Will Using PRWEB For Content Distribution Hurt Me?

This was a good question, does anyone know the answer? I know a lot say PRweb and other Press Release sites don't help much for SEO, but will they actually hurt your site even if you are releasing something news-worthy?

Old thread, but I am curious about this as well...

You should never do a press release with PRWeb unless you actually have something that is press release worthy. They shouldn't be used as article directories.

The back link part isn't worth a dime.

https://support.google.com/webmaster...er/66356?hl=en

"Links with optimized anchor text in articles or press releases distributed on other sites. For example:
There are many wedding rings on the market. If you want to have a wedding, you will have to pick the best ring. You will also need to buy flowers and a wedding dress."

It's great you start with goals.

Getting backlinks

With 1 prweb press release (which is about $100 minimum if you negotiate an annual plan), you'll get about 20 links from pretty crappy websites syndicated with Google News. I'd doubt it's worth money and efforts if you take backlinks alone.

Get the content out there

You'll get your content to Google News for a couple of days. These are the results most sites get with PRWeb.

That's a great point! If the site you're looking to promote is the one in your signature, I don't think there will be many newsworthy events.

I would put it like this:

- if your making it just for links - then don't do it!
- if you have a news and you want to distribute it - then you can search for the best press release distribution service for your needs.

Regarding google and PR services - they didn't meant that is bad to make press releases, off course not. It is bad to do it with link building purposes, having followed link pointing to your site, with money keywords/exact match anchor texts, links that are meant to manipulate your ranking in SERPs, that is bad and that can drive you a penalty.

That's my opinion

I'm assuming if you truly have a newsworthy release that it could pick up some good links, but the links in the actual release itself are worthless. Is this true?

In recent times Google has altered its position regarding anchor links posted within the body content of PR's to now be considered no-follow and potentially be a violation of set guidelines.

The no-follow is not a problem in itself as Google does advise a balanced mix of relevant links both do-follow & no-follow.

Having recently announced changes in the way they rate Press Releases what you should not do is place any direct anchor text links in the main PR content.
However, it is fine to reference a URL directly in the same area although i would recommend this URL / website link to be left in the About or Contact section of the PR where it is expected to be mentioned.

More important than all of that is the need for your PR to be newsworthy in some way especially if you wish to see it shared in multiple high value locations around the web.

Going forward, i would recommend using Press Releases as part of a well thought out content strategy and to use them as just that - content!

Aside from regular distribution, that content can be placed on your own website (media or news section) Facebook pages, Twitter, You Tube channels, Document sharing sites, converted for Audio Sharing sites, converted to a single Slide for slide share sites plus a whole host of other methods for use on social and industry relevant platforms.

Too many people use PR's only on PR sites and fail to see the additional ways of using this content legitimately....don't be one of them and don't be afraid to think outside the box with PR's.

Sure, the link / backlink benefits are not what they used to be, but Press Release Marketing is still a viable and important part of a sound content marketing strategy.

Oh, one other thing... PRWeb is promoted and advertised as the market leader of the online PR industry (big budget) and while there can be no doubt about both their distribution reach and influence, they are by no means the only credible player out there. Other service providers within the top 5 or even the top 10 online PR companies enjoy similar results, similar reach, similar impact (or not) and often for less cash and less conditions attached.

Im not recommending you look elsewhere or go against PRWeb - i use them myself - all im saying is dont discard or discount the other same service providers.

Feel free to pm me for a list of effective, credible, noteworthy service providers.