Which of the following is an example of earned media?

• A. Print ads in magazines
• B. Sponsorship of an event
• C. SEO, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, forums
• D. Company website

Answer: (C)

Earned media is publicity gained through merit rather than paid placements. When content earns its audience, it gets discovered, shared, rated, or discussed by others without direct payment. SEO fits because you improve visibility and rankings by delivering valuable content and a good user experience, so search engines reward that quality with higher results—no ad spend required. Organic activity on social platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter drives reach when people like, share, comment, or subscribe, again without paying for the placement. Participation in forums can generate mentions and discussions about your brand based on usefulness or relevance, not paid promotion.

In contrast, print ads involve paying for space in magazines (paid media). Sponsorship is typically a paid arrangement to associate with an event or property. A company website is owned media—you control and publish it, not something earned from third parties.