ICP vs SOM
ICP (Ideal Customer Profile (deep dive)) and SOM (Serviceable Obtainable Market) both come up in business conversations and get confused. Here's the plain-English difference, side by side, so you can use each one with confidence.
The key difference: ICP refers to ideal customer profile (deep dive), while SOM refers to serviceable obtainable market — they describe different things even when they show up in the same sentence.
ICP — Ideal Customer Profile (deep dive)
A precise description of the customer type that gets the most value from your product and is most profitable to serve.
SOM — Serviceable Obtainable Market
What you can realistically win this year. SOM is not wishes — it's execution.
When to use ICP
Reach for "ICP" when the conversation is specifically about ideal customer profile (deep dive). A precise description of the customer type that gets the most value from your product and is most profitable to serve.
When to use SOM
Reach for "SOM" when the conversation is specifically about serviceable obtainable market. What you can realistically win this year. SOM is not wishes — it's execution.
FAQs
What is the difference between ICP and SOM?
ICP stands for Ideal Customer Profile (deep dive) — A precise description of the customer type that gets the most value from your product and is most profitable to serve. SOM stands for Serviceable Obtainable Market — What you can realistically win this year. SOM is not wishes — it's execution.
Are ICP and SOM the same thing?
No. They're often used in the same conversation because they're related, but they describe different concepts. ICP = Ideal Customer Profile (deep dive). SOM = Serviceable Obtainable Market.
When should I use ICP vs SOM?
Use ICP when you're specifically referring to ideal customer profile (deep dive). Use SOM when the topic is serviceable obtainable market.