A press release is meant to announce something newsworthy. Sending routine company updates to dozens of free distribution sites for backlinks does not help SEO and can be treated as manipulation. This guide explains when press releases make sense and how to use them well.
Short answer
Issue a press release only when you have real news, such as a launch, partnership, funding, award or research findings. Links in distributed press releases that are used for SEO should use nofollow, and Google may ignore them. The real goal is coverage by journalists and publications.
What counts as newsworthy
- A new product, service or major update.
- Original research, survey results or data.
- Partnerships, funding, hires or expansion.
- Awards, events or community initiatives.
How to write a useful press release
- Lead with the news in a clear headline and first paragraph.
- Answer who, what, when, where and why.
- Add a quote from a real person and factual details.
- Include contact information and a link to a page with more detail.
- Keep it factual and free of marketing hype.
How to distribute it
- Pitch directly to journalists and bloggers who cover your topic.
- Publish the release in a newsroom section on your own site.
- Consider a reputable wire service only for genuinely important announcements.
- Share it on your social profiles and newsletter.
What to avoid
- Mass distribution of low-value releases.
- Keyword-stuffed anchor text in release links.
- Exaggerated claims.
Related Guides
- Black hat vs white hat SEO
- The complete off-page SEO guide
- Article submission guide
- Search engine submission guide
Frequently asked questions
Do press releases help SEO?
Not directly. Coverage and real mentions can build awareness and links over time.
Should press release links be nofollow?
When links are in distributed releases, using nofollow is a safe practice.
Conclusion
Use press releases for real news and focus on reaching journalists, not collecting links.
