Glossary · Search and local visibility
Customer discovery
The paths customers use to find and begin evaluating a business, service, product, or answer.
Also called: discovery
Definition
Customer discovery may happen through search, maps, referrals, marketplaces, directories, social channels, media, links, or direct navigation. The useful mix depends on the market and on how customers actually research the decision.
Why it matters
A website and visibility plan should support the channels and questions that bring suitable customers into the decision process.
Common misunderstanding
Discovery is not synonymous with ranking for one keyword. A customer may encounter and compare a business across several surfaces before visiting the site or making contact.
Related terms
Related system family: Measurement & Search Signals
Last reviewed July 16, 2026