It’s no secret that the world of ad tech uses an entirely different language, with terms like DSP, SSP, DMP, and many more mind-boggling acronyms. Technically speaking, these terms are actually initialisms – terms identified strictly by their first letter like DNA or DIY –while acronyms are initialisms that can be pronounced as a new word like GIF or NASA. Nevertheless, understanding these terms is crucial if you work in the industry. Here, we spoon out 25 common acronyms from this alphabet soup and decode them like the NSA so you can avoid FOMO and talk like an expert ASAP:
1. AMP - Accelerated Mobile Pages
An open-source framework designed to create fast-loading web pages for mobile devices. Created by Google, the technology focuses on optimizing speed and performance by restricting the use of certain web elements and prioritizing efficient coding practices, allowing the content to be loaded almost immediately.
2. ATF - Above the Fold
The upper portion of a website that is visible in a browser when a page first loads, before any scrolling occurs. This is the first thing visitors see when they land on a website, so the area is considered a premium space for content and ads.
3. CMP - Consent Management Platform
A tool that enables publishers to manage consent collection by presenting website visitors with opt-in and opt-out information so that they can see how and why their data is collected. CMPs help support transparency and openness and protect users’ personal data.
4. CPM - Cost Per Mille
The cost an advertiser pays for one thousand impressions, or user viewings, of their ad. This pricing model is used in the advertising industry to measure the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of different ad campaigns.
5. CTR - Click-Through Rate
A ratio to help gauge how well an ad is performing by comparing how often users who see the ad end up clicking it. For example, if an ad receives 3 clicks for every 100 impressions, its CTR would be 3%. CTR can help gauge how well an ad is performing.
6. CTV - Connected Television
CTV is any internet-connected device that is used to stream TV, video, or audio online such as a smart TV, streaming stick, or gaming console.
7. DMP - Data Management Platform
A tool used by advertisers and publishers to collect, organize, and analyze data from various sources to create unified audience profiles. DMPs help to create detailed audience profiles that can be used to target ads more effectively. These profiles contain insights into user behavior, demographics, and interests that help optimize advertising strategies.
8. DSP - Demand-Side Platform
A platform that allows advertisers and agencies to purchase ad inventory from multiple ad exchanges through a single interface in real-time. DSPs provide tools for targeting specific audiences and optimizing ad campaigns with efficiency and control.
9. IO - Insertion Order
A formal written agreement between an advertiser and a publisher detailing the terms of an advertising campaign. It outlines ad placement, pricing, timing, reporting requirements, and other specifications. IOs ensure clear communication and accountability between parties involved in buying and selling advertising space.
10. KPI - Key Performance Indicator
A metric used to evaluate the success of an ad campaign. They measure performance against specific goals or objectives, providing insights into progress and areas needing improvement. Some examples of KPIs are CTRs (or click-through-rates) or newly acquired customers per month.
11. OLV - Online Video
Refers to online video and is a type of digital video advertising known for driving brand awareness, engagement, revenue, and other important business objectives.
12. OVP - Online Video Platform
Short for online video platform. OVPs vary but are capable of creating, hosting, managing, serving, monetizing, and streaming video content online such as EX.CO’s OVP.
13. PII - Personally Identifiable Information
Data that can be used to identify an exact individual, either on its own or when combined with other information such as address, social security number, and email address. Protecting PII is crucial for customer privacy and to ensure a company's reputation as a safe place to do business.
14. PMP - Private Marketplace
A private marketplace, or a closed advertising ecosystem, facilitates a carefully managed auction process, distinguishing it from the more open public marketplaces. Access to this exclusive marketplace is by invitation only for advertisers, operating in a real-time bidding setting. Private marketplaces commonly attract top-tier publishers who present their advertising slots to a select group of bidders. The integration of the buying platform or DSP into the publisher's inventory initiates the transaction, which is then concluded manually.
15. QPS - Queries Per Second
The rate at which a server receives and processes queries or requests within a second. It measures the traffic that an ad server, ad exchange, demand-side platform, or supply-side platform can handle. Higher QPS values indicate greater system responsiveness and capacity to handle workload demands efficiently.
16. ROAS - Return On Ad Spend
A metric that evaluates the effectiveness of advertising campaigns by measuring the revenue generated for every dollar spent on advertising. For example, if an advertiser spends $1,000 on an ad campaign and generates $5,000 of revenue from those ads, the ROAS would be $5,000/$1,000 = 5:1, or $5 in revenue per $1 in ad spend (500%).This metric helps businesses assess the profitability and efficiency of their advertising investments, guiding future spending decisions for optimal returns.
17. ROI - Return On Investment
The ratio of total revenue earned to total money invested. If the revenue is $40,000 and the total media spend is $10,000, the ROI is 300%. ROI measures the profitability of a campaign and indicates its effectiveness in generating revenue.
18. RPM - Revenue Per Mille
A metric used in digital marketing to measure the revenue generated by a publisher's digital ad space. It is calculated by dividing the total revenue earned by the number of impressions received and then multiplying the result by 1,000. RPM helps publishers and advertisers understand the earning potential of ad placements.
19. RTB - Real-Time Bidding
A process in which ad inventory is bought and sold instantaneously through automated auctions. When a user visits a website, a bid request is sent to an ad exchange, where advertisers bid in real-time to serve ads to that user. The winning bidder's ad is then instantly displayed, allowing for highly targeted and efficient ad placements.
20. SaaS - Software as a Service
Software that is hosted in the cloud and accessed via the internet, eliminating the need for users to install, maintain, or update the software. It offers flexibility for digital players to adapt to evolving trends and target audiences effectively.
21. SPO - Supply Path Optimization
A digital advertising strategy that optimizes the path through which ad inventory is bought and sold. It involves selecting the most efficient and transparent routes to access inventory, reducing unnecessary intermediaries, and ensuring better value and control over ad placements.
22. SSP - Supply-Side Platform
A technology platform used by publishers to connect with multiple ad exchanges and demand sources to manage and sell their ad inventory programmatically. SSPs enable publishers to monetize their digital content efficiently and maximize revenue.
23. UGC - User Generated Content
Content created by consumers rather than brands or organizations. It can include text, images, videos, or reviews shared on social media, forums, or websites. UGC often fosters community engagement, authenticity, and credibility, serving as valuable marketing material for businesses.
24. VCR - Video Completion Rate
The percentage of viewers who watch a video ad in its entirety. It's a crucial metric for evaluating viewer engagement and content effectiveness, influencing advertising revenue and content optimization strategies.
25. VPAID - Video Player-Ad Interface Definition
A standard protocol that enables communication between video players and ad units, providing interactive video ad experiences. VPAID allows ad servers to share metrics like viewability, completion rate, and click-through rate, but is becoming less common due to limitations in mobile environments and concerns about security and user experience.
Understanding these acronyms can help anybody navigate the complex world of ad tech but knowing these ABCs may not always be enough. As the industry continues to evolve, staying informed and educated about emerging trends and technologies is essential to harness the full potential of digital advertising.
Want to learn more ad tech acronyms or improve such KPIs as your RPMs? Get in touch below.