Why ‘As Featured On Forbes’ Is More Valuable Than Advertising in 2025

Photo Credit: courtesy of Spynn

Matteo Ferretti, CEO of Spynn, examined the traditional public relations industry more closely and noticed a pattern: established agencies continued to rely on large monthly retainers with uncertain results for clients. Meanwhile, his firm pursued media placements with measurable outcomes, leading to more substantial returns for clients, especially startups. This change in approach is changing how businesses think about building credibility.

Consumer trust in advertising has dropped recently, while third-party media endorsements are viewed more favorably. Spynn’s experience highlights that businesses often miss out on growth opportunities because they lack substantial media coverage. Earning the “As Featured On Forbes” badge is sometimes more effective than major ad campaigns for building trust.

Shifting Away from “Pitch and Pray”

Traditional PR often follows a “pitch and pray” model where agencies pitch stories to journalists, hoping some result in coverage. In contrast, Spynn guarantees editorial placements in outlets such as Forbes, Yahoo Finance, and Business Insider, with clients paying only for results.

This performance-based approach prioritizes outcomes over billable hours. Despite the skepticism, Spynn has now served over 3,000 clients globally, and its model has coincided with notable growth and positive client reviews. As more businesses look for clear returns on PR spending, guaranteed placement services are becoming more common.

Research shows this model aligns agency incentives with client outcomes. For example, one startup reportedly reached $3 million in revenue within over a year of using Spynn’s approach, and another saw a 100:1 ROI from a guaranteed Forbes feature. These results stand in contrast to the limitations of traditional advertising, where ad blockers and low engagement are common.

The Value of Credibility

Media coverage offers distinct advantages over advertising. Editorial pieces can provide high-quality backlinks for search engine optimization, serve as social proof, and help establish subject-matter authority.

Establishing authority often means reaching the right audiences in trusted outlets. Many leaders consider it an important milestone to get featured in Forbes, as it can affect how clients, investors, and partners view a business.

Spynn’s data suggests that editorial badges such as “As Featured On Forbes” inspire more confidence among consumers than direct advertising. This is reflected in the demand for more transparent, outcome-driven PR strategies.

The firm operates internationally, primarily focusing on markets like the United States, the UK, Canada, and Australia. Its approach also includes technology to better match client stories with editorial interests while still emphasizing the importance of human judgment and creativity.

Questions about the ethics of guaranteed placements remain in the industry. Ferretti emphasizes that the company does not pay for coverage but focuses on crafting stories that meet editorial standards. Industry recognition and client feedback suggest that, for now, the model has found a foothold.

The Future of Performance-Based PR

There is growing momentum toward performance-driven PR services. Businesses want PR spending to translate directly into measurable results. According to Ferretti, outcome-driven partnerships may soon become the norm.

As media access evolves, more startups and smaller businesses are asking how to get published in Forbes as part of their visibility strategies. Agencies like Spynn, which focus on guaranteed placements, claim to make this goal more accessible for those with newsworthy stories.

By offering guaranteed access to high-profile outlets, these services seek to level the playing field for companies without major PR budgets. At the same time, they operate within existing editorial rules, focusing on crafting stories rather than buying placement.

This trend is relevant across industries and geographies, as most companies face similar challenges around visibility and trust. Performance metrics and disclosure practices will likely become more standardized as the industry adapts.

Ferretti’s broader thesis is that businesses and agencies must adapt accordingly as trust shifts away from advertising toward editorial content. Technology, measurement tools, and changing consumer expectations contribute to this shift toward guaranteed media placements.

Case studies from various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and fashion, suggest that editorial endorsements help with investor interest, client acquisition, and general credibility.

In the end, credibility remains a critical asset for businesses. “As Featured On Forbes” remains a valuable marker of trust and expertise, often more influential than advertising spend. In a changing marketing landscape, guaranteed editorial placement is emerging as a strong alternative for businesses seeking reliable ways to build authority and visibility.