Lead Generation What Is Lead Validation, and Why Half Your Conversions Are Not Leads A conversion is not a lead. Until someone separates the two, every cost per lead, channel comparison and scoring model you build is running on inflated numbers. Originally published October 2016. Reviewed and updated August 2026. Most marketing teams optimize against a single number: conversions. Forms submitted, calls tracked, goals completed. It is the number in the dashboard, so it becomes the number that decides budget. […]








