Viral Spike Marketing's Blog
Explore the Viral Spike Marketing blog for expert insights on digital marketing, social media trends, and proven strategies to make your brand go viral.
Latest Articles
AI SearchHow ChatGPT and Perplexity Choose Their Sources (and How to Become One)
How does ChatGPT choose its sources? It retrieves live web results, filters them with its own selection layer, and cites what answers cleanly. How to be cited.
AI SearchHow to Rank in Google AI Overviews and AI Mode: What Google Actually Pulls From
How to rank in Google AI Overviews and AI Mode: what Google pulls from, how query fan-out works, the content that gets cited, and the off-site signals.
Marketing InsightsWhat Does a Publicist Do? Roles, Costs, and When You Need One Instead of a PR Agency
What does a publicist do? Pitching, media relations, interview prep and crisis response, with 2026 cost ranges and when an agency or placement fits better.
AI SearchWhat Is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)? Definition, How It Works, and How It Differs From SEO
Generative engine optimization (GEO) is the practice of making a brand visible inside AI-generated answers. What it is, how it differs from SEO, and what works.
Online ReputationHow to Monitor Your Online Reputation: Monthly Audit System
How to monitor your online reputation with a monthly audit: search checks, free alert tools, review sites, AI assistants, autocomplete and a scoring sheet.
Online ReputationHow to Remove a Mugshot or Arrest Record From Google
How to remove a mugshot from Google: Google's exploitative-site policy, state removal laws, expungement, outdated content requests and suppression.
Online ReputationGoogle Results About You: What It Removes and What It Won’t
Google Results About You removes contact details, ID images and doxxing content from search. What qualifies, how requests work and what it won't touch.
Online ReputationReputation Management for Lawyers: Reviews, Press and Ethics
Reputation management for lawyers: answer negative reviews without breaching confidentiality, handle bad press and build authority within bar rules.
AI SearchWhat Does ChatGPT Say About Your Company? Audit and Fix It
What does ChatGPT say about your company? Run a 12-prompt audit across ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude and AI Mode, then fix the sources.
Online ReputationDo You Qualify for a Wikipedia Page? Notability Explained
Wikipedia page notability explained: what independent coverage means, why Forbes contributor and sponsored articles do not count, and the honest path.
Online ReputationHow to Get a Google Knowledge Panel for a Person
How to get a Google Knowledge Panel for a person: there is no request form. Build a consistent entity across Wikidata, your site and press, then claim it.
Online ReputationHow to Remove a Google Review: 2026 Policy and Appeals
How to remove a fake Google review in 2026: what violates Google policy, how to report it, the one-time appeal, legal requests, and what to do when denied.
Online ReputationHow Much Does Reputation Management Cost? Priced by Problem
How much does reputation management cost? Verified industry ranges, cost drivers for each problem type, and retainer vs project vs per-placement pricing.
AI SearchBrand Mentions vs Backlinks: What Matters for AI Answers?
Brand mentions vs backlinks for AI search: Ahrefs, Muck Rack and 5WPR data show mentions in trusted outlets predict AI visibility; links still feed Google.
Marketing InsightsYou Got Featured. Now What? ROI From a Media Placement
What to do after getting press coverage: a 30-day plan for your press page, sales collateral, ads, LinkedIn, investors, Knowledge Panel and AI visibility.
Marketing InsightsHARO Is Gone: How Founders Get Quoted in the Media in 2026
The best HARO alternatives in 2026: Qwoted, Featured, Source of Sources, the relaunched HARO and X, plus how to get quoted and when to buy a feature.
Marketing InsightsHow Long Does PR Take to Work? Realistic Timelines
How long does PR take to work? Earned PR shows results in 3 to 6 months and compounds after 12; placements publish in days to weeks. Timelines inside.
Marketing InsightsPress Coverage for O-1 and EB-1A Visas: What Counts
Press coverage for O-1 visa and EB-1A petitions: the published material rule, why press releases and paid content are weak, and a 6 to 12 month plan.
Marketing InsightsYahoo Finance Press Release vs Editorial Feature Explained
Yahoo Finance press release vs editorial feature: costs, what appears on finance.yahoo.com, indexation and link value, and whether it helps SEO or AI.
AI SearchHow Press Coverage Gets Your Brand Recommended by ChatGPT
How do you get ChatGPT to recommend your business? Earned press is 84% of AI citations; press releases barely register. A 7-step plan and per-engine data.
Marketing InsightsHow to Verify a Publication Is Real Before You Pay for Press
Fake Forbes sites sell features for $10,000. Learn how to verify a publication is real with a 10-step checklist and red flags before you pay for press.
Marketing InsightsHow Much Does a PR Agency Cost? Retainers vs Per Placement
How much does a PR agency cost? Retainers run $2,000 to $90,000+ a month by agency size. Compare retainers, project fees, hourly and pay-per-placement.
Marketing InsightsWhat Makes a Founder Newsworthy Before a Major Win
You do not need a funding round to earn press. Here is what makes a founder newsworthy early, the proof editors want, and how to get featured in Business Insider.
Marketing InsightsHow to Get Featured in The Wall Street Journal: A Guaranteed Editorial Placement
Get a guaranteed, fully editorial placement in The Wall Street Journal. Published and indexed on Google, or your engagement is fully refunded.