AlternativeData.org (supported by provider Yipit) lists several categories that can serve as a rough proxy for activity in various data-provider segments. Social sentiment analysis is by far the largest category, while satellite and geolocation data have been growing rapidly in recent years:
|
Product category |
Number of providers |
Goals |
|
Social sentiment |
48 |
Raw or processed social media data; short-term trends |
|
Satellite |
26 |
Aerial monitoring of medium-term economic activity |
|
Geolocation |
22 |
Track retail, commercial real estate, or event foot traffic |
|
Web data and traffic |
22 |
Monitor search interest, brand popularity, and events |
|
Credit and debit card usage |
14 |
Track near-term consumer spend and business revenues |
|
App usage |
7 |
Monitor app sales or collect secondary data |
|
Email and consumer receipts |
6 |
Track consumer spend by chain, brand, sector, or geography |
|
Weather |
4 |
Crop and commodity-related longer-term trends |
|
Other |
87 |
The following brief examples aim to illustrate the broad range of service providers and potential use cases.