Without the right data, you'll waste your budget on campaigns that fail to industry leads deliver measurable roi because your team lacked the information to make informed decisions. Working without data also limits your reach and makes it difficult to improve the customer experience. You can't improve what you don't measure. It's no understatement to say that data is one of the most critical aspects of marketing. However, not all data is equal. Some come directly from customers, while others are purchased from external sources. Each type of customer data has its own set of benefits and challenges. Understanding them will help to industry leads you create more effective marketing campaigns and stay compliant with privacy regulations. This article will take an in-depth look at first-, second-, and third-party data, including what the differences are and how they are used. We'll also explain how your business can stay compliant with each type of data. What is first party data? First-party data is data that you collect directly from your customers. It can come from website visitors, email subscribers, surveys, purchases, and phone calls. Here are examples of first-party data: demographic data behavioral data social media data subscription data customer feedback cross-platform data attitude data a common way to collect first-party data is by using a tracking pixel, a snippet of code that loads when a user arrives at a site. It allows companies to collect information about visitors, such as the pages they visit and the products they add to their shopping carts. Another way is through industry leads feedback emails, which companies like slack send to customers to gather feedback. In terms of data types, first party data is the most valuable because you get it directly from your customers. Unlike other types of data, you can verify its accuracy and authenticity. If you're not already collecting first-party data, you're leaving a ton of sales on the table because you can use that information to deliver more personalized customer experiences.