What is plugola?

Plugola refers to the practice of gaining indirect benefits from unpaid publicity or promotion, often associated with the media or entertainment industry. It typically occurs when individuals or entities share or promote a product, service, or brand in a manner that does not disclose any formal advertising arrangement. This can often manifest in situations where a host or presenter gives positive mentions of a product during a broadcast or show, which may lead to exposure and increased sales for that product without directly receiving payment for that mention.

The concept emphasizes the informal nature of this promotion, wherein the beneficiary does not pay for advertising in a traditional sense but still gains notoriety or market presence as a result of the mention. This benefits the product or brand being plugged while allowing the promoter to appear genuine in their recommendations, further enhancing their perceived credibility with their audience. The other options involve formalized payment structures or arrangements that do not align with the essence of plugola, which specifically focuses on the non-monetary aspects of promotion.