Expert Insights

What Is a Customer Data Platform (CDP)?

Published On: 6th Aug 2026 07:00

What Is a CDP?

CDP stands for customer data platform.

This differs from a CRM system as, in layperson’s terms, a CDP platform manages your customer data, whereas a CRM system manages your customer relationships.

A CRM platform is typically the system used by employees when interacting with customers, such as to organize and manage customer-facing interactions with your team.

A CDP platform is typically used by marketeers to identify trends and purchase-decision drivers – by collecting data on customer behaviour with your product or service. It can then be used for marketing to create targeted and personalized marketing campaigns.

CDP can also mean Customer Digital Platform.

Contributed by: Alex Mead, Michael, Aoron, Eivind and Jozef

Reviewed by: Rachael Trickey