How to Write a Press Release: The Definitive Guide

Last year Google said that links in press releases are “ignored^[1]”.

And I tend to believe them.

First off, most legit press release services use nofollow or redirected links. Plus, even if those links did count, it looks like Google has something in their algorithm to specifically discount press release backlinks.

And don’t get me started on press release “syndication”.

Yes, your release WILL technically appear on those sites.

But the pages are noindex and have literally zero SEO value.

For example, one of my releases was syndicated on The Street.

But, as you can see, that page isn’t indexed in Google.

Which means it’s completely worthless for SEO.

That said:

Press releases can indirectly help your SEO in a bunch of different ways.

First off, your press release can show up in Google News, which is great for ORM^[2].

Second, your release can get picked up and syndicated on sites that use dofollow links. And as long as they don’t just copy your exact release word-for-word, those links will help your SEO.

For example, my release was covered on this website: