Earned media (or free media) is content relating to a person or organization, which is published by a third party without any form of payment to the publisher.[1][2] It includes articles by media outlets, interviews with the person or representatives of the organization, or bylined editorials in trade press and other publications. It may also include social media sharing, unpaid mentions by podcast hosts and guests, or word-of-mouth marketing.[3][4]
Earned media excludes advertising (paid media) and company branding (owned media).[1]