word-of-mouth
Passed along verbally
Word-of-mouth is information passed informally from person to person through conversation rather than through official channels or advertising: The restaurant built its reputation through word-of-mouth.
As a modifier, it describes this kind of transmission: word-of-mouth recommendations, word-of-mouth marketing.
The phrase emphasizes organic spread—people sharing because they want to, not because they're paid to.
Informal talk spreading rumors
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- chatterLight, rapid speech
- whisperSpeech without full voice
scuttlebutt · talk · grapevine · murmur · tittle-tattle · scoop · speculation · innuendo
Advised course of action
- endorsementFormal expression of support
- testimonialStatement praising someone's qualities
- reviewCritical written assessment
- plugSomething that blocks openings
vouching · tip · suggestion · mention · shout-out · thumbs-up · nod
Spreading quickly online
- contagiousTransmissible between people
- rippleMinor surface disturbance
- snowballingIncreasing by rapid accumulation
- cascadeSuccessive downward flow
amplification · propagation · exponential · organic · peer-to-peer · sharing · buzzing · wildfire
Quality inspiring trust
- authenticVerified as original
- genuineTruly what it claims
- reliableConsistently performing as expected
- trustworthyWorthy of confidence
believable · sincere · personal · honest · firsthand · candid · unfiltered · heartfelt
Common people as political base
- influencerPerson with promotional reach
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- awarenessState of perceiving reality
gossip
Informal talk spreading rumors
- rumorUnconfirmed circulating story
- hearsayUnverified secondhand information
- chatterLight, rapid speech
whisper · scuttlebutt · talk · grapevine · murmur · tittle-tattle · scoop · speculation · innuendo · conjecture
recommendation
Advised course of action
- endorsementFormal expression of support
- testimonialStatement praising someone's qualities
- reviewCritical written assessment
plug · vouching · tip · suggestion · mention · shout-out · thumbs-up · nod
viral
Spreading quickly online
- contagiousTransmissible between people
- rippleMinor surface disturbance
- snowballingIncreasing by rapid accumulation
cascade · amplification · propagation · exponential · organic · peer-to-peer · sharing · buzzing · wildfire · groundswell
credibility
Quality inspiring trust
trustworthy · believable · sincere · personal · honest · firsthand · candid · unfiltered · heartfelt · transparent
grassroots
Common people as political base
- influencerPerson with promotional reach
- advocacyPleading for a cause
- promotionRank increase or publicity
standing
Position, physical or social
- esteemFavorable opinion of worth
- prestigeReputation commanding admiration
- renownWidespread acclaim and recognition
goodwill · fame · notoriety · respect · image · perception · name · credence · well-regarded
- buying factorsprice, cost, value, quality, brand
- publicitypublicity, PR, press conference, publicist, press release
- reputationreputation, reputable, bad reputation, repute, disreputable
- cult followingcult classic, cult film, cult hit, fandom, superfan
- social proofreviews, ratings, endorsements, testimonials, feedback
- viral contentviral, go viral, going viral, viral content, virality
word-of-mouthwritten communication
Information conveyed through text
print media · written · in writing · paper · published
word-of-mouthadvertising
Paid promotional communication
mass marketing · commercial advertising · sponsored content · broadcast advertising · ad campaign
word-of-mouthformal
Following strict protocol
press release · on the record · formal announcement · official · explicit
word, mouth, words, mouthful, wording, mouthpiece, mouths, mouthed, mouthing