How to Get Featured in “Top 10” and “Best Of” Lists

How to Get Featured in “Top 10” and “Best Of” Lists

How PR Strategy Turns Recognition into Reputation

Photo by Brands&People on Unsplash

Every so often, you’ll come across articles or videos titled “Top 10 Restaurants for Late Nights in Manila,” “Best Beach Resorts for Families in Batangas,” or “Best Homegrown Brands for Gifting this Christmas 2025.” You might even be typing those exact words in a search engine right now.

These lists are powerful visibility engines. Often produced by media outlets, lifestyle publications, or influencers, being featured is a PR win for brands.

But getting into these lists isn’t about sheer luck or virality. Behind every “Best Of” mention is a strategy of earned media, consistent storytelling, and relationship building — basically, the bread and butter of a skilled PR agency.

Here’s how you can get into those reputable recommendation lists without doing all the hard work.

Why “Best Of” Lists Matter

These features combine authority, credibility, and audience reach. Whether published by major media outlets like Spot.ph, Preview, or Esquire Philippines, or by content creators curating their personal favorites, these lists influence what consumers try, buy, and recommend.

From a PR standpoint, a spot in a “Best Of” list ticks multiple goals at once:

• Brand validation: A third party publicly vouches for your quality or impact.
• Earned media exposure: You reach audiences organically, without paid placements.
• Search visibility: These lists often rank high on Google, boosting SEO indirectly.
• Long-tail reputation: Even months later, your brand name stays searchable alongside keywords like “best,” “top,” or “recommended.”

For local businesses, mentions like this can be a turning point in brand visibility.

Built Reputation, Not Just Luck

It might look like editors and influencers are casually picking favorites, but most “Best Of” lists are curated with intent. Often, many of the brands featured are already visible through other channels. So to get in those lists, you need to strengthen your brand visibility before you get featured.

Here’s how PR can help you get your business into shape long before a list drops:

Consistent Storytelling

Brands that regularly tell their story build recall among editors and content creators. When you’re visible on both traditional and digital spaces, you become a staple talk of the town even before other platforms crown you as one of “the best.”

Relationship Building with Media and Influencers

Local journalists and influencers often collaborate when creating these lists. Being “on their radar” requires building authentic, respectful professional relationships. If you’re looking to expand your name locally, a PR agency in the Philippines adept in its media ecosystem can help you cultivate partnerships with relevant practitioners.

Timing and Relevance

PR professionals understand editorial calendars. Lifestyle magazines, for example, plan their “Best Of” or “Reader’s Choice” features months in advance. Knowing this allows your PR team to pitch timely and newsworthy stories when editors are scouting for fresh names.

Awards and Accolades as Amplifiers

Winning an industry award can increase your chances of inclusion in a “Best Of” feature. After all, recognition begets recognition. Amplify these wins through strategic press releases and social posts to strengthen your credibility.

What to Avoid

Don’t chase the lists — like consumers, editors and influencers can tell when recognition is forced.

Make sure to avoid:

• Over-pitching, like spamming journalists or creators with “Please include us!” messages.
• Under-preparing, including having no press kit, media photos, or story angle ready.
• Inconsistency, such as projecting excellence in one campaign but going silent after.

These make your brand look opportunistic instead of authentic. Before you go after the lists, make sure your brand is vetted well enough to show that you walk the talk.

Turning “Best Of” Mentions into PR Gold

Getting featured is only half the work. After you’ve been mentioned, you have to turn that mention into ongoing PR mileage.

Acknowledge and Engage

Strengthen relationships by thanking the publication or creator publicly and tagging them on social media when you reshare the post. These show genuine appreciation and ensure future coverage.

Repurpose for Owned Media

Use your website, newsletter, and social channels to showcase your feature by adding a “Press Mentions” or “In the News” section to your homepage.

Connect to Internal Pride

Boost the morale of your internal communications team by sharing these mentions in employee newsletters or internal chat channels. It can serve as a reminder that they’re part of something recognized externally.

Integrate into Future Campaigns

Once featured, the “Best Of” badge becomes part of your brand’s long-term storytelling. PR agencies often use it in press releases, product packaging, and thought leadership content to reinforce credibility.

Become a Local Favorite

Getting your brand into a local “Best Of” list isn’t a Herculean task nor an accidental feat. It’s the result of PR hard work: strategic positioning, good partnerships, and well-maintained reputation. It’s a piece of recognition that enables your brand to tell their story louder, clearer, and with lasting credibility. Being a local favorite is earned and sustained visibility and recognition.

Ready to attain your spot on the next hot list? Let us put your brand among the best!