Press mentions page: how to curate citations that earn links

Why most press pages do not earn links

Most press pages are built like a dumping ground: a long list of logos, a few publication names, and little else. Readers skim, learn nothing, and leave. Journalists and partners do the same, because the page doesn’t help them confirm what happened, when it happened, or why it mattered.

A press mentions page earns links when it becomes the fastest place to verify your coverage. People link to it as proof: a clean record of credible third-party mentions, with enough detail to trust it. If your page saves time and removes guesswork, it becomes a reference, not a trophy shelf.

Thin lists get ignored for a few predictable reasons: there’s no context (just titles), no proof details (so the claim feels shaky), and too much copied text (snippets that all look like filler).

A good page works for two groups at once. For regular readers, it explains what you were featured for in plain language and helps them find the most relevant mentions. For journalists, it works like a quick fact check: consistent naming, clear timestamps, and the strongest sources near the top.

If you want links, think like a busy editor. They’re not looking for “as seen in.” They’re looking for a citation they can use without worrying the page is outdated, messy, or padded.

What counts as a strong mention or citation

A strong mention is independent coverage that gives a reader a reason to trust you. On a press mentions page, the goal isn’t to show everything you’ve ever been featured in. It’s to show a smaller set of citations that signal authority quickly.

Press mentions aren’t the same as testimonials or case studies. A testimonial is your customer talking about you (useful, but still “owned” by you). A case study is often co-created and usually lives on your site. A press mention is independent, and that independence is what makes it worth referencing.

A citation is usually strong when:

• The publisher is recognizable in your space, or clearly has editorial standards.
• The mention is specific (it explains what you do, not just your name in a list).
• It includes a clear identifier: product name, founder name, or a distinct claim that matches your positioning.
• It’s recent enough to feel current, or timeless enough to stay credible.
• It’s easy to verify: outlet, title, and date.

Podcasts, newsletters, awards, and roundups can belong on the page if they meet the same standard: independent and specific. A short podcast appearance can be strong if the host is respected and the episode title or summary clearly connects to your expertise. Awards can work if the awarding body is known and the criteria are clear. Roundups are fine when they’re selective, not “100 tools” lists.

If a mention is paywalled, include it only when the publisher name carries real weight. Label it as paywalled and still list the basics (publication, date, headline) so it’s recognizable.

If a mention is very short, don’t pad it with copied text. One clean sentence of your own context beats a pile of tiny snippets that all read the same.

How to find mentions without scraping

Start with the easiest source: your own inbox. PR pitches, journalist replies, partnership emails, and customer forwards often contain the exact headline, date, and page you need. If you have a shared mailbox, search for your brand name plus terms like “feature,” “interview,” “podcast,” “review,” and “press.”

Set up alerts for your brand and review them on a schedule. A weekly 15-minute review beats a once-a-year panic search because you catch mentions while they’re fresh and easier to verify. When you find something worth keeping, save the citation details immediately: publication name, author, title, date, and the part that mentions you.

Manual checks still matter, especially for sites that don’t show up reliably in alerts. Many publishers organize content in predictable places such as author pages and topic archives. If you know a journalist covers your space, scan their author page for recent posts that mention your brand or product.

Track name variants so you don’t miss coverage. People rarely write your brand exactly the same way every time. Keep a short list that includes your brand name (with and without spaces), common misspellings, abbreviations, product and feature names, your founder or spokesperson name, and any old brand names from before a rebrand.

Example: a startup sees three articles from the same outlet in alerts but misses a fourth because it uses the product name instead of the company name. Adding product-name variants to alerts and scanning the author page uncovers it in minutes.

As you collect candidates, keep them in a simple doc or spreadsheet with a “verified” checkbox. That one habit prevents thin or unconfirmed entries from sneaking onto the page later.

How to curate the strongest citations

A press mentions page earns links when it reads like a short, trustworthy record of why others paid attention to you. That means fewer items chosen with care, not a long “as seen on” wall.

Favor mentions that clearly show authority and fit. An article from a respected publication in your space, or a well-known company’s blog citing your work, usually beats ten vague listicles. Relevance matters too: a strong mention should connect to what you do today, not a one-off story from years ago.

Prefer original reporting over syndication. When the same story appears across many sites with identical text, pick the outlet that did the reporting (or the most recognized original publisher). Your page stays cleaner, and you avoid looking like a duplicate-content scrapbook.

A mix often works best: one or two big-name outlets, several solid industry publications, and a few niche experts whose audiences match yours closely. The goal is depth, not just popularity.

Set a clear quality bar and stick to it. You’ll maintain the page faster and avoid debates every time a new mention appears. For example:

• Include items that mention your brand in a meaningful way (quote, data point, case study, or clear reference).
• Prefer sources with real editorial standards (named authors, stable site, credible topic fit).
• Skip low-quality directories, spun reposts, press-release pickup pages, and logo walls with no context.
• Skip mentions that are off-topic or hard to verify.

Example: if you have one original interview, five identical syndicated reposts, and one short tool roundup, feature the interview first, optionally the roundup if it’s reputable, and ignore the reposts.

A page layout that is easy to scan and index

A press mentions page should answer two questions quickly: “Who covered you?” and “Why does it matter?” Keep the top simple with a short intro (2 to 3 sentences) that explains what the page includes, the time range, and your selection rule (for example: notable coverage, interviews, awards, and talks).

Pick a layout: cards or a list

Grid cards work well when you have a smaller set of high-status mentions and you want people to skim logos and headlines. A chronological list works better when you expect frequent updates and want a clear timeline that stays readable as it grows.

Whatever you choose, break the page into clear sections so visitors can jump to what they care about (Press, Podcasts, Awards, Speaking). Add a one-line description to each section so it doesn’t feel like a thin dump of titles.

Use the same fields everywhere

Consistency makes the page easier to scan and helps search engines understand it. For every item, stick to a small set of fields in the same order:

• Outlet name + type (publication, podcast, event)
• Date (month + year is usually enough)
• Title of the mention
• Topic tag (1 to 3 words)
• Short note (one sentence on what was covered or why it’s notable)

Keep notes in your own words. That avoids a wall of duplicated snippets and gives each mention a reason to exist. Also avoid heavy embeds that slow the page down; a clean headline-style layout tends to get crawled and understood more reliably.

Add context without duplicating snippets

A press mentions page earns links when it saves people time. The fastest way to lose that value is to paste the publisher’s description, the first paragraph, or long excerpts. It creates duplicate text and makes the page feel thin.

Write a short takeaway in your own words for every citation. Aim for 1 to 2 sentences that answer: what was covered, and why someone should care. Keep it specific enough that a reader can decide whether to click through, without you repeating the article.

Use quotes sparingly. A single short quote can add trust, but only when it supports your takeaway. If the quote is doing all the work, you’re not adding anything new.

A simple structure that stays original and useful:

• One-line headline you wrote (not the publisher’s headline)
• 1 to 2 sentence summary in your words
• “Why it matters” note (who it helps or what question it answers)
• Optional short quote (one sentence)

Example: instead of copying a product description from a tech blog, write: “They reviewed our onboarding and highlighted how small teams can go from setup to first results in a day. Why it matters: founders who need proof before switching tools.” That’s new, clear, and easy to skim.

A few rules prevent thin content:

• Don’t reuse the same summary across multiple mentions.
• Avoid generic lines like “Featured in” without explaining the angle.
• Keep each entry focused on one clear point.

Done consistently, your page becomes a curated resource, not a scrapbook. That’s what makes other sites more likely to reference it.

Keep it easy to update (and keep it indexable)

A press mentions page works best when it’s boring to maintain. If every new mention requires a rewrite, it will go stale. If it changes daily, search engines may take longer to settle on what the page is about. Aim for a steady rhythm.

Use a simple entry template

Pick one format and stick to it so each mention is quick to add and easy to scan:

• Publication name
• Headline of the piece
• One-sentence context (why it matters)
• Date (month + year)
• Type (review, interview, feature, roundup)

Keep the context in your own words. Don’t copy the article’s snippet or deck.

Batch updates so the page stays stable

Instead of updating the moment you spot a new mention, batch updates monthly. That keeps the page from constantly shifting while still showing signs of life. If you have a big PR moment, add it sooner, but don’t turn the page into a daily feed.

Maintain a lightweight internal log so nothing gets lost: source, date found, status (added, needs review, not eligible), and a short note.

For older mentions, set a rule and keep it. Many brands keep the strongest picks up top and move the rest to an Archive section lower down. The page stays high-quality without erasing history.

Step-by-step: build your press mentions page in one afternoon

Block 2 to 3 hours and aim for “good and live,” not perfect. A press mentions page earns links when it feels curated and trustworthy, not like a copied list of logos.

A simple afternoon plan

Start with a single doc or spreadsheet and keep one row per mention.

• Gather candidates from your inbox, PR notes, alerts, social posts, and any old “as seen in” assets. Remove repeats and pick one canonical version for each story.
• Score each mention quickly: is the site reputable, is it about your niche, and does it add something specific (a unique angle, quote, or data point)? Keep the top set.
• Write a 1 to 2 sentence blurb per item in your own words. Include what the piece was about and why it matters.
• Normalize the details (titles, dates, source names), publish, and check the page on mobile. It should scan in 10 seconds and still read well in 60.
• Assign an owner and a routine. A monthly 10-minute update beats a yearly overhaul.

Publish checks that prevent “thin page” problems

Before you call it done, make sure every entry has original context, not just a headline and a logo. If you only have a few mentions today, publish anyway. Just keep the layout clean and avoid padding with weak citations to look bigger.

Common mistakes that stop the page from earning links

A press mentions page earns links when it saves people time. The fastest way to kill that value is to publish a long, messy list that forces visitors to guess what matters.

The most common issue is the thin list problem: dozens of logos or titles with no explanation. If each entry looks identical, there’s no reason for a journalist, partner, or customer to reference your page instead of the original articles.

Another quiet link-killer is duplicate snippets. Syndicated blurbs often appear word-for-word across multiple outlets. If your press page repeats the same excerpt again and again, it can look like copied filler. Use your own one-sentence summary and quote only a short, unique line when it truly adds proof.

Small details matter more than people expect. Missing dates, unclear outlet names, and broken references make the page feel untrustworthy, even when the coverage is real.

Before publishing, watch for:

• Entries with no takeaway (why the mention is notable)
• Reused or syndicated snippets that read identical
• Missing dates or inconsistent outlet naming
• Keyword stuffing in every entry
• A page that hasn’t been updated in months

The last one is the easiest to fix. Add a simple “Last updated” note and schedule a monthly refresh.

Quick checklist before you hit publish

Scan the page like a busy journalist or partner would. Can they understand why each mention matters in seconds?

• Substance: aim for a real set of strong mentions rather than padding with weak ones.
• Standalone entries: outlet name, date, and a unique 1 to 2 sentence note about the angle or takeaway.
• No copied text: don’t paste paragraphs, intros, or repeated pull quotes.
• Easy to skim: clear sections and consistent formatting.
• Owner: one person responsible for monthly updates.

A fast test: pick three entries at random. If the notes all sound the same (“Featured in X”), rewrite them until each one adds new information.

Example scenario: turning scattered mentions into a link-worthy page

A small SaaS company had about 15 real mentions across six outlets (a niche industry publication, a podcast site, two partner blogs, and two tech newsletters). Over time, the team also collected 40 extra “mentions” that were mostly weak: directory profiles, duplicate reposts, and pages that only listed their logo.

They set one clear goal: show credible third-party proof that a journalist, partner, or buyer can trust at a glance.

First, they cut the list down to 18 strong citations by keeping items with clear editorial context and removing anything that looked copied, autogenerated, or barely about them.

Their filter was simple:

• Keep: original reporting, interviews, product reviews, case studies with quotes
• Remove: thin roundup lists, paid advertorials, empty partner logo walls
• Remove: the same article republished across multiple sites

For each kept mention, they added one short line of context that didn’t repeat the article’s wording. For example: “Interview about how the team reduced onboarding time for customer support teams.” Or: “Independent review focusing on setup time and reporting.” No hype, no pricing claims.

Syndicated reposts became a single item: they cited the original publisher and noted that it was syndicated elsewhere, without copying duplicate headlines or excerpts. If two outlets used the same headline, they rewrote their on-page label to be unique and clearer (for example, “Podcast interview on retention” rather than repeating the exact episode title).

Next steps: keep the page growing (and where SEOBoosty fits)

Treat your press mentions page like a living asset. Lock in a simple scoring rule (so you don’t debate every new mention) and a template (so each entry stays consistent).

Monthly is enough for most brands. Add a calendar reminder and collect candidates in one place as they appear.

A manageable approach:

• Score new mentions on authority, relevance, and how clearly they reference your brand.
• Add only the top picks, and rotate out weak or outdated items.
• Write a 1 to 2 sentence takeaway for each citation (what it proves, who it reached).
• Keep proof details consistent (publisher name, date, topic, and who or what was mentioned).
• Track which types of mentions tend to attract links (data, awards, original quotes).

To support future coverage, keep a short press-kit summary ready as an internal doc: a one-paragraph company description, three key stats, approved product names, and two short bios for founders or spokespeople. It makes responses faster and helps keep future mentions specific.

If your current citations are mostly small blogs or directory-style write-ups, securing a few stronger placements can raise the credibility of the whole page. One option is SEOBoosty (seoboosty.com), which provides premium backlink placements from authoritative websites through a curated inventory and subscription model. If you use a service like that, hold it to the same standard as earned coverage: clear relevance, a specific mention, and enough detail that a reader can verify what the citation actually says.