What does the term “traffic” refer to in net operation?

In the context of amateur radio net operations, the term "traffic" specifically refers to formal messages that are passed between stations. These messages are typically formatted in standard radiogram structures to ensure accuracy and consistency when being relayed across the country or local areas. Distractors like the number of stations checking in, mobile station operations, or activation requests are incorrect because they relate to net logistics or station types, not the actual informational payload being routed through the network.