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Marketing Glossary· KPI

What is a KPI (Key Performance Indicator)?

By Nikhil Sharma · Updated 1 November 2026 · Marketing Glossary
Definition

Key Performance Indicator (KPI) is a measurable value that shows how effectively you are progressing toward a specific, important business objective.

What is a KPI?

A Key Performance Indicator is a metric chosen because it reflects progress on something that genuinely matters. The emphasis is on key: you can measure hundreds of things, but KPIs are the few that tell you whether you are winning.

Good KPIs vs vanity metrics

A good KPI ties to a business outcome — pipeline, revenue, CAC, LTV, ROAS. A vanity metric (impressions, raw followers) looks good on a slide but does not change a decision. We report clients on pipeline and revenue, not vanity metrics.

Examples of marketing KPIs

  • Qualified pipeline and revenue generated
  • Cost per lead and cost per qualified opportunity
  • Conversion rate at each funnel stage
  • Return on ad spend and LTV:CAC ratio
Related terms
ROASCACLTVCPLCRO
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Written & reviewed by Nikhil Sharma
Founder, Fabulous Media
Nikhil has led growth for 850+ brands across 35 nations since 2008. Fabulous Media is an invitation-only growth agency that reports on pipeline and revenue, not vanity metrics. Meet the team · Request an invite.

Questions, answered

It ties directly to an important business outcome, is measurable, and actually changes a decision. If a metric would not alter what you do, it is not a KPI.

Every KPI is a metric, but not every metric is a KPI. KPIs are the few metrics chosen because they reflect progress on key objectives; the rest are supporting or diagnostic.

Numbers that look impressive but do not inform decisions or tie to revenue — such as impressions or raw follower counts. They are easy to grow and easy to mistake for progress.

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