Does Google really using unlinked brand and related mentions as a ranking factor?

[vtmoz]

Hi Moz community,

Seems like Bing already confirmed that they are using link-less mentions for the ranking graph and some SEO experts believe if Google also employing the same in their Algo....Can anybody please confirm and share your thoughts on this?

Thanks

[Dalessi]

Hello,

From what I have read Google may be using unlinked brand mentions as a secondary signal. It would not get the same kind of energy as PageRank involves but if their computers keep seeing high volumes of brand mentions I do think the brand get credit.

Think of like Ford, Chevy, Coke, Pepsi. Not every mention has a link but Google knows whats going on anyway.

Best Regards

[AdvisGroup]

The simple answer would be yes.

However, the amount of page authority that you receive from these mentions are up for debate. Personally, I use Moz Pro's opportunities section to view link-less mentions and subsequently try to convert those mentions into an actual link. Remember, this unlinked mention will be a secondary signal, not a primary, so, it is always better to try to convert to an actual link. In my experience, I have had excellent luck contacting the person who wrote the article to link my website.

Best of luck!

John