Glossary

first-party data

First-party data is information that a company collects directly from its customers, users, or website visitors through its own digital and offline channels. This data is owned by the collecting organization and is also referred to as proprietary or owned data.

Context and Usage

First-party data is primarily used in marketing and advertising for personalized customer experiences, audience segmentation, and targeted campaigns. Companies across various industries collect and utilize this data through customer relationship management systems, website analytics, mobile apps, email subscriptions, and loyalty programs to better understand consumer behavior and improve business decisions.

Common Challenges

Organizations face challenges in collecting sufficient quantities of first-party data while maintaining user consent and privacy compliance. Managing data quality, ensuring accuracy across different touchpoints, and integrating siloed data sources can be complex. Privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA require careful handling of personal information, and consumers may be reluctant to share data due to privacy concerns.

Related Topics: customer data platform, data privacy, consent management, GDPR, CCPA, second-party data, third-party data, data governance, marketing analytics

Jan 26, 2026

Reviewed by Dan Yan