Horizontal market

A horizontal market meets a common need of a wide range of industries.^[1] In contrast, a vertical market meets several needs within a single industry or government sector.^[2] Horizontal markets spread across multiple industries but are based on one technology.

Examples

Computer security may be regarded as a horizontal market because a broad range of industries and government sectors purchase services and software to protect their computers. Legal services and accounting services also have horizontal markets.

The market for legal research software, on the other hand, may be called vertical because the software is directed at specialized requirements not generally found outside the legal services industry.

See also

• Vertical market

References