Reference library

The AI marketing glossary.

Plain-language definitions linked to the reviews and categories where each term is used in context.

22defined terms

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Definitions in context

AEO (Answer Engine Optimization): optimizing content to be surfaced or cited by AI-generated answers
AI Citation: when an AI system references or names a source in a generated answer
AI Overviews: Google's AI-generated summary blocks shown above traditional search results
Black Box Algorithm: an automated system whose decision-making logic isn't visible to the user
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization): optimizing content and technical structure for visibility in generative AI systems

Backlink: a link from one website to another, used as a signal of authority
Digital PR: earning media coverage and backlinks through journalist and publication relationships
Domain Rating (DR): Ahrefs' proprietary score estimating a website's backlink-based authority
White-Label (Marketing Services): services delivered by one company but sold under another company's brand

CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost): the average cost to acquire one paying customer
LTV:CAC Ratio: customer lifetime value divided by acquisition cost, a core efficiency metric
Marketing Attribution: assigning credit for a conversion to the marketing touchpoints that led to it
Marketing Mix Modeling (MMM): a statistical approach to attribution using aggregate data rather than individual tracking
Multi-Touch Attribution (MTA): attribution models that assign credit across multiple touchpoints in a customer journey
ROAS (Return on Ad Spend): revenue generated per dollar of advertising spend

A/B Testing: comparing two versions of a page or asset to see which performs better
CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization): the practice of increasing the percentage of visitors who take a desired action
Feature Flag: a code-level toggle letting teams turn features on or off without a new deployment

MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue): predictable subscription revenue a business collects each month
Resolution Rate: the percentage of support conversations an AI agent resolves without human help
RevOps (Revenue Operations): aligning marketing, sales, and customer success systems and data into one operating model
SLA (Service Level Agreement): a commitment to a specific standard of service, often a response or resolution time