Internet Lead
Generic term for any insurance lead captured via an online form, inclusive of exclusive, shared, real-time, and aged variants.
Full Definition
Internet lead is the umbrella term for any lead originating from a web form — paid search landing pages, Facebook lead forms, organic SEO traffic, comparison sites, and publisher networks. It encompasses real-time leads, aged leads, exclusive leads, shared leads, and co-reg leads so long as the origin is digital. The term is most commonly used in auto and home insurance where Internet Lead Networks (LeadCloud, Everquote, QuinStreet) dominate distribution. "Internet lead" is often implicitly contrasted with "call lead" (inbound or live transfer) and "direct mail response."
Example
An agent's lead mix is 60% internet leads (real-time exclusive ACA web forms), 25% aged internet leads, and 15% inbound calls.
Related Terms
- Real-Time Web Lead — A consumer inquiry submitted through an online form and delivered to the buying agent within seconds of form submission.
- Exclusive Lead — A lead sold to only one agent, never resold, resulting in higher contact and close rates than shared leads.
- Shared Lead — A lead sold simultaneously to 3–8 agents, priced lower than exclusive but with lower contact and close rates due to competition.
- Aged Lead — A previously generated inquiry sold weeks or months after creation, priced at $0.25–$15 depending on age and vertical.