reach
REETCH
/riːtʃ/
The total number of unique individual users who see or receive a specific piece of online content.
Refers strictly to unique headcount, not total repeat views.
The story behind the word. Originates from Old English 'ræcan', meaning to extend a hand or stretch across a distance. In broadcast media, it measured signal coverage area; today, digital platforms use it to count unique individual user screens touched by content.
Word relationships
- coverage: 'Coverage' often relates to news reportage breadth, while 'reach' quantifies unique audience size.
- scope: 'Scope' refers to the breadth of topics or boundary, whereas 'reach' measures human audience distribution.
- limitation: A boundary that restricts distribution or audience size.
Commonly confused with
- impressions: 'Impressions' count every single time content is rendered, while 'reach' counts only unique individual viewers.
Word family
- reachable (adjective): Capable of being reached or contacted.
Collocations
- organic reach
- expand reach
- total reach
- reach an audience
Idioms & expressions
- cast a wide net
Example sentences
- "The post achieved an impressive organic reach of over half a million unique accounts." Analytics report
- "By collaborating with international creators, the brand expanded its reach into European markets." Brand strategy
Memory hook
How far can your arms REACH? How far across the web can your post REACH? How far your content travels.
When not to use
Do not confuse with total impressions, which counts repeat views by the same person.
Fun facts
- Algorithms frequently throttle 'organic reach' (unpaid views) to compel brands to buy paid advertisements to reach their own followers.
Related words
Explore more words
circulation, narrowcast, impact, simulcast, distribution, audience
Also appears in
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