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

GlossaryBrand & Performance MarketingMarketing Funnel

Brand & Performance Marketing

Marketing Funnel

A model of stages a customer moves through from awareness to purchase.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

A marketing funnel is a model of the stages a customer moves through, from awareness to purchase. Common stages include awareness, interest, consideration, and conversion, with fewer people at each step. Marketers use the funnel to plan tactics for each stage and to find where prospects drop out.