Comments on: 4 Experts Weigh In After Google Calls Foul on ‘Optimized Anchor Text’ in Press Releases

By: Kristi Kellogg

Kristi Kellogg — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 21:24:27 +0000

In reply to Michael.

Hi Michael,

We totally agree. SEO is only one benefit of press releases. We see the main benefit of a press release is that it can potentially turn into a news story. It’s like Mickie Kennedy writes in The Beginner’s Guide to Writing Powerful Press Releases — a news story has “three times more credibility and six times more readership than paid advertising.” The most valuable link you can acquire comes from a developed story.

We think that a press release’s focus should be to inform and engage media professionals, so a press release should be crafted, like everything else, with the journalist (user) in mind. Regular, relevant press releases also enable businesses to “build relationships with the media” (Kennedy), so even if they don’t create a story based on one press release, it doesn’t mean they won’t in the future as you build trust and recognition with the media through consistent releases.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Best,
Kristi

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 01:51:55 +0000

How will it change how I use press releases? It won’t. At my firm we have always looked at the majority of marketing tools we use for clients as multipurpose. I feel having multiple reasons for anything we do for a client is a key way to increase ROI. As result, SEO is only one reason. As far as SEO goes, I still believe it will have value. Small amount of value in most cases, but when part of a larger strategic plan and used as actual announcements related to a client’s business, I think the value is easily justified. But, if anybody is doing online PR syndication for only SEO, stop. It was never a good idea and is even less a good idea now.

By: Melli Gibs

Melli Gibs — Thu, 29 Aug 2013 04:57:26 +0000

It’s been long since I stopped using PR as I anticipated “the slap” on PR would come very soon. I think PR with naked URL or brand keyword would still work.

Engaged social media is what really works now.

By: Kristi Kellogg

Kristi Kellogg — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 22:09:33 +0000

In reply to Marvin.

Hi Marvin,

Glad to help! Whatever press release distribution service you’re considering using — PRweb or otherwise — determine whether they use nofollow tags or not. Find out by checking the company site or through a phone call.

Based on the Webmaster Guidelines update, if the company does not use nofollow tags, you shouldn’t use them — unless you’re not concerned with rankings :)

Thanks for reading!
Kristi

By: Marvin

Marvin — Thu, 22 Aug 2013 15:27:42 +0000

Kristi,

So, should companies with new information use sites like PRweb or not?

I was looking for information on this topic. Thanks for reading my mind :)

By: John

John — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 14:20:06 +0000

@Gary Chesnut: yarh..you’re right. If people can provide valuable information for readers Google will love their websites. However, it will take time to let Google know whether your site is valuable or not.

By: Gary Chesnut

Gary Chesnut — Thu, 15 Aug 2013 00:30:06 +0000

I think once again it all boils down to the same thing. Give the website visitor a good reason for visiting. Don’t trick them into going to a website.
Unnecessary links (as well as other black hat tactics) are going by the wayside.
I believe if people would start writing relevant, great, unique content that provides quality information then they wouldn’t have to worry about what Google is doing.
Write for people, not search engines and you will be fine.