Media monitoring software provides users with up-to-date news feeds and alerts from a selection of media channels. Public relations (PR) departments use these tools to follow media channels relevant to their industry, and those of clients and business partners.
Core Capabilities of Media Monitoring Software
To qualify for inclusion in the Media Monitoring category, a product must:
- Track various traditional or online media channels
- Allow users to target specific keywords, mentions, or topics, and customize feeds to their liking
- Provide users with relevant updates and alerts based on selected feeds
- Collect and store links to relevant media content for future reference
- Analyze findings with reporting features such as number and frequency of mentions, impact on company, etc.
Common use cases for Media Monitoring Software
Media monitoring solutions help companies track mentions of their brand or executives in the news and online, analyze trends in media coverage, measure the success of PR campaigns, and protect brand reputation by responding quickly to crises or negative publicity.
How Media Monitoring Software Differs from Other Tools
Media monitoring software can offer access to different types of media channels. Print media coverage may include newspapers, magazines, and trade journals, while broadcast channels cover television and radio. Many media monitoring tools provide access to online sources such as websites, news sites, blogs, and social media. A few media monitoring providers also track podcast mentions.
PR firms and businesses with in-house PR teams often use media monitoring tools alongside other public relations software, such as press release distribution software, PR analytics software, and media and influencer targeting software.
Related categories include social media listening tools and brand intelligence.
Insights from G2 on Media Monitoring Software
Based on category trends on G2, customizable keyword feeds and timely alerts stand out as the most valued features. PR teams use these tools to track brand mentions, measure campaign impact, and respond quickly to negative publicity.