Glossary/Brand & Performance Marketing/Category Entry Points
Brand & Performance Marketing
Category Entry Points
The situations and needs that prompt buyers to think of a category.
By Brandon Mina·CEO, BrandPilot AI·Updated November 2026
Short answer
Category entry points are the situations, needs, and cues that prompt buyers to think of a product category, such as needing a quick lunch or a gift. The concept comes from Ehrenberg-Bass research on mental availability. Brands that are linked to more entry points are more likely to come to mind when purchases happen.