A memorable trip can keep working for you long after you get home. A destination, tour operator, hotel or local restaurant might mention your travel article or video in a post of its own, but forget to link to it. For travel writers and creators, unlinked brand mention link building is a practical way to turn some of those existing mentions into useful paths for readers to find the original story.
The idea is straightforward: find places where a business or destination is named online without a clickable link, then politely ask whether the mention could point to your relevant page. It is not a reason to chase every passing reference. The best requests help readers who want more detail, directions, photographs or a first-hand account of the experience.
Start with the travel stories people are already discussing
Think back through recent trips and note the organizations that appeared in your coverage. Perhaps a museum shared your review, a hotel included your photos in a newsletter, or a local tourism account reposted a short video. These are natural starting points because there is already some connection between the mention and your work.
Search for your name, site, article title, or a distinctive phrase from the story. You can also check the social accounts and news pages of places you visited. Some mentions will already link to your page; others may name you or your publication without a direct route to the story. Keep a simple list of the page, the exact wording, and the article that would make the most relevant destination.
That last point matters. If a resort mentions your family’s visit, a detailed review of that stay is likely more helpful than a general homepage. If a city guide references your walking tour, link to the guide rather than asking the editor to send readers somewhere unrelated. Good link building begins with a good match.
Make the request useful, not pushy
A short, courteous note is usually enough. Mention where you saw the reference, thank the person for including your work, and suggest the specific page that adds context. You might say that readers looking for the full itinerary can find it in your article, then provide the page address for the editor to use. Avoid implying that a link is owed to you, and do not send repeated messages if there is no response.
Before reaching out, check that the page is public and still current. Travel details change: opening hours, ticket arrangements, menus, and transport options can all become outdated. If your story is no longer accurate, update it first or choose a different page. A useful link should make the reader’s next step easier, not send them toward stale advice.
There are other considerations in a thoughtful outreach process, including choosing relevant pages and understanding what makes a link valuable. A complete guide to link building can provide a broader overview of those basics. For a travel publisher, though, the reader’s experience is the most reliable test: would someone who sees the mention genuinely benefit from reaching your story?
Give video the same care as written coverage
Travel coverage is often more than a blog post. A short film can show the pace of a market, the view from a trail, or what a hotel room actually looks like in a way that still photographs cannot. If a destination or business mentions your video, check that the video is easy to watch and that the page around it explains where it was filmed and what viewers are seeing.
Creators who hire an editor should settle the practical details before sending over footage: the intended audience, length, aspect ratio, captions, music, number of revisions, and delivery format. A useful video editor checklist can help clarify portfolio fit, workflow and deliverables. Osdire is one freelance marketplace where buyers can hire across categories such as video and animation; whichever route you use, clear expectations make it easier to get a finished piece that supports the story rather than distracting from it.
Keep the process small and steady
It is tempting to treat outreach as a numbers game, particularly after a busy season of travel. A better habit is to review mentions once a month, identify a few strong opportunities, and send personal notes only where a link would genuinely add value. Record whether you contacted the site and whether the page was updated, but do not judge a trip’s success by the number of links it produces.
Some editors will add a link; others will leave the page as it is. Either outcome is normal. A thoughtful request can also build a professional relationship for future coverage, while an overly insistent one can close the door. Keep the tone appreciative and make it easy for the other person to decide.
Travel stories are most useful when they help someone plan, imagine, or better understand a place. An unlinked mention is a small opportunity to connect that story with the people who are already interested in it. Find the right reference, offer a relevant page, and let the value to the reader guide the request.
I am a proud University of Wisconsin-Madison (BA, Political Science) alumni and “pop” culture addict. My interests include music, films, books (including comics) and vintage stereo equipment. My passion for all forms of entertainment from mainstream to obscure takes up too much room. In addition to skateboarding and Great Lakes surfing, I love good food and micro brews of all types.