SEO Value of Press Releases

[WCR]

Is there still any SEO value of paid press releases services, such as PRWEB which let you embed keyword text links? Or would the associated cost be better spent elsewhere?

Thanks

[AlanBleiweiss]

Yes, there is.

It's not based on old-school SEO value though as much as newer reasoning.

Press releases definitely have much more churn than ever - so many sent out by so many companies every day, many of which are junk / very low quality.  So any link value you get is going to be at a much lower count than they used to generate, and many will stick around a lot less - shelf life is much shorter.

At the same time however, if you opt for the wider distribution options (such as PRWeb's top two options) you're more likely to get at least some decent sites in the mix (and especially if you go with the top tier release option).  This is much more valid if the releases you create only contain one or a couple links in the content.  And don't opt to include your web site embedded in their iFrame.  It's a terrible usability issue, and offers NO value - and most definitely will not be picked up by high end news feeds.

The other SEO value comes from the fact that those quality sites that do pick them up and post them do provide not just link value but mentions related to branding.

Also be sure to take the time to properly categorize the release in terms of the right industry and regional reach.

On a final note, they're most effective when you send them out on a regular basis - not too often, yet no less than three or four times a year.

And only when you have something that's truly worthy of a legitimate press release.