Elevate your marketing skills with the Stukent Marketing Certification Test. Access flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with detailed hints and explanations, and excel in your exam preparation journey!

Practice this question and more.


Which of the following best defines paid social media marketing?

  1. Free advertising on social media platforms

  2. Display of advertisements through organic reach

  3. Targeted ads on social media platforms to specific audiences

  4. Creating viral trends without any paid promotion

The correct answer is: Targeted ads on social media platforms to specific audiences

Paid social media marketing refers to the practice of using paid advertisements on social media platforms to reach specific audiences. This method allows marketers to target their ads based on various criteria such as demographics, interests, behaviors, and more. For businesses, this approach maximizes the chances of reaching potential customers who are most likely to engage with their products or services. In contrast, the other options do not accurately capture the essence of paid social media marketing. Free advertising on social media (the first option) implies no cost involved, which is not aligned with the concept of "paid" marketing. The second option describes organic reach, which refers to content that is shared and spread without paid promotion. Lastly, creating viral trends without any paid promotion is also inconsistent with paid social media marketing, as it suggests a reliance on organic growth tactics rather than targeted paid advertisements. Thus, the correct definition hinges on the targeted and paid nature of the advertisements utilized on social media platforms.