The world of SEO is constantly evolving, and one of the key aspects to think about today is, are press releases still relevant for SEO purposes today?
The answer is yes! A well-crafted press release can still help you earn valuable links and coverage from high-authority publications. However, finding high-quality distribution services can be tricky, so partnering with a reputable SEO agency can help you with this.
The concept of the press release in 2022 is all about reputation and newsworthiness, so let’s dive deep into its impact.
What is a Press Release?
A press release is a formal announcement (usually written by a company or organisation) that is distributed to the media. The goal of a press release is to generate positive publicity and raise awareness of a brand, product, or service.
For years, businesses have used press releases to share newsworthy content and earn media coverage. In the early days of the internet, press releases were also a popular link-building tactic.
Why Use Press Releases for SEO?
Links from Authority Publications
One of the most valuable benefits of press releases is that they can help you earn links from high-quality publications. Because press releases are newsworthy, authoritative publications are often more likely to link to them.
If you can get your press release published on a site like Forbes or The Wall Street Journal, it’s likely that other authority sites will link to it as well. This can help you attract more visitors, build trust and credibility, and improve your search engine ranking.
Brand Awareness and Exposure
When you distribute a press release, it’s possible that news outlets will pick it up and share it with their audience. This can help you reach a larger audience and introduce them to your brand.
It’s also worth mentioning that press releases can help you build relationships with journalists and other influencers. If you develop a good relationship with a journalist, they may be more likely to cover your story in the future.
Google’s Thoughts on Press Releases
John Mueller, a senior webmaster trends analyst at Google, said, “So we try to ignore links from things like press releases because we know in general companies put the press releases out themselves. So any links in there are essentially placed by themselves”
That’s why it’s important to make sure your press release is newsworthy and not overly promotional. As long as you’re using press releases for the right reasons, there’s no reason to think they’ll hurt your SEO.
However, the majority of backlinks obtained from press releases will be nofollow links, so those links won’t have any influence on rankings or be able to distribute any link juice.
How to Optimise Your Press Releases for SEO
If you’re planning to use press releases for SEO, there are a few things you can do to optimise them. Here are a few tips:
1. Interesting content
The most common formats for press releases are infographics, images, and videos. But no matter what format you choose, it’s important to make sure your content is compelling.
To make your press release more interesting, try to focus on the most newsworthy aspects of your story.
2. Choose a catchy headline
Your headline should be attention-grabbing and relevant to your story. If you can, try to include keywords that people might search for when looking for your story.
3. Include links
When you include links in your press release, be sure to use keyword-rich anchor text. This will help you improve your search engine ranking for those keywords. Don’t go overboard with the links, though. A few strategic links are all you need.
4. Distribute your press release only to relevant outlets
When you’re ready to distribute your press release, be selective about the outlets you send it to. Make sure you’re only sending it to publications that apply to your audience, location, and industry.
- Don’t spam
It’s important to be strategic about who you’re sending it to. Don’t just send it out to anyone and everyone, hoping someone will pick it up.
This approach is called “spray and pray”. While it can sometimes work out well, it’s not worthwhile pursuing this approach in the long run.
Conclusion
Press releases are still relevant in 2022 and will continue to be in the foreseeable future. As long as you’re using them for the right reasons, they can still be a valuable part of your SEO strategy.
Just be sure to focus on creating genuine, newsworthy content and distributing it to relevant outlets. And don’t spam! A few strategic, well-placed press releases can make a big impact on your SEO.
