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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryMeasurement & AttributionIncrementality

Measurement & Attribution

Incrementality

The lift in an outcome caused by marketing that would not have happened otherwise.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Appears in Lesson 8 of Programmatic 101

Short answer

Incrementality is the additional outcome, such as sales, sign-ups, or visits, caused by marketing that would not have happened without it. It separates true impact from conversions that would have occurred anyway. Marketers measure it with controlled experiments like holdout, lift, or geo tests, and use the results to allocate budget toward channels that genuinely drive growth.

Two identical small villages side by side; only the right one has an extra flag raised high and more shoppers heading to its shop. 1960s ink-and-gouache magazine-ad illustration.
Incrementality: the lift you would not have had otherwise.