The Surprising Comeback: Why Press Releases Are Your New Secret Weapon for AI Search SEO

For years, the press release has been seen as a relic of old-school PR. But in the age of AI, it’s making a powerful comeback. For BC’s small businesses and nonprofits, this is an overlooked opportunity to build authority and get noticed by the new wave of AI search engines that people are increasingly using for search and decision making.

AI models prioritize factual, credible sources. A well-written press release is a powerful signal of your E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness). Every time you have a newsworthy event, you have an opportunity to feed the AI ecosystem with positive, factual information about your organization.

But how does it actually work? Here's a simple guide.

How to Write an AI SEO-Friendly Press Release

A press release has a standard format that is perfect for AI because it's structured and fact-based. Don't worry about getting it perfect, use an AI tool as your co-pilot to generate a great first draft and then get a human to improve it.

1. Compelling Headline: Be direct and clear. "AIQgroup Launches AI Learning Series for Small Business and Nonprofits"

2. The Opening Paragraph: Get straight to the point. Answer the key questions: Who, What, Where, When, and Why in the first one or two sentences.

3. A Quote: Include a quote from yourself or a key person involved. This adds a human element.

4. The "Boilerplate": This is a short, standard "About Us" paragraph at the end that describes what your organization does.

5. Media Contact: Include your name, email, and phone number.

Where to Send Your Press Release for Maximum Impact

1. Your Own Website: Always post the release in a "News" or "Media" section of your site first. This is a crucial on-site signal.

2. Local & Community Channels: Send it to your local Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development agencies (like Columbia Basin Trust), and the business editors at local newspapers (Kimberley Bulletin, Kootenay Business Magazine).

3. Paid Wire Services: For major announcements, using a service like EIN Presswire or Cision is a direct investment in your AI SEO. They distribute your release to hundreds of news portals, creating a massive network of credible mentions that AI models love.

At AIQgroup, we can help you integrate this powerful tactic into your digital strategy, from writing the release to identifying the right distribution channels to maximize your AI SEO impact.