targeting

Setting sights on

Targeting is directing attention, effort, or resources toward a specific objective.

Marketing campaigns target demographics; missiles target locations; policies target problems.

The word implies deliberate selection and focus: The ads were targeting young professionals.

In online contexts, targeting often refers to using data to reach specific audiences: behavioral targeting, targeted advertising.

aiming

crosshairs

Intersecting sighting lines

sightsNotable places to visit
scopeExtent or range
bullseyeExact center target

trajectory · rifle · sniping · archery · marksmanship · laser-guided · lock-on · tracking · homing · zeroing

marketing

demographics

Statistical population characteristics

segmentationDivision into sections
audienceGathered viewers collectively
consumersThose who buy goods

retargeting · ads · campaign · niche · psychographics · reach · impressions · conversion · clickthrough · lookalike

selection

criteria

Standards for judgment

filteringSelective passage of elements
identificationEstablishing who someone is
screeningEvaluative selection process

shortlisting · narrowing · pinpointing · specifying · focusing · honing · isolating · handpicking · prioritizing · exclusion

precision

calibration

Adjusting for measurement accuracy

fine-tuningSmall precise optimization adjustments
accuracyDegree of correctness
alignmentCorrect relative positioning

adjustment · specificity · exactness · pinpoint · surgical · laser-focused · honed · meticulous · refined · tight

hostility

harassment

Aggressive, unwanted targeting

discriminationUnjust differential treatment
persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
profilingCharacterizing by patterns

victimization · scapegoating · bullying · hate-crime · bias · prejudice · vulnerable · marginalized · retaliation · intimidation

Categories

highlightingemphasizing, stressing, underscoring, accenting, accentuating
precision actionsaiming, threading, stitching, suturing, calibrating
Air Combatair strike, airstrikes, fighter pilot, bombing run, combat aircraft
app marketinginstalls, downloads, monetization, retention, app store
military avionicsavionics, radar systems, electronic warfare, navigation systems, flight controls
paid searchPPC, Google Ads, ad auction, keywords, bidding

Opposites

precision/focus

targetingscattershot

Broadly unfocused approach

indiscriminate · unfocused · blanket · diffuse · broad-brush

intentionality

targetingrandom

Occurring without pattern

aimless · accidental · arbitrary · unintentional · directionless

inclusion/exclusion

targetingall-encompassing

Including everything without exception

across-the-board · inclusive · unselective · nonselective · comprehensive

Phrases

targeting systemMechanism for acquiring objectives
ad targetingDirecting promotions to specific viewers
targeting computerSystem directing weapon aim
laser targetingDirecting munitions via light beam
precision targetingExact aim at specifics

Family

micro-targeting

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G