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What Is Alternative Data?

Alternative data refers to non-traditional data sources, such as web-scraped pricing, satellite imagery, or transaction records, used to gain insights that conventional data sources don't provide, especially in finance and market research.

Common types of alternative data

Examples include web-scraped pricing and product data, app usage statistics, credit card transaction data, and social media activity, used to supplement traditional financial statements or market reports.

Why it’s valuable

Alternative data can reveal trends earlier than official reporting cycles, making it useful for investment research, competitive benchmarking, and market analysis.