Definition
A mention of a brand or website on the web without a hyperlink, representing a link building opportunity.
An unlinked mention is a reference to your brand, product, or website on a third-party page without a hyperlink. These mentions represent link building opportunities because the mentioning site already knows your brand and is more likely to add a link. Finding and converting unlinked mentions is one of the most effective and least risky link building techniques, as it leverages existing relationships.
Unlinked Brand Mention
Brand Mention
Linkless Mention
Key Points
- Google Alerts and Mention.com can help detect mentions
- A simple thank-you email with a link request is often enough
- The mention-to-link conversion rate is generally 10 to 30%
- Unlinked mentions are also a trust signal for Google (co-citation)
Practical Examples
Frequently Asked Questions
Use Google Alerts, Mention.com, or tools like Ahrefs Content Explorer. Search for your brand name and filter results that do not contain a link to your site.
Go Further with LemmiLink
Discover how LemmiLink can help you put these SEO concepts into practice.
Last updated: 2026-02-07