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Meaning & use

target group

noun·Academicbusiness

Last updated

UK/ˈtɑːɡɪt ˌɡruːp/
US/ˈtɑːrɡɪt ˌɡruːp/

Meanings

  1. nouncountablebusiness

    The particular set of people that a product, campaign or service is designed to reach or benefit.

    Grammar: Countable: the main target group, several target groups.

    Patterns

    • target group for something
    • the target group of something

    The brand's main target group is young parents who shop online.

    Teenagers are the key target group for the new anti-smoking campaign.

    The charity shaped its leaflet around the needs of its target group.

  2. nouncountabletechnical

    In a study or program, the group of people whose behavior or condition is being changed or measured.

    Grammar: Often contrasted with a control group in research.

    Patterns

    • the target group in something

    Researchers compared the target group with a control group after six months.

    The target group in the trial received weekly coaching sessions.

    Only half of the target group finished the training program.

Word forms

pluraltarget groups

Common combinations

identify the target group
We must first identify the target group before writing the ad.
reach the target group
Social media helps us reach the target group.
primary target group
The primary target group is adults over fifty.
appeal to a target group
The packaging was designed to appeal to a younger target group.

Synonyms and how they differ

target audience
Target audience is more common in media and advertising, and stresses people who will watch or read.
target market
Target market refers to likely buyers, so it fits sales and business plans rather than health or social programs.
demographic
Demographic points to a group defined by age, income or similar traits and is often used loosely in marketing.

Opposites

control group

Word family

target verb
to aim a product or message at a particular group
target noun
something aimed at
targeted adjective
aimed at a specific group
targeting noun
choosing the people to aim at

Commonly confused: target group or control group?

target group vs control group

A control group is the comparison group that does not receive the treatment, while the target group does.

Practice

The company redesigned its app after learning that retirees were its main ___.

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