Advertorials

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A form of advertising designed to resemble editorial content, blending promotional material with journalistic style
2. Informational material that promotes a product or service while appearing to be an article or report
3. Content created to inform readers while also serving marketing purposes, often found in magazines or online publications

Etymology: "Advertorial" is a blend of "advertisement" and "editorial," and it first appeared in 1946. The mashup is apt: the format borrows the look and tone of a newspaper or magazine feature while quietly selling a product, service or company, so the reader is meant to take the copy as editorial judgment when it is in fact paid promotion. The word is a plural form, so it names more than one such piece at a time. Its singular, "advertorial," is the thing it counts, and the blend behind that singular is what gives the plural its meaning.

Synonyms: sponsored articles, advertisement, promotional content, paid content, infomercial