Add Row
Add Element
cropper
update
DigitalMarketingFootprint |a CapidHouser.com Media Site
update
Add Element
  • Home
  • Categories
    • social media
    • virtual ai receptionist
    • chatbot marketing
    • reputation management & business reviews
    • social media header Image & graphics design
    • business review grams
    • video marketing
    • content marketing
    • Software Applications & Solutions
  • Digital Marketing Strategy Development
  • Search Engine Marketing
  • London Business & Marketing
  • Affiliate Marketing
  • ai in marketing
  • Paid Website Traffic
  • Programmatic Marketing Display Ads
  • Business Directories
December 07.2025
1 Minute Read

Stop Losing Customers: Master Brand Reputation Monitoring Now

Did you know that 78% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations? In today's fast-paced digital landscape, your brand reputation monitoring can literally make or break your business. One negative review or a surge of critical mentions across social media and review platforms can send loyal customers running—unless you’re equipped to spot problems fast and take decisive action. This article reveals exactly how to master brand reputation monitoring, why it’s so vital, and offers practical, effective solutions you can implement immediately to protect and grow your brand.

Why Brand Reputation Monitoring Is Crucial in Today’s Digital Landscape

Every day, businesses face scrutiny online through customer reviews, social media chatter, and blog posts. As consumers grow increasingly reliant on digital feedback, maintaining a solid online reputation is the cornerstone of business survival. The brand reputation monitoring process isn’t just about cleaning up the aftermath of a negative review. It's about actively listening to what is being said about your company, interpreting real-time sentiment, and responding before potential issues spiral into reputation crises.

Savvy companies recognize the value of reputation monitoring across every stage of the customer journey. Early awareness of negative feedback—whether it’s a single tweet, low-star rating, or trending post—enables prompt, targeted response. This proactive stance protects both short-term revenue and long-term brand value. Implementing brand monitoring tools empowers teams to efficiently track brand mentions online, providing the data and alerts needed to stay ahead. Want a comprehensive guide to safeguarding your brand? Keep reading to learn key strategies and discover digital marketing solutions designed for today’s dynamic business environment.

While monitoring your brand’s reputation is essential for protecting your business, it’s equally important to foster ongoing customer loyalty. If you’re looking to strengthen relationships and encourage repeat business, consider exploring proven customer loyalty program strategies for small businesses that can work hand-in-hand with your reputation management efforts.

business team analyzing brand reputation monitoring data, online reputation dashboard with graphs and customer reviews, photorealistic modern office, real-time data visualizations
  • How to define and implement brand reputation monitoring
  • Why early detection of negative reviews and feedback matters
  • Best practices for tracking online brand mentions
  • Comparison of top brand monitoring tools
  • Key metrics to measure brand health
  • How to automate reputation management with Capid Houser
  • How to sign up for free reputation marketing services

Startling Brand Reputation Monitoring Statistics You Must Know

"Seventy-eight percent of consumers say they trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations — making brand reputation monitoring a business imperative in 2024."

The data is clear: your customers’ online perceptions are as powerful as word-of-mouth. In fact, studies show that businesses risk losing around 22% of potential clients when a single negative article appears on the first page of their search results. Add more negative reviews or damaging mentions, and the risk skyrockets. With brand mention tracking and cutting-edge reputation alerts software, organizations can prevent reputation damage, respond to crises, and even enhance their positive brand image.

This underscores the necessity for an integrated system that not only monitors your brand but also aggregates insights from across social media channels, review sites, and a wide range of media platforms. Capid Houser offers a specialized solution to monitor, analyze, and respond to shifts in brand sentiment, ensuring you never miss a critical brand mention again.

Understanding Brand Reputation Monitoring: Core Concepts and Terminology

To effectively track and manage your brand online, it’s crucial to understand the foundational terms:

  • Brand Reputation Monitoring: The active surveillance and analysis of mentions of your brand across the internet, social media, and media channels.
  • Reputation Management: Strategies and actions taken to influence public perception and maintain a positive brand image.
  • Online Reputation: How your business is viewed by the public across digital platforms—review sites, forums, and search results.
  • Social Listening: Real-time monitoring of social media channels for specific brand mentions, trends, and sentiment analysis.
  • Media Monitoring: Comprehensive tracking of traditional and digital media for coverage related to your brand.

These concepts work in concert. While brand reputation monitoring is the foundation—gathering vital data—reputation management turns analysis into action. Social listening tools further refine your understanding by unearthing insights on customer feedback and trending themes that may impact your brand perception. Leveraging these terms and their practical applications is central to digital marketing success.

icons for brand reputation monitoring, reputation management, social listening, online reviews

Brand Mention Tracking: Why Every Business Needs It

Effective brand mention tracking is non-negotiable for companies aiming to succeed in today's transparent marketplace. Customers wield immense power; a single voice—whether dissatisfied or delighted—can be amplified across social media networks in minutes. By continuously monitoring brand mentions online, companies gain early access to what’s said about them—on blogs, forums, social channels, and news sites. Brand mention tracking allows you to gauge your brand perception, instantly address customer feedback, and manage reputation risks before they metastasize.

Modern monitoring tools go one step further by using artificial intelligence and sentiment analysis to filter and prioritize mentions of your brand across various channels. This helps you differentiate casual mentions from those requiring urgent action. With solutions like Capid Houser’s Complete Reputation Management, Building & Marketing System, businesses are equipped with real-time alerts, deep sentiment insights, and actionable reporting to stay ahead of both threats and opportunities.

The Value of Early Detection: Preventing Negative Reviews and Crises

Proactive monitoring is your shield in the battle for trust. Early awareness of negative feedback, critical customer reviews, or adverse social media mentions allows you to intervene before the situation escalates. Reputation damage can snowball overnight in the era of viral communication, making immediate response a necessity rather than an option.

  • Spot negative reviews before they gain traction
  • Mitigate negative feedback on social media channels instantly
  • Identify and suppress emerging crises before competitors and consumers react

Businesses are deeply concerned about what’s being said about them across various internet channels. Early detection of negative publicity is the top way to ensure minor grievances don’t spiral into major brand reputation crises. Responsive actions can range from resolving customer complaints, clarifying misunderstandings, or providing transparent explanations directly in the channels where feedback arises. This preemptive approach directly protects revenue and brand awareness.

social media dashboard displaying brand reputation alerts, digital notifications, real-time monitoring
"Early brand reputation monitoring lets businesses address problems before they escalate, safeguarding trust and revenue."

Social Listening for Reputation Management: Best Practices

Social listening is more than simply monitoring keywords. It’s about dissecting the tone, context, and influence of every mention so businesses can respond intelligently. The best practices in social listening for reputation management include:

  • Implementing cross-channel monitoring to cover all brand mentions, from mainstream platforms to niche forums
  • Using AI-driven sentiment analysis for real-time brand sentiment insights
  • Setting up reputation alerts software to flag critical or potentially viral negative reviews
  • Engaging directly with customers—publicly or privately—to resolve issues and show transparency

Effective monitoring tools provide automated summaries of customer feedback, actionable metrics, and the ability to tailor responses to different media channels. By embedding robust social media monitoring into your everyday operations, your brand remains agile, responsive, and trusted by current and prospective customers alike.

Best Brand Monitoring Tools for Reputation Management

With the right brand monitoring tools, companies can automate the process of surveillance, analysis, and instant alerting across digital channels. Top-tier tools equip businesses with real-time reputation alerts software and integrated dashboards for holistic management. Here’s how industry leaders compare:

Monitoring Tool Key Features Reputation Alerts Channel Coverage
Capid Houser Real-time brand mention tracking, sentiment analysis, social media integration, custom reporting Yes (Custom triggers & thresholds) Social, Web, Media, Review Sites
Brand24 Social listening, influencer detection, analytics dashboard Yes Social, Web, Forums
Reputology Review monitoring, competitor benchmarking, performance analytics Yes Reviews, Web, Social
Google Alerts Basic keyword monitoring for web mentions Yes (Email-based) Web & News

For a comprehensive and automated solution, Capid Houser’s system stands out as the go-to platform for integration, ease of use, and customization. Explore more actionable resources at rmmb.capidhouser.com for extended insights.

brand monitoring software dashboard, reputation management features, notification widgets, professional user

How to Monitor Online Reputation Across Multiple Channels

Modern businesses cannot afford to overlook any mention of their brands, whether on Facebook, TripAdvisor, or in Google search results. The process includes a mix of:

  • Media Monitoring: Automated scanning of press releases, blogs, and news articles for relevant brand content.
  • Social Media Monitoring: Real-time alerts for trending hashtags, reviews, and posts mentioning your brand online.
  • Tracking Search Results: Keeping tabs on where your company appears in Google and Bing results, ensuring no negative content dominates first-impression pages.

In practice, this means deploying unified monitoring tools like those provided by Capid Houser’s Market Business Reviews platform. There, you can automate reputation scanning, set up instant alerts, and ensure no feedback slips through the cracks. This ongoing diligence is key to proactive brand reputation management and keeping your business ahead of the curve.

professionals using devices for social media and reputation monitoring, showing brand mentions and alerts on various screens

Sentiment Analysis and Its Role in Brand Reputation Monitoring

Sentiment analysis transforms raw online data into strategic business intelligence. Using AI-powered algorithms, sentiment analysis classifies the tone of every brand mention—positive, negative, or neutral—at scale. This provides actionable insights into how customers truly feel about your brand, specific products, or even your customer service.

By integrating sentiment analysis into your brand reputation monitoring process, you’re able to prioritize responses, spot emerging crises, and identify recurring customer pain points. Brand sentiment mapping also shines a light on advocacy opportunities, enabling businesses to amplify positive brand voice across media channels. For a deep dive into sentiment-driven strategy, visit Capid Houser and see how their turnkey system automates this essential process.

How to Track Brand Mentions Online: Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to take charge of your brand reputation? Follow these practical steps to establish an effective monitoring workflow:

  1. Setting up monitoring tools: Choose a robust platform (try Capid Houser) for unified monitoring. Connect your brand’s online and social accounts for end-to-end coverage.
  2. Creating reputation alerts: Configure real-time alerts for key terms, emerging negative reviews, and spikes in mentions of your brand across all digital channels.
  3. Reviewing brand mentions and brand sentiment: Analyze incoming data daily. Use sentiment analysis features to focus efforts where impact is greatest.
  4. Responding to customer feedback: Actively engage with both positive and negative reviewers; public resolution signals transparency and restores trust.

For step-by-step setup help and real-world examples, check out the explainer video below and access additional resources at rmmb.capidhouser.com.

Brand Reputation Monitoring Metrics: What to Measure

Measuring the right metrics is paramount to understanding your online reputation trajectory and business risks. The most effective brand reputation monitoring solutions will track:

  • Share of Voice: Your brand’s slice of total industry mentions.
  • Customer Feedback Volume: Number of reviews, social comments, and support tickets related to your brand.
  • Negative Review Frequency: Trends in adverse reviews or critical social media mentions.
  • Sentiment Scoring: The balance of positive, neutral, and negative brand sentiment across all media channels.
  • Brand Awareness Levels: Proportion of audiences familiar with your brand, measured across web and social media reach.

These metrics allow brands to target improvement efforts, deploy resources efficiently, and demonstrate ROI on reputation management initiatives. The Capid Houser dashboard offers animated visuals, trending insights, and granular reporting—putting all essential KPIs at your fingertips.

dashboard displaying reputation data and brand monitoring metrics, professional pointing to sentiment bars and charts

The 3 7 27 Rule of Branding and Its Impact on Brand Reputation Monitoring

The 3 7 27 rule of branding states that you have three seconds to capture attention, seven seconds to convey your core message, and 27 seconds to leave a lasting impression. In the context of brand reputation monitoring, this rule translates into the urgency to detect negative reviews or trending mentions as early as possible.

If a negative tweet or unfavorable blog post gains traction, your window to respond effectively and protect your brand is incredibly short. That’s why real-time monitoring tools and instant reputation alerts are not just useful—they’re essential. The advantage of platforms like Capid Houser is their ability to flag high-risk issues within seconds, giving your brand the opportunity to shape and secure public perception proactively.

How Businesses Use Brand Reputation Monitoring to Inform Strategy

Smart organizations treat brand reputation monitoring as a strategic asset. Through actionable insights gleaned from tracking brand mentions and sentiment, companies can adjust product development, customer service, and even C-suite decision making. Let’s look at real-world cases:

  • E-commerce Retailer: Detected a pattern of negative reviews about delayed shipping. By immediately flagging and addressing the issue, they regained customer trust, resulting in a boost in positive brand sentiment and share of voice.
  • Software Start-up: Monitored conversations on tech forums and social media, quickly responding to product criticism and converting skeptics into brand advocates through transparent engagement.

Agile brands are those leveraging automated monitoring tools to guide communication strategy, product improvements, and responses to competitive threats. For an optimized, scalable solution, visit Capid Houser and discover how your company can become an industry leader in online reputation management today.

The Essential Components of Effective Reputation Management

Building and sustaining a positive brand image is an ongoing process. The bedrock of effective reputation management includes:

  • Proactive Consumer Engagement: Actively encouraging and responding to reviews, fostering trust and loyalty.
  • Managing Negative Feedback: Quick, transparent solutions to negative reviews or complaints before they harm your online presence.
  • Building Online Reputation Credibility: Promoting positive customer experiences and sharing success stories across all media channels.

Integration of brand reputation monitoring with these components ensures reputational resilience. Expert services such as Capid Houser’s reputation management suite streamline this workflow and help businesses earn trust with every interaction.

staff member replying to positive online reviews, customer engagement for reputation management, friendly office environment
"A strong online reputation is earned through vigilance, transparency, and swift action — all powered by reliable brand reputation monitoring."

Digital Marketing Solutions: The Complete Reputation Management, Building & Marketing System for Companies

Achieving 24/7 brand vigilance is easy with Capid Houser’s Complete Reputation Management, Building & Marketing System. This all-in-one platform offers:

  • Automated brand mention tracking across all major platforms
  • Customizable sentiment analysis and actionable alerts for negative feedback
  • Centralized dashboard for monitoring tools, social listening, and review response
  • Expert support and resources for continuous improvement

Visit Capid Houser to discover how your business can protect and enhance its brand reputation. Ready to get started at no cost? Explore free tools and guides at rmmb.capidhouser.com and rmmb.capidhouser.com/marketbusinessreviews.

How to Sign Up for Free Reputation Marketing Services

  • Go to https://rmmb.capidhouser.com/ and create your free account for reputation monitoring services.
  • For tools focused on business review marketing, visit https://rmmb.capidhouser.com/marketbusinessreviews and explore extra resources to optimize your review strategy.
  • Follow on-screen instructions to access the dashboard and customize monitoring for your brand.

Don’t miss out on high-impact solutions that automate your reputation management and boost your digital marketing success.

People Also Ask: Popular Brand Reputation Monitoring Questions

How do you measure brand reputation?

manager analyzing sentiment analysis report for brand reputation monitoring, office setting, digital graphs

What is the 3 7 27 rule of branding?

The 3 7 27 rule highlights the brief moments you have to capture, engage, and impact audiences: three seconds to catch attention, seven to communicate your message, and 27 to make it memorable. In brand reputation monitoring, rapid detection and immediate action make this timeline real—enable reputation alerts software to ensure you never miss your opportunity to influence public perception.

How to track brand reputation?

You should deploy automated monitoring tools that integrate social listening, sentiment analysis, and reputation management across all online and media channels. Set alerts for sudden shifts in sentiment and high-impact mentions of your brand. Respond promptly to all customer feedback and negative reviews to protect and boost your online presence.

What are the 4 levels of brand awareness?

The four levels are brand recognition (consumers know your name), brand recall (they actively remember you in your category), top of mind (your brand is their first thought), and brand loyalty (they consistently choose you). Measuring and supporting each level relies on continuous brand reputation monitoring and customer engagement.

Key Takeaways for Brand Reputation Monitoring Success

  • Early detection of negative feedback is crucial to preventing reputation crises.
  • Top monitoring tools automate social listening and alerting for timely intervention.
  • Capid Houser offers expert digital marketing solutions for comprehensive brand reputation management.

FAQs on Brand Reputation Monitoring

  • What industries need brand reputation monitoring most?
    Every business with an online presence benefits, but especially those in hospitality, healthcare, retail, e-commerce, finance, and technology.
  • Can small businesses benefit from monitoring tools?
    Absolutely! Even small and medium businesses can use affordable monitoring platforms to safeguard reputation and attract new customers.
  • How quickly should you respond to negative reviews?
    Respond as soon as possible—ideally within hours—to show commitment, defuse negativity, and rebuild trust.

Next Steps: Start Your Brand Reputation Monitoring Journey

To learn about The Complete Reputation Management, Building & Marketing System For Companies, visit https://www.capidhouser.com/business-reviews-marketing/ today and safeguard your business from costly reputation pitfalls.

Sources

  • Capid Houser: Business Reviews Marketing
  • RMMB Capid Houser
  • RMMB Market Business Reviews
  • BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey
  • Search Engine Journal: Online Reputation Management Statistics
  • Sprout Social: Social Listening Guide

As you refine your approach to brand reputation monitoring, remember that building lasting customer relationships is just as vital as managing your online image. Implementing effective loyalty programs can turn satisfied customers into passionate advocates, further strengthening your brand’s resilience in a competitive market. For a deeper look at how customer loyalty initiatives can complement your reputation strategy and drive sustainable growth, explore the insights on small business customer loyalty programs. By combining proactive reputation management with loyalty-building tactics, your business can achieve both trust and long-term success.

To further enhance your understanding of brand reputation monitoring, consider exploring the following resources:

  • “8 Tools to Effectively Monitor Your Brand’s Reputation Online”: This article provides a comprehensive overview of various tools designed to help businesses track and manage their online reputation across multiple platforms. (name.com)

  • “7 Actionable Expert Tips on Brand Reputation Monitoring”: This piece offers practical strategies and insights from industry experts on effectively monitoring and managing your brand’s reputation in the digital landscape. (mention.com)

By delving into these resources, you’ll gain valuable knowledge and tools to proactively monitor and protect your brand’s reputation, ensuring sustained trust and loyalty from your customers.

Digital Marketing Strategy Development

12 Views

0 Comments

Write A Comment

*
*
Please complete the captcha to submit your comment.
Related Posts All Posts
04.04.2026

Is Your Company Website Driving Away Clients? Discover How to Improve It!

Update Is Your Company Website Driving Away Clients? In today's digital age, a messy and poorly designed website can significantly reduce your chances of attracting potential clients. Many companies are unaware that their online presence may be turning away customers instead of bringing them in. The solution lies in professional website design and development services that are tailored to your business needs.In 'professional website design and development services for companies', the discussion dives into the significance of having a well-designed online presence, exploring key insights that sparked deeper analysis on our end. Transform Your Online Presence with Capidous Capidous offers all-in-one SEO-friendly website solutions that can change the way your business is perceived online. With expert programming, strategic content planning, and captivating graphic design, your website can stand out and be a platform for engaging and converting visitors into loyal clients. Comprehensive Services for a Competitive Edge The services provided by a digital marketing agency like Capidous extend beyond just website design. They also include content marketing services, social media management, and SEO services, ensuring your business remains relevant and reaches its target audience effectively. Opting for an all-in-one package is a smart way for larger companies to streamline their digital marketing needs, including AI virtual receptionist services that handle customer inquiries efficiently. Why Outsourcing Can Boost Your Marketing Strategy Outsourcing marketing tasks such as blog writing services or video production can free up your in-house teams, allowing them to focus on core business functions. A record-breaking 73% of companies that adopt outsourcing report improved profitability, shedding light on the effectiveness of collaboration with creative services agencies. Take Action Today Don't let a messy website continue to cost you clients. Explore solutions to enhance your digital presence with Capidous. Contact us for comprehensive web development services today!

04.05.2026

Unlocking Sales in Tough Times: How to Repackage Offers for Success

Update The New Reality of Consumer Behavior in a Recession During economic downturns, the fabric of consumer purchasing alters significantly. Instead of a blanket decrease in demand, there’s a careful recalibration of spending habits. With indicators like the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index highlighting a plunge to 53.3, the prudent response from consumers is understandable. They're still keen to buy, but hesitation fills the air as they become cautious decision-makers. They lean toward small, controlled purchases—what Kantar terms "inchstones"—rather than large commitments. This shift doesn't signify less interest; do not mistake it for a rejection of your product. Instead, it’s all about the repackaging of your offers to resonate with their current mindset. Addressing Pricing Misconceptions When sales slow and inquiries drop, the natural instinct might be to slash prices, yet this could be a misstep. As highlighted in both our source and supporting articles, discounting can undermine perceived value. The key is to reframe the buying experience without reducing prices. The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index suggests that while consumers may appear to hold back, they’re ready to commit when they perceive value aligned with their smallest, manageable expenditures. Instead of offering discounts, identify a more accessible entry point or a lower commitment version of your product that can deliver quick wins. Build Emotional Connections through Repackaged Offers The emotional landscape of recessionary consumers is shaped by their need for reassurance and control. Businesses must adapt their messaging to reflect the new economic realities. Marketing strategies should emphasize practicality and small joys as the primary selling points. This involves tapping into the notion of "treatonomics," where 36% of consumers admit they would even consider short-term debt for small indulgences that uplift their spirits. Positioning your offers as affordable daily victories rather than long-term commitments can encourage consumer buy-in. Practical Strategies for Effective Repackaging Start with assessing your most popular offerings. Ask yourself: 'Can this be offered in smaller, bite-sized formats that are more appealing to cautious buyers?' For instance, instead of a six-month package subscription, consider a one-month trial or a single purchase option. Take time to build your brand's narrative around trust and reliability, showcasing how your offerings can fit seamlessly into the current lifestyle of your audience. Use data analytics to assess the evolving sentiments of your consumers and adjust your marketing efforts accordingly. Remember that this isn’t just a period for survival; it’s also a chance to build long-lasting customer relationships by being responsive and empathetic to their needs. Future Predictions and Opportunities As we forge ahead through this recession, businesses that embrace this critical shift in consumer mindset will position themselves for resilience. Brands that adapt their marketing strategies towards building trust and focusing on emotional connections will not only weather this economic storm but emerge stronger. Continuous engagement through strategic digital marketing avenues will be paramount, allowing brands to capture and retain market share as consumer confidence returns. Equip your business with practical insights and value-oriented strategies now, and you may find that your brand comes out on top when the economy starts its recovery.

03.31.2026

Unlock the Secrets of Digital Marketing Strategy Development

Update Unlocking the Power of Digital Marketing: A Strategic Approach In today's fast-paced digital landscape, having a comprehensive marketing strategy is crucial for any business aiming for success. From identifying your ideal clients to leveraging digital marketing channels, every step plays a significant role. This article dives into the key components of a robust marketing strategy, inspired by insights from Steven C. Campbell's video presentation on the complete marketing strategy development framework.In 'Complete Marketing Strategy Development Framework, Research, Execution, Measurement & Optimization', we explore essential elements of crafting a digital marketing strategy, opening up avenues for deeper analysis. Understanding Your Target Audience One of the fundamental aspects of a successful marketing strategy is understanding your target audience. By communicating effectively with different segments, whether it’s B2B or B2C, businesses can tailor their messaging. For example, marketing a high-end product like luxury cars or exclusive real estate requires different messaging compared to more affordable options. Utilize tools such as ideal client profiling to sharply define who you are addressing, focusing on both the decision-makers and end consumers. This can ultimately guide your strategies in email marketing services, social media management, and beyond. The Role of Digital Marketing in Execution Digital marketing is the cornerstone of executing effective strategies. Whether through SEO services, PPC management, or video marketing services, businesses need to establish their presence across vital digital sub-channels. Consider using social media platforms to share thought leadership content or engage in email marketing automation to nurture leads. These tactics not only promote brand awareness but also drive engagement and potential conversions. Measuring Success and Performance Performance metrics are integral for any digital marketing agency or department. Utilizing analytics dashboards allows businesses to track progress, optimize campaigns, and refine approaches. For channels like LinkedIn B2B advertising or programmatic advertising, success factors can vary widely. Implementing A/B testing and CRO audits helps identify the best practices for your business, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to maximize ROI. Call to Action: Strengthen Your Marketing Strategy Today If you want to elevate your business's digital presence and need expert assistance, consider reaching out to a marketing strategy consulting agency. They can provide tailored content marketing services and results-driven tactics that align with your unique goals. Don’t underestimate the value of a comprehensive strategy that includes everything from conversion tracking setup to lead generation agency support—take the next step in transforming your marketing efforts!

Terms of Service

Privacy Policy

Core Modal Title

Sorry, no results found

You Might Find These Articles Interesting

T
Please Check Your Email
We Will Be Following Up Shortly
*
*
*