logo
Experts reveal why media mentions are the new SEO currency for growing brands

Experts reveal why media mentions are the new SEO currency for growing brands

Experts reveal why media mentions are the new SEO currency for growing brands
Experts say backlinks alone no longer cut it — and great content also alone isn't what gets you ranked. What is it then? Being talked about.
Quietly, media mentions have become one of the strongest trust signals in Google's eyes. Here's why they're now the real currency of modern SEO.
Google Ranks Brands, Not Just Websites
For years, SEO was about keywords, metadata, and backlink profiles. But Google's algorithm is no longer just crawling for technical signals… It's evaluating identity.
Whether it's a quote in TechCrunch, a founder profile in a niche blog, or your product name in an industry roundup, these mentions help Google connect the dots.
It helps map entities in Google's Knowledge Graph. Which is how your brand becomes recognizable in the search ecosystem.
'The algorithm doesn't just care about backlinks anymore,' explains Htet Aung Shine, Co-Founder of NextClinic. 'It's about authority, and authority comes from consistent signals across multiple trusted platforms; media mentions being one of the strongest.'
This kind of authority can't be faked with SEO tricks. It's earned. When trusted sources mention your brand — even casually — they're reinforcing your legitimacy. Over time, these signals create a public presence that algorithms recognize and reward.
'Think of every mention as a vote of confidence,' says Sinead Corceran, Yoga Trainer ERYT200 & Course Director at All Yoga Training. 'When Google sees others talking about you — especially in context — it assumes you're worth showing to more users.'
Unlinked Mentions Are Still Powerful (and You're Probably Ignoring Them)
There's a trap many SEO teams fall into: assuming that if a brand mention doesn't come with a blue, clickable backlink, it's worthless.
Well, that's no longer the case.
Because Google has shifted from link-counting to entity understanding. It uses mentions to confirm that your brand exists, is relevant in your niche, and is part of ongoing conversations across the web.
'We've tested pages with no backlinks, just unlinked brand citations — and they still performed well,' says Martin Seeley, CEO & Senior Sleep Expert at Mattress Next Day.'
When your brand name keeps appearing in credible sources — even without a link — Google begins to connect it with specific topics, keywords, and categories. That helps you rank for more than just your own content.
You start to appear in broader search contexts because you've become part of the digital narrative.
'If someone reads your name on a major media site, that alone builds familiarity,' says LJ Tabango, Founder & CEO of Leak Experts USA. 'Even without a link, they might Google you. That brand search gives Google another trust signal.'
Rightfully so. Unlinked mentions influence human behavior, too. Readers come across your brand in articles or social posts, and even without a link, they search your name directly.
One Mention in the Right Place Can Outperform 100 Low-Quality Backlinks
'Dozens of backlinks from average blogs might look impressive in a spreadsheet, but in reality, a single media mention from the right source can deliver 10x more impact — both for rankings and brand perception,' says Stephen Twomey, Founder of MasterMindSEO.
The difference comes down to context and credibility. A mention in an outlet like Forbes, TechCrunch, or even a respected niche publication carries more weight because it's both editorial and earned.
Google knows these outlets don't link to just anyone. So when they reference your brand, especially within content that matches your niche, it signals serious trust.
Paula Mixides, Link Building Expert at Cake Box - Birthday Cakes, says, 'A high-authority mention in a relevant article can do more for your SEO than dozens of links from directories or generic blogs.'
That ripple effect is something low-effort links simply can't replicate.
That is especially true for startups and growth-stage brands. Instead of pouring effort into mass link-building, consider focusing on just one high-quality media opportunity per month.
'People underestimate how powerful one well-placed editorial mention can be,' explains Kasia Siwosz, Life Coach. 'You get trust, traffic, SEO value, and brand lift — all in one.'
Media Mentions Drive Branded Search — The Most Underrated SEO Metric
The most trusted brands in search aren't always the ones with the most links… they're the ones people actually look for. Branded search is where that starts.
When someone sees your name in a respected article and types it into Google, they're sending a powerful signal: this brand matters.
That action — even once — tells the algorithm you're worth noticing. Multiply that by dozens or hundreds of users over time, and suddenly your name carries weight in the SERPs.
'Branded search volume is one of the strongest signals that you're building a real business, not just a content farm,' says Michael Jensen, CMO at Forsikringssiden. 'Google wants to rank the brands people look for — mentions create that curiosity.'
These searches also improve click-through rates. A user who recognizes your brand from media coverage is more likely to click when you appear in search. That engagement reinforces rankings and conversions.
'When users type your name directly into search, that's when you know you've made it past the algorithm,' explains Michael Song, Marketing Manager at Zhoushenghang used buses. 'Media mentions spark that interest — they create the reason to search in the first place.'
Journalists Are Your New Link Builders — But They Hate Traditional Pitches
The best links in SEO don't come from link builders — they come from journalists. And most brands pitch them completely wrong.
Journalists aren't looking for your homepage, your About page, or your PR jargon. They're looking for real, helpful insight — fast, clear, and relevant to the story they're writing. If you give them that, they'll quote you. And if they quote you, the link will usually follow.
Journalists don't care about your product. They care more about whether you have something useful to say in context of the article. That's what gets included.
That shift means brands need to stop acting like advertisers and start acting like contributors. Whether it's through HARO Services, Qwoted, or direct relationships, success comes from positioning your people — not your brand — as a valuable part of the conversation.
'Reporters want smart quotes from smart people,' says Rameez Usmani, Founder & CEO of HARO Link Building Service - Outreaching.io. 'If your insight fits the piece and doesn't sound self-serving, you've earned yourself a backlink without asking.'
Mentions Create a Feedback Loop for Topical Authority
When your brand shows up in multiple articles around the same topic, Google starts connecting you to that theme, even if you're not ranking for those keywords yet.
That's how you build topical authority without publishing dozens of blog posts. A few high-quality mentions in relevant media can position you as a go-to source in a niche, and that reputation carries over into rankings.
'You don't need 100 pages about a topic — you need 10 good mentions in the right places,' says Alex L., Founder of StudyX.
These mentions act like external citations. Google sees you consistently tied to certain themes — like AI tools, digital health, or sustainable fashion — and starts surfacing your content higher when those topics are searched.
Magnus Larsen, Head of Marketing at Forbrukerguiden, explains, 'Those external signals help Google trust your site before your content even catches up.'
It's a loop: the more mentions you earn in a niche, the more likely you are to rank. And the more you rank, the more likely you are to be mentioned again.
You're Wasting Media Mentions by Not Repurposing Them
Most brands treat media mentions like a one-time win — they celebrate, then forget. But smart brands squeeze every bit of value out of each one.
A quote in a top-tier blog? Turn it into a LinkedIn post.
A founder mentioned in a newsletter? Add it to your homepage.
A customer story featured by a third party? Use it in your sales deck.
Repurposing extends the shelf life of each mention — and boosts its SEO value.
'If you're not building a content loop around every media feature, you're wasting the compound effect,' says Nick Borges, COO at Heartwood Recovery.
You can also link back to the original mention to boost its authority and visibility. This creates a second layer of SEO benefit — helping that article rank while reinforcing your association with it.
'Mentions shouldn't just live in your press section,' says John Beebe, Founder of Classic Car Deals. 'They should be everywhere your audience looks — sales calls, email nurture, even onboarding.'
A single media mention has more value than most blog posts — if you know how to keep it alive.
Founders and Experts Get Quoted — and That's Your SEO Advantage
Richard Zi, CEO at ZW Cable, says, 'Media mentions are one of the fastest ways to earn trust, not just with people, but with Google. And the easiest path to those mentions is to put a real voice front and center.'
Journalists quote founders, specialists, and real humans, not generic brand blurbs. When you show up as a person with a point of view, you're more likely to be mentioned, quoted, and linked in editorial content.
'People connect with people. That's why expert-driven content and quotes outperform any company boilerplate,' says Faizan Haider, SEO Specialist & Link Builder at Qwoted Link Building.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Tea dating app breach bigger than previously thought, company says
Tea dating app breach bigger than previously thought, company says

CBS News

time12 minutes ago

  • CBS News

Tea dating app breach bigger than previously thought, company says

A previously disclosed hack affecting Tea, a women-only dating advice app, was more extensive than previously thought, the company said Monday. Tea's investigation of the incident found that app users' direct messages had been breached, along with some of their photos. "Out of an abundance of caution, we have taken the affected system offline," Tea said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch. The app, which has become one of Apple's most downloaded free apps, was compromised in a cyberattack that exposed members' personal information, including selfies, Tea said Friday. The hackers accessed a data storage system containing information that members had uploaded prior to February 2024, the company said. An additional 59,000 images and direct messages were also accessed without authorization, according to Tea. Tea lets women share information about their dates and run background checks on potential matches, among other things. Ted Miracco, CEO at mobile security maker Approov, urged users to exhibit caution in sharing personal information on widely downloaded apps.. "A lot of people presume that if an app is available through Apple or Google, that it's safe. That's the first mistake consumers make," he told CBS MoneyWatch. Miracco also said Tea lacked adequate security protections. "This is basic cybersecurity and something the company should be held accountable for," he said. "They rushed to market and promised consumers to create a safe site, and instead they exposed them."

Analysts consider new Apple stock target price ahead of earnings
Analysts consider new Apple stock target price ahead of earnings

Yahoo

time25 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Analysts consider new Apple stock target price ahead of earnings

Analysts consider new Apple stock target price ahead of earnings originally appeared on TheStreet. Apple () is enjoying some heavy traffic. This may come as a shock to legions of fuming motorists all over the planet who spend a good portion of their day trapped behind their steering wheels. 💵💰💰💵 However, the computer giant is raking copious amounts of coin from Google in the form of Traffic Acquisition Costs, The payments are made to ensure Google remains the default search engine for users of Apple devices when they search through Safari. JPMorgan estimated that Apple receives $28 billion globally per year from Google parent company Alphabet () for these traffic acquisition costs, according to The Fly, $12.5 billion of which is for the payment of traffic generated from U.S. customers. This has been an issue with the U.S. Department of Justice, which filed suit against Google. Last year a federal judge sided with the government, ruling that held an illegal monopoly on online search and advertising. Analysts cite Google payments to Apple The penalties, restrictions or remedies related to this case have not been decided yet, but the court's ruling is coming into focus ahead of Apple's July 31 third-quarter earnings announcement. JPMorgan weighed the implications for Apple from the remedies that are expected to be announced for the DOJ's case against Google. More Tech Stocks: Analyst who correctly predicted Rocket Lab stock surge resets forecast Verizon Q2 earnings report surprises with remarks on tax reform Fund manager who forecast Nvidia stock rally reboots outlook The DOJ's remedies, prohibiting Google from making payments for distribution, is a worst-case for Apple which would stop the $12.5 billion the iPhone maker receives from Google for U.S. traffic, the firm said. JPMorgan said that it sees a 10% earnings hit for Apple in this scenario. However, under Google's proposed remedies, the firm sees only "modest changes at best by largely maintaining the current status quo." JPMorgan said that it sees an "opportunity for a potential middle ground" between the two remedies and kept an overweight rating on Apple shares with a $250 price target. Apple shares are down nearly 15% this year and analysts at Bank of America Securities said they expect the company to report an in-line the third quarter and in-line to a slight revenue beat for the fourth quarter guidance. "In our opinion, the worst potential outcome for Apple would be a ruling where Google is prevented from making 'any' payment to Apple," BofA said. "However, even if it were to be the outcome, we would expect years of appeals to a ruling in this matter." "In what we consider a more likely scenario, if Google is prevented from paying Apple for exclusivity, we expect Apple to implement the equivalent of a choice screen from which users can select which search engine, they wish to use," the firm said in a research note. Mac sales can benefit from the launch of the new MacBook Air with M4 chip this past March, while iPad sales can benefit from expected launch of new iPad Pros with the M5 chip in the fall, BofA said in a note to investors. Firm points to upcoming iPhone release "As we head into F3Q25 earnings aftermarket on July 31, we see client sentiment as fairly negative given uncertain impact from tariffs, U.S. DOJ investigation App Store headwinds, and slow progress in AI," the firm said. Analysts have complained about Apple's slow approach to AI and some investment firms have called for CEO Tim Cook's at LightShed Partners have reportedly urged the company to replace Cook, warning that Apple risks falling behind in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. While Apple is famous for not rushing features to market until they're ready, BofA said "the pace of AI development externally is blistering." "Apple's slow timeline could leave it far behind in user expectations," the firm said. "Each keynote that goes by with Siri still doing relatively basic things while competitors' assistants converse and create content is a hit to Apple's reputation for innovation." Apple is reportedly looking to buy web search engine Perplexity AI and BofA said that such a deal "would likely be positive for shares that are currently in the penalty box given Apple is largely viewed as an AI laggard." As far as President Donald Trump's sweeping tariff agenda, BofA said the impact of the levies have been a meaningful headwind to gross margins. "While tariffs can be a headwind to GM again in F4Q," BofA said, "we model that quarter as the trough and subsequent GM improvement driven by better mix of higher (average selling price) products including the slim iPhone, which we expect Apple to launch this fall." The firm said it expects the slim iPhone to replace the Plus model from last year and be priced $100 higher. "iPhone form factor changes have helped drive higher replacement rates in the past," said BofA, which has a buy rating and a $235 price target on Apple consider new Apple stock target price ahead of earnings first appeared on TheStreet on Jul 28, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Are Affordable SEO Services Worth It? Here's What You Need to Know
Are Affordable SEO Services Worth It? Here's What You Need to Know

Time Business News

time39 minutes ago

  • Time Business News

Are Affordable SEO Services Worth It? Here's What You Need to Know

Most people think SEO is a game only the big brands can win—huge budgets, full teams, monthly reports nobody reads. But here's the twist: that's not how Google works anymore. In fact, being small might be your biggest advantage. Nimble decisions, faster execution, and content that actually sounds human? That's SEO gold. At Marketing1on1, we've seen it firsthand. Businesses that focus on clear, consistent strategies—especially with affordable SEO services—can outrank competitors spending 10x more because they're focused. They're not chasing trends. And they're speaking directly to people—not to search engines. If you've ever thought, 'Do I really need an expensive SEO agency?' this is your wake-up call. No, you don't. What you need is smart execution, not overhyped strategies. So, let's flip the script. Instead of 'What can I afford?' ask: 'What's going to work?' Ever see a blog post titled 'Top 100 SEO Hacks'? Yeah, that's your cue to click away. SEO isn't about hacks. It's about doing simple things—repeatedly, consistently, and well. That's where affordable SEO wins. You're not trying to outsmart Google's algorithm. You're just feeding it what it already loves: Content that helps real people. Websites that load fast and work on phones. Pages that make sense—titles, headings, structure. Skip the 'secret' tactics. They're usually noise. Instead, pick three things and do them every month. That alone puts you ahead of 80% of sites out there. If you're not listening to your audience, someone else is. Every Google search is a question. Your job? Answer it better, faster, and clearer than your competitors. This is why keyword research matters—but not in the robotic 'insert keyword here' way. You want to: Spot patterns in what people search. Find the real intent behind a search. Create content that gives a better answer than everyone else. Want to rank for 'best dog food for allergies'? Don't just list products. Explain why allergies happen. Offer choices. Be helpful. Google notices that. And rewards it. You know that moment when you read a website and think, 'Wait, did a robot write this?' Yeah—don't be that site. SEO-friendly content doesn't mean keyword-stuffed nonsense. It means: Using clear, everyday language. Answering questions people actually ask. Making someone say, 'Wow, this is exactly what I needed.' Don't write for Google. Write for people. Then format it well, use headers, and Google will follow. Before you pour more money into ads, stop and check these boxes. They're boring—but they move the needle faster than you think. Fix page titles and meta descriptions. Make them clear and clickable. Check mobile speed. If your site's slow on phones, you're losing half your audience. Set up Google Business Profile (if local). This one's free and super powerful. These aren't 'extras'—they're essentials. Do them first, and you'll see more ROI than any ad campaign. This part trips people up. SEO isn't a 'launch and forget' thing. It's like working out. You don't need a new program every week—you just need consistency. Every month, focus on: One new helpful blog post or page. A few strong backlinks (guest posts, directories, etc.). (guest posts, directories, etc.). Checking rankings, clicks, and site speed. That's it. Do that, and SEO stops being confusing. It becomes a rhythm. And in time, the traffic follows. Let's not overcomplicate things. You don't need the biggest budget—you need the clearest plan. With the right affordable SEO services, you can build traffic steadily, rank higher, and connect with the people looking for you. We've seen it work too many times to doubt it. Ready to stop overthinking SEO and start seeing results? We're here to guide you through it—without breaking your budget or your brain. TIME BUSINESS NEWS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store