# Press Releases for SEO: Are They Still Effective in 2025?

Press releases have been a part of digital marketing for more than 20 years. In the early 2010s, people used them mainly to get quick backlinks for ranking their websites on Google. Back then, it was easy—publish a press release, let it get syndicated to hundreds of websites, and enjoy the boost in SEO.

But things have changed a lot since then.

Google has become smarter. It now focuses more on quality, user experience, and real value rather than artificial link-building tricks. Because of this, many marketers today wonder:

“Do press releases still work for SEO in 2025?” “Can they still help a website rank?”

The short answer is: Yes, they are still useful—but not in the same way they used to be.

Press releases are no longer a shortcut to higher rankings, but they are still powerful when used correctly. They help with brand visibility, credibility, and authority—all of which indirectly support your SEO success.

In this blog, you’ll learn everything about [how press releases impact SEO](https://admindia.org/seo/are-press-releases-good-for-seo/) in 2025, their benefits, mistakes to avoid, and how to use them the right way.


What Are Press Releases Used for Today?
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Press releases have become more than just news announcements. In 2025, they serve as a multi-purpose communication tool for businesses and professionals.

### Brand Awareness and Online Visibility

One of the biggest reasons companies use press releases today is to get more exposure. When your news appears on trusted platforms like news websites, business portals, or industry blogs, more people discover your brand.

Even if press releases don’t give many SEO benefits directly, the visibility they provide helps your website grow in the long run.

### Announcing Major Updates, Launches, or Achievements

Press releases are still the best way to share official updates such as:

* New product or service launches

* Company milestones

* Awards and recognition

* Funding announcements

* Partnerships or collaborations

When people search for information about your business, these press releases add credibility.

### Building Trust and Credibility

Being featured on reputed news websites automatically makes your brand appear more serious and authentic. Users trust companies that get media mentions, and Google also sees these mentions as positive signals for authority.

### Driving Referral Traffic from News Sites

Many people still read news portals for updates. If your press release appears on these sites, you can get genuine traffic. This traffic may convert into leads, sales, or new followers.

Referral traffic is valuable because it shows Google that people are interested in your brand.

How Press Releases Impact SEO (2025 Update)
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The relationship between press releases and SEO has changed a lot. Here’s what you need to know in 2025.

### Do Press Releases Help With Backlinks?

This is the most common question.

Yes, press releases can provide backlinks, but not all backlinks are equal.

* Many press release backlinks are no-follow, which means they don’t directly pass link authority.

* Syndicated links (same content published on multiple sites) do not carry strong SEO value.

* Overusing keyword-rich anchor text can lead to Google penalties.

However, high-quality press releases can lead to natural backlinks. For example:

A journalist may write a news story about your announcement and link to your website naturally. These earned backlinks are powerful because they are genuine and trusted by Google.

### Press Releases & Google Indexing in 2025

Google knows when content is duplicated across multiple press release websites. So, not every press release gets indexed fully. But the good news is that Google still recognizes brand mentions—even if the page is no-indexed.

Brand mentions help improve your website’s E-E-A-T, which is an important ranking factor.

### How Press Releases Affect E-E-A-T

E-E-A-T stands for:

* Experience

* Expertise

* Authoritativeness

* Trustworthiness

Press releases support E-E-A-T by showing:

* Your brand is active

* Your company is achieving milestones

* You receive media recognition

These signals help Google trust your website more.

### Impact on Local SEO

For local businesses, press releases can be very powerful. When your news is covered by local media portals, it helps you:

* Improve local brand visibility

* Get local backlinks

* Increase mentions of your business name, address, and location

All of these support local SEO rankings.

Are Press Releases Still Effective for SEO in 2025?
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Yes, but not as a direct ranking tool. Their value comes from indirect benefits like authority, trust, and visibility.

### What Google Says About Press Release Links

Google has clearly stated that press release links should not be used for ranking manipulation. This means if you publish press releases only for backlinks, you won’t see strong results.

Google also says that links inside press releases should ideally be no-follow.

### Why Press Releases Are Not a Direct Ranking Strategy

The biggest reasons:

* Most press release websites provide no-follow links

* Syndicated content does not offer unique value

* Google ignores overly promotional links

* Press releases can be overused easily

But when used correctly, they still influence SEO in a positive way.

### When Press Releases Work Well

Press releases still perform best when the announcement is genuinely newsworthy. Some strong use cases include:

* Launching a new product or service

* Announcing funding rounds

* Revealing a major partnership

* Sharing a big achievement or award

* Opening a new business location

* Hosting or sponsoring a major event

In these scenarios, journalists and bloggers are more likely to cover your news, giving you real organic backlinks.

### When Press Releases Do NOT Work for SEO

Press releases do not perform well when:

* The announcement is not newsworthy

* You only publish them for backlinks

* You use exact-match anchor text for keywords

* You choose cheap or spammy distribution sites

* The content is duplicated without any unique angle

Such low-quality practices can even hurt your website reputation.

Benefits of Using Press Releases in 2025
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Even though press releases may not boost rankings directly, they offer many indirect benefits that help your SEO strategy.

### Brand Mentions That Improve Authority

Brand mentions across the web help Google understand that your business is real and active. These mentions also build trust among users.

### Traffic Generation from News Portals

Press releases can bring referral traffic from readers who are genuinely interested in your story. This traffic often has high engagement, which is good for SEO.

### Social Sharing and Viral Potential

A good press release can go viral if your story is interesting. People often share news about:

* Innovative products

* Social impact initiatives

* Business achievements

* Celebrity partnerships

This viral effect increases your brand visibility.

### Ability to Reach Journalists and Media Outlets

Press releases are still the best way to reach journalists. If your story is compelling, journalists may cover it in detail, giving you more exposure and organic backlinks.

How to Write an SEO-Friendly Press Release in 2025
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Writing a good press release requires strategy and clarity.

### Use a News-worthy Angle

The biggest mistake people make is turning a press release into a promotional article. Press releases should always sound like news, not like advertisements.

### Write a Strong, SEO-Optimized Headline

Your headline must be:

* Clear

* Short

* Interesting

* Relevant to your news

A good headline increases the chances of your release getting picked up by journalists.

### Add Relevant Keywords Naturally

You can add keywords in your:

* Headline

* Subheadings

* Body text

But always avoid keyword stuffing. Keep the language natural.

### Include Quotes, Data, and Multimedia

Quotes make your press release feel more genuine. Adding images, charts, or videos increases engagement and sharing.

### Add Links the Right Way

You can add links to:

* Your website

* A product page

* Social profiles

* Company information

But keep the anchor text natural and avoid keyword-heavy links.

### Include Clear Contact Information & Company Bio

Journalists often need more information before writing a story. Adding a company bio and contact details helps them reach you easily.

Where to Distribute Press Releases in 2025
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Distribution plays a big role in how your press release performs.

### Top Paid Press Release Distribution Services

These platforms offer wide reach and good media exposure:

* PR Newswire

* BusinessWire

* GlobeNewswire

* EIN Presswire

* PRWeb

Paid services usually provide better results and more reliable media placements.

### Free but Effective Press Release Platforms

If you have a low budget, you can try free platforms like:

* OpenPR

* IssueWire (free tier)

* Online PR Media (limited free option)

They may not offer huge reach, but they still give visibility.

### Industry-Specific News Outlets

Industry-tailored press releases often perform better. For example:

* Tech websites for tech products

* Fashion magazines for clothing brands

* Real estate portals for property businesses

These sites target the right audience.

### Local News and Regional Media Channels

Local publications are great for:

* Local businesses

* Events

* New store openings

* Community achievements

Local press coverage improves local SEO significantly.

### Manual Outreach to Journalists & Bloggers

One of the best strategies in 2025 is to manually email your press release to journalists who cover your niche. This method gives the highest-quality media coverage.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Press Releases for SEO
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Many press releases fail because of avoidable mistakes.

### Publishing Press Releases Too Often

Press releases should only be used for genuine news. Publishing too many small or irrelevant updates will not help you.

### Using Press Releases Only for Backlinks

If your only goal is link-building, press releases will not deliver results. They must be used as part of your brand-building strategy.

### Writing Low-Quality or Non-Newsworthy Content

Press releases must be informative, professional, and news-focused. Low-quality content is usually ignored by journalists and does not add any value.

### Not Tracking Results and Media Coverage

If you don’t track performance, you won’t know what works. Always monitor:

* Impressions

* Traffic

* Backlinks

* Engagement

* Media pickups

This helps you improve future releases.

How to Measure the SEO Impact of a Press Release
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Press releases do not give instant SEO results, but you can measure their impact through different metrics.

### Referral Traffic Analytics

Check Google Analytics to see:

* How many people visited your website

* Which sites sent the most traffic

* How engaged those visitors were

### Brand Mention Tracking

Tools like Google Alerts or Mention help you track brand mentions across the web.

### Backlink Quality Analysis

Use tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz to check:

* How many backlinks you received

* Whether the links were do-follow or no-follow

* Domain authority of linking sites

### Keyword Visibility Changes

If your press release generates buzz, you may notice an increase in keyword rankings over time.

### Media Coverage Reporting

Some press release distribution services provide detailed reports showing where your news appeared. This helps evaluate the reach.

Should You Use Press Releases as Part of Your SEO Strategy in 2025?
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Press releases are not a magic SEO tool, but they are still very valuable when used wisely.

### Who Should Use Press Releases?

Press releases are ideal for:

* Startups

* E-commerce brands

* Tech companies

* Local businesses

* Influencers and public figures

* Organizations with regular announcements

If you have real news to share, press releases will help your brand grow.

### Who Should Avoid Press Releases?

Press releases may not be effective for:

* Very small businesses with no major news

* Websites focused only on link-building

* People who want fast, guaranteed SEO results

Press releases should always be part of a long-term content and PR strategy.

### Best Practices for Maximum Value

* Share newsworthy stories

* Use high-quality distribution platforms

* Write with a clear message

* Avoid keyword stuffing

* Share the press release on social media

* Combine press releases with other SEO efforts

Conclusion
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Press releases are still effective in 2025, but not in the old backlink-focused way. They are now a powerful tool for building:

* Brand trust

* Online visibility

* Authority

* Reputation

* Media coverage

While they don’t directly boost rankings, they support your overall SEO strategy by helping you appear more credible on the internet.