"In a world where your brand's presence online is equivalent to its existence, your search engine ranking isn't just important - it's crucial." - Rand Fishkin.

Introduction:

Did you know that according to a survey by Conductor, 60% of the marketers credit their most effective SEO tactics to PR? Such statistics highlight the inextricable link between these two domains.

How Strategic PR Can Help You Secure High-Value Keywords on Google

"Understanding and marketing to specific and defined audiences through search engines is the future of SEO," says Adam Audette, the former SVP, Head of Global SEO at Merkle.

If you've been in the business long enough, you'll know that being on the first page of Google for high-value keywords is worth its weight in gold. But how does one secure this coveted spot? The secret ingredient might surprise you—it's strategic Public Relations (PR).

Why Google Rankings Matter

Before we delve into PR, let's understand why Google rankings are critical for your business. According to a study by Backlinko, the first Google search result gets 31.7% of all clicks, while results on the second page receive less than 1%.

That's a stark difference and makes the aim for the first page more than just a vanity metric—it's business-critical.

The Bond Between SEO and PR

So, where does PR fit into all of this? Well, it all circles back to a term you've probably heard before backlinks. When another website links back to your site, it's essentially a vote of confidence. It tells Google, "Hey, this is a reputable site with valuable content," boosting your site's ranking.

As a renowned SEO expert, Neil Patel says, "When a webpage links to any other page, it’s called a backlink. In the past, backlinks were the major metric for the ranking of a webpage. A page with many backlinks tended to rank higher on all major search engines, including Google."

The PR Factor in Backlinks

This is where the magic of PR comes into play. When you're featured in a high-authority publication like Forbes or Entrepreneur, it's not just the bragging rights you earn. You also get a backlink from their site to yours.

And these aren't just any backlinks; these are top-quality backlinks that can significantly boost your Google ranking.

In an interview, Google’s Martin Splitt mentioned that "PR has the potential to result in the kind of high-quality backlinks Google loves to see. High-quality publications have high domain authorities – they're seen as trusted sources by Google."

Busting Myths and Handling Objections

Some of you might be thinking, "Isn't PR just for media relations or branding?" It's time to bust that myth! While PR has roots in media and branding, its influence has grown beyond that. Today, strategic PR plays a pivotal role in the SEO landscape, directly influencing Google rankings.

And then, there's the cost objection. "Isn't PR a costly affair?"

Well, yes, PR does come with a price tag, but when you consider the impact on your SEO, the benefits far outweigh the costs. In fact, think of it as an investment rather than an expense—an investment that yields high returns in the form of boosted Google rankings, increased web traffic, and, ultimately, improved bottom line.

Embracing PR: A Step-by-Step Guide

So, how can you harness the power of PR to improve your Google rankings? Here's a step-by-step guide to help you:

Step 1: Create newsworthy content. This could be launching a new product, publishing a study, sharing a success story, or even hosting a thought leadership event.

Step 2: Pitch your story to journalists and editors of high-authority publications. Craft a compelling press release and ensure it reaches the right people at the right time.

Step 3: When your story gets published, you earn that high-quality backlink, boosting your SEO.

Step 4: Rinse and repeat. Remember, PR is a long-term game. Consistency is key to reaping long-lasting SEO benefits.

In Conclusion

In the digital age, strategic PR isn't just a "nice-to-have"—it's a necessity. It's a powerful tool that, when wielded right, can catapult your Google rankings and drive massive business growth.

So, if you want to learn more about how you can achieve these impressive results and have it facilitated by a team of experts that get results, click 'Become a Top Trusted Authority' anywhere on this page.

Sources:

1. Adam Audette's quote: Merkle website

2. Google Search Results Statistics: Backlinko 2021

3. What Are Backlinks: Neil Patel blog

4. SEO Mythbusting: SEO & PR: YouTube