---
title: "Webinar"
description: "A webinar is an interactive seminar run over the internet in real time. See how it works, what it is used for and how it differs from a recording."
url: "https://nodea.io/en/glossary/webinar"
lang: "en"
updated: "2026-07-13"
---

# Webinar

> A webinar is a seminar held over the internet in real time, allowing content to be presented and participants to interact through chat and polls.

A **webinar** (from "web seminar") is a seminar or presentation delivered over the internet in real time, in which participants watch and listen to a presenter while also interacting — asking questions in chat, taking part in polls or downloading materials. It combines the reach of online content with the immediacy of a live event.

## How a webinar runs

Participants usually register beforehand through a form, then receive a link and reminders. At the scheduled time they connect in a browser or app, and the presenter streams video, audio and a presentation. The webinar platform handles the video streaming — often supported by a [CDN](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/cdn) so the broadcast stays smooth for many viewers at once — and the interaction tools such as chat, a questions board and polls.

## Webinars in marketing

Webinars are a popular marketing and sales tool, especially in the B2B model and in education. The sign-up form itself builds a contact list, and the process is handled by [email marketing](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/email-marketing) mechanisms: confirmations, reminders and summaries sent automatically by an [autoresponder](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/autoresponder). A registration form or a countdown to the start can be embedded on a site as a [widget](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/widget). After it ends, a webinar is usually made available as a recording, which extends its value and lets it reach people who could not attend live. A well-planned webinar combines valuable content with a thoughtful contact path before and after the event, turning a single session into a lasting asset that keeps generating leads.

### How does a webinar differ from an ordinary video recording?

A webinar happens live and allows interaction — participants ask questions, vote in polls and react in real time. A recording is one-way material played back later, with no contact with the presenter at that moment.

## Related

- [Email marketing](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/email-marketing)
- [Autoresponder](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/autoresponder)
- [Widget](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/widget)
- [CDN (Content Delivery Network)](https://nodea.io/en/glossary/cdn)

---

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