# Beacon: what it is and how it works · Zorraquino
> A beacon is a transmitter sending a Bluetooth Low Energy signal so nearby phones with a compatible app can detect their proximity.
URL: https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/digital-marketing/beacon.html

# Beacon

A beacon is a small transmitter that periodically sends a Bluetooth Low Energy signal so that nearby devices with a compatible app can detect their proximity

What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.

[The whole glossary](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary)

## What it is and how it works

The beacon itself neither collects data nor locates anyone: it simply broadcasts an identifier. It is the phone app, if installed, granted the necessary permissions and with Bluetooth on, that detects the signal and estimates the distance, typically from a few centimetres to a few tens of metres. The best-known protocols are Apple’s iBeacon and Google’s Eddystone, the latter no longer actively developed.

Beacons are used in proximity marketing, indoor navigation (airports, museums, shopping centres), stock tracking and footfall measurement. Their uptake in campaigns has been more limited than expected at launch, because it depends on people having the app and having given consent.

Also known as

Bluetooth beacon, iBeacon

Topics

[Marketing and sales](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/category/marketing-y-ventas)

## Related concepts

- [Proximity marketing](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/digital-marketing/proximity-marketing.html)
- [Bluetooth](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/bluetooth.html)
- [Location-based services (LBS)](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/digital-marketing/location-based-services.html)