Frequency of Press Releases for SEO Purposes

[TKIGWebTeam]

I'm curious, how much is too much for utilizing press release services for the SOLE purpose of building a few backlinks here and there? What would you suggest as the right frequency of press releases?

My opinion: Once a month is good enough. Twice a month starts to stretch itself.

Right now, I've been in a fairly heated discussion with someone who claims they have "read" articles on the interwebz that gave them the impression we could utilize PR services once a week for SEO and building some backlinks. I had to disagree. The suggestion was to submit a new press release each week about some random topic to build backlinks from PR service websites. I'm not a big fan of abusing techniques like this. I've seen some negative effects for doing something like this strictly for link building and SEO.

I am all about QUALITY not quantity. Distributing a press release, to me, should be worthwhile. Therefore, if it is interesting enough there is always the possibility that someone from a larger news source may pick it up. I have always used the analogy about "milking a cow to often and too frequently will produce less each time." This is something I stand by with any whitehat SEO technique.

What do you think?

[EGOL]

What would you suggest as the right frequency of press releases?...for the SOLE purpose of building a few backlinks here and there?

Never.... at least that is how often I use them.

I am all about QUALITY not quantity.... if it is interesting enough there is always the possibility that someone from a larger news source may pick it up.

Great!   If you have that kind of kickass quality then why give it away to other websites.  Instead post it on your own site, submit to a few places like Reddit, Digg, out to Twitter and Facebook.... if you have genuine quality, interesting enough for a large news source then it should be like throwing gasoline on a fire.

Caution... the typical chest-thumping press release will not work here..... we are talking about geniune, non-promotional tools, gossip, games, useful free stuff, informative content that people really want to see.  If you don't have that then, maybe a press release is the only way to get a backlink.

[EGOL]

If the content of what you have to tell about is more product-related than content.... then perhaps a well-done informative article would be gladly accepted as a posting by a couple of bloggers who cover your product niche or a trade association in your industry.

Again, this must be informative content.. no chest-thumping.  The goal is to inform rather than promote.

(I don't publish this type of content but people always send me releases about their products.  I really have to laugh at them because they use the word "our product" and their company name at least twice in every sentence.  Nobody wants to read that!)

[TKIGWebTeam]

I completely agree. I don't want to push something out there that isn't "news worthy." Although, I have someone who seems to think that this is what is going to help us rise in the SERP's because this person read some articles (from unknown sources) that stated using press release services to distribute an article is awesome for SEO.

We did release one at the beginning of the month. I wonder if I could send you the link for review. It wasn't really a "chest-thumping" article. It was an announcement regarding a resourceful white paper document we released.

Interested? I'm interested in getting more opinion from you.

[EGOL]

I'm not able to do private consultations because I use my limited time in the public Q&A... but maybe this would be a good topic for your once a month private question to SEOMoz.

Private: Make my question viewable by staff members and moderators only.

[TKIGWebTeam]

Sorry for the misconception. I wasn't meaning for an analysis or consultation. Didn't know if you wanted to glance at it and say "Hey, that was resourceful." or "No sir. You are foolish for posting that."

No worries.

I feel comfortable enough that my knowledge and experience was on the same track and I gave the correct response to my co-worker. Your responses have helped back this up so far. I am still hoping a  few more would jump in on the discussion sometime down the road.

[firstconversion]

The difference between once a month and once a week is 0. The frequency has little to do with the result, the fact that you are arguing this with your colleague just means that you both miss the point, so I wouldn't be too condescending to them

[TKIGWebTeam]

Whilst I thank you for your response, I am curious as to if you would elaborate more.

You have stated that we have both missed the point? I am wondering, what exactly is the point that is being missed on both ends? So you are telling me that the frequency of backlinks being created on a certain domain does not affect the quality and value of the backlinks? Especially if this same PR is being distributed into a network of other PR sites?

What about using the top X amount PR sites (some free) once per month? Some do not have a distribution network and some do or you can opt out of such a feature.

The proposition given to me was, release a PR once per week for the SOLE purpose of developing/creating backlinks to a specific site.

1. We do not have press/news worthy enough information to release on such a frequent basis. Who really does?
2. Are these backlinks really worth that much to release "unworthy" news?

Would really like to hear more on how you back up your opinion.