User status segmentation divides markets into which groups?

• A. Nonusers, ex-users, potential users, first-time users, and regular users
• B. Light users, heavy users, nonusers
• C. Brand loyalists only
• D. New customers only

Answer: (A)

Status segmentation groups markets by their relationship to the product, dividing people into five categories: those who have never used it, those who have used it but aren’t currently using it, those who are interested but haven’t started, those about to make their first purchase, and those who use it regularly. This setup lets marketers tailor strategies to each stage: attract nonusers with awareness and trial offers; win back ex-users with incentives to return; convert potential users by reducing perceived risk and clarifying benefits; help first-time users with smooth onboarding to ensure a positive initial experience; and deepen loyalty with ongoing value and opportunities to upsell. The other options are too narrow, either focusing only on usage intensity or on a single group, and thus miss important segments that matter for growth and retention.