Capturing a digital screen, sometimes referred to as a screen cap or screen grab, is an image that shows the contents of a computer display. Screenshot-taking allows someone to capture exactly what they’re seeing on your screen and are often shared with their friends or used as a reference point later on.
A screenshot—also known as a screen capture or screen grab—is an image that captures the current display on a mobile phone, a desktop, or any other digital device. Despite the different fancy terms, they all refer to a snapshot of the exact visual screen information that was shown at a specific time.
Agencies and advertisers will often ask publishers to provide ad screenshots of line items in action shortly after a campaign begins. This may seem like an unusual or complicated request, but it is actually very straightforward and simple. When a request for screenshots is made, the agency literally wants you to send images of the relevant ads running on your site.
Screenshots can be incredibly helpful when you need to demonstrate something that would be difficult to explain in words alone. A picture is worth a thousand words, after all!
In fact, most people say that screenshots are the most important thing on the internet. But how can a simple picture on your screen be so important? Not only do they help you prove your case, but they also help you archive the past. For example, they can help you capture how a certain website looked before the current brand refreshed it, that weird error message you got a couple of months ago, or even a juicy gossip article people don’t want to disappear.
Well, screenshots often act as arte facts. They serve as a way to prove to others that you really are seeing crazy stuff that you want to share with others.
Screenshot Evolution and Important
Once upon a time, when media buys consisted primarily of print placements, advertisers could simply open up a magazine or newspaper and see their advertisement. That doesn’t quite work for online display ads; each ad impression is momentary in nature, meaning that it is viewable only for a limited amount of time. As such, many advertisers like to see visual affirmation that their campaign is running as desired from agencies.
Screenshots are typically unnecessary since agencies that utilize third-party tags are able to confirm that the ads are running. However, many agencies with this capability still like to see screenshots.
It is also possible, of course, for advertisers or their agencies to capture and prepare the screenshots. However, this request is often passed along to publishers and falls upon them to complete.
Larger sites may dedicate entire positions to client support tasks such as screenshots. For smaller publishers, this task may fall upon the sales representative.
Demonstrate how to perform a function
Why tell anyone how he or she is going to do something when you can show them? With screenshots, you can easily show them what you’re talking about. And because a screenshot is a more accurate way to show exactly what you want to say, there’s less chance that someone will misunderstand. This means there’s no confusion, less time spent explaining, and more time for you to focus on important things.
Conclusion
Awesome Screenshot is perhaps the best free tool for capturing screens. While a screenshot does not function similarly to a photo, both are not the same thing. A screenshot is an image of the content displayed on someone’s current screen. On the other hand, a photo is an image taken with a camera, capturing things in the real world.