PR and SEO — A Powerful, Underused Duo
When we think about SEO, we often think keywords, backlinks, and Google’s algorithm updates. But what most founders, marketers, and even digital agencies often overlook is how public relations (PR) can supercharge organic search growth.
In fact, PR and SEO benefits go hand in hand and when aligned strategically, they can create a flywheel effect for brand visibility, traffic, and authority.
Let’s dive into how.
The Overlap Between PR and SEO
At their core, both PR and SEO aim to:
- Build brand credibility
- Drive qualified traffic
- Improve visibility
But the methods overlap in ways that many miss. Here’s a quick breakdown:
| SEO Goal | How PR Supports It |
|---|---|
| Quality Backlinks | PR earns media coverage from high-authority domains |
| Branded Search Volume | PR increases name recognition, driving branded queries |
| Dwell Time & Clicks | PR placements drive curious users to search and explore |
| Domain Authority | Consistent coverage boosts your site’s credibility |
Data-Driven Proof: Why PR Matters for SEO
Several SEO studies back the correlation between digital PR and organic ranking growth:
- Backlinko & BuzzSumo (2023):
Content that earns press coverage receives 65% more high-authority backlinks than content promoted via social alone. - Moz Research:
“The highest-ranking pages in Google’s results consistently have backlinks from top-tier media outlets.” - Semrush 2024 Data:
Companies combining PR with SEO tactics saw a 33% increase in organic traffic over 6 months compared to SEO-only approaches.
5 Key PR and SEO Benefits You Can’t Ignore
1. Authoritative Backlinks Without Paid Outreach
Getting a backlink from Forbes, The Hindu, or TechCrunch is SEO gold — and PR makes that possible without begging for guest posts or buying links.
Example:
At Digi eRelease, we helped a smart glasses startup land coverage in NDTV and India Today. The result? Their domain authority jumped from 18 to 34 in 3 months.
2. Boost in Branded Search Volume
When your brand is featured in stories, people Google you. That spike in branded search signals credibility to search engines, helping your site rank higher for both branded and non-branded terms.
3. Improved Click-Through Rates (CTR)
When users see your brand in Google alongside headlines they recognize, like “As Featured in Business Today” they’re more likely to click your site link.
This improved CTR is a direct SEO ranking signal.
4. Content That Google Loves
PR content, press releases, expert quotes, and featured interviews, is naturally keyword-rich, contextually relevant, and comes from trusted sources. Google rewards that.
5. Evergreen Digital Assets
A well-placed press mention remains on the internet for years. Each article, each mention, each quote continues to deliver SEO value long after the campaign ends.
Real Brand Wins: PR-Driven SEO Growth
Here are a few Digi eRelease examples that show the PR and SEO benefits in action:
| Client | Coverage Secured | SEO Result |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Glasses Brand | NDTV, VC Circle, India Today | +250% organic traffic, 15+ referring domains |
| Ayurveda Consultant | Business World, ANI, India.com | +40% increase in keyword rankings |
| EV Startup | The Hindu, YourStory | 12 DA increase in 45 days |
How to Integrate PR Into Your SEO Strategy
Step 1: Identify your SEO goals (keywords, traffic, brand terms)
Step 2: Align PR storytelling with these goals
Step 3: Use media lists to target publications that have high domain authority
Step 4: Syndicate and repurpose media mentions across your digital channels
Step 5: Track backlinks and search visibility post-campaign
PR Is Your SEO Multiplier
If you’re investing in SEO and ignoring PR, you’re leaving authority, traffic, and long-term growth on the table. The PR and SEO benefits are not only complementary, they’re compounding.
So the next time you’re building your SEO roadmap, make sure PR isn’t just on the side it’s at the centre.
Need Help Aligning PR With SEO?
At Digi eRelease, we don’t just write press releases. We build digital visibility campaigns that fuel your SEO, media presence, and brand equity. Let’s talk.