Only properly structured press releases are accepted by distribution partners — advertorial submissions are rejected outright. Review the definitions and comparison below to confirm your content qualifies before you submit.

## ⚠️ Language Requirement

All press release content — including AI Writing Instructions entered in **Step 2** of the submission workflow — must be written in **English only**. Non-English submissions are rejected by distribution partners.

## 📋 What Is a Press Release?

A press release is an official written statement issued to media outlets and the public to announce something newsworthy. Organizations, businesses, and individuals use press releases to share updates such as:

- Product launches
- Company milestones
- Partnerships
- Events
- Other significant developments

Press releases follow a standardized format designed to attract media attention and give journalists the key information needed to develop a story.

### 🏗️ What Makes Up a Traditional Press Release?

- Clear header and dateline
- Proper company identification
- Contact information
- Boilerplate section
- Limited superlative language
- Natural third-person tone throughout

## 📣 What Is an Advertorial Content Post?

An advertorial content post is a paid promotional article designed to resemble editorial content in tone and style while promoting a product, service, brand, or message. Unlike traditional advertisements, advertorials blend storytelling, insights, or tips with marketing objectives — engaging readers while building brand awareness or driving specific actions, while maintaining transparency about its sponsored nature.

### 🚫 What Makes a Post an Advertorial?

- Promotional tone
- Product-centric messaging
- Customer testimonial-style anecdotes
- Call-to-action or sales framing not related to information
- Missing press release conventions
- Unattributed or branded author (e.g., "Joe's Crab Shack")

## 📊 Press Release vs. Advertorial: Side-by-Side Comparison

- **Purpose:** Press releases announce newsworthy information; advertorials promote a product, service, or brand.
- **Tone:** Press releases are neutral, factual, and third-person; advertorials are promotional and persuasive, often first- or second-person.
- **Format Requirements:** Press releases require a header, dateline, boilerplate, contact info, and limited superlatives; advertorials are editorial-style articles with sponsored framing and typically lack press release conventions.
- **Author Attribution:** Press releases are attributed to a journalist or organization; advertorials are often unattributed or branded (e.g., "Joe's Crab Shack").
- **Distribution Eligibility:** Press releases are accepted by distribution partners; advertorials are rejected.
- **Credit / Cost Model:** Credits are deducted only once the release is pushed to the wire; advertorial submissions are rejected without refund.

## 📡 Channel Status Explained

When reviewing your Published Channels table, different statuses indicate where your release stands in the distribution process:

- **Generated:** Content has been AI-generated and is ready for review but has not yet been pushed to the wire. No credits are deducted at this stage.
- **Published / Distributed:** The release has been sent to the wire through the distribution partner and credits have been deducted.

Verify the current status of each channel directly in the Press Release modal, under the **Published Channels** section. Only channels tied to active distribution partners are displayed. If a channel you previously used is no longer listed, its distribution partner may have been deactivated — contact support for assistance.

## ❗ Why This Distinction Matters

Submissions that read as advertorials rather than press releases will be rejected by distribution partners. Ensure your content meets all press release conventions before submitting to avoid lost credits or distribution delays.

**🎯 You now know exactly what separates an accepted press release from a rejected advertorial. Before submitting, confirm your content includes all required press release conventions: header, dateline, boilerplate, contact info, neutral third-person tone, and no promotional framing.**