How to Find Unlinked Brand Mentions and Turn Them into Backlinks

Learn how to find unlinked brand mentions and turn them into valuable backlinks to boost your website's SEO and online presence.

How to Find Unlinked Brand Mentions and Turn Them into Backlinks
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Consider for a moment that your business is a popular restaurant. You have an excellent reputation, and people are talking about you online. The reviews are stellar, and there's a buzz about your latest menu items and promotions. The only problem? You don't own any of the content. That about sums it up when it comes to brand mentions.
You're happy to have the attention but could use the backlinks. Unlinked brand mentions are like reviews you don't get to respond to. They, too, can help your SEO. Learning to find unlinked brand mentions and turn them into backlinks will help you measure and boost your brand awareness on social media. This guide will show you how to find unlinked brand mentions and how to measure brand awareness on social media.
Brandwise's social media engagement software is valuable for achieving your goals. With it, you can track social media mentions of your brand, even if they aren't directly tied to your profile.

What Are Unlinked Brand Mentions?

How To Find Unlinked Brand Mentions
How To Find Unlinked Brand Mentions
Unlinked brand mentions occur when your brand name, product, or service is mentioned in an article, blog post, or social media platform, but the mention does not include a clickable link back to your website. For example, A blog post discusses your product as an industry leader but doesn’t provide a hyperlink to your homepage or product page. These mentions could be untapped resources for driving traffic to your site and improving SEO.

Why Does Unlinked Brand Mention Matter?

Unlinked mentions are a missed opportunity for your business. They can improve your SEO, increase referral traffic, and strengthen brand authority.

Improved SEO

Backlinks remain one of the most critical ranking factors for search engines. Turning mentions into links signals to search engines that your website is authoritative and relevant. According to Ahrefs, 91% of web pages do not receive any organic traffic because they need backlinks.

Increased Referral Traffic

A hyperlink in a high-traffic article can lead readers directly to your website, increasing the chances of engagement and conversions.

Strengthened Brand Authority

Hyperlinks provide credibility and demonstrate that your brand is a reliable source within your industry.

The Missed Opportunity of Unlinked Mentions

Many brands fail to capitalize on unlinked mentions because they don’t actively track or convert them. This oversight can result in missed opportunities to:
  • Improve brand visibility.
  • Build relationships with content creators.
  • Establish your domain as a trusted source.

Statistics to Highlight Importance

Studies show that 53% of marketers say growing their SEO and organic presence is their top priority (HubSpot). On average, websites with more backlinks see 50% more traffic than those with fewer.

Example of Unlinked Mention in Action

Consider a blog about your brand's comment moderation tool, Brandwise, highlighting its efficiency in managing high volumes of customer interactions. While it praises your tool, it fails to link to your website. Reaching out to the author to add a link can:
  • Redirect interested readers directly to your product page.
  • Strengthen your online reputation as a thought leader in the industry.

How to Identify Unlinked Brand Mentions

How To Find Unlinked Brand Mentions
How To Find Unlinked Brand Mentions

Use Google Search Operators to Find Unlinked Mentions of Your Brand

To locate unlinked mentions of your brand, type-specific Google search queries like "Your Brand Name" -site:yourdomain.com. This excludes results from your website, helping you focus on external sources. For example, if your brand is Brandwise, the search query might look like "Brandwise" -site:brandwise.com.

Set Up Google Alerts to Find Unlinked Mentions of Your Brand

Create a Google Alert for your brand name or related keywords. Alerts notify you whenever your brand is mentioned online, saving time on manual searches. Use variations of your brand name or product names to capture all mentions.

Leverage Paid Tools for Comprehensive Tracking

Various paid tools can help you track mentions of your brand online. For example:

Ahrefs

It offers a Content Explorer feature for searching for mentions of your brand and filtering out those that already link to your site.

SEMrush

It helps monitor brand mentions and provides insight into domain authority and traffic for sites mentioning your brand.

Mention.com or Brand24

Tools like these allow real-time tracking of brand mentions across blogs, news sites, and social media.

Scan Social Media Platforms for Unlinked Mentions

Use native search tools like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram to find posts about your brand. Social media mentions can often be converted into valuable backlinks when authors or businesses expand on their social content in blogs or articles.

Types of Unlinked Mentions to Target

Once you find unlinked mentions of your brand, you can target specific types of references that will be most valuable for your SEO.

Product Mentions

This is a golden opportunity if your product is discussed but not linked. For example, a review that mentions Brandwise but doesn’t link to your website could easily be converted into a backlink.

Brand Mentions in Industry News or Blogs

Articles featuring your brand in the context of industry updates or best tools for a specific task are ideal targets. These sources are often open to linking to enhance their content’s credibility.

Event Mentions

When your brand sponsors or participates in an event, the event's promotional materials or coverage might mention your brand without a link.

Competitor Comparison Mentions

If your brand is mentioned alongside competitors, such as “How Brandwise compares to Hootsuite,” ensure the mention includes a link to your site.

User-Generated Content

Blogs, reviews, or testimonials referencing your brand but omitting a hyperlink are easy candidates for outreach.

Pro Tip for Outreach

Once you identify unlinked mentions, contact the author or website owner with a friendly email that:
  • Acknowledges and appreciates their mention of your brand.
  • Explains how adding a link enhances the user experience for their readers.
  • Provides the exact URL to link to, simplifying the process for them.

Practical Example of Identifying and Acting

“Brandwise makes it easy to manage social media comments at scale.” But the mention isn’t linked. Using one of the tools above, you identify the mention and reach out, requesting a link to your comment moderation tool page. Most authors are willing to add a link if approached professionally.
Brandwise is an intelligent social media management tool. At its core is an advanced AI that continuously learns and improves, automatically moderating comments on ads and posts while generating intelligent replies to comments and messages. This powerful tool streamlines workflow by consolidating social media interactions in one place and provides valuable AI-driven insights, identifying top FAQs and concerns to enhance customer engagement strategies.
For brands struggling with high-volume social media interactions, Brandwise offers an efficient solution to automatically hide negative comments, provide AI-generated responses, and gain a deeper understanding of customer engagement patterns. Try our social media engagement software for free for 7 days to grow your social media accounts rapidly!
How To Find Unlinked Brand Mentions
How To Find Unlinked Brand Mentions

Confirm the Mention: Seize the Opportunity

Before anything else, confirm the mention of your brand. Verify that the mention aligns with your brand and is relevant to your website. Check the content’s tone and context to ensure it’s positive or neutral. Why does this matter? You don’t want to request backlinks from content that might harm your brand’s image. For example, if a blog mentions Brandwise as an efficient comment moderation tool, verify that the article speaks positively and aligns with your audience.

Identify the Author or Website Owner: Who to Talk To

Once you’ve confirmed the mention, identify the author or website owner. Use tools like Hunter.io or the website’s contact page to find the right person to reach out to. Sometimes, it might be the content author or the website’s editor. Why does this matter? Sending your request to the correct contact increases the likelihood of getting a response. For instance, a blog post mentions your brand but is published by a media outlet. Find the author’s name and direct your outreach to them rather than the publication's general inbox.

Craft a Personalized Outreach Email: Write a Friendly Note

Next, you’ll want to craft a personalized outreach email. Write a polite, concise, and friendly email requesting the addition of a backlink. Highlight how linking to your brand adds value for their readers. Why does this matter? Personalization shows you’ve researched and helps establish a connection with the author. Here’s a template to get you started:

Subject

Quick Update to Enhance Your Blog Post! Hi [Author’s Name], I came across your article, “[Title of the Blog Post],” and I appreciated your mention of [your brand/product]. Seeing your audience engaging with tools like [product name] is excellent! To make it easier for your readers to explore what we offer, I was wondering if you’d consider linking to our site.

Here’s the URL

[Link to the specific product or service page]. Let me know if you have any questions—I’d be happy to help. Thanks for the great write-up!
Best regards, [Your Name]
Once you’ve made your request, emphasize the value of the backlink. Explain why the link benefits their readers. For instance, you might note how it improves navigation, gives readers access to more resources, or enhances credibility for their content. Why does this matter? Content creators are more likely to add links if they see them as beneficial to their audience.

Follow Up Politely: Be Patient

If you don’t get a response within 5–7 days, send a gentle follow-up email reminding them of your request. Why does this matter? Busy professionals might overlook your first email, and a reminder often prompts action. Here’s an example of what to say: “Hi [Name], I wanted to quickly follow up on my previous email regarding [your brand mention]. Let me know if I can provide anything to make the update easier!”
Finally, use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to monitor if and when your backlinks go live. Why does this matter? Tracking helps ensure that your efforts result in functional backlinks that contribute to your SEO goals.
Brandwise is an intelligent social media management tool. At its core is an advanced AI that continuously learns and improves, automatically moderating comments on ads and posts while generating intelligent replies to comments and messages. This powerful tool streamlines workflow by consolidating social media interactions in one place and provides valuable AI-driven insights, identifying top FAQs and concerns to enhance customer engagement strategies.
For brands struggling with high-volume social media interactions, Brandwise offers an efficient solution to automatically hide negative comments, provide AI-generated responses, and gain a deeper understanding of customer engagement patterns. Try our social media engagement software for free for 7 days to grow your social media accounts rapidly!
How To Find Unlinked Brand Mentions
How To Find Unlinked Brand Mentions

Engage Authentically Before Outreach

Start by engaging with the author or site owner on social media. Like, comment on, or share their posts to establish a presence in their network. Authentic engagement shows genuine interest and makes your outreach more effective when the time comes. For example, if an influencer writes an article mentioning your brand, share it on your LinkedIn or Twitter with a thoughtful comment like: "Thrilled to see [author's name] mentioning us in this insightful article on [topic]!"
Provide value by promoting their content, offering feedback, or suggesting collaborative projects. When people see you contributing positively, they’re more inclined to reciprocate. For example, if a website mentions your product but doesn’t link to it, comment on their blog post with additional insights or resources they might find helpful.

Personalize Every Interaction

Reference their previous work, acknowledge their expertise, and mention how their content aligns with your brand’s goals. Generic messages are less likely to receive attention than well-crafted, personalized communication.

Follow Up Thoughtfully

If you don’t receive a response to your initial outreach, send a follow-up email emphasizing the mutual benefits of the backlink. When done respectfully, persistence demonstrates professionalism and genuine interest.

Pro Tip

Leverage Brandwise to Deepen Engagement. Brandwise’s comment moderation tool simplifies engagement by automating responses to comments and highlighting recurring user queries. These insights help you identify the most valuable unlinked mentions and focus your relationship-building efforts effectively.

Building Sustainable Partnerships

Collaborate Regularly

Work with content creators on long-term projects like co-authored blogs, guest posts, or joint webinars.

Express Gratitude

Acknowledge and thank authors who add backlinks or promote your brand. A simple thank-you email can go a long way.

Example

"Thanks, [author's name], for linking to us in your recent article! We’ve seen an uptick in traffic and engagement thanks to your support."
Brandwise is an intelligent social media management tool. At its core is an advanced AI that continuously learns and improves, automatically moderating comments on ads and posts while generating intelligent replies to comments and messages. This powerful tool streamlines workflow by consolidating social media interactions in one place and provides valuable AI-driven insights, identifying top FAQs and concerns to enhance customer engagement strategies.
For brands struggling with high-volume social media interactions, Brandwise offers an efficient solution to automatically hide negative comments, provide AI-generated responses, and gain a deeper understanding of customer engagement patterns. Try our social media engagement software for free for 7 days to grow your social media accounts rapidly!
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How To Find Unlinked Brand Mentions
How To Find Unlinked Brand Mentions
Backlink outreach is one of those things people prefer to do. It’s complicated and tedious, and very few people enjoy doing it. To make matters worse, it can involve contacting people you’ve never met to ask for a favor. However, acquiring backlinks is a crucial part of SEO that can’t be ignored. Earning a link from a piece of content relevant to your business boosts your authority and helps you rank higher on search engine results pages.
To avoid getting overwhelmed, it’s best to approach outreach methodically. The first step is finding unlinked mentions of your brand. Then, you can contact the appropriate content creators and ask them to turn your mention into a backlink. Brandwise can help you do just that by streamlining the process of finding unlinked mentions and turning them into backlinks.

Finding Unlinked Brand Mentions Just Got Easier

Your first order of business for backlink outreach is to find unlinked mentions of your brand. When you discover a mention already written, getting the author to turn it into a backlink is far more manageable. The process of finding these unlinked mentions can take time and effort. Even if you have a method, it’s easy to miss some. Brandwise makes the process of finding these unlinked mentions much easier. With its innovative features, you can efficiently identify relevant mentions of your brand across social media, blogs, and other digital platforms.

Automating Brand Mention Monitoring

Brandwise tracks brand mentions across platforms, identifying unlinked mentions in real time. This means you no longer have to search for mentions or use third-party monitoring tools manually. Brandwise instantly alerts you to new mentions so you can act quickly and secure backlinks before opportunities are lost.
Brandwise’s AI analyzes mentions to highlight potential backlink opportunities based on context and relevance. This eliminates guesswork by prioritizing mentions most likely to convert into backlinks. Instead of wasting time reaching out to irrelevant mentions, you can focus on high-value opportunities.

Streamlining Engagement with Intelligent Replies

The comment moderation tool generates intelligent, personalized replies to comments and mentions. This helps you authentically engage content creators and encourages collaboration. With Brandwise, you can demonstrate your brand’s commitment to building relationships and contributing value.
Using Brandwise’s consolidated dashboard, you can identify and prioritize unlinked mentions across platforms. From there, you’ll find pre-written, AI-suggested outreach templates tailored to the mention's tone and content. You can also track responses and follow-ups, ensuring every potential backlink is pursued effectively.

Centralizing Brand Mentions for Easier Management

Brandwise centralizes all social media interactions, blog mentions, and customer queries in one interface. This ensures no mention goes unnoticed, providing a smooth way to manage engagement. By streamlining the workflow for backlink outreach, Brandwise saves valuable time for your team.

Tracking the ROI of Your Efforts

Brandwise analyzes how backlinks impact your website traffic, conversions, and engagement. This helps demonstrate the tangible value of backlinks, validating the time and effort invested. You can also fine-tune outreach strategies by analyzing what works and what doesn’t.
Brandwise goes beyond traditional social media tools by addressing the challenges of managing brand mentions and backlink outreach. Its combination of AI-driven insights, engagement automation, and centralized workflows makes it an indispensable marketer asset. Try Brandwise today to grow your social media accounts rapidly!

Try Brandwise's Social Media Engagement Software for Free for 7 Days

How To Find Unlinked Brand Mentions
How To Find Unlinked Brand Mentions
Social media is a double-edged sword. It can be a brand’s best friend or worst enemy. On the one hand, it can rapidly accelerate brand awareness and growth. On the other hand, it can expose businesses to public scrutiny and negative feedback, which can derail growth and cause lasting damage if not appropriately addressed. A study by PWC found that 59% of consumers read reviews before making a purchase, and 53% only pay attention to the negative ones.
Brandwise is an intelligent social media management software. At its core is an advanced AI that continuously learns and improves, automatically moderating comments on ads and posts while generating intelligent replies to comments and messages. This powerful tool streamlines workflow by consolidating social media interactions in one place and provides valuable AI-driven insights, identifying top FAQs and concerns to enhance customer engagement strategies.
For brands struggling with high-volume social media interactions, Brandwise offers an efficient solution to automatically hide negative comments, provide AI-generated responses, and gain a deeper understanding of customer engagement patterns. Try our social media engagement software for free for 7 days to grow your social media accounts rapidly!
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Written by

Alec Corum
Alec Corum

Founder of Brandwise

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