures potential buyers who didn’t convert.

26. Sponsored Products

Definition: Ads promoting individual products on marketplaces.
Example: Promoting “Bluetooth headphones” on Amazon.
Application: Drives traffic directly to product listings.

27. TCOS (Total Cost of Sale)

Definition: Total ad spend as a percentage of overall sales.
Formula: (Total Ad Spend / Total Revenue) * 100
Example: ₹10,000 spend generating ₹1,00,000 in sales equals a 10% TCOS.
Application: Provides a broader view of advertising efficiency.

Conclusion

Mastering these e-commerce advertising terms will help you run successful campaigns on platforms like Amazon and Flipkart. By leveraging tools like A+ Content, optimizing for keywords, managing ACoS, and applying predictive analytics, businesses can maximize visibility and drive sustainable growth.