HubSpot Inbound Marketing Practice Exam

How is social listening best described?

1. The act of planning future content

2. Tracking, analyzing, and responding to online conversations

3. Conducting surveys with customers

4. Increasing follower counts on social media

The correct answer is: Tracking, analyzing, and responding to online conversations

Social listening is best described as tracking, analyzing, and responding to online conversations. This process involves monitoring social media platforms and other online channels to understand what customers and the broader audience are saying about a brand, product, or topic of interest. By employing social listening, businesses can gather insights into customer sentiment, identify trends, and engage in meaningful conversations with their audience. This not only helps in monitoring brand health but also in informing content strategy and product development based on real-time feedback and discussions. The other options touch on aspects of social media and customer engagement but do not encapsulate the full scope of social listening. Planning future content focuses more on content strategy without real-time audience engagement. Conducting surveys is a direct method of gathering feedback, but it does not capture ongoing conversations unless specifically asked. Increasing follower counts on social media is more about growth metrics than understanding audience interactions and sentiments. Thus, tracking, analyzing, and responding to online conversations is the most comprehensive and accurate description of social listening.