B2B lead glossary
This glossary defines the words you need to buy B2B leads without guessing. Each term is short and plain: what an exclusive lead is, what EIN-verified means, how shared databases work, what a lead score tells you, and how fast data decays. Start with any term below.
Last updated: July 22, 2026
How to read this glossary
The lead-buying market runs on a handful of words that vendors rarely define the same way. This page defines them plainly, one line each, then links to a fuller page for each term.
No spin. Each entry says what the word means and why it changes what you pay for. Read them in any order, then compare lead sources or go straight to exclusive leads by industry.
The distinction that decides everything
Most of the terms below trace back to one split: is the record exclusive or is it shared. A shared database sells the same contact to many buyers, including your competitors. An exclusive lead is locked to you against your rivals — once it lands in your room, no competitor of yours can buy that same record.
Everything else — verification, scoring, decay — is about how much a given record is worth before you dial it, and the pricing guide turns that into what a lead actually costs. Start with those two terms if you read nothing else, then read the full exclusive vs shared comparison.
Terms
- Exclusive leadA record locked to you against your rivals — no competitor of yours can buy the same one.
- EIN-verified leadA business lead checked against a real IRS Employer Identification Number, so the company is a confirmed legal entity.
- Shared dataThe traditional model: one contact record sold to many buyers at once, competitors included.
- Lead scoringA 0-100 score and A-D grade that rank how strong a lead looks before you spend time on it.
- Data decayThe rate at which contact records go stale as people change jobs, numbers, and companies.
- AGreat fit
- BStrong fit
- CFair fit
- DLow fit
Illustration, not a live record. Every lead carries a 0-100 score and a grade. Read them to choose who to call first; they never promise a sale.
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Request early accessFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between exclusive and shared leads?
A shared lead is sold to many buyers at once, so your competitors can call the same contact. An exclusive lead is locked to you against your rivals — once it is in your room, no competitor of yours can buy that record.
What does EIN-verified mean?
It means the business behind the lead has been matched to a real IRS Employer Identification Number. That confirms the company is a registered legal entity, not a placeholder or a made-up record.
What does a lead score tell me?
Each Stalex lead carries a 0-100 score and an A-D grade that rank how strong the lead looks. It is a ranking output to help you prioritize; it is not a guarantee that the lead will close.