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Digital Marketing

Term #129

Click-Through Rate (CTR)

What it is

Click-Through Rate is the percentage of people who see something — an email, an ad, a search result, a social post — and click on it. If 1,000 people see your email and 50 click the link, your CTR is 5%. It's one of the most commonly tracked metrics in digital marketing, because it tells you whether what you're saying is compelling enough to prompt action.

Why it matters

CTR is feedback on your messaging. A low CTR means your headline, subject line, or ad copy isn't connecting — people are seeing it and moving on. A high CTR means you've written something that resonates enough to make people want more.

The mistake most people make

Chasing high CTR as an end goal. CTR measures the click, not what happens after it. An email with a 20% CTR that drives traffic to a page that doesn't convert is not a win. Always track CTR alongside what the click leads to — whether that's a form submission, a purchase, or a booked call.

Want help with this?

Knowing what Click-Through Rate (CTR) means is useful. Having someone implement it correctly for your business is better. Let's have a real conversation — no pitch, no menu.