Author: AX Admin

  • The Future of Online Reputation Management in India

    The Future of Online Reputation Management in India

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    Trends to Watch

    In a world where online perception can make or break a brand, reputation management has become more than just a reactive strategy—it’s a proactive necessity. As India’s digital landscape evolves, so does the approach businesses take to maintain their online credibility. Here are the key trends shaping the future of Online Reputation Management (ORM) in India.

    AI-Powered Reputation Intelligence

    The integration of AI in ORM (Online Reputation Management) is transforming how brands handle their online presence. AI-powered tools now analyse sentiment, track brand mentions, and even predict potential reputation crises before they blow out. Machine learning algorithms can detect patterns in customer feedback, allowing businesses to refine their engagement strategies and deliver

    personalized responses at scale.

    Social Media Taking Centre Stage

    Social media platforms have become the primary battleground for reputation management. Brands are leveraging advanced monitoring tools to track brand sentiment, detect early signs of PR crises, and engage with customers in real time.

    Online Reviews Shaping Consumer Behaviour

    Customer reviews continue to wield immense influence over purchase decisions. According to recent studies, over 90% of consumers check online reviews before making a purchase. ORM strategies are now prioritizing review management—encouraging satisfied customers to leave positive feedback while efficiently addressing negative ones to prevent reputational damage.

     

    Proactive Crisis Management

    Gone are the days when brands only reacted to negative press. Leading businesses are now investing in proactive crisis management strategies. By preparing contingency plans, training spokespersons, and having a structured response framework in place, brands can mitigate risks before they spiral out of control.

    The Rise of Ethical ORM Practices

    As search engines and social platforms tighten their regulations, ethical ORM practices are becoming non-negotiable. Transparency, authenticity, and responsible content management are now key factors influencing how brands maintain their reputation in the digital age.

     

    Leveraging ORM Tools

    Platforms like AiPlex Bridge, Brand24, and Sprinklr help brands track, analyse, and respond to customer queries, mentions, grievances, and online reviews efficiently.   They also provide brands with actionable brand insights.

    Influencer and Community Building

    Partnering with influencers and thought leaders helps brands build credibility. However, authenticity is crucial; consumers can easily detect inauthentic promotions. Collaborating with industry-relevant micro-influencers can have a stronger impact than working with celebrities who lack audience alignment.

    Final Thoughts

    Online reputation management in India is evolving rapidly, and brands must adapt to stay ahead. Whether through AI-driven insights, proactive review handling, or strategic social media engagement, companies that prioritize their digital reputation will have the upper hand in an increasingly competitive landscape. The key is not just to react but to anticipate, engage, and shape public perception before it shapes you.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

  • The Real Cost of a Bad Online Reputation for Indian Brands

    The Real Cost of a Bad Online Reputation for Indian Brands

    The Silent Brand Killer

    A brand’s online reputation could make or break a business. YES, it does!

    Over 1 billion internet users in India rely on Google, social media, and multiple review platforms to make purchasing decisions. A single negative review, viral complaint, or PR crisis can lead to lost revenue, eroded trust, and damaged brand perception.

    How much does a bad online reputation cost Indian brands? Let’s break it down.

    Loss of Trust & therefore, Loss of Revenue

    According to a Bright Local survey, 94% of consumers say negative reviews make them less likely to use a business. In India, where word-of-mouth and trust play a crucial role, a bad reputation does not augur well for any business.

    Case Study: A well-known food delivery platform in India (Yep, both brands have had their share of reputation challenges) faced a backlash over a viral customer complaint. A boycott hashtag trended online, followed by the apps being uninstalled; the social media engagement turned largely negative.

    The company had to invest heavily in damage control, including influencer partnerships and media placements, to regain trust. A tarnished online image impacts both trust and revenues big time.

    Increases Customer Acquisition Costs

    A strong positive brand reputation brings organic leads, but a negative online reputation forces businesses to spend heavily on paid marketing. A brand with poor online sentiment might need to spend 2- 3x more on digital ads, influencer collaborations, and public relations to counter negative perception. Unfortunately, higher advertising spends don’t always fix the issue—if customer sentiment remains negative, even increased marketing spends won’t drive growth.

    Drop in Stock Prices and Investor Confidence

    For publicly traded companies, brand reputation influences stock performance. A negative PR event or social media crisis often leads to an immediate stock price drop.

    Recent Example: When a major Indian airline mishandled a passenger complaint that went viral, its stock price fell 6% within days, wiping out crores in market value.

    Investors perceive reputation risks as financial risks—a company struggling with customer sentiment may find it harder to attract funding or maintain stock stability.

    positive brand reputation

    Hiring Challenges & Employee Morale

    A bad reputation doesn’t just affect customers—it also impacts hiring and employee retention.  Negative reviews on Glassdoor, LinkedIn, or Indeed can reduce job applications by up to 50%, making it harder for brands to attract top talent. Companies with poor employer branding often need to offer higher salaries to offset reputation concerns.

    A leading hospitality chain in India faced online backlash over toxic work culture. Result? Mass resignations, recruitment slowdowns, and increased HR expenses in damage control.

    Prospective employees are more likely to trust peer reviews than corporate PR—a bad employer reputation can hinder growth from within.

    Crisis Management & Legal Spends

    Managing a brand crisis isn’t cheap.

    Brands end up spending on:

    • Legal teams to handle defamation claims and court cases.
    • Crisis PR firms to manage media fallout.
    • Reputation management services.

    Real-World Data: On average, companies dealing with an online reputation crisis spend quite a sum in legal and PR fees alone. Investing in proactive Online Reputation Management (ORM) saves brands from expensive clean-ups later.

    Negative Perception on Search

    Google’s algorithm prioritizes recent and relevant content—if negative articles, bad reviews, or complaints dominate search results, a brand’s perception on search takes a hit.

    Example: A fintech brand saw its organic website traffic drop by 40% after bad press about customer data leaks dominated the first page of Google results.

    Reputation is an Asset, Not an Afterthought

    A poor online reputation doesn’t just affect branding—it has direct financial consequences. Investing in Online Reputation Management (ORM) isn’t just about cleaning up bad reviews—it’s about building long-term trust and ensuring sustainable business growth.

    Want to protect your brand’s reputation before it costs you? Get in touch with our ORM team today!

  • AI-Powered Online Reputation Management (ORM)

    AI-Powered Online Reputation Management (ORM)

    Right Off the Bat

    Whether you’re a household brand, a startup, an OTT platform, a sports streaming service, a gaming company, or a content rights holder, how your audience perceives you online can directly impact revenue, partnerships, and market positioning.

    With social media, review platforms, and digital news, brand perception can shift within hours—sometimes minutes. A single viral controversy, negative review, or fake news story can erode years of trust.

    This is where AI-powered Online Reputation Management (ORM) could be a game-changer.

    Conventionally, ORM relied on manual monitoring, PR teams, and crisis response strategies. While effective to an extent, these methods were slow, reactive, and unable to process the sheer volume of data generated in real time.

    On the contrary, AI can help brands to proactively monitor sentiment, identify potential reputational crisis situations and assist brands in mitigating those situations before they blowout, and assist with automated responses to customer queries and grievances and a lot more.

    We will delve deeper into how AI-driven ORM solutions are helping brands safeguard their online reputation and credibility.

    AI Reshaping ORM strategies

    AI-Powered Sentiment Analysis

    Knowing What the Internet Thinks of You: Imagine you’re an OTT platform launching a new show. Reviews start pouring in across Twitter, Reddit, Facebook, YouTube comments, and online forums. Some are positive, others are scathing. How do you sift through thousands of mentions to understand the overall sentiment? AI-driven Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms can scan, analyse, and categorize vast amounts of text from multiple platforms within seconds.

    These AI systems can:

    • Detect emotions in online conversations (anger, excitement, disappointment, enthusiasm).
    • Identify key topics being discussed (is it the storyline, the cast, or a pricing complaint that’s making noise?).
    • Predict sentiment trends—whether public perception is improving or worsening.

    For example, Netflix uses AI-based sentiment analysis to understand audience reactions before a situation escalates into a full-blown PR crisis.

    Real-Time Brand Monitoring

    Spotting Threats Before They Go Viral:  For a gaming company launching a new title, a single negative Reddit post or a YouTube influencer’s bad review can spiral into widespread backlash.  AI-powered ORM tools continuously scan the dark web, forums, blogs, social media, and news websites to detect potential threats.

    They provide:

    • Real-time alerts for emerging controversies.
    • Competitor benchmarking to compare your reputation against rivals.
    • Fake news and misinformation detection to prevent brand damage.

    For example, when EA Sports faced criticism over microtransactions in their FIFA franchise, AI-based ORM tools helped them analyse feedback trends and adjust their messaging to defuse the controversy.

    AI-Powered Online Reputation Management Sentiment Analysis

    AI-Driven Crisis Management: Controlling the Narrative Before It’s Too Late

    When a crisis hits, time is of the essence. AI helps brands:

    • Predict potential PR disasters before they explode.
    • Recommend optimal response strategies based on past crisis data.
    • Automate initial responses via AI chatbots and auto-generated PR messages.

    A major sports streaming portal faced backlash when a high-profile match suffered streaming failures. AI-powered ORM identified negative sentiment spikes, prioritized influencer complaints, and suggested a proactive response strategy that included real-time service updates and compensation offers—preventing further brand damage.

    Post-Crisis Trust Rebuilding

    Once damage is done, AI helps brands strategically rebuild trust through:

    • Targeted audience engagement—prioritizing influential customers for personalized responses.
    • Search engine reputation management (SERM)—ensuring positive content ranks higher than negative articles.
    • Predictive analysis—forecasting whether an apology campaign, influencer endorsement, or product change will best restore public confidence.

    For example, an OTT giant used AI-powered ORM to recover from negative publicity surrounding controversial content by promoting positive audience-generated content that shifted the narrative.

    Case Study: How AI Saved an OTT Platform from a Reputation Meltdown

    A leading Indian OTT platform launched a highly anticipated web series. Within hours, social media exploded with claims that the show offended cultural sentiments. Hashtags calling for a boycott began trending on Twitter.

    AI Steps In

    • Sentiment analysis detected a sudden surge in negative comments within minutes.
    • AI scanned 3 million+ tweets, Reddit posts, and news articles to identify the main concerns.
    • Predictive analytics modelled past controversies to recommend an optimal response strategy.
    • The company swiftly released a clarification video and statement—proactively controlling the narrative.

    Within 48 hours, the backlash subsided, and positive conversations regained traction, preventing major reputational damage.

    Future of AI-Powered ORM for Content Owners

    AI in ORM is evolving rapidly. Some exciting developments include:

    • Deepfake detection to combat manipulated videos harming brand reputation.
    • AI-driven legal action against defamatory content.
    • Blockchain-based ORM for verifiable content authenticity.

    As content consumption skyrockets, content owners, OTT platforms, and gaming companies must invest in AI-powered ORM to stay ahead of potential reputation risks.

    AI-driven ORM offers:

    • Real-time monitoring to detect threats instantly.
    • Sentiment analysis to understand audience perception.
    • Automated crisis management to prevent PR disasters.
    • Reputation repair strategies to rebuild trust.

    If you’re looking for the Best ORM Agency in India, make sure they leverage cutting-edge AI solutions to protect and enhance your brand’s online reputation.

    Connect with the AI-Powered Online Reputation Management Agency India today.  Protect your brand and protect your business.

  • Search Engine Reputation Management (SERM)

    Search Engine Reputation Management (SERM)

    Have you ever Googled your business and were taken aback?

    Digital trust is critical for any business. A single negative search result can impact customer, investor, or stakeholder decisions.

    A survey by Local Circles found that 65% of Indians research brands online before making purchases.

    Why Should You Google Yourself?

    When was the last time you searched for yourself or your business on Google?

    Online reputation significantly impacts business credibility and ignoring search results can be risky.

    According to Bright Local, 87% of consumers read online reviews before engaging with a brand.

    Search Engine Reputation Management (SERM)

    How to manage Search Engine Reputation:

    Social Listening and Alerts – Use Google Alerts and Efficient ORM tools to track mentions of your brand.

    Publish Good Content – Financial firms like Zerodha and Groww publish educational content to dominate search rankings.

    Remove Fake Listings & Reviews – Enforce your brand rights. We can do this for you.

    Encourage Positive Feedback – Request satisfied customers to share their experiences online to build credibility.

    Leverage SEO & PR Strategies – Optimize content for relevant keywords to ensure your brand appears in a positive light.

    These Search Engine Reputation Management (SERM) strategies can help your brand maintain a pristine online reputation.

    Don’t let negative search results impact your business. Protect Your Online Reputation Today!

  • Online Reputation Management for NGOs

    Online Reputation Management for NGOs

    NGOs in India rely on public trust for fundraising and advocacy. They bank on crowdfunding, donations, and grants to fund many of their activities.  However, fraudulent donation websites and fake social media accounts tarnish their reputation.

    According to the India Philanthropy Report by Bain & Company, 40% of online donors hesitate due to fraud concerns.

    Online Reputation Management for NGOs

    Protect Against Fake Donation Sites – Many scams impersonate trusted charities like Goonj and CRY, deceiving donors into contributing to fraudulent accounts.

    Monitor Public Perception – NGOs should track social media mentions and news reports to counter misinformation.

    Respond To Negative Press Quickly – Addressing controversies early can prevent a PR crisis.

    Showcase Positive Impact – Sharing real beneficiary stories, verified testimonials and impact reports boosts credibility.

    Enhance Security Measures – NGOs must secure donation platforms and educate donors about official payment channels.

    With the right ORM strategies, Indian NGOs can build credibility and continue their good work.

  • Email Marketing for Online Reputation Management

    Email Marketing for Online Reputation Management

    Email marketing is a great tool to build a positive online reputation, yes email marketing.  It remains one of the most effective ways to build trust and manage online reputation.

    According to a 2023 KPMG study, 75% of Indian consumers trust emails from verified businesses over other digital channels.

    Leveraging emails to enhance your online reputation

    Here’s how you can use emails to enhance your online reputation:

    • Seeking Reviews – EdTech companies like UpGrad and Simplilearn send post-course emails requesting students to review their programs.
    • Addressing Complaints Promptly – Providing a direct line for customer grievances and queries and addressing those promptly prevents negative experiences from escalating on social media or public review forums.
    • Educating Your Audience – Financial institutions use email newsletters to warn customers about phishing scams and fake investment schemes.
    • Alert Customer about Fake Accounts & Fraudulent Apps – Alert subscribers about scams impersonating your brand and guide them on verifying authenticity.
    • Build Trust Through Transparency – Share company updates, testimonials, and security enhancements to reinforce credibility.

    Leveraging emails to enhance your online reputation:

    With the right email marketing strategy, businesses can foster trust, build positive perceptions, pre-empt and mitigate reputational issues, and strengthen their online presence.

    Start enhancing your online reputation today! Contact us now for a customized email marketing strategy. 🚀 Get Started

  • Online Reputation Management (ORM) for Edtech Companies

    Online Reputation Management (ORM) for Edtech Companies

    The e-learning industry in India is experiencing an exponential growth phase, with companies like Allen, Unacademy, Physics Wallah, and Vedantu leading the way. These platforms have lakhs and lakhs of students enrolled both within India and globally. Curated course content, immersive learning, portability, study any time anywhere, and celebrity tutors that enjoy cult status among students are the main USPs of these platforms.

    However, there are collateral benefits. The phenomenal success and popularity of these e-learning platforms have attracted fraudsters and bad actors who hijack the goodwill of such popular platforms and take parents and students for a ride.

    According to a report by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, education-related scams have risen by 30% in the past two years, with fake websites and fraudulent apps misusing brand names to deceive students and parents.

    A fake website or fake app impersonating your e-learning platform can cause serious damage to your brand.

    Online Reputation Management (ORM) for Edtech Companies

    Here’s how AiPlex can help to protect your online presence:

    • Monitor – Proactive social listening to track mentions, reviews, and unauthorized brand presence.
    • Enforce – Enforce your brand rights and delete fake presence
    • Respond & Engage – Address any student and parent concerns promptly, respond to queries, and encourage satisfied learners to leave positive reviews.
    • Content Marketing – Publish high-quality educational blogs and videos to spread the good word and improve your credibility.
    • Secure Your Digital Presence – Claim and consolidate your brand across multiple platforms to prevent impersonation and misuse.
  • 9 Effective Strategies to Market Brand Rights Enforcement Services

    9 Effective Strategies to Market Brand Rights Enforcement Services

    Enforcing brand rights includes protecting copyright, trademark, wordmark, logo, etc. and is very critical for brands and businesses.

    Typosquatting, cybersquatting, fake ad campaigns, SEO, etc., are some of the methods that fraudsters use to mislead customers.  Fake websites, marketplaces, customer care numbers, etc., are surprisingly commonplace.


    Unfortunately, most brands and businesses are not sure what to do, and they let their customers be defrauded and become victims of phishing attacks. Brands even end up facing legal consequences too.

    Bridging the Gap

    How can brand rights enforcement companies reach businesses and brands?

    Brand Rights Enforcement Services

    Educational Content:

    Create content that educates businesses about the importance of protecting brand rights. Write and publish blog posts, whitepapers, case studies, and infographics that highlight the dangers of fake websites, customer care numbers, and social media accounts.  Share some real use cases.

    Leverage Social Media:

    Use social media platforms to share informative content about brand rights enforcement. Build widespread awareness about the need to protect brand rights.

    Partnerships and Collaborations:

    Partner with legal firms, marketing agencies, and industry associations to disseminate information about the pitfalls of not safeguarding brand rights.

    Email Marketing Campaigns:

    Reach out to businesses directly via targeted emails highlighting the benefits of brand rights enforcement. Provide case studies or testimonials to showcase successful outcomes.

    Webinars and Workshops:

    Host webinars or workshops to provide in-depth insights into brand protection strategies. Invite guest speakers or experts and offer actionable tips and solutions.

    Search Engine Optimization (SEO):

    Optimize website and content for relevant keywords related to brand protection, fake account removal, and related services. This will improve your visibility in search engine results and attract organic traffic from businesses seeking solutions.

    Paid Advertising:

    Invest in targeted online advertising campaigns on platforms like Google Ads, LinkedIn, or Facebook. Use demographic and interest-based targeting to reach businesses likely to require brand protection services. Craft compelling ad copy highlighting your UVPs.

    Case Studies and Testimonials:

    Showcase successful case studies and client testimonials on your website and marketing collaterals. Social proof helps build trust and credibility.

    Networking Events:

    Attend industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events to connect with potential clients face-to-face. Be prepared to discuss your services and demonstrate how they can address specific pain points related to brand protection and fake account removal.

    Referral Programs:

    Encourage satisfied clients to refer your services to others. Word-of-mouth referrals can be highly effective in generating new business.

    These strategies can effectively market your brand rights enforcement and fake account removal services to businesses in need of protection.

  • A Must-Have Guide for Online Crisis Management

    A Must-Have Guide for Online Crisis Management

    As of January 2024, there were 5.35 billion internet users worldwide, which amounted to 66.2 percent of the global population. Of this total, 5.04 billion, or 62.3 percent of the world’s population, were social media usersData Courtesy Statista

    Social media platforms have emerged as the main communication channels for customers and other stakeholders to engage with brands.  Due to the very nature and reach, social media brings forth many advantages to the brands; it can propel a non-existent brand to a household name in no time, but then there is a flipside too.

    Now, The Flipside

    A single customer complaint, a misconceived ad campaign, employee misconduct, an ill-timed social media post could become a reputational crisis with unprecedented consequences.

    Social Media Crisis-The Zombie in The Room.

    Happens on social media, people share it far and wide, the mainstream media picks up the story.

    Here, we will walk the whole 9 yards in understanding the different types of crises, how to handle them, how to put a crisis-management plan in place, and a lot more.

    What Could Lead to Social Media Crisis?

    • Unresolved customer complaints or issues.
    • Public/private statements or acts by the brand or stakeholders that could be perceived negatively by the public.
    • Compromise of sensitive customer data or security breaches.
    • Fake news or rumors.
    • Employee misbehavior on social media.
    • Product safety or quality issues.

    How to Handle a Social Media Crisis?

    • Stay calm, take a step back, evaluate the severity of the crisis before planning a response.
    • If the situation warrants, tender a sincere apology, and acknowledge any mistakes made by you or your brand.
    • Be honest and transparent in your communications.
    • Provide regular updates and address concerns promptly.
    • Actively listen and show empathy to customer concerns or public grievances.
    • Demonstrate your commitment to resolving the issue.
    • Implement measures to rectify the situation and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
    • Keep a watch on social media platforms for any negative mentions and respond to them appropriately in a timely manner.

    How to Handle Brand Social Media Activities & Campaigns During Crisis Situations

    • Pause all scheduled social media posts, paid ads, and marketing emails.
    • Assess planned blogging and campaign schedule for appropriateness. Check all content for any likelihood to being perceived as insensitive, offensive, or rude.
    • Cancel any product update or new releases.
    • Create plan for employee communication. Share you plan of action to internal stakeholders.
    • Use your best influencers and brand advocates to put your point across.

    Silence is not an option, neither is “no comment”

    Social Media Crisis-The Zombie in The Room

    What are the Steps to Be Taken at Different Stages of Crisis?

    • Before The Crisis: Set up proactive monitoring systems. Train the team in crisis communication. Create prepared statements and messaging templates. Define who, how, and what. Build healthy and interactive relationship with key partners.
    • During the Crisis: Respond appropriately in a timely manner. Gauge the sentiment via social media. Pay attention to feedback.  Have a consistent and congruent brand messaging across online platforms.
    • Post-Crisis: Evaluate overall sentiment and response. Analyze data for key takeaways and lessons learnt. Evaluate team members and response strategies.  Determine best practices for future situations.

    The Crisis Plan:

    A robust social media crisis management plan should have the following:

    • A dedicated crisis management team with a good mix of key people from different departments and hierarchies based on risk level and severity of the crisis.
    • Protocols and guidelines for handling crises. Who-What-How
    • Procedures for responding to different types of crises, including designated spokespersons, communication channels, messaging templates, and prepared statements.
    • Strategies for rebuilding trust and reputation post-crisis.

    A well-executed Social Media Crisis Management Plan is a must-have for safeguarding your brand’s reputation and maintaining trust with stakeholders in the face of a crisis. We at AiPlex ORM have credentialled reputation management specialists and the expertise of handling crisis for multiple brands over the years.  Connect With Us