{"id":21648,"date":"2020-01-28T14:13:26","date_gmt":"2020-01-28T14:13:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/glosario-digital\/webinar"},"modified":"2026-09-14T18:06:07","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T18:06:07","slug":"webinar","status":"publish","type":"encyclopedia","link":"https:\/\/www.arimetrics.com\/en\/digital-glossary\/webinar","title":{"rendered":"Webinar"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"webinar\" Definition:<\/strong><\/p>\n

A webinar<\/strong> is a seminar, presentation, workshop, or information session held over the Internet. The term combines the words web and seminar. It usually features one or more presenters and an audience<\/a> following the session from different devices.<\/p>\n

Webinars are usually held live and may include questions, polls, chat<\/a>, or other forms of participation. They can also be recorded for later viewing or configured as automated sessions. The level of interaction depends on the format and the permissions set by the organizer.<\/p>\n

They can be used for training, corporate communications, product presentations, demonstrations, or lead generation. Within e-learning<\/a>, a webinar can form part of a synchronous activity, but it does not by itself replace course design, learner support, or assessment.<\/p>\n\n

Difference between a webinar and a webcast<\/h2>\n

A webinar is usually structured as a session for a registered group, with mechanisms for interaction between presenters and attendees. A webcast is primarily intended to transmit audio and video over the Internet to an audience that is often larger.<\/p>\n

The distinction is not absolute. A webcast may include chat, questions, or polls, while a webinar may restrict participation until it functions almost like a one-way broadcast. Platforms use both terms differently, and some provide formats such as virtual events, meetings, webinars, and live broadcasts within the same service.<\/p>\n

It is therefore useful to review the actual event features: who can speak or share content, how questions are submitted, whether registration is required, what capacity is supported, and whether the recording will remain available. The commercial name of the format does not guarantee a particular level of interaction.<\/p>\n

How a webinar works<\/h2>\n

The organizer configures the event on a platform, sets its date and access conditions, and creates a registration form when appropriate. The invitation may include the link, schedule, technical requirements, and information about how participant data will be processed.<\/p>\n

During the session, roles usually distinguish the host, presenters or panelists, and attendees. The host manages permissions, audio, video, screen sharing, moderation, and recording. Attendees can participate through the enabled features, but they are not necessarily allowed to activate their microphone or camera or share documents.<\/p>\n

Slides, screen demonstrations, videos, polls, and questions can be combined within the broadcast. Quality depends on the connection, platform, devices, and configuration. An attendee usually needs a compatible device and audio output; a camera and microphone are only necessary when their participation requires them.<\/p>\n

After the event, the recording, materials, or a survey may be sent to participants. Registration, attendance, viewing time, and participation metrics represent different actions. Registering does not demonstrate that a person attended, and playing a recording does not by itself prove that they understood the content.<\/p>\n

Advantages of webinars<\/h2>\n

The potential advantages depend on the event design, platform, and audience needs. Three of the main possibilities are:<\/p>\n