How To Master Brand Mentions: 5 Tools For Getting It Right

If there’s one thing that everyone loves, it’s to know what people think of us. While this tendency may not always be beneficial in personal contexts, it is crucial when it comes to products or services. Simply promoting a product without considering customer feedback isn’t an effective strategy. To truly connect with customers, it’s essential to delve into their thoughts and opinions to gauge how well your product is received. This approach in marketing terms is called brand mentions. Let’s understand everything about it.

What are Brand Mentions?

Brand mentions refer to instances where your brand or product is discussed on the internet, including customer reviews, blog posts, news articles, and social media.

It is advisable for brands to actively monitor these mentions to gain valuable insights, understand public opinions, and keep track of the overall sentiment surrounding the brand.

As a brand, you have the option to set up notifications for specific keywords, such as your brand name or particular products. This proactive approach allows you to stay informed whenever these keywords are used, enabling you to stay engaged with your audience and manage your brand’s online reputation effectively.

39% of marketers aim to boost brand awareness and reach new audiences through their social media strategies. Neglecting your customers’ sentiments about your brand may result in a significant loss of clients.

Also Read: The Ultimate AI in Email Marketing Guide: Boost Engagement and Drive Conversions

Different Types of Brand Mentions

There are various types of brand mentions, categorized based on the sources from which they originate:

• Social Media Mentions: Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, Twitter, and others.
• Forums and Communities: Different discussion communities are found across the internet, including platforms like Reddit.
• Reviews and Testimonials: Websites such as Capterra, TripAdvisor, Amazon, Yelp, G2, Trustradius, and similar platforms.
• Blog Post Mentions: References to your brand on various blogs across the World Wide Web.
• News Articles: Mentions in news outlets spanning global, national, regional, and local levels.

5 Key Ways to Monitor Brand Mentions

Monitoring brand mentions goes beyond basic keyword research, extending to various aspects that necessitate attention. Here are key elements to consider:

Variations of Your Brand Name

Recognize that people may not always search for your brand name in its standard form. Account for variations like abbreviations, spelling differences, shortened names, and special characters. Regularly update this list as you engage with users. This broader approach ensures visibility for conversations that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Product Names

While your brand name is vital, people may not always mention it. Therefore, track the names of all your products and their common variations. This allows you to understand discussions around each product and take appropriate actions.

Product Features

Often overlooked, monitoring discussions about product features and benefits can provide valuable insights. Explore customer-centric keywords related to product features to tap into user conversations and gain a deeper understanding.

Industry Trends and Related Keywords

Beyond your specific brand and products, keep an eye on broader industry trends and related keywords. For instance, searching for terms like “best budget hotels” can reveal conversations about competitors and industry trends. This helps in understanding customer expectations and identifying trending industry keywords.

Social Media Handles and Hashtags

Users often tag brands and use campaign-specific hashtags on social media. It is crucial not to overlook these mentions. Track using social media handles and relevant campaign hashtags to stay informed about user conversations across various social platforms.

By comprehensively monitoring these aspects, brands can stay well-informed about their online presence, understand user sentiments, and effectively manage their online reputation.

Top 5 Brand Mentions SEO Tools You Should Use

There are numerous brand mention tools available online that provide valuable insights into a brand’s digital presence. Some of these notable tools are:

1. Mention.com: Replacing Google Alerts, Mention.com allows users to visualize their online presence and monitor a large number of users in real time. The tool supports 42 languages, catering to a diverse global audience.
2. Google Alerts: A traditional tool for measuring online brand presence, Google Alerts notifies users when their news posts, blogs, or articles reach the top 10 searches. However, it has limitations as it only sends notifications for content in the top search results.
3. Talkwalker Alerts: Talkwalker Alerts offers insights into overall brand performance, sentiment analysis, demographic data, and engagement levels.
4. Keyhole: Beyond tracking, Keyhole excels in monitoring hashtags and keywords, analyzing sentiments around posts and the brand, assessing competitors’ performance, and setting benchmarks for evaluation. It is user-friendly, especially for beginners.
5. Awario: Awario is an effective tool for finding and participating in important discussions in real time. It enables global brand marketing, reaching new audiences and fostering word-of-mouth marketing through real-time engagement.

Bonus: Here are the names of three free brand mention tools: Social Mention, Mentionlytics, and BrandMentions.

How to Find Unlinked Brand Mentions?

Here are some easy ways to find mentions of your brand that aren’t linked to your website:

• Smart Search on Google: Use specific search commands in Google to uncover brand mentions without links. Craft tailored search queries to discover valuable link opportunities. This may involve using advanced search commands and third-party tools.
• Brand Monitoring Tools: Leverage brand monitoring tools such as Ahrefs, Mentionlytics, or BrandMentions. These tools enable you to search for your brand name and identify both linked and unlinked mentions across various platforms. Reach out to authors or website owners to request a backlink.
• Social Media Monitoring: Keep an eye on social media platforms for brand mentions and set up notifications to receive alerts whenever your brand is mentioned. While this may not specifically target unlinked mentions, it provides valuable insights and engagement opportunities.

Winding Up

The availability of various brand mention tools empowers marketers to effectively monitor brand mentions and sentiment, which is crucial for measuring brand awareness and managing reputation. By implementing the right tools and processes, measuring and enhancing brand awareness and reputation becomes a manageable task with significant potential to drive business success.