asked on

Do press release submissionswork for SEO?

Having spent many years as a senior journalist I know what a waste of time the submission of most press releases are regarding press coverage.
However, I recall reading somewhere that the electronic press release service act as back links for one's site. Is this correct?
Also I recall that the publication of a press release on an Internet article site submission of articles (naturally with the url) also amounted to gaining backlinks.. Is this the case?
Any tips re gaining backlinks along these lines.
These paid services look like a waste of money unlike some of the better directories like best of the web. Any thoughts please???

COBOLdinosaur

Good directories and good press releases are helpful in a small way. Poor directories and Press release mills that will accept anything can actually hurt you.

Press releases that have no news or information value are worthless.

If you want good backlinks the absolute best are natural links that are part of articles on top-rated blogs, and conventional news sources. If you can get a positive review of your site it is a home run. Even a less then enthusiastic review is still a plus.

The biggest key is just like in real estate location... location... location. A mention on a respected site in your own industry or a closely related industry will lift your page rank because Google and other SEs place a high weighting on relevance.

Hope that helps.

Cd&

COBOLdinosaur

BTW the hard part of getting those links and reviews is the same as what it was for you as a journalist. Who cares! If what you have does not interest the decision maker at a given Internet publication, and your site is not see as a good original source you have no chance of getting in the front door.

Cd&

digisel

ASKER

thanks for your helpful and useful input.
I have been so busy building original websites for vertical markets I have never gotten into blogging.
can you suggest what sort of blogs I should look for and where?
You mention "given Internet publication." do you mean blogs or is there something else I should lookfor.
Finally are blogs better than back links from decent directories.
this site is in a vertical of the retailing market in the u.k.
thanks

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COBOLdinosaur

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digisel

ASKER

thank you very much for your input and help.
you have been very generous with your time which i very much appreciate

COBOLdinosaur

I volunteer on EE for exactly what I did here. Try to help. It keeps we out of pubs, poker rooms, and brothels; so I'm better for it. :^)

Cd&

digisel

ASKER

Those are the most laudable reasons for helping others - if not oneself.
I wish I could follow such a virtuous path, rather than my unerring course towards perdition.
I have had a message saying that no points were awarded.
My apologies, this was a mistake.
This was a stupid mistake on my part because I would have awarded 5,000 if I could.
How can I rectify this.

digisel

ASKER

Tis early in the morning, I misread the message about not having assigned points. I did in fact but my comment about the 5,000 still stands

COBOLdinosaur

The points were awarded. Must have been a glitch in the email server. It wouldn't matter anyway... a million points and a couple of pounds might by you a pint. They are really just part of a rating/ranking system and once you get past a certain point you can arrogantly point out to any who will listen that you are a highly ranked expert, or you can just keep enjoying yourself bounding among these young kids demonstrating that old dogs invent the new tricks.

Cd&

COBOLdinosaur

Now you see how slow I type I didn't see you last message when I replied.

Cd&

digisel

ASKER

As one of the old dogs who is still developing new tricks I agree.
though this time around i need to earn enough for a few pints so that i can add to my current enjoyment.