What is the term for information about a business that is provided for free and not generated by the business itself?

The term that describes information about a business that is provided for free and not generated by the business itself is known as publicity. Publicity refers to the attention that a business receives from external sources, such as news media and social media, which can help to shape public perception without the business having to pay for that coverage. This type of information usually emphasizes the business's newsworthy events, activities, or any other aspects that might generate public interest.

Public relations, while related, typically involves a more strategic approach to managing how information about the company is communicated and can include paid efforts. Promotional content is generally created and controlled by the business for the purpose of marketing its products or services, which distinguishes it from free, externally-generated publicity. Advertising represents paid communications where a business invests money to promote itself or its products directly; hence, it does not fit the definition of free information that is not business-generated.