A reference to a business name or product on another website without an active hyperlink.
An unlinked mention names a business, product or person without providing a clickable link to the relevant website. It can still help readers recognize the name, but it does not give them the same direct route to a destination that a hyperlink provides.
Check the context before requesting a link. Confirm that the mention refers to the correct organization and that the suggested destination helps the reader. A name shared by several businesses can create false matches. A news report, an event listing and a critical review also have different reasons for including a name.
Adding a link can be a reasonable editorial request, but the publisher is not obliged to grant it. Avoid treating every mention as an SEO debt to collect. A plain-text name should not be counted as a verified backlink, and a new link does not by itself establish a ranking or revenue improvement.
Takeaway: Prioritize mentions where readers would benefit from reaching a specific, accurate resource. Correct mistaken business details before pursuing a link.
Example
A workshop announcement names a training company but omits the registration link. The company could ask the organizer to add the actual event page so readers can see dates and availability. A general homepage link would be less useful if it makes visitors search again for the workshop.
What to check
Provide the mention’s page URL and the proposed destination in a short request. Explain the reader benefit rather than asking for a followed link or keyword-rich anchor. If payment becomes part of the arrangement, treat it as a commercial placement.
For more detail, see Qualify outbound links to Google.