What You Need to Know About Public Relations & SEO
As we make our way into 2024, Public Relations (PR) is playing a huge role in enhancing and influencing SEO rankings. The main way PR does this is through backlinks.
While most people think PR is always expensive (which it can be), there are ways you can make it inexpensive and effective. Below I’ll dive into the main ways PR strategies can significantly impact your overall SEO performance with a few examples.
Building High-Quality Backlinks
One of the primary benefits of integrating PR into your SEO strategy is the ability to acquire high-quality backlinks. When a website with authority in your industry or niche links back to your content, it sends a powerful signal of trust and expertise to Google and other search engines. These backlinks are seen as votes of confidence, indicating that your content is valuable and relevant.
PR activities, such as press releases, interviews, and guest contributions, provide opportunities to secure these type backlinks. Media coverage and collaborations with reputable sources can lead to organic link building that positively impacts your site's SEO performance. The more authoritative and diverse the sources linking to your content, the better your chances of climbing the search engine rankings over time.
Example PR Link Building Methods
Like I mentioned, there are multiple ways for therapists, coaches, consultants, and wellness practitioners can build links.
HARO (Help a Reporter Out)
Getting involved in your community by hosting events and sharing them on local event calendars
Conducting original research and pitching it to relevant sites
Get creative. Links are readily available, but they often take effort or money.
Increasing Trust and Authority with Google
Trust and authority are integral components of Google's current algorithm. When you do SEO, you’re building a relationship with Google. PR efforts contribute significantly to building and solidifying this relationship.
When your brand is featured in reputable publications or cited as an expert in your field, it enhances your perceived authority and trustworthiness. Google recognizes these signals and is more likely to prioritize your content in search results.
This is why being mentioned in well-established sources in your industry can significantly boost your trustworthiness in the eyes of both users and search engines.
Consistent and positive media coverage through PR efforts also contributes to brand recognition. When users see your brand associated with reliable and authoritative information, they are more likely to trust your content and your services. Trust is a key factor in user engagement and conversion, which indirectly impacts your SEO by increasing the likelihood of users interacting positively with your site.
Local SEO Impact
Local SEO is crucial for businesses with a physical presence, and PR strategies can play a vital role in improving local search rankings.
Local media coverage and community engagement through PR efforts can all contribute to your business's visibility in local searches. Google Business Profile (GBP) optimization, a key aspect of local SEO, can be enhanced through PR activities such as getting featured in local publications, hosting community events, and receiving positive reviews.
When your brand is consistently associated with positive local sources, it not only can boost your local search rankings but also can create a positive brand image within your community. This local trust can translate into increased foot traffic for physical businesses and higher online visibility for local searches.
Final Thoughts
Overall, incorporating PR into your SEO strategy can have huge benefits as Google continues to change its ways in 2024. From building high-quality backlinks to enhancing trust and authority with Google, and even influencing your local SEO rankings, PR can be a gamechanging tool in your digital marketing toolkit. As businesses continue to strive to stand out in search engines, integrating PR into SEO efforts becomes not just advantageous but essential for long-term success.
