Which statement best describes the difference between earned media and paid media?

Which statement best describes the difference between earned media and paid media?

• A. Earned media is publicity gained through organic efforts; paid media is advertising you pay for.
• B. Earned media is paid placements; paid media is organic referrals.
• C. Earned media is content you sponsor; paid media is free press.
• D. Earned media is PPC campaigns; paid media is SEO.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is distinguishing how exposure is obtained: earned media is publicity you gain without paying for it, while paid media is advertising you pay for. Earned media comes from the merit of your content, stories, or relationships—think news articles, journalists covering your announcement, or influencers mentioning you without a fee, plus social shares that occur organically. Paid media, on the other hand, is active spending to place messages—ads, sponsored posts, or PPC campaigns—where you control the placement and budget. So the statement that earns publicity through organic efforts and defines paid media as advertising you pay for captures the accurate split between unpaid third-party coverage and paid promotional placements.

The key idea is distinguishing how exposure is obtained: earned media is publicity you gain without paying for it, while paid media is advertising you pay for. Earned media comes from the merit of your content, stories, or relationships—think news articles, journalists covering your announcement, or influencers mentioning you without a fee, plus social shares that occur organically. Paid media, on the other hand, is active spending to place messages—ads, sponsored posts, or PPC campaigns—where you control the placement and budget. So the statement that earns publicity through organic efforts and defines paid media as advertising you pay for captures the accurate split between unpaid third-party coverage and paid promotional placements.