Attribution, incrementality & effectiveness · Core
Holdout group
Also called: persistent control, control group
ELI5
An eligible group deliberately not exposed to an intervention for comparison.
Used in conversation
“Compare holdout group with the same cohort and period before drawing a conclusion.”
Pitch context
You will see “Holdout group” in brand decks, campaign plans, research reports and performance reviews when the discussion reaches attribution, incrementality & effectiveness.
Why it matters: It helps a reader interpret attribution, incrementality & effectiveness without confusing the measure, decision, role or evidence being discussed.
Connected terms
- Control groupThe search label “Control group” can route to both entries.
Sources & evidence · 7
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- Google Analytics Help — Google Analytics dimensions and metricsDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Interactive Advertising Bureau — Measurement guidelines and standardsDirect source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- Scrum Guides — The Scrum Guide — official current versionSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- National Institute of Standards and Technology — Computer Security Resource Center GlossarySupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- American Marketing Association — Definitions of Marketing and BrandSupporting source family · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Federal Trade Commission — Advertising and Marketing GuidanceSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Google Ads Help — Google Ads metrics and reportingSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16