What is growth hacking?

Growth hacking is a marketing technique that start-ups in particular use to promote sales and raise awareness using simple and inexpensive means, creativity and analytical thinking. Established forms of online marketing such as search engine optimization, website analysis and content marketing are used. However, social media and viral marketing form the core of the activities and growth hacking techniques are used by companies such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Airbnb and Dropbox.