viral marketing

American  

[vahy-ruhl mahr-ki-ting] / ˈvaɪ rəl ˈmɑr kɪ tɪŋ /

noun

1. a marketing strategy that focuses on spreading information and opinions about a product or service from person to person, especially by using unconventional means such as the internet or email.

   Which online social networks can help with viral marketing?

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viral marketing British  

noun

1. a direct marketing technique in which a company persuades internet users to forward its publicity material in e-mails (usually by including jokes, games, video clips, etc)

2. a marketing strategy in which conventional media are eschewed in favour of various techniques designed to generate word-of-mouth publicity, in the hope of creating a fad or craze

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Etymology

Origin of viral marketing

First recorded in 1985–90