Brand Hijacking
The unauthorized or deceptive use of a competitor’s brand assets, identity, or reputation to mislead users, divert traffic, or capture market share—often by operating near or within brand boundaries without direct infringement.
Execution Methods
Domain Squatting
Registering similar or misleading domains to siphon off traffic from the intended brand, often during key launches or campaigns.
Social Handle Mimicry
Creating accounts with near-identical names, logos, or messaging to impersonate or confuse audiences.
SEO Impersonation
Optimizing content to rank for branded search queries using indirect or comparative language that suggests affiliation.
Marketplace Impersonation
Listing products on third-party platforms using brand-adjacent language or packaging to capture misdirected interest.
Covert Comparisons
Embedding competitor names or visuals in ads or content in a way that suggests endorsement or association without consent.