The Sentiment Over Time chart in the BrandMentions Analytics section helps you visualize your audience’s emotions over time. It shows how positive, negative, and neutral mentions change daily, giving you a clear picture of your brand’s public perception.
By analyzing sentiment trends, you can measure the emotional impact of your marketing efforts, identify early warning signs of potential PR issues, and better understand how audiences respond to your brand’s activities.
How to Read the Sentiment Over Time Chart
The Sentiment Over Time chart is a color-coded line visualization that displays sentiment changes for each day. Here’s how to interpret the colors:
🟢 Green Line (Positive Sentiment):
Shows the number of mentions that express positive feelings about your brand. A rising green line indicates stronger brand affinity and effective marketing results.
🔴 Red Line (Negative Sentiment):
Represents mentions with negative emotions. A sudden spike in red signals an issue that may need immediate attention, such as customer dissatisfaction, product problems, or a developing PR crisis.
⚪ Gray Line (Neutral Sentiment):
Captures mentions that are factual or informational without emotional tone. These usually include news, press releases, or neutral discussions.
By observing how these lines move together, you can easily spot patterns and changes in your brand’s reputation. For example, an increase in positive sentiment might follow a successful campaign, while a rise in negative sentiment could highlight emerging concerns.
Example Interpretation
In the sample chart above, covering mid-August through late October, sentiment fluctuates frequently:
Positive sentiment (44%) dominates, suggesting generally favorable brand perception.
Negative sentiment (26%) shows isolated spikes, often worth investigating.
Neutral sentiment (30%) represents consistent baseline coverage, mostly informational mentions.
Identifying such patterns helps you connect specific events, campaigns, or announcements with emotional audience responses.
Strategic Ways to Use Sentiment Analysis
The Sentiment Over Time chart is not only a monitoring tool but also a powerful strategic resource. Here are several ways to use it effectively:
Measure Campaign Results:
Compare sentiment levels before, during, and after a marketing campaign to see how public perception changes.
Spot and Manage PR Crises:
Watch for sudden negative spikes. Set up alerts for negative mentions so you can investigate quickly and respond before issues escalate.
Discover Audience Insights:
Explore the mentions behind sentiment data to understand what drives positive reactions or negative feedback. These insights can guide your messaging, product improvements, or customer service initiatives.
Compare with Competitors:
Use the Comparison feature to benchmark your sentiment trends against competitors. This can help you identify opportunities to strengthen your brand’s position in the market.