Which term best describes word-of-mouth, review sites, and blog mentions?

Which term best describes word-of-mouth, review sites, and blog mentions?

• A. Earned Media
• B. Owned Media
• C. Shared Media
• D. Paid Media

Answer: (A)

This is about exposure you gain without paying for or directly controlling it—the kind that comes from people talking about your brand. Word-of-mouth reflects customers recommending you, which is earned because it happens organically. Review sites and blog mentions are third-party endorsements; they’re not paid placements and you don’t own them, so they also fall under earned media. Paid media covers advertising you pay for, and owned media is content you publish on channels you control (like your own website). Shared media sits in the space of conversations and content that fans and followers distribute among themselves; it’s built from engagement, not just endorsements. So the strongest fit for word-of-mouth, review sites, and blog mentions is earned media.

This is about exposure you gain without paying for or directly controlling it—the kind that comes from people talking about your brand. Word-of-mouth reflects customers recommending you, which is earned because it happens organically. Review sites and blog mentions are third-party endorsements; they’re not paid placements and you don’t own them, so they also fall under earned media.

Paid media covers advertising you pay for, and owned media is content you publish on channels you control (like your own website). Shared media sits in the space of conversations and content that fans and followers distribute among themselves; it’s built from engagement, not just endorsements. So the strongest fit for word-of-mouth, review sites, and blog mentions is earned media.