In 2026, brand visibility is no longer driven solely by search rankings. As AI-powered search and content discovery become more influential, brands must focus on building authority, credibility, and trust alongside traditional SEO. To strengthen their online presence, brands should integrate modern digital PR tactics that align with how AI and search engines evaluate content today. Visibility now depends not only on keywords, but also on where a brand is mentioned and how often it is referenced by trusted sources.
For brands new to SEO or digital PR, these strategies do not require large budgets or in-house PR teams. Tactics such as expert quoting platforms, media outreach, and strategic link building can be implemented gradually, helping brands earn high-quality mentions and improve visibility across both traditional and AI-driven search environments.
Link Building Best Practices for B2B Brands in 2026
In 2026, link building will be a priority for most brands.
Over 89% of marketers create online content to build more links to their websites. The same report revealed that 98% of link builders prioritize link quality over quantity.
SEO.ai
This means brands must focus on securing the highest-quality links to remain competitive.
Relying on older SEO tactics won’t work. Manipulative link building is out, and brand authority is in, thanks to Google’s Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust (E-E-A-T). Nowadays, Google’s algorithm and AI search favor brands with backlinks from reputable sources because they signal credibility and generate publicity. Building links that actually work today means adopting the mindset that backlinks are earned through genuine relationships, not transactions. While paid links offer immediate reach, they don’t necessarily equal long-term SEO value or trust. Earned links build trust and authority while helping brands avoid Google risk penalties.
Where backlinks come from is equally important. Anyone can link to a brand, but links from low-quality or shady websites may negatively affect how audiences perceive it. Backlinks should also come from relevant websites to reinforce subject-matter expertise.
So, how are backlinks earned? One of the most effective approaches is building relationships with bloggers and journalists:
Start with outreach by researching the journalist’s expertise and recent works.
Choose a journalist who offers insights and value to their content.
Support pitches with relevant data, verified sources, and insights from tools such as a public records search.
Meet deadlines and remain reliable.
For brands with limited resources, focusing on five to ten high-quality relationships is often more effective than broad, untargeted outreach. Building relationships with bloggers and journalists is only one part of earning strong backlinks. Brands should also create content that naturally attracts backlinks, such as blogs, infographics, data-driven reports, and original research. Digital PR has made contextual links more important than ever.
The Power of Expert Quoting Platforms
The digital marketing industry is incredibly competitive, and making a brand’s voice heard above the noise requires new measures. Expert quoting platforms are one of the most effective tools for achieving this. Platforms like HARO (Help a Reporter Out), ProfNet, and Qwoted help connect journalists with industry experts who can provide first-hand insight and data for stories. This provides brands with a powerful route to media exposure.
For example, HARO is often used by startups and small businesses responding to daily journalist queries, while ProfNet is frequently leveraged by established B2B organizations targeting larger publications. Qwoted tends to work well for brands with clearly defined subject-matter experts.
How the Process Works:
The journalist or writer will post their query, looking for expert opinions on specific topics.
A brand representative will respond with a relevant answer to their question.
The brand’s insights may be shown and linked in the published article.
Using quote platforms is an excellent way for brands to build authority on a specific topic. Backlinks from reputable media outlets signal trustworthiness to search engines and improve domain rating (DR).
Getting started is straightforward. Brands begin by creating detailed profiles on the platforms they use and emphasizing credentials and expertise. A practical starting point is assigning one team member 15-20 minutes per day to review relevant queries and respond to one or two that closely match the brand’s expertise.
Brands should monitor industry-relevant queries by signing up for platform newsletters. Despite common assumptions, queries should not be answered in a promotional manner. Responses should be concise, clear, and helpful. With consistent participation, brands tend to see increased mentions and links over time.
Leveraging Digital PR for Al Search Visibility
Digital PR not only enhances traditional SEO but also boosts brand visibility through AI-powered search platforms like Google’s AI Overviews (AIO) and ChatGPT. Google’s VP of Product for Google Search, Robby Stein, explains how Al recommends websites:
The Al thinks a lot like a person would in terms of the kinds of questions it issues. And so if you’re a business and you’re mentioned in top business lists or from a public article that lots of people end up finding, those kinds of things become useful for the Al to find.
Search Engine Journal
In practice, AI systems evaluate brands based on:
High-quality content
Brand mentions from trusted sources
Strong reviews
Consistency in publishing and engagement
Backlinks and mentions from reputable sources improve visibility for both AI systems and target audiences. As AI-driven discovery becomes more prevalent, brand mentions increasingly function as credibility signals, similar to citations in traditional search results. Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) are also strategies brands are increasingly using, focusing on earning citations in AI-driven results rather than relying solely on traditional keyword rankings.
Actionable Strategies
PR strategies that influence Al’s visibility include:
Targeting high-domain authority outlets like Forbes, Fortune, and other leading industry publications
Making use of local news for geo-visibility by pitching stories or sponsoring community events
Offering expert insights to journalists to establish thought leadership.
Tracking Al mentions by using tools like Google Alerts
Using press releases
PR Strategies to Avoid:
Low-quality backlinks that have no relevance to the content or are from a shady website.
Incorrect or outdated product descriptions can confuse Al search tools.
Over-optimized, keyword-stuffed press releases that read unnaturally and reduce credibility.
Generic thought leadership with no original insight.
Inconsistent brand messaging across press, website, and social channels.
Combining Digital PR, Expert Quoting, and Link Building for Maximum Impact
The key to making digital PR effective is combining traditional SEO with AI-powered visibility tactics. In 2026, B2B marketing strategies increasingly combine expert quoting platforms, intentional link-building, and proactive media outreach.
Building a Synergistic Strategy
Before launching any marketing efforts, brands must understand the importance of aligning content marketing with brand vision. Strategic synergy reinforces values, ensures consistent messaging, and improves engagement and conversions. Expert quoting systems like HARO and Qwoted help position brands as credible sources for media mentions. This visibility supports broader outreach and data-driven thought leadership.
Measuring Success
A good example of a brand successfully combining SEO and digital PR is music streaming giant Spotify. Every year, the platform releases Spotify Wrapped, which uses massive amounts of user-generated content (UGC) to encourage brand mentions and backlinks. The reason the brand’s campaign works so well is that it focuses on personalization rather than generic content. The sheer volume of users creates an environment that encourages brand mentions and positions the brand as an expert in the music industry. News outlets like Billboard often cover Spotify Wrapped and provide high-quality backlinks.
Conclusion: Why Digital PR Is Essential for B2B Brands in 2026
Brand visibility in 2026 requires a digital marketing strategy focused on expert quoting and strategic link building. This hybrid approach strengthens visibility across traditional SEO and AI-powered search platforms.
©2026 DK New Media, LLC, All rights reserved | DisclosureOriginally Published on Martech Zone: Maximizing Brand Exposure Through Expert Quoting and Strategic Link Building in 2026