What does audience targeting typically utilize to define segments such as age, gender, and income level?

Audience targeting effectively relies on both first-party and third-party data to define segments like age, gender, and income level. First-party data, which is information collected directly from a business's own audience—such as website visits, email interactions, and CRM data—provides insights into the existing customer base. This data is highly valuable as it reflects direct engagement and customer behavior.

On the other hand, third-party data supplements this information by pulling in broader demographic and psychographic data from external sources. This can include aggregated data from various platforms, surveys, and databases, which helps marketers understand audience segments that might not be directly interacting with their brand. By combining both types of data, advertisers can create more robust and precise audience profiles, allowing for effective targeting strategies that resonate with specific demographics and enhance campaign effectiveness.

This combination is crucial for tailoring marketing efforts and optimizing conversion rates, as it provides a comprehensive understanding of not just who the audience is, but also what their behaviors and preferences are, leading to more effective advertising strategies. Other options would not encompass the full spectrum needed for thorough audience segmentation, which requires insights from both internal and external data sources to be truly effective.