Why You Don’t Need that Link to Get the SEO Benefit from an Online Name Drop: The Power of Linkless Mentions

“linkless mentions aren’t more important than links or anything. Just know they’re one signal of many that the search engines are taking into account.”

Virginia, no has suggested a mention is more important, as important, or anywhere close to as important as an actual link.

My question is: what evidence is there that a mention is a ranking signal? Please point me to any study showing the ranking of any site improved due to a linkless mention.

It’s a bold statement to state something is a ranking signal. I’m looking for something to back it up.

Bottom line: I visit this site instead of others because of perceived credibility. The E-A-T that is mentioned. But this article caught my attention due to the ranking signal claim. I’m wondering if part of it should be withdrawn? There are plenty of benefits mentioned in the article I agree with, but I’d like to see more about the basis for stating not just Google, but “many” of the search engines are using mentions as part of their algorithms. Thanks.

I am also finding that linkless mentions are having a positive impact on some of my clients websites. They won’t have the same power as backlinks obviously but they will be yet another search factor Google takes into account. Great article!

Mentions without links make perfect sense. I will be incorporating this in my strategy moving forward. Thank you for this valuable information.

In the long-term, linkless mentions will likely increase in providing more value from a ranking perspective. However, at the moment, while it’s important to secure linkless mentions via online PR, establishing quality links should always be one of the top priorities for any online brand.

I wonder how accurately the search engines can discern which entity is being referred to when there are two or more companies/brands existing with a similar name but in different markets/industries? Take my company for example, selling printer cartridges under the trademarked brand ‘Ink Factory’, but if you Google the term ‘ink factory’ you will see a number of other sites in different markets.

Now Google the term ‘inkfactory.com’ and you’ll see Google is still wondering if you might have meant one of those others.

Granted, we’re not a big brand name, but we’ve been online since 1999, first as theinkfactory.co.uk and later switching to inkfactory.com in 2003 (when we had the chance to secure that domain). If Google can be this unsure about whether people really mean inkfactory.com even when they literally type that in the search box, I don’t have much confidence that they will attribute any relevant mention of ‘Ink Factory’ to us.

I should add that for the most part we have our trademark as our username on Twitter, Facebook and even Google+, so there should be no confusion – but there clearly is.

Would be interested in other opinions on this?

I never thought of linkless mentions as having SEO value. A well-reasoned post on the subject!

Hey Duane,

Informative post!
It has been noticed that these sites that has brand searches, gain more authority. So, it seems reasonable. Thanks for spotting the light on this underestimated signal!

I new that mentions of a business was relevant in more less gorilla marketing, word of mouth more less but never realized that it had value in the serps for adding authority to a site. Great post!

Was quite apprehensive about how much a linkless link might be able to help… until I saw the author of this article – a very credible guy – thanks Duane :-)

Totally agreed with your post. N doubt that each day SEO industry comes up with amazing techniques & tactics. Glad to read your post. Keep sharing.

Until there is a study and actual evidence showing a “linkless mention” has any impact on rankings, this is useless.

If a company or brand is getting a lot of mentions, say from the Super Bowl, and as a result people go searching for the name that may influence rankings. But that is a different story and not what this article promises.

One obvious problem is this is limited to a name. If your website is ranking #15 getting mentions might boost sites #1-#14 above you more. Presumably, though, you can already rank for your own brand name.

Hmmm interesting I always thought without the link having just your company name on another website was useless. Glad I know better now thanks!

Great article I am also finding you can boost your SEO results with linkless mentions along with standard backlinks. It probably makes your link profile look even more natural. I question whether or not a linkless mention has the same power as a do follow link but it should definitely be added to your SEO strategy.

linkless mentions can actually provide benefit to you! wow, that’s a new thing for me. It’s making me wonder that how quickly SEO practices and results are changing!!

Need to thank Paula Allen for your mentions in inbound which made me to come here linkless mentions are great source for seo’s will implement this in any of my articles or blogs, thanks.

While mentions i am sure have value , links are still the top ranking factor. Till that changes name drops dont cut it
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ohhh i never though about it before what it make proper sense and why not if search engine give so much importance of text . link less mentions would also get so much attentions

thanks for this incredible post

Whenever I find a linkless mention of my business, I immediately try to reach them to see if they can provide a link back to my website. I guess I have to recheck my SEO strategy. Really insightful article.

Duane,
thank you for your comprehensive article. Even though I think that links are still too important to ignore I agree with you that linkless mentions are a valuable contribution to direct marketing activities as well as indirect seo.

Great article! It was very interesting and I learned a lot from it, thanks!

So what you say is:
make sure people search for your brand by using it. If they search it, google will use that metric for your positions / reputation.

Hey, Duane
Totally agreed with your post. N doubt that each day SEO industry comes up with amazing techniques & tactics. Glad to read your post. Keep sharing :D

Hello Duane,
Ya you are correct,Although there are lots of spammers and doing only backlinks. Indeed they are not only making backlinks but also commenting on others blogs well. But when 2012 googgle launch new updates all are shutting down.

Duane,
Absolutely agree that Search Engines are probably moving towards linkless mentions. Back around 2012 BC Australia had released a report that referred to this as Web Signals. I believe Yandex already disregards links in its algorithm for commercial intent queries. I myself also feel that this is the best way to Build your Brand. Sure if I can get a link that is even better but I will still love the linkless links. Spot on Duane!