MQL Guide 2026: Define, Score, and Qualify Marketing Qualified Leads
A Marketing Qualified Lead (MQL) is a lead that marketing has determined is more likely to become a customer than other leads — based on a defined set of criteria — and is therefore ready to be passed to sales for followup. The MQL is the bridge between marketing and sales. It's the answer to the question: "When has a lead shown enough interest and fit that sales should invest time in them?" Getting this definition right is the most important alignment decision between marketing and sales teams.
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