Definition
Link reclamation is the process of identifying web pages that mention your brand, product, or research without linking, then requesting an editorial hyperlink to the appropriate source page.
Historical context
As digital PR grew, brands earned mentions faster than links because journalists copy-paste from press releases or avoid linking to commercial pages. Monitoring tools (Google Alerts, Mention, Brand24) made mention tracking scalable. SEO teams systematized polite reclamation requests.
Strategic explanation
Prioritize high-authority pages with recent publish dates. Email the journalist directly when possible, not generic contact@ addresses. Reference the specific paragraph and suggest the correct URL (research hub, not homepage). Keep tone appreciative, not demanding.
For French outlets, write requests in French. Acknowledge if editorial policy limits links to institutional domains.
Industry use cases
Post-conference coverage naming your CEO without link. Survey citations without methodology URL. Partner announcements on third-party sites omitting your press release link.
Frameworks
Reclamation priority scoring
- Domain editorial quality tier
- Page organic traffic estimate
- Recency under 90 days
- Mention includes data attributable to your firm
Success rates and expectations
Expect 15-35% success on tier-one French media, higher on trade and regional press. Some pages update only during CMS revisions. Track wins in CRM to avoid duplicate requests.