Knowledge Bridge

Global Intelligence for the Digital Transition

I

IM (Instant messaging)

IM (Instant messaging)

A method of communicating in real-time, one-to-one or in groups over the internet. Users assemble “buddy lists” which reflect the availability (or “presence”) of people with whom they communicate.

Image map

Image map

In HTML and XHTML, an image map is a list of coordinates relating to a specific image, created in order to hyperlink areas of the image to various destinations. This differs from a normal image link, where the entire area of the image links to a single destination. For example, a map of the world may have each country hyperlinked to further information about that country. The intention of an image map is to provide an easy way of linking various parts of an image without dividing the image into separate image files.

For instance, a normal image that happens to contain brand name products, could be turned into an image map which would redirect the user who clicked on a branded item to the landing page of that advertiser.

Impression

Impression

(Also called a View) A single display of online content to a user’s web-enabled device. Many websites sell advertising space by the number of impressions displayed to users. An online advertisement impression is a single appearance of an advertisement on a web page. Each time an advertisement loads onto a users screen, the ad server may count that loading as one impression. However, the ad server may be programmed to exclude from the count certain non-qualifying activity such as a reload, internal user actions, and other events that the advertiser and ad serving company agreed to not count.

Intelligent agent

Intelligent agent

Software tools which help the user find information of specific interest to him/her. The user’s profile is continually refined and improved based on the user's acceptance or rejection of recommendations over time.

Interaction Rate

Interaction Rate

The proportion of users who interact with an ad or application. Some will be involuntary depending on where the ad or application is placed on screen, so it is highly dependent on placement.

Internal page impressions

Internal page impressions

Web site activity that is generated by individuals with IP addresses known to be affiliated with the Web site owner. Internal activity that is associated with administration and maintenance of the site should be excluded from the traffic or measurement report.

Interstitial

Interstitial

Ads that appear between two content pages. Also known as transition ads, intermercial ads and splash pages.

IP address

IP address

An IP address is the numerical address assigned to each computer on the internet so that its location and activities can be distinguished from those of other computers.

IP address generally refers to the IPv4 addresses, a 32 bit value represented as 4 blocks of 8 bit values separated by periods (dot-decimal notation). This will look like ##.##.##.## with each number ranging from 0 through 255.

IPTV (Internet Protocol television)

IPTV (Internet Protocol television)

Generally refers to video programming offered by telecom companies over copper wire. Often misused to refer to PC-based video.

ITV (Interactive Television)

ITV (Interactive Television)

Any technology that allows for two-way communication between the audience and the television service provider (such as the broadcaster, cable operator, set-top box manufacturer).

This glossary is based on the IAB Wiki and IAB UK’s Jargon Buster. The Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) is the trade association for online and mobile advertising. It promotes growth and best practice for advertisers, agencies and media owners.
For more information visit www.iab.net and www.iabuk.net.