Press Releases & Digital PR

📡 What Is Signal Genesys, and How Is It Different from Search Atlas's Own Press Release Feature?

🔒 Can You Edit a Press Release After It's Published?

📋 Press Release Content Guidelines: What Gets Approved and What Gets Rejected

🌐 Media Room Domain Migration: Update Your Embed Codes and URLs

📡 Understanding Press Release Distribution Channels

📋 Publication Media, Search Atlas, and Site Deactivation

📣 Connect With the Publication Media Team

✍️ Using Brain AI to Edit Press Releases Accurately

✏️ How to Edit a Generated Press Release Draft

🔍 Overview When a press release shows a Generated status in PR Distribution, the item row itself is not directly clickable. Instead, you need to use a specific action button to open and edit the draft. This article explains exactly where to find that button and how to make changes to your content. 🗺️ Getting to Your Press Releases 1. In the left sidebar, click Authority. 2. Select PR Distribution. You are now on the /outreach/press-release page. 3. Locate your press release in the list. Confirm it shows a status of Generated. ⚠️ Why You Cannot Click the Row Directly Press releases with a Generated status are not row-clickable in the same way other items may be. Clicking on the title or anywhere along the row will not open an editor. This is expected behaviour. To access and edit the content, you must use the dedicated action button associated with that item. ✏️ How to Edit a Generated Press Release 1. Find your press release in the PR Distribution list. 2. Look to the right side of the row for the available action buttons. 3. Click Resume. This opens the generated draft in the editor so you can review and modify the content before distribution. 4. Make your changes inside the editor. 5. When finished, save or proceed with the next steps in the workflow. Note: The Resume action is the correct entry point for any press release at the Generated stage. The other available actions — View report, Word, and HTML — serve different purposes and do not open an editable version of the draft. 📋 Summary of Available Actions by Stage - New Release — starts a brand-new press release from scratch. - Resume — opens a Generated draft so you can edit and complete it. - View report — displays distribution and performance data for a published release. - Word — downloads the press release as a Word document. - HTML — downloads the press release in HTML format. 💡 Tips - If you do not see the Resume button, try refreshing the page. The action buttons can occasionally take a moment to load. - Make sure your browser zoom level is set to 100%. At higher zoom levels, action buttons can shift off-screen and appear unclickable. - If the button appears greyed out, the press release may be processing. Wait a few seconds and refresh before trying again. 🆘 Still Need Help? If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

📋 Press Release Cancellation and Publishing Status Explained

🔍 Overview Once a press release enters Publishing status, the distribution process begins immediately across all selected channels. This article explains what you can and cannot do at each stage — and what happens to your credits and published copies if you take action after submission. ⚙️ Understanding Press Release Statuses Before taking any action, it helps to know what each status means: - Draft: Your press release has been created but not yet submitted. You can freely edit or delete it at this stage. - Pending: Your press release has been submitted but has not yet been distributed. - Publishing: Your press release is actively being distributed to news channels and syndication networks. - Published: Distribution is complete. Your press release is live across all selected channels. 🚫 Can I Cancel a Press Release in Publishing Status? No. Once a press release moves into Publishing status, cancellation is not possible. The distribution process starts the moment you confirm submission, and content is sent to external news networks in real time. There is no pause or recall mechanism once this process begins. This means: - You cannot stop distribution mid-way through the Publishing stage. - You cannot retract or unpublish content that has already been sent to syndication channels. - Editing the press release inside Search Atlas will not update or remove copies that have already been distributed externally. Important: Any tool or suggestion indicating that a press release can be "unpublished" after distribution is inaccurate. Once content is live on external networks, Search Atlas has no ability to remove it on your behalf. 💳 What Happens to My Credits? Credits are consumed at the point of submission — when you confirm and send your press release for distribution. Here is what to expect: - Credits are non-refundable once a press release enters Publishing status, regardless of whether you later delete the record inside the platform. - Deleting a press release from your Search Atlas dashboard removes it from your account view only — it does not retract distributed copies or return your credits. - If distribution encounters a technical error before completion, our team will review credit eligibility on a case-by-case basis. 🗑️ What Happens If I Delete a Press Release After Publishing? Deleting a published press release inside Search Atlas only removes it from your dashboard. It does not: - Remove the press release from external news sites or syndication networks where it was distributed. - Retract any indexed copies from search engines. - Refund any credits used for the original distribution or any additional channel expansions. If you purchased distribution to additional channels after the initial publish, those credits are also non-refundable once distribution has been triggered. ✅ Best Practices Before You Submit To avoid issues, review the following before confirming submission: 1. Proofread your press release carefully, including the headline, body, and all metadata fields. All fields must be complete before the Publish button becomes active. 2. Confirm your selected distribution channels match your goals — you cannot downgrade channels after submission. 3. Double-check that the content is final. There is no edit or recall option once Publishing begins. 4. Ensure your account has sufficient credits for the channels you have selected. 🆘 Need Help? If you believe your press release encountered a technical error during distribution, or if you have questions about your credits, we are here to help. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

📋 Changing a Press Release Category After Distribution

🔍 Overview Once a press release is submitted and distributed to our publishing partners, the category you selected at the time of submission is permanently locked. This is not a Search Atlas limitation — it is enforced by the distribution partners themselves, including outlets such as USA Today, AP News, and others in our network. If your press release defaulted to an incorrect category — for example, Apps and Software instead of Home Cleaning Service — this article explains exactly what that means for your published content and what steps you can take. ⚙️ Why Categories Cannot Be Changed After Distribution When you submit a press release through Search Atlas, it is immediately sent to our distribution partner network. Each partner ingests the content along with all associated metadata, including the category, at the moment of receipt. Because partners index and publish this data on their own systems, Search Atlas has no ability to push retroactive changes to fields like category, headline, or publishing date once distribution is confirmed. This behavior is industry-standard across all major press release distribution networks. Even if Search Atlas updates the record on our internal platform, those changes will not be reflected on the partner sites where your press release has already been published. 📋 How Category Defaults Work in Search Atlas When creating a press release in Search Atlas, the category field is a required selection before submission. If you do not manually choose a category, the platform will apply a default — typically the first available option in the list, which may not match your industry or topic. To avoid this in future submissions, keep the following in mind: - The category field appears during the press release creation flow under Left sidebar → Authority → PR Distribution (Press Releases) → New Release. - Always review the category field before clicking Publish content, as it is one of several fields that cannot be edited post-distribution. - Take a moment to confirm the selected category reflects the subject matter of your release — for example, selecting Home Cleaning Service instead of accepting the default. 🔄 What Happens If Search Atlas Updates the Category Internally In some cases, our support team can update the category field within the Search Atlas platform record after distribution. However, it is critical to understand what this does and does not affect: - What changes: The category displayed inside your Search Atlas dashboard under Authority → PR Distribution → Published will reflect the corrected value. - What does not change: The category shown on every external partner site — including USA Today and others — where your press release was published will remain as originally submitted. Those records are outside Search Atlas's control. An internal update is primarily useful for your own records and reporting accuracy inside the platform. It does not constitute a re-distribution or correction on any partner site. ✅ Your Options Going Forward If an incorrect category was applied to your distributed press release, here is what you can do: 1. Accept the current publication: The press release is live and indexed. The category may affect how it is organized on partner sites, but the content itself and the backlinks it generates remain intact. 2. Submit a new press release: If the correct category is critical for your campaign goals, you can submit a new press release under Left sidebar → Authority → PR Distribution (Press Releases) → New Release, this time carefully selecting the correct category before publishing. Note that this will count as a separate distribution. 3. Request an internal record update: If you need the category corrected within your Search Atlas dashboard for reporting or organizational purposes, contact our support team through the chat widget and they can assist with updating the internal record. 🛡️ Best Practices to Prevent Category Errors - Before hitting Publish content, review all required fields including category, target location, and headline. - Use the preview step to confirm metadata matches your intended submission. - If you are unsure which category applies to your business, select the closest match — most partner sites organize categories by broad industry rather than precise sub-niches. - Train any team members who submit press releases on the importance of category selection, since this field cannot be corrected after distribution. 💬 Need Help? If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

📰 Press Release Status States and HDC Credit Lifecycle

Overview When you submit a press release for distribution in Search Atlas, it moves through a defined set of status states. Understanding these states helps you know exactly where your press release is in the process and why your HDC credits may have been deducted before distribution is fully confirmed. Press Release Publish Statuses Press releases in Search Atlas pass through the following statuses that reflect where they are in the publication and distribution process: - Pending — Your press release has been submitted and is queued for processing. No distribution has occurred yet. - Processing — Your press release is actively being prepared and sent through the distribution pipeline. This is a transitional status. - Published — Distribution is confirmed as complete. Your press release has been successfully distributed. If the status label you see in your account does not match one of the above, or if you are unsure what it means, our team can clarify this for you. How HDC Credits Are Consumed HDC credits are associated with the press release publication process. Credits may be consumed when you initiate publication — that is, when the press release moves into Publishing — rather than only after the Published status is confirmed. If you believe a credit deduction was made in error, or if your press release appears stuck in an intermediate status, please contact our support team with the following information ready: - The name of the press release in question - The exact status currently displayed on your press release - The approximate date and time you initiated the publication - Any error messages you have seen If Your Press Release Appears Stuck If your press release has remained in a Publishing or Publish Stuck status for an extended period, or if you have concerns about credit consumption, do not attempt to resubmit without speaking to our team first, as this could result in duplicate submissions. Reach out with the details listed above so our team can investigate the status of your distribution and your credit balance. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

📘 Press Release Rejections: How to Improve Acceptance Rates

Most distributors don't give a solid reason for rejection or non-acceptance of a press release. However, we recently received feedback from AP News and MarketWatch that helps clarify common patterns behind rejections and how to improve acceptance rates. This article outlines the confirmed insights we have so far and what you can do to increase the likelihood of press release pickup. 🔎 Why Press Releases Get Rejected Most distributors don't provide detailed explanations when a press release is rejected or not accepted. Based on recent feedback from AP News and MarketWatch, one of the most common reasons is content type. Press releases generally perform best when they are time-sensitive announcements, rather than evergreen or blog-style informational content. Only a limited number of distributors accept evergreen content. ✍️ How to Improve Press Release Acceptance Rates Step 1: Focus on Time-Sensitive Announcements Press releases should be framed around a clear, timely announcement. Reframing evergreen content into a newsworthy update can significantly improve pickup chances. Step 2: Anchor the Story to a Newsworthy Milestone Instead of positioning the content as "Company X is great at providing a service," align the release with a specific event or achievement, such as: - A company anniversary (e.g., 5-year milestone) - Reaching a major achievement (e.g., serving the 100th client) - Announcing a new partnership or collaboration - Introducing a new franchisee or office location - Launching a new website, product, or service - Expansion into a new market or region Step 3: Write Like a Press Release (Not a Blog Post) Press releases should be concise, factual, and structured around a clear announcement. They should be supported by quotes, data, or relevant context, rather than long-form or opinion-based writing. A standard press release follows the inverted pyramid structure: lead with the most important information, then supporting details, then background context. 🧩 Distributor-Specific Considerations Some distributors are more flexible than others. - Distributors like GoMedia are generally more open to publishing evergreen content and do not require specific milestones or time-based announcements. - Other distributors, such as AP News and MarketWatch, are stricter and prioritize timely, news-driven content. We are continuing to gather feedback from additional distributors to identify patterns and reduce rejection rates further. For now, this is the confirmed information available. ⚠️ Important Notice About Press Release Rejections Press release rejections are not the responsibility of Search Atlas. Each individual or company submitting press releases is responsible for ensuring their content complies with the guidelines outlined in the Search Atlas Knowledge Base (KB) before publishing. If a press release is rejected, the user must adjust the content to meet the conditions and requirements set by the distributors and submit it again. Search Atlas cannot and will not regenerate, rewrite, create, or resubmit press releases on behalf of the user. Search Atlas does not intervene in, influence, or have jurisdiction over the editorial or approval decisions made by press release distributors or publishers. All approval, rejection, or non-acceptance decisions are made solely by the distributing platforms. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions Do all distributors require time-sensitive press releases? No. Some distributors, such as GoMedia, are more flexible and may accept evergreen content. Why doesn't my press release get a rejection reason? Most distributors do not provide detailed explanations for rejection or non-acceptance. This is standard practice across the press release distribution industry. Is evergreen content always rejected? Not always, but only a limited number of distributors accept evergreen or blog-style articles. The majority of major outlets expect newsworthy, time-sensitive content. This guidance reflects the confirmed feedback we have received so far from AP News, MarketWatch, and other distributors. We will continue gathering insights to help improve overall acceptance rates. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

✏️ Edit an Unpublished Press Release in PR Distribution

🧭 Overview If you have a saved but unpublished press release in PR Distribution, you can still make edits — including adding disclosures — before it goes live. This article explains how to locate your unpublished press release and open it for editing. 📋 Before You Begin - Make sure you are logged in to your Search Atlas account. - Navigate to the PR Distribution tool from the left-hand menu. - Confirm that your press release has not yet been published. 🔍 Step 1: Locate Your Unpublished Press Release 1. Open the PR Distribution tool. 2. Browse your list of press releases and find the one you want to edit. 3. Confirm it is not yet published — it should appear without a live publication date or show a draft indicator. ✏️ Step 2: Open the Press Release for Editing 1. Select or click on your unpublished press release to open it. 2. Look for an Edit option within the press release workflow and click it to open the content editor. 3. Make any changes you need — including updating the headline, body copy, formatting, or other details. 📝 Step 3: Add Disclosures to Your Press Release If you need to include a disclosure, add it directly inside the body of your press release within the editor. 1. Scroll to the bottom of your press release content in the editor. 2. Type your disclosure text at the end of the body — for example: Disclosure: [Your disclosure statement here.] 3. You can use formatting to visually distinguish the disclosure from the main content. 4. Once you have finished editing, save your changes and proceed through the remaining workflow steps to complete publishing when you are ready. ✅ Step 4: Complete the Publishing Workflow 1. After saving your edits, proceed through the remaining steps of the publishing workflow at your own pace. 2. Review any distribution or channel options presented before confirming publication. 3. Only confirm publication when you are satisfied with all content and settings. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

✍️ Write a Press Release Manually in Search Atlas

Search Atlas allows you to create press releases manually using the Write it myself option, giving you full editorial control while maintaining platform validation and publishing standards. This option is ideal if you already have prepared content or prefer to write without AI assistance. 🛠️ How to Access Write It Myself When creating a new press release, navigate to Content → Content Genius (What are we writing today?) and choose Write it yourself. This opens a manual press release editor inside the full-page creation flow. 🧾 Manual Press Release Fields When writing a press release manually, you are required to complete standard press release fields, including Headline, Summary, and Body content. The editor supports hyperlinks, images, and anchor text placement. All content is validated to ensure it meets publishing requirements. ✅ Built-In Content Validation To reduce rejections and formatting issues, Search Atlas applies validation rules to manual press releases, including required field completion, content structure checks, and formatting compliance. These validations help ensure submissions meet editorial standards before distribution. 👀 Edit and Preview in Real Time You can edit content directly in the editor, preview the final press release instantly, and make updates without restarting the flow. There is no limit on how many times content can be edited before publishing. Search Atlas gives you the flexibility to write press releases manually, without relying on AI-generated content. The Write it myself option is ideal when you already have prepared copy or want full editorial control over tone, structure, and messaging. This workflow lets you write, edit, and review your press release directly inside the platform while still benefiting from built-in validations that help ensure your content meets publishing requirements. You can add links, images, and formatting as needed, and preview the final result instantly. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

📧 GMB Email Alerts and Guest Post Reassignment Explained

📋 Overview This article covers two common questions: why you may not be receiving email alerts for Google Business Profile (GMB) post authorizations, and what happens to your guest post submission after a publisher rejects it inside Link Laboratory. 📬 Why You Are Not Receiving GMB Post Authorization Email Alerts Search Atlas sends automated email alerts for certain ranking and activity events — but GMB post authorization alerts are not currently part of the standard email notification set. Here is what you need to know: - Rank-change alerts are supported for Google Search Console (GSC) data and fire when a meaningful rank shift is detected for tracked keywords. - Local SEO heatmap alerts are triggered when a position gain greater than 0 is recorded — even a gain as small as +0.1 will generate an email notification. - GMB post authorization alerts are a separate workflow. If you are not seeing these emails, it is most likely because this specific alert type is not yet active for your account configuration, or the notification did not meet the threshold required to trigger. To stay on top of GMB post activity, we recommend checking your Google Business Profile dashboard directly and monitoring your Local SEO heatmap inside Search Atlas regularly for position changes. 🔍 How to Check Your Email Notification Settings While granular GMB alert controls are managed by the Search Atlas team, you can confirm your account email and team setup by following these steps: 1. Click your avatar in the top-right corner of the platform. 2. Go to Settings → Email Settings from the dropdown menu. 3. Confirm that your email address is correctly listed on the Email Settings page. 4. If your email address is incorrect or missing, update it and click Save Changes. Having the correct email on file ensures you receive all platform notifications without delay. 🔄 What Happens When a Publisher Rejects Your Guest Post When you submit a guest post through Link Laboratory and the publisher rejects it, Search Atlas does not leave your placement stranded. Here is how the automatic reassignment process works: - After a publisher rejects your submission, a 72-hour Pending Action window opens on your placement. - During this window, the daily auto-assigner runs automatically and reassigns your rejected placement to a new, eligible publisher within the Link Laboratory network. - The reassignment targets publishers that match the original placement criteria — niche relevance, domain authority, and your campaign goals. - A spam-rescue and placement detector runs in parallel to ensure the reassigned placement avoids low-quality or flagged publisher sites before the new assignment is confirmed. You do not need to manually resubmit your guest post. The reassignment happens in the background within the 72-hour window. 📊 How to Track Your Placement Status To monitor where your guest post stands after a rejection, follow these steps: 1. Click your avatar in the top-right corner of the platform. 2. Go to Authority and select Link Building Exchange. 3. Click Go to Link Laboratory. 4. Locate your submission and check its current status. Once reassignment is complete, the status will update to reflect the new publisher assignment. If the 72-hour window passes and your placement has not been reassigned, or if you see an unexpected status, reach out to our support team for a manual review. 💡 Tips to Reduce Rejections Going Forward - Review publisher guidelines carefully before submitting. Each publisher in Link Laboratory lists its content requirements, niche focus, and formatting preferences. - Submit original, well-structured content that matches the publisher's audience. Generic or overly promotional articles are the most common rejection reason. - Check your anchor text and target URL to ensure they comply with the publisher's link policy before submission. - Use the placement detector insights to understand which publisher types are the best fit for your domain and campaign objectives. 🆘 Still Need Help? If you are not receiving expected email alerts after confirming your account details, or if your rejected guest post has not been reassigned after 72 hours, we are here to help. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

🧠 Using Knowledge Graph Data in Press Releases

Search Atlas allows users to pre-fill press release information using existing Brand Vault data associated with their projects. This helps speed up content creation and ensures consistency across brand assets. 🛠️ How Brand Vault Pre-Fill Works During press release creation, users can select an OTTO/Brand Vault project or a GBP (Google Business Profile) project (if available). When selected, Search Atlas automatically pre-fills available Brand Vault information, which may include business or entity details, descriptions, and images. ⚠️ Important Knowledge Graph Note Each press release gets its own per-release Knowledge Graph snapshot, seeded from your Brand Vault at creation time. Editing pre-filled information during press release creation only updates that press release's own snapshot — it does not write back to your shared Brand Vault. To update your Brand Vault data globally, edit it from the Brand Vault management area. 🔄 Switching Projects During Creation Users can unselect a project, switch between the OTTO/Brand Vault project or a GBP project, and update pre-filled data accordingly — all without restarting the press release creation process. To speed up press release creation and maintain consistency, Search Atlas allows you to pre-fill content using existing Brand Vault data linked to your projects. When you select an OTTO/Brand Vault project or GBP project during creation, relevant entity information such as descriptions or images can be automatically applied to your press release. This reduces repetitive data entry and helps ensure brand details remain consistent across distributions. The Brand Vault integration is designed as a time-saving enhancement, giving you a strong starting point while still allowing you to customize each press release as needed. Any edits made during creation apply only to that press release's own Knowledge Graph snapshot, keeping your core Brand Vault data intact. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

📰 Press Release Links: Nofollow vs Dofollow Explained

🔍 Why This Matters for Your SEO When you distribute a press release through Search Atlas, your story gets picked up by a network of news and media sites. A common question is: why do these links show as nofollow instead of dofollow? This article explains how PR link attributes work, what you can realistically expect, and how press releases still deliver genuine SEO value. 📋 What Are Nofollow and Dofollow Links? Every hyperlink on the web can carry an instruction that tells search engine crawlers how to treat it: - Dofollow links pass link equity (often called "link juice") from the linking page to your site, directly influencing your domain authority and rankings. - Nofollow links include a rel="nofollow" attribute that tells crawlers not to pass link equity. They do not directly boost domain authority in the same way. - Sponsored / UGC links are additional attributes used for paid placements or user-generated content, and are treated similarly to nofollow by major search engines. 📰 Why Press Release Links Are Almost Always Nofollow This is a deliberate, industry-wide practice — not a bug or an error. Here is why virtually every legitimate PR distribution network publishes nofollow links: 1. Google's own guidelines require it. Google explicitly states that links in press releases and other distributed content should be marked nofollow or sponsored. Sites that publish dofollow PR links risk a manual penalty for selling links. 2. Media outlets protect their authority. High-authority news sites (AP News, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, etc.) apply nofollow to syndicated content by default to comply with Google's policies and protect their own rankings. 3. It has been the standard since 2013. Following Google's Penguin updates, the SEO industry universally recognised that dofollow links in mass-distributed press releases are a manipulative link-building tactic. Reputable networks stopped offering them. Because of this, receiving zero dofollow links from a press release distribution is completely normal and expected — it does not indicate a problem with your campaign. 💡 Do Nofollow PR Links Have Any SEO Value? Yes — and this is an important nuance that is often misunderstood. Nofollow links from press releases contribute to your SEO in several meaningful ways: - Brand visibility and referral traffic. When your press release appears on high-traffic news sites, real users click through to your website. That traffic signal is valuable. - Brand name mentions. Even unlinked brand mentions are processed by Google as implied associations. A press release that places your brand name on authoritative domains strengthens brand recognition in search. - Natural link profile diversification. A healthy backlink profile contains a mix of dofollow and nofollow links. A profile with only dofollow links can look unnatural to Google's algorithms. - Indirect authority signals. Google has confirmed it uses nofollow as a "hint" rather than a hard rule. Some nofollow links from highly authoritative domains may still pass partial equity. - Earned dofollow links downstream. Journalists and bloggers who discover your press release may write their own articles and link to you with a dofollow link — a natural outcome that carries significant SEO weight. 🚀 How to Maximise the Value of Your Press Release To get the most out of every press release distribution, follow these best practices: - Link to a high-value page. Point your in-content links to a landing page, product page, or cornerstone blog post — not just your homepage. - Use natural anchor text. Avoid exact-match keyword anchors. Use your brand name or natural phrases like "learn more about [brand]" to keep your link profile clean. - Write genuinely newsworthy content. Press releases that cover real news — product launches, partnerships, data studies, awards — attract organic coverage from journalists who may add their own dofollow links. - Track referral traffic, not just backlinks. Measure the success of a press release by the traffic and leads it generates, alongside its backlink count. - Combine PR with other link-building tactics. Use press releases as one part of a broader strategy that includes guest posting, digital PR outreach, and HARO to build dofollow authority. ⚙️ What Search Atlas Delivers with PR Distribution When you use the Press Release Distribution feature in Search Atlas, your release is submitted to a curated network of news syndication partners. Here is what you can expect: - Publication on a network of recognised news and media sites - Links that comply with Google's webmaster guidelines (typically nofollow or sponsored) - Broad brand exposure across high-authority domains - A distribution report showing pickup sites and link details Dofollow links are not guaranteed and are not a standard deliverable of press release distribution, in line with industry norms and Google's policies. If your campaign report shows all nofollow links, your distribution has been completed correctly. ❓ Still Have Questions? If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team. Additional Notes There is no setting, upgrade, or workaround that changes press release links from nofollow to dofollow. Any tool or service claiming otherwise would put your site at risk of a Google manual penalty.

📰 Track and Expedite Your Press Release Distribution

📋 Overview When you submit press releases through Signal Genesys, distribution is handled automatically across a network of outlets. Most submissions process within the expected window, but if you need a status update — especially when a client is waiting — this article explains exactly what to do. 🔍 How to Check Your Press Release Status You can review the current state of any active press release directly inside the platform: 1. In the left sidebar, go to Authority → PR Distribution (Press Releases). 2. Locate the submission you want to check. 3. Click on the press release to view its current status. If the status shown does not give you enough detail for a client update, or if the submission appears to have stalled, contact our support team directly for a real-time progress report. 🚀 How to Request Expedited Processing If a press release has been pending longer than expected — or if you need to provide a timely update to a client — our support team can review the active job and escalate it internally if needed. To request expedited processing, have the following ready before reaching out: - The name of each press release you need help with - The submission date of each affected release - A brief note that the client update is time-sensitive Our team has direct visibility into active distribution jobs and can provide a real-time progress report or escalate priority where possible. 💡 Tips for Managing Client Expectations - Submit with lead time. Where possible, submit press releases ahead of any client-facing deadline to allow time for processing and follow-up if needed. - Contact support early. If you anticipate a tight turnaround, reach out to our team proactively so they can monitor the job on your behalf. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

➕ Create a Press Release in Search Atlas

Search Atlas has introduced a redesigned press release creation experience that makes publishing faster, more flexible, and easier to manage, all within a single, full-page workflow. This new flow replaces the previous modal-based experience and gives you greater control throughout the entire creation process. 🛠️ How to Start a New Press Release From the Search Atlas left sidebar, go to Authority → PR Distribution (Press Releases) and click New Release. This opens the new multi-step press release creation experience in a full-page view. ✅ Full-Page Editor Experience The press release creation flow now opens as a dedicated page instead of a modal. This lets you focus on content creation without interruptions, move between steps without losing progress, and review all inputs more clearly. 🔁 Flexible Step Navigation You can move forward and backward between steps during the creation process, including returning to earlier steps to make adjustments, switching between content creation options, and reviewing inputs before publishing. This flexibility was not available in the previous flow. 👀 Inline Review and Preview The new experience lets you edit press release content, preview the final output, and make changes in real time, all from the same view, without navigating to separate pages. 📤 Completing the Creation Process Once your content is finalized, you move to the Distribution Channels step to select publishing options and complete submission. Distribution channel selection, tiering, and performance metrics are covered in the Press Release Distribution Updates article. Creating a press release in Search Atlas is now faster, clearer, and more flexible. The redesigned flow replaces the previous modal-based experience with a full-page workspace that guides you through each step, letting you navigate between steps, make adjustments without losing progress, and preview your press release in real time before publishing. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

✍️ Write and Publish Custom Press Release Content

📋 Overview Search Atlas supports writing and publishing press release content using your own text — no AI generation required. This article explains what to have ready and how to get help completing a custom press release workflow inside the platform. What We Know About This Workflow The custom press release creation and publishing workflow allows you to write your own press release text directly inside Search Atlas rather than relying on AI-generated content. Because the exact steps and available options depend on your account configuration and the current state of the platform, we recommend reaching out to our support team directly so they can walk you through the correct process for your specific setup. Before You Contact Support — Have These Details Ready To help our team assist you as quickly as possible, please have the following information available when you open a support conversation: - Your project or workspace name — so the team can locate your account quickly. - A description of what you are trying to do — for example, whether you want to write a press release from scratch, paste in existing text, or publish finished content to a CMS or external destination. - The specific step where you are getting stuck — describe exactly what you see on screen and what happens (or does not happen) when you try to proceed. - Any error messages — copy the exact wording of any error or warning you encounter. - Screenshots if possible — these help the team identify the correct tool or panel for your workflow. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

🚀 Manage Connections Hub Email and SMS

The Manage Connections hub has replaced the former Manage Connected Emails screen, bringing email and SMS channel setup into a single, unified interface. This update gives campaign managers greater flexibility and control over their outreach channels without switching between separate settings. What's New The Manage Connections hub is a new channel-agnostic settings area that consolidates both email and SMS configuration in one place. Previously, campaign managers could only manage connected email accounts. Now you can also bring your own SMS sending channel by connecting a Twilio account directly within the same hub. This eliminates the need to manage sending channels separately and streamlines campaign channel setup for teams running multi-channel outreach. How to Use It 1. Navigate to the Manage Connections hub in your platform settings (previously labeled Manage Connected Emails). 2. To add an email channel, select the email option and follow the connection flow. 3. To add an SMS channel, select the SMS option and enter your Twilio credentials to connect your account. 4. Once connected, your SMS sending channel will be available alongside email when setting up or editing campaigns. What to Expect The Manage Connected Emails entry point has been fully replaced by Manage Connections. SMS support is bring-your-own (BYO) via Twilio, meaning you must have an active Twilio account and valid credentials to enable SMS sending. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

🔍 Locate and Use OTTO's Press Release Feature

Overview The Press Release feature in OTTO has its own dedicated section inside the OTTO dashboard. If you are having trouble locating it, or if you have questions about how the Press Release Knowledge Graph percentage relates to your client's main Knowledge Graph score, this article will help you get started and escalate effectively if needed. Finding the Press Release Feature in OTTO The Press Release section is located in the left sidebar under Authority (Press Releases). To find it, log in to your Search Atlas account and navigate to Left sidebar → Authority (Press Releases). If you are unable to locate the Press Release section after loading your client workspace, it is possible the feature may not be enabled for your account or that it requires additional setup. In that case, please reach out to our support team so they can confirm whether the feature is available for your plan and guide you to the correct location. Understanding Press Release Knowledge Graph Completion You may notice that the Knowledge Graph completion percentage shown in the Press Release section differs from your client's main Knowledge Graph score. This is expected behavior — the two scores track different sets of data and will not always match. Having a high main Knowledge Graph score does not automatically mean your Press Release Knowledge Graph score will be equally high. If you are unsure why your Press Release Knowledge Graph score shows a particular value, or if you need help understanding which information still needs to be provided, contact our support team and share the following details so they can assist you efficiently: - The name of the client account you are working with - The current Press Release Knowledge Graph percentage you are seeing - Any specific error messages or unexpected behavior you have encountered - A screenshot of the relevant section if possible Next Steps If you can locate the Press Release section but are unsure how to complete the required information or generate a press release, our support team can walk you through the process for your specific account. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

🗺️ Embed Google Maps Links in Press Releases

🔍 Overview When building a press release in Search Atlas, you can include a Google Maps link to help readers find a business location. However, Google Maps does not always provide a plain URL directly — it often gives you an iframe embed code instead. Pasting that iframe code into the press release field will cause a link error. You need to extract the URL from inside the iframe code first. This article walks you through the complete process. 📋 What You Will Need - A Google Maps embed code for the location you want to link (available from Google Maps Share menu) - Access to the Search Atlas platform - A press release project open or ready to create 🗂️ Step 1: Get the Embed Code from Google Maps 1. Open Google Maps in your browser and search for the business or location you want to feature. 2. Click Share on the location panel. 3. Select the Embed a map tab in the Share dialog. 4. Copy the full iframe code that appears. It will look similar to this: <iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=…" width="600" height="450">``</iframe> ✂️ Step 2: Extract the URL from the Iframe Code You only need the URL value that sits inside the src="" attribute of the iframe — not the entire iframe tag. 1. Look at the copied iframe code and locate the part that begins with src=". 2. Highlight and copy only the URL that appears between the quotation marks after src=. The URL starts with https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb= and ends before the closing quotation mark. 3. Do not include the surrounding quotation marks or any other part of the iframe tag. For example, from this iframe code: <iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18…" width="600" height="450">``</iframe> You would copy only: https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18… 📝 Step 3: Add the URL to Your Press Release 1. In Search Atlas, navigate to Left sidebar → Authority (Press Releases) and open your press release project, or start a new one. 2. Locate the Google Maps link field inside the press release editor. 3. Paste the extracted URL (the src value only) directly into that field. 4. Save or continue editing your press release as normal. The platform will now correctly process the link and display the map location without generating a link error. ⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid - Pasting the full iframe code — Search Atlas expects a plain URL, not HTML code. Always strip out the iframe tags before pasting. - Using the short share link — The short link from the Send a link tab (e.g., https://maps.app.goo.gl/…) may not be accepted in the maps field. Use the full embed URL from the Embed a map tab instead. - Including quotation marks — Make sure no quotation marks from the iframe code are included when you paste the URL into Search Atlas. 💡 Quick Reference - Go to Google Maps → Share → Embed a map - Copy only the URL inside src="…" - Paste that URL into the Google Maps field in your press release 🆘 Need Help? If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

📰 Press Release Links: Nofollow, Dofollow, and SEO Value

📋 Overview If you ran a press release through Search Atlas and noticed that all the links pointing back to your site are marked as nofollow, this is completely expected. It is not a bug, a platform error, or a result of publication dates. Press release distribution links are nofollow by industry standard, and this applies to every press release distributed through any major PR network — not just Search Atlas. This article explains why that is the case, what SEO value press releases still provide, and how to use Search Atlas tools to acquire dofollow backlinks as part of a complete link-building strategy. 🔗 Why Are Press Release Links Always Nofollow? When a press release is distributed across a wire service or syndication network, the publications that pick it up apply nofollow attributes to outbound links automatically. This happens for several reasons: - Google guidelines: Google has long advised that links in press releases and other large-scale distributed content should be nofollow to avoid appearing as manipulative link schemes. Reputable publications follow this guidance to protect their own domain authority. - Editorial policy: News sites and wire publishers treat syndicated press release content differently from editorially placed links. Because the content is paid or distributed rather than independently written, links are tagged accordingly. - Network-wide enforcement: PR Newswire, Business Wire, PRWeb, and every other major distribution network apply nofollow to outbound links by default. This is a network-level decision, not something Search Atlas or individual publishers control on a per-release basis. There is no setting, upgrade, or workaround that changes press release links from nofollow to dofollow. Any tool or service claiming otherwise would put your site at risk of a Google manual penalty. 📊 Do Press Releases Provide Any SEO Value? Yes — press releases contribute to your SEO strategy in meaningful ways even without passing direct link equity. - Brand visibility and indexing: Press releases published on high-authority news domains help Google discover your brand name, products, and URLs more quickly. - Referral traffic: Readers who see your press release on a news site can click through to your site, generating real visits regardless of link attribution. - Earned media opportunities: Journalists and bloggers who find your press release may independently cover your story and link to you with a fully editorial, dofollow link — which carries full SEO weight. - Brand authority signals: Consistent press coverage builds topical authority and brand recognition, which indirectly supports rankings over time. Think of press releases as awareness and credibility tools, not direct link-building vehicles. 🛠️ How to Acquire Dofollow Backlinks With Search Atlas If your goal is to build dofollow backlinks that directly pass link equity to your site, Search Atlas has dedicated tools for that purpose. Press release distribution and link building are complementary strategies — not the same thing. 1. Link Building Tool: Use the Link Building module to identify prospects, manage outreach campaigns, and track placements. These are editorial or placement-based links that can be dofollow. 2. Prospecting and Outreach: Search Atlas lets you research high-authority domains in your niche and build targeted outreach lists for guest posts, resource links, and partnership placements. 3. Backlink Analyzer: Monitor your existing backlink profile to understand your current dofollow-to-nofollow ratio and identify gaps to address in your link-building plan. 4. HARO and Digital PR integration: Combine your press release strategy with reactive PR tactics. When journalists cite your press release and write original coverage, those inbound links are often dofollow. A strong SEO backlink strategy typically uses press releases for reach and visibility while relying on dedicated link-building outreach for dofollow acquisition. ⚠️ Common Misconceptions to Avoid - "My press release links are broken." Nofollow links are not broken links. They are functioning links with a specific attribute that tells search engines not to pass PageRank through them. - "This is a 2021 policy change." There was no date-specific policy change affecting press release link attributes. Nofollow on press release links has been the industry norm for over a decade. - "I can republish the release to get dofollow links." There is no republish feature that converts nofollow links to dofollow links. This is not a supported function in Search Atlas or on any PR distribution network. - "Nofollow links are worthless." Nofollow links still drive traffic, support brand indexing, and can trigger earned media coverage that results in dofollow placements. ✅ Quick Reference: Press Releases vs. Link Building - Press releases → Brand awareness, media pickup, referral traffic, indexing signals, nofollow links - Link Building Tool → Targeted outreach, editorial placements, dofollow backlinks, direct link equity - Best practice → Use both together for a complete off-page SEO strategy If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

📘 Optimizing Articles for Technical SEO Using Quantum Newswire

📋 What You'll Learn This article walks you through how to maximize SEO impact using the Quantum Newswire platform, as demonstrated in a live training session with an agency. The walkthrough covers: - Best practices for internal and external linking in your articles - How to leverage Google Business Profile (GBP) post images to reinforce local relevance - How to add structured on-page signals to enhance indexing - How to use "People Also Ask" (PAA) questions to enrich topical depth and search intent 🎬 Watch the Training Video Watch a full training session where we demonstrate these strategies in real-time: ⚡ Quick Tips to Remember - Linking Strategy: Include contextual internal links to other relevant content. Use descriptive, relevant anchor text — avoid over-optimized exact-match anchor text, which can trigger spam signals. - On-Page Signals: Add schema markup (structured data) and bold key terms to aid crawler understanding and enable rich results in search. - GBP Images: Use branded images from Google Business Profile posts to strengthen local SEO signals. Note that geotagging image EXIF data is not a confirmed Google ranking factor for local SEO — focus instead on accurate GBP category, NAP consistency, and image file names. - People Also Ask: Pull real questions from Google's PAA boxes and answer them directly and concisely in your articles to improve topical depth and featured-snippet eligibility. 💡 Pro Tip Always include a mix of keyword-driven headings, embedded media, and FAQ sections to give Google rich, indexable content. Use structured data (e.g., FAQPage or Article schema) to help search engines surface your content in enhanced search features. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

🔑 Generate a Google App Password for SMTP/IMAP

📋 Overview Google App Passwords let you authorize third-party tools like OTTO PPC to send and receive email on your behalf without sharing your main Google account password. You must complete every step below exactly as described — skipping any step is the most common reason setup fails. Before you start: Google App Passwords are only available if your Google account has 2-Step Verification (2FA) turned on. If 2FA is not yet enabled, follow the steps in the Enable 2-Step Verification section first. ✅ Step 1 — Enable 2-Step Verification (if not already active) 1. Go to myaccount.google.com and sign in to the Google account you want to use for your campaign. 2. Click Security in the left-hand navigation panel. 3. Under the How you sign in to Google section, click 2-Step Verification. 4. Click Get started and follow the on-screen prompts to complete 2FA enrollment. 5. Once finished, you will see a green confirmation that 2-Step Verification is On. Return to the Security page to continue. 🔐 Step 2 — Open the App Passwords Page 1. While still on the Security page of your Google Account (myaccount.google.com/security), scroll down to the How you sign in to Google section. 2. Click 2-Step Verification to open that section. 3. Scroll to the very bottom of the 2-Step Verification page until you see the App passwords option. 4. Click App passwords. You may be prompted to re-enter your Google account password — do so to continue. Note: If you do not see App passwords, your account may be managed by a Google Workspace administrator who has disabled this feature. Contact your IT or Google Workspace admin to enable it. ⚙️ Step 3 — Create the App Password 1. On the App passwords page, enter a descriptive name in the text field to identify this password (for example: OTTO PPC SMTP). 2. Click the Create button to generate your app password. 📋 Step 4 — Copy the Generated Password 1. A dialog will appear on screen displaying a 16-character password made up of four groups of four letters (for example: abcd efgh ijkl mnop). 2. Copy the full 16-character password immediately. Use the copy button if shown, or highlight all characters manually and copy them. 3. Store this password somewhere safe — Google will not show it to you again after you close the dialog. 🔗 Step 5 — Enter the App Password in OTTO PPC 1. Return to the OTTO PPC email setup screen where you are configuring your SMTP/IMAP connection. 2. When prompted for your Gmail password, paste the 16-character app password instead of your regular Google account password. 3. Complete any remaining fields in the setup screen and save your settings. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

📧 Email Campaign Over-Sending: Root Causes and Prevention

🔍 Overview If your email campaign sent to more contacts than you expected — or produced an unexpectedly high number of bounces — there are several common configuration areas to investigate. This article outlines the known categories of risk so you can review your setup and reduce the likelihood of over-sending before your next campaign. ⚠️ Common Cause 1: Exclusion Lists Not Carried Over When Cloning When you clone an existing campaign, suppression or exclusion lists attached to the original may not transfer automatically to the cloned version. Contacts you previously suppressed — such as unsubscribes, bounced addresses, or opted-out users — could be included again. What to check: - After cloning a campaign, review the audience configuration of the new campaign and confirm that any suppression or exclusion lists from the original have been re-applied manually. - Make this check a standard part of your cloning workflow, before editing content or scheduling the send. 👥 Common Cause 2: Duplicate Contacts Across Audience Sources If the same email address exists in multiple lists or segments that are all included in one campaign, that contact may receive more than one message. This inflates your send count and can harm your sender reputation. What to check: - Review all lists and segments selected as your audience and look for overlapping contacts. - Consult your campaign's audience settings to see whether your platform offers any deduplication option, and confirm it is enabled if available. - Consolidate overlapping lists before launch and maintain a single master suppression list rather than several partial ones. 🔄 Common Cause 3: Dynamic Segments Add Contacts After You Review Dynamic segments continuously update their membership based on rules — for example, "all contacts who visited a page in the last 30 days." If your campaign targets a dynamic segment, new qualifying contacts can be added automatically between the time you review the audience and the time the campaign actually sends. This is expected behavior, but it can cause a higher-than-anticipated send count. What to check: - Identify whether any segment in your audience is dynamic (rule-based and continuously updated). - If you need a fixed send count, consider converting the relevant segment to a static list at the point of review, so membership is locked before the campaign sends. - If you keep a dynamic segment, be aware that the final recipient count may differ from the count shown during review. 📋 Common Cause 4: Audience Configuration Reviewed at the Wrong Time Reviewing your estimated audience count well in advance of the scheduled send time can lead to a mismatch, particularly if your contact database is actively changing. New contacts imported, contacts re-added after being removed, or list membership changes can all affect the final send count. What to check: - Review your audience configuration as close to the send time as practical. - Confirm that your suppression and exclusion sources reflect your most current opt-out and bounce data before finalizing the send. 📞 Need Help Investigating a Specific Campaign? If you have already reviewed the areas above and are still seeing unexpected send counts or bounce rates, escalate to the support team with the following information ready: - The name of the affected campaign - The approximate send date and time - The expected recipient count versus the actual sent count - Whether the campaign was cloned from another campaign - Whether any dynamic segments were used in the audience - Any error messages or bounce reports you have received If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

📰 Press Release Cancellation, Deletion, and Credit Recovery

🔍 Overview This article explains what you can and cannot do once a press release distribution has started, what happens to already-distributed copies if you delete a press release, and how credits are handled in each scenario. ⏳ Can I Cancel a Press Release That Is Currently Publishing? Once a press release enters Publishing status, the distribution process has already begun and cannot be cancelled. At this stage, your content is actively being sent to the selected distribution channels, and interrupting that process is not possible from within the platform. If you notice an error in your press release before it reaches Publishing status, act quickly — you may still be able to edit or delete it before distribution starts. 🗑️ What Happens If I Delete a Press Release After Distribution? Deleting a press release from Search Atlas removes it from your account dashboard only. It does not retract or remove copies that have already been distributed to third-party outlets, wire services, or media channels. Once content is published to external platforms, Search Atlas has no ability to recall or unpublish those copies. Before deleting a distributed press release, keep these points in mind: - All external publications remain live and indexed independently of your Search Atlas account. - Deletion is permanent — the press release record and its distribution history will no longer be accessible in your dashboard. - If you need a record of where your press release was distributed, save or export that information before deleting. 💳 Will I Recover Credits If I Cancel or Delete? Credit recovery depends on what stage the press release was in when it was cancelled or deleted: - Cancelled before distribution starts: If your press release is deleted before it enters Publishing status and no channels have received the content, your credits will be returned to your account. - Deleted after distribution completes: Credits are not refunded. Because the distribution was successfully carried out, the credits consumed are considered used regardless of whether you later delete the press release from your dashboard. - Failed press releases: If a press release fails to publish due to a platform or distribution error, it will not consume your quota. Credits are only deducted for successfully distributed press releases. 📋 Quick Reference Summary - Publishing status — cancel: Not possible once distribution has begun. - Delete after publication: Removes from dashboard only; external copies remain live. - Credits after successful distribution + deletion: Not recoverable. - Credits after a failed distribution: Not consumed; quota is preserved. - Credits cancelled before distribution: Returned to your account. 💡 Best Practices Before Distributing 1. Proofread your press release thoroughly before submitting it for distribution. 2. Confirm your selected channels are correct — channel selections cannot be changed once Publishing begins. 3. Preview all content, links, and contact details to avoid errors that require a follow-up release. 🛠️ Need Further Help? If you believe credits were incorrectly charged, or if you have a specific situation not covered above, our team can review your account. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

📰 Press Release Distribution Delays Explained

⏱️ Why Does Press Release Distribution Take Time? After you submit a press release through Left sidebar → Authority → PR Distribution, it enters a distribution pipeline that syndicates your content across a network of news outlets and publisher channels. This process is not instant — standard distribution typically takes 2–5 business days from the moment your press release is submitted and payment is confirmed. Several factors can extend this window beyond the standard timeframe: - High submission volume: Periods of elevated demand across all customers can slow queue processing. - Content review: Press releases are reviewed to ensure they meet publisher guidelines before going live. Content that requires revisions may take additional time. - Channel availability: Distribution occasionally experiences delays if a scheduled publisher channel is temporarily unavailable. Our team resolves these automatically. - Submission timing: Press releases submitted late on a Friday or before a public holiday will begin processing on the next business day. 📋 How to Check Your Press Release Status You can monitor the current status of any press release at any time directly inside the platform: 1. Go to Left sidebar → Authority → PR Distribution. 2. Locate your press release in the list. 3. Check the status label next to the entry — common statuses include Pending, Processing, and Published. 4. Click Published to filter and view only live press releases and confirm which ones have completed distribution. If a status has not changed for more than 7 business days, this is outside the expected range and warrants escalation. 🚀 Can I Expedite a Pending Press Release? Expedited processing is available in certain circumstances. If your press release has been in a Pending or Processing status for longer than expected and you have a time-sensitive publication deadline, our support team can manually prioritise your submission in the queue. To request expedited processing, please have the following information ready before contacting support: - The title of the press release(s) you need expedited. - The date each press release was originally submitted. - The reason for the urgency (e.g. tied to a product launch, event, or announcement date). Our team will review the request and confirm whether expedited processing can be applied to your specific submissions. 📌 What to Do If Two or More Press Releases Are Delayed If multiple press releases are pending at the same time and neither has gone live after a week, it is best to report all affected submissions together in a single support conversation. This allows our team to investigate the queue status for your account holistically and resolve any underlying issues affecting your releases simultaneously, rather than handling each one separately. When you reach out, list each affected press release by title and submission date so the team can locate them quickly. ✅ Tips to Avoid Future Delays - Submit early: Allow at least 5–7 business days ahead of any deadline to account for review and distribution time. - Follow content guidelines: Press releases that meet publisher standards move through review faster. Avoid promotional language, unsupported claims, or missing contact details in the body of the release. - Confirm payment: Verify your billing is up to date under Top-right corner (avatar) → Billing → Plans & Top-ups before submitting. A payment issue can pause distribution without an obvious on-screen error. - Submit one at a time when timing matters: If two releases are time-sensitive, stagger submissions so each one is confirmed as processing before you submit the next. 💬 Still Need Help? If your press release has been pending for more than 7 business days, or you need to request expedited processing, our team is ready to assist. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

🔔 Manage GMB Alerts and Guest Post Reassignment

📋 Overview This article covers two common tasks: configuring alerts for Google Business Profile (GBP) posts that require your authorization, and requesting a new placement when a guest post is rejected. Both of these involve backend actions handled by our support team. This article explains what to expect and what information to have ready when you reach out. 🔔 Google Business Profile Post Notifications Search Atlas can notify you when a GBP post is awaiting your approval before it goes live. These alerts help you act quickly and keep your publishing schedule on track. What triggers a notification? You will receive an alert when a GBP post is queued and requires your authorization before publishing. Important notes about notification setup: - Notification channel configuration is handled on the backend by our support team. - If you are not receiving alerts, or need to change how or where you are notified, a support agent can update your settings on your behalf. What to have ready when escalating: - Your account email address. - A description of the notification issue (for example, not receiving alerts at all, or receiving them on the wrong channel). - The name or identifier of the GBP post involved, if applicable. 🔗 Requesting a New Guest Post Placement If your guest post submission was rejected by a publisher, our support team can assist you in getting it reassigned to a new placement. This is a backend action that requires an agent to process on your behalf. What to have ready when escalating: - Your account email address. - Details about the rejected guest post (such as the order or placement reference). - Any relevant context about the rejection, including when it occurred. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

TNN Syndication Channel: Publications and Coverage Details

What Is the TNN Syndication Channel? The TNN syndication channel is a press release distribution option available in Search Atlas. It distributes your press release to a curated network of news and media publications, helping you build backlinks and brand visibility across multiple authoritative domains. Which Publications Are Included? The TNN network distributes press releases across a broad set of news and media outlets. The specific outlets that pick up any individual release can vary based on your content's topic, timing, and fit with each publication's editorial focus. This is standard across syndication networks — not every outlet in the network will publish every release. Once your press release has been distributed, you can check for live coverage by: - Searching for your press release headline in Google News or a standard web search to find syndicated pickup URLs. - Using a backlink monitoring tool (such as Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz) to discover newly acquired backlinks pointing to your domain after distribution. - Checking the press release distribution report inside your Search Atlas account, where published syndication links are surfaced after your release goes live. What Are the Domain Ratings of TNN Publications? Domain ratings (DR) across the TNN network vary by outlet. Because outlet composition and individual site metrics change over time, there is no single fixed DR list. To evaluate the authority of your specific coverage: - Collect the live syndication URLs for your release (via Google News search or your backlink tool). - Run each URL through your preferred DR tool — such as Ahrefs Site Explorer, Moz Domain Authority checker, or Semrush — to get up-to-date metrics. - Focus your SEO reporting on the outlets with the strongest authority and traffic metrics relative to your target niche or geography. How to Evaluate Your TNN Coverage Once you have your live syndication URLs, you can assess coverage quality by: - Checking each outlet's DR and estimated organic traffic using a backlink analysis tool. - Identifying which outlets align best with your target audience, niche, or geographic market. - Monitoring new referring domains in your Search Atlas dashboard or a third-party backlink tracker to confirm links are being indexed. When Does My Press Release Go Live? Syndication timing varies by outlet, as each publication in the TNN network operates on its own publishing schedule. In most cases, distribution begins within one to two business days of submission. If your release does not appear in search results or your backlink tools within a few business days of your expected go-live date, that is the right time to escalate for a status check. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.

📦 Why Some of My PR Links Show an "Archive" Status

If you notice that some of your press release links are labeled "Archive" in your report, this means that the distribution site received your content but did not successfully publish it as a live, indexed article. Here is what you need to know about the Archive status: - It is not a Search Atlas error. The Archive status is determined entirely by the distribution site itself. Each distributor has its own internal selection criteria, editorial standards, and content category requirements that dictate whether a submission is published or archived. - It is outside of our control. Because the decision rests with the third-party distributor, we are unable to force a site to publish content that it has chosen not to feature as a live article. - Your report can be cleaned up. If you would prefer not to have Archive links appear in your report, we can remove them for you so your results reflect only successfully published placements. If you would like Archive links removed from your report, or if you have any other questions about your PR distribution results, please use the in-app live chat widget to chat with a human teammate and we will be happy to assist you.

📡 What Is Signal Boost and How Does It Work?

Signal Boost is a feature within Search Atlas that enhances the reach of your press releases by indexing them and distributing them across a broader network of news sites beyond the standard distribution channels. When you apply Signal Boost to a press release, it works in two key ways: - Wider distribution: Your press release is pushed out to an extended network of news sites that goes beyond what standard distribution covers, increasing the number of outlets that carry your content. - Improved indexing: The press release is indexed more broadly, helping search engines discover and recognize the content faster and more consistently. Together, these two mechanisms improve the overall visibility of your press release and strengthen its search engine traction. This makes Signal Boost particularly valuable when you want to deliver greater impact for your clients, whether that means more brand exposure, stronger link signals, or broader media presence. If you have questions about whether Signal Boost is right for a specific campaign or need help applying it to a press release, feel free to chat with a human teammate directly through the in-app live chat widget.

🚩 Why Your Press Release Was Flagged for Potentially Offensive Content

If you received an error message about potentially offensive content when submitting your press release, you may be wondering exactly which word or phrase triggered it. This article explains why the flag occurs and what steps are taken to resolve it. Why does this error appear? Certain words or phrases in a press release can automatically trigger our system's offensive content filter. This does not necessarily mean your content is inappropriate — sometimes neutral or industry-specific language can unintentionally match patterns the system monitors. Can I find out which specific part caused the flag? At this time, our system does not yet identify the exact word or phrase that triggered the error. Our team is actively working on improvements to provide that level of detail in the future. We apologize for any inconvenience this limitation may cause. What happens to my press release now? - Our team has reviewed your press release manually. - Your content has been confirmed as good to go. - Your press release will be published on your originally scheduled date — no action is needed on your part. You do not need to edit or resubmit your press release unless a member of our team specifically contacts you to request changes. If you have additional questions or concerns about your submission, please use the in-app live chat widget to chat with a human teammate who can assist you further.

✏️ Do I Have to Pay Extra to Edit a Press Release?

Yes, editing a press release after submission does involve an additional charge. This is because the edited version must go through the same review and approval process as the original submission — including a fresh round of evaluation that may result in approval or rejection before the press release is published. Here is what you need to know about your options when you need to make changes: - Paid editing (standard process): If you submit an edit through the platform, the updated press release will be treated as a new submission. It will re-enter the full review queue and be evaluated accordingly before any publication decision is made. - Free minor edits (while in pending status only): If your press release is still in a pending status and you would like to avoid re-evaluation and the associated editing fee, you can reach out and share your requested changes directly. If the changes are minor, a moderator may be able to apply the adjustments before the approval process begins — at no additional cost. To take advantage of the free minor-edit option, please make sure to act quickly, as this is only available while the press release remains in pending status. Once it has moved further along in the review process, the paid editing route will apply. If you are unsure which option is right for your situation, or if you have questions about the status of your press release, please use the in-app chat to connect with a human teammate who can help you right away.

🔗 Are the Links in My PR or Guest Post Do-Follow?

Whether your links pass SEO equity depends on which Search Atlas feature you are using to publish or distribute content. The two main placements — Press Releases (Signal Genesys) and LinkLab guest posts — follow different rules. Press Releases (Signal Genesys) All links in a press release are no-follow. The distribution template automatically applies the rel="nofollow" attribute to every link included in the release. This applies to: - Links embedded in the body content of the press release - The company website link included in the contact section - Any social media profile links This is a hard-coded standard across the entire Signal Genesys distribution network. It exists to ensure compliance with search engine guidelines for syndicated content and cannot be changed on a per-release basis. LinkLab (Guest Posts and Backlinks) Links placed through LinkLab can be either do-follow or no-follow, depending on the individual publisher's settings. Each publication listed in the LinkLab catalog has a designated link type assigned by the publisher: - DOFOLLOW — The publisher permits standard link equity to pass through to your site. - NOFOLLOW — The publisher applies the no-follow attribute to outbound links. You can check the link attribute for any specific publication before purchasing or approving a placement. To do this, browse the LinkLab catalog directly or review an Authority Blueprint, where the link type is displayed for each publication. If you have questions about a specific placement or need help identifying the right publications for your link-building goals, please use the in-app chat to connect with a human teammate.

📡 What Signal Boost Does That Standard Publishing Doesn't

When you publish a press release through Search Atlas, you have two options: standard publishing and Signal Boost. While standard publishing distributes your press release to a solid baseline of news outlets, Signal Boost takes that distribution significantly further. Signal Boost expands your press release's reach by distributing it to a wider range of news sites and content aggregators that are not included in the standard publishing tier. This broader distribution increases the number of places your press release appears online, which can lead to greater brand visibility, more referral traffic, and stronger overall content syndication. Here is a quick summary of what sets Signal Boost apart: - Distribution to a wider range of news sites beyond the standard publishing network - Increased presence across content aggregators that pick up and republish syndicated news Signal Boost is best suited for announcements where maximum reach is a priority, such as product launches, major company milestones, or time-sensitive news you want to spread as widely as possible. If you have questions about whether Signal Boost is the right choice for your press release, or if you need help selecting the best publishing option for your goals, please use the chat widget in the app to connect with a human teammate.

📰 How Many Press Releases Should You Publish Each Month?

The ideal number of press releases to publish each month largely depends on your specific marketing goals and budget. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but understanding the general guidelines can help you build a strategy that works for your business. For consistent brand visibility, many Search Atlas clients aim to publish between 4 and 10 press releases per month. This range provides a steady cadence that helps maintain a regular presence in search results and news channels without overextending your resources. Here are a few factors to consider when deciding how many PRs to publish: - Marketing goals: If you are focused on aggressive brand awareness or launching a new product, a higher volume of PRs can help you gain traction more quickly. If your goals are more modest or long-term, a lower cadence may be sufficient. - Budget: Each press release represents an investment of time and money. Make sure the volume you choose is sustainable within your current budget without sacrificing quality. - Content quality: It is always better to publish fewer, high-quality press releases than to flood channels with thin or repetitive content. Each PR should offer genuine news value to your audience. - Industry and competition: More competitive industries may benefit from a higher publishing frequency to stay visible alongside competitors who are also actively distributing content. Start with a cadence that feels manageable, track your results over time, and adjust your volume based on the visibility and traffic outcomes you observe. If you are unsure what frequency makes sense for your specific situation, feel free to chat with a human teammate directly in the app for personalized guidance.

📰 Why Doesn't My PR Preview Reflect Recent Updates?

If you have recently edited a published press release and noticed that the preview does not immediately reflect your changes, this is expected behavior. Updates to a PR do not always appear in the preview right away after saving. We recommend allowing some time after making your edits before checking whether the changes have been applied. This allows sufficient time for the updates to propagate and appear in the preview. There is also an important limitation to be aware of regarding distribution: - Not all distribution partners support edits or updates once a press release has been published. This means that even after waiting, some syndicated versions of your PR on third-party platforms may not reflect your changes, depending on the policies of each individual distribution partner. To summarize what you can expect after editing a published PR: - Allow some time for changes to be reflected in the preview, then check back to see if the updates have been applied. - Keep in mind that some distribution partners may not support post-publication edits, so not every syndicated copy of your PR is guaranteed to be updated. If your changes are still not visible after a reasonable wait, or if you have further questions about your specific distribution, please use the in-app live chat widget to chat with a human teammate who can look into this for you.

📡 Available Press Release Distribution Channels

When you distribute a press release through Search Atlas, your content is sent to a curated network of established media outlets and distribution partners, including: - GoMedia - GoMedia 2 - GoCanada - GoInvest - Newsmax - Frankly - Digital Journal - MarketWatch - AP News - Yahoo - USA Today - USA Today News - NewsRamp - TheStreet - Street Insider - Benzinga - AFP News - Apple News - StockTwits - Local XPR These channels work together to help maximize the reach and visibility of your press releases across broadcast and digital media landscapes. If you have questions about which channel is best suited for your goals, or if you need help getting started, feel free to chat with a human teammate using the live chat widget in the app.

✉️ Digital PR

Search Atlas's Digital PR tool lets you discover media prospects, send personalized pitches from a connected mailbox, and automatically verify live backlink placements — all from one dashboard. 🎯 What Is Digital PR? Digital PR is the practice of earning high-quality backlinks and brand mentions by securing coverage on authoritative online publications, news outlets, blogs, and media platforms. Unlike traditional link building, Digital PR focuses on creating genuinely newsworthy content and pitching it to relevant journalists, editors, and influencers. Search Atlas's Digital PR tool centralizes your outreach workflow, prospect research, and campaign tracking so you can scale earned-media efforts without switching between multiple platforms. ⚡ Key Features 🔍 Prospect Discovery Find journalists, bloggers, and editors who cover topics relevant to your niche using built-in search and filtering. 🗂️ Contact Management Store and organize media contacts, track relationship history, and add notes to each prospect profile. 📊 Campaign Tracking Group outreach efforts into campaigns and monitor open rates, reply rates, and link placements from a single dashboard. Note: Open and reply rate tracking requires a connected email account. See 📧 Connecting Your Email Account below for setup instructions. ✅ Backlink Verification Automatically detect when a placement goes live and confirm whether the backlink is dofollow or nofollow. 📈 Performance Reporting Measure the SEO impact of earned links with domain authority metrics, traffic estimates, and anchor text analysis. 📧 Connecting Your Email Account Before you can send pitches or track opens and replies, connect at least one sending mailbox. Go to Authority Building → Digital PR → Settings → Email Accounts and choose the connection method that matches your provider. Gmail (OAuth) Select Connect with Google, sign in to your Google account, and approve the requested permissions. Your Gmail mailbox connects in one click — no passwords or server settings required. Outlook, Microsoft 365, Yahoo, iCloud, Zoho, Fastmail, and custom domains (SMTP/IMAP) Select Connect via SMTP/IMAP and enter your email address. Search Atlas performs an automatic MX-based provider lookup and pre-fills the correct SMTP and IMAP server settings for supported providers, including Outlook, Microsoft 365, Yahoo, iCloud, Zoho, Fastmail, and most custom domains. Enter your mailbox password (or app password, where required) to finish the connection. Manual SMTP/IMAP configuration If auto-detection cannot resolve your provider, enter the SMTP and IMAP host, port, encryption type, username, and password manually. Click Test Connection to confirm the settings work, then save. You will see a green confirmation message once the mailbox is verified and ready to send. 🚀 Setting Up a Digital PR Campaign Step 1 – Define Your Campaign Goal Navigate to Authority Building → Digital PR and click New Campaign. Give the campaign a descriptive name and set a target metric — such as a number of live placements or a minimum domain authority threshold — so you can measure success clearly. Set a campaign end date if you want automatic reporting cutoffs. Step 2 – Research Prospects Use the Prospect Finder to search by keyword, topic category, or website URL. Filter results by domain authority, monthly traffic, and content type to focus on publications that will deliver the most SEO value. Save selected prospects directly to your campaign. Step 3 – Add Contacts Open the Contacts tab inside your campaign to add journalists, editors, and bloggers from your prospect list. You can also import an existing list via Import CSV — map your columns to name, email, publication, and URL fields, then confirm. Step 4 – Connect Your Email Account Open Authority Building → Digital PR → Settings → Email Accounts and follow the steps in the 📧 Connecting Your Email Account section above. A connected mailbox is required to send outreach and track opens and replies. Step 5 – Craft Your Pitch Write a concise, personalized pitch for each prospect. Highlight why the story is relevant to their readership and include a clear call to action. Search Atlas supports pitch templates to maintain consistency while allowing per-contact customization. Step 6 – Send and Schedule Outreach Send pitches immediately or schedule them for a specific date and time using the campaign composer. The campaign dashboard logs delivery status, opens, and replies in real time, so you always know which contacts need a follow-up. Step 7 – Monitor Replies Open the Inbox tab inside your campaign to view threaded replies from each contact. Mark conversations as Interested, Not Interested, or Follow-up Needed to keep your pipeline organized. Step 8 – Verify Placements Once a journalist publishes a piece, Search Atlas crawls the live URL and records the backlink details — anchor text, link type, and referring page metrics — automatically updating your campaign report. Your campaign dashboard now reflects all verified placements and link metrics in one view. 💡 Best Practices - Prioritize data-driven stories (original research, surveys, statistics) because they attract links organically even after the initial outreach. - Personalize every pitch. Reference a specific article the journalist has written to show genuine familiarity with their work. - Follow up once, politely, if you have not received a reply within five to seven business days. - Aim for a mix of high-authority national outlets and niche industry publications to diversify your backlink profile. - Monitor your Brand Mentions report in Search Atlas to catch unlinked mentions and request a link conversion. 📋 Interpreting Your Campaign Report The campaign report provides a summary of outreach activity and link performance. Key metrics to review: 1. Outreach Rate: Total pitches sent versus prospects contacted — keeps your pipeline healthy. 2. Reply Rate: Percentage of pitches that received a response, indicating message relevance and targeting quality. 3. Placement Rate: Confirmed live links divided by total outreach — your primary measure of campaign effectiveness. 4. Average Domain Authority: The mean authority score of all linking domains, reflecting the SEO quality of earned coverage. ❓ Frequently Asked Questions How is Digital PR different from guest posting? Guest posting involves writing content that is published under your byline on another site. Digital PR focuses on earning editorial coverage — journalists and editors write about your brand or cite your data — which typically carries more trust signals in search engines. Can I import an existing list of media contacts? Yes. Go to Authority Building → Digital PR → Contacts and use the Import CSV option. Map your columns to the required fields (name, email, publication, URL) and the contacts will be available across all campaigns. Which email providers can I connect for outreach? Gmail connects via OAuth in one click. Outlook, Microsoft 365, Yahoo, iCloud, Zoho, Fastmail, and custom domains connect via SMTP/IMAP with automatic MX-based provider detection that pre-fills the correct server settings for you. Will Search Atlas notify me when a new backlink is detected? Yes. Enable Placement Alerts in your campaign settings to receive an email notification each time a new live placement is verified. 🌀 You now know how to connect a mailbox, discover prospects, run a Digital PR campaign, and measure its impact in Search Atlas. To go further, explore the Link Building tool in Search Atlas to track and manage all your inbound links alongside your earned coverage.

📰 How It Works: Press Release

🧩 What It Is The Press Release product lets you create a professional, AI-written press release and distribute it across selected news networks. Distribution may result in backlinks, brand mentions, and SEO authority for your target page. ⚙️ What You Need - A Brand Vault — provides all business identity data (name, description, contact, socials, logo) used in the press release - An OTTO project or GBP project — to bind the press release to - A target URL — the page the press release links to - Universal Credits — to cover writing, editorial review, and distribution 🚀 The Workflow 1️⃣ Create Provide: - A topic - A target URL - Relevant keywords - Any writing instructions Choose your OTTO or GBP project. The system pulls brand information from the linked Brand Vault. 2️⃣ AI Writes or Write Myself The AI generates a complete press release — title, summary, and body — using your topic, keywords, and Brand Vault data. Alternatively, you can write the entire press release yourself. 3️⃣ Review & Edit Review the draft, edit text, swap images, or regenerate if needed. Approval is required before publishing. 4️⃣ Choose Distribution Select from multiple distribution networks and choose the industry category that best matches your announcement. Each network has its own reach and cost. 5️⃣ Publish Confirm content and cost. Your press release is submitted for distribution and tracked from the dashboard. 🔄 Optional: Dynamic PR Variations You can enable variations to send unique, rewritten versions of your press release to each distribution network. This approach: - Avoids duplicate content across networks - Creates a more editorially diverse distribution footprint 📈 What You Get - Potential backlinks across selected networks, dependent on editorial pickup - Brand mentions on news sites where the release is published - Authority signals from published pickups that may support your domain's SEO - A distribution report tracking published pickups ✅ Best Practices - Keep your Brand Vault complete and accurate - Write a specific, newsworthy topic - Use relevant keywords aligned with your target page - Review your content carefully before publishing - Match the category to your industry for better routing - Review the content guidelines for all distribution channels before submitting your press release Summary Press Releases allow you to create, review, and distribute announcements through selected news distribution networks while maintaining brand consistency through Brand Vault data. Proper topic selection, accurate business information, and relevant keyword targeting help support distribution performance and reporting visibility.

🚀 More Email Providers for Digital PR

Digital PR outreach now supports more email providers, so you can send campaigns from the inbox you actually use instead of being limited to Google. We've also made connecting your account easier with direct links to each provider's setup documentation. ✨ What's New In addition to Google, you can now connect the following email providers to send your Digital PR outreach: - Apple Mail (iCloud) - Yahoo - Zoho - Custom — use any host provider by entering your own SMTP/OAuth details To make setup simpler, each provider now links directly to its official documentation. With one click you'll know exactly how to generate the app password or credentials you need. 🛠️ How to Use It 1. Open your Digital PR campaign and go to the email connection settings. 2. Select your email provider from the supported list (Google, Apple Mail, Yahoo, Zoho, or Custom). 3. If prompted, click the provided documentation link to generate the app password or credentials for your provider. 4. For a Custom host, enter your own SMTP/OAuth details. 5. Confirm the connection and begin sending outreach from your chosen inbox. 📋 What to Expect You can now send outreach from the inbox you already rely on rather than being restricted to Google. Some providers require an app password or specific credentials, which is why each option links directly to its official setup documentation. The Custom option gives you full flexibility to connect virtually any host using your own SMTP/OAuth details.

🛡️ Distribution Channels – Content Guidelines & Best Practices

⚠️ Important: Content Restrictions Across All Distributors Before submitting a press release, users must review and comply with the applicable content guidelines for distribution channels. All distribution partners share common baseline content restrictions; however, individual outlets may apply additional editorial standards specific to their publication. Search Atlas cannot override individual outlet editorial decisions, and outlet-level rejections do not qualify for refunds. Submissions rejected by individual outlet editors after distribution has begun do not qualify for refunds. Refund eligibility is limited to full platform-level rejections that occur before any distribution takes place. 📋 Summary These guidelines are mandatory for all submissions and are designed to ensure editorial quality, SEO value, brand safety, legal compliance, and maximum syndication compatibility across distribution channels. Prohibited Content & Restrictions - Advertorial content or promotional hype - Misleading or exaggerated promotional claims - Medical claims (including supplements, COVID cures, etc.) - Sexual, adult, or dating content - Illicit drug promotion (including Cannabis, ketamine, psychedelics, etc.) - MLMs, scams, or celebrity impersonations - Weapons, gambling, politics, religion, or legal accusations - Digital currency promotions (NFTs, play-to-earn, metaverse real estate, etc.) - Profanity or slang (e.g., "kick ass", "WTF", etc.) - Content that does not follow a traditional press release format and tone ❌ What Happens If an Outlet Rejects My Press Release? Platform-level approval does not guarantee acceptance by every individual outlet editor. Each distribution partner operates independently with its own editorial team and publication standards. If one or more outlets reject your press release after distribution has begun: - Failed outlet slots cannot be forced or retried from the platform side. Individual outlet editors make independent editorial decisions based on their publication's standards and audience. - You will not be charged for rejected outlet slots. You are only charged for outlets that successfully distributed your press release. - Partial distribution rejections do not qualify for refunds. Refunds are issued only for full platform-level rejections that occur before any distribution takes place. - You cannot republish the same content to failed outlets. Each outlet has its own editorial queue, and resubmission does not override an editor's rejection decision. If you believe an outlet rejection was in error or if you have questions about a specific rejection, please contact our support team with the outlet name and your submission details. 📚 Helpful Definitions What Is a Press Release? A press release is an official, written statement issued to media outlets and the public to announce something newsworthy. It is typically used by organizations, businesses, or individuals to share updates such as product launches, company milestones, partnerships, events, or other significant developments. Press releases are written in a standardized format and are intended to attract media attention, generate publicity, and provide journalists with the key information needed to develop a story. What makes up a Traditional Press Release? - Clear Header and Dateline - Proper Company Identification - Contact Information - Inclusion of a Boilerplate Section - Limit the Superlative Language - Structured in a Natural Third-Person Tone 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 subtly promoting a product, service, brand, or message. Unlike traditional advertisements, advertorials provide valuable or informative content that aligns with the interests of the target audience, often blending storytelling, insights, or tips with marketing objectives. The goal is to engage readers while building brand awareness or driving specific actions—all while maintaining transparency about its sponsored nature. What makes an Advertorial Content post? - Promotional Tone - Product-Centric Messaging - Customer Testimonial-Style Anecdotes - Call-to-Action or Sales Framing not related to information - Missing Press Release Conventions (see below for further defined detail) - Unattributed Author ("Joes Crab Shack") 🔒 Step-by-Step Instructions 🛡️ Step 1: Prohibited Content & Restrictions Any content violating these terms will be rejected or removed without notice. • Advertorials, MLMs, scams, or celebrity impersonations • Medical claims (including supplements, COVID cures, etc.) • Sexual, adult, or dating content • Illicit drug promotion (incl. Cannabis, ketamine, psychedelics, etc.) • Weapons, gambling, politics, religion, or legal accusations • Digital currency promotions (NFTs, play-to-earn, metaverse real estate, etc.) • Profanity or slang (e.g., "kick ass", "WTF", etc.) Linking & Technical Requirements • No broken or misleading links • No station logos or network names (e.g., ABC, NBC) • Tracking pixels must comply with PII & GDPR • All images/videos must be legally cleared ⚙️ Step 2: Structure • Document Title: Descriptive and versioned (e.g., Acme_ProductLaunch_PR_FINAL.docx) • File Formats: .docx, html, or .txt • Encoding: UTF-8 • Language & Style: U.S. English, AP Style • Word Count: 400–600 words • Spacing: Single-spaced, with breaks between paragraphs • Alignment: Left-aligned • Ending Marker: ### or – 30 – Headline Requirements • Each press release headline must be unique across the platform • If you receive a "Headline Already Taken" error after confirming your title is original, please contact support — this may indicate a platform validation issue that requires engineering review • Note: A bug causing valid headlines to be incorrectly flagged as duplicates was resolved. If you previously encountered this error, please retry your submission. Contact support if the issue persists. 🧩 Step 3: Core Components Logo • Format: PNG/JPEG, 72–300 DPI • Placement: Top-left or center Media & Image Requirements • Supported Formats: JPG and PNG only. WEBP files are not supported by distribution partners and will cause distribution failure. • File Format Verification: Before uploading, verify that your image files are in JPG or PNG format. Some image editors may automatically convert files to WEBP during export — ensure you explicitly save in JPG or PNG format. • If you encounter a "WEBP not supported" or similar file format error during distribution despite using a compliant JPG or PNG file, please contact support — this may indicate a platform conversion issue. • All images/videos must be legally cleared and have proper usage rights • Resolution: 72–300 DPI Headline (Recommended) • ≤ 70 characters • Title case • One main keyword • Avoid hype or jargon Example: Acme Corp Unveils AI-Powered Thermostat to Cut Energy Bills Sub headline/Summary (Optional) • ≤ 120 characters • Sentence case (no period) Example: New platform improves delivery efficiency by up to 30% Dateline (Required) • Format: CITY, State – Month Day, Year – • Start lead paragraph: CITY, STATE, Month Day, Year Lead Paragraph • Covers Who, What, When, Where, Why • 1–2 direct sentences • Third-person, factual tone Body Paragraphs • Follow the inverted pyramid structure • Max 2–4 sentences per paragraph • Include: context, quote, proof point, and call to action (optional) • Attribute all quotes and claims Example: "We're excited to bring this to market," said Jane Doe, CTO of Acme Corp. Boilerplate A brief about the company (no marketing fluff) Example: About Acme Corp - Founded in 2015, Acme Corp develops smart home devices powered by AI, serving clients across North America. Call to Action (Optional) Referrals for additional information are allowed, but we will not allow any call to actions involved for click to buy actions. Example: Visit www.acmecorp.com/demo to learn more. Contact Block (Optional) Include at the bottom: Media Contact Name Title Email Phone Website 🔎 Step 4: SEO & Syndication Optimization • Keywords in headline, subhead, lead, and body • Up to 3–5 embedded hyperlinks (no bare website URLs in body text) • Include meta title and meta description for hosted content • No clickbait, misleading, or hidden keywords (keyword stuffing) • Avoid redundant or near-duplicate headlines to improve newsworthiness • Use authoritative, factual language throughout

USA Today Press Release Content Guidelines & Best Practices

Why These Guidelines Matter USA Today is one of the most trusted and widely read publications in the United States, and it enforces strict editorial standards for press releases. Submissions that violate these rules may be rejected without refund, so it's essential to review and follow these guidelines carefully before selecting USA Today as a distribution channel in Search Atlas. Content Restrictions USA Today does not accept press releases that contain any of the following: - No advertorials: Content must be newsworthy, not sales-driven copy disguised as news. - No promotional claims: Avoid superlatives like "best," "#1," "leading," or other unverifiable marketing language. - No misleading statements: All claims must be accurate, verifiable, and supported by facts. - No medical claims: Health, treatment, or medical efficacy claims are not permitted. - No adult content: Any sexually explicit or adult-oriented material is prohibited. - No crypto promotions: Cryptocurrency promotional content is not accepted. Format Requirements USA Today requires content to follow a strict press-release format. This means: - Third-person voice throughout the release - A clear, factual headline - A dateline and lead paragraph summarizing the news - Supporting paragraphs with quotes, context, and details - Boilerplate company information at the end - Contact information for media inquiries Best Practices Before Submitting 1. Review your content carefully against each restriction listed above. 2. Remove promotional language and replace it with factual, newsworthy statements. 3. Verify all claims with sources or data where possible. 4. Confirm proper press-release structure before submitting. 5. Consider alternative channels if your content cannot meet these standards. Consequences of Non-Compliance Press releases that do not meet USA Today's editorial standards may be rejected during their review process. Because editorial review fees apply, rejections do not result in refunds. Taking time to align your content with these guidelines protects your investment and increases the likelihood of successful placement.

🌐 Press Release Module: English-Only Content Requirement

The Press Release module's AI writing engine produces content in English only — writing instructions in another language will not change the output. Follow the translate-after-draft workflow below to publish your press release in any language. ⚡ What the English-Only Restriction Means The Search Atlas Press Release module generates all AI-written content in English only. Writing your instructions in another language — or explicitly directing the AI to write in French, Spanish, German, or any other language — will not produce non-English output. The AI engine defaults to English regardless of the instruction given in Step 2. 📍 Where the Restriction Applies The language restriction applies at Step 2: AI Writing Instructions — where you provide tone, key messages, talking points, and other guidance for your draft. - Affected field: The AI Writing Instructions text input in Step 2. - What is restricted: Any instruction directing the AI to generate content in a language other than English. - In-app notice: A warning displays directly below the AI Writing Instructions field, alerting you to this limitation before you submit. All other steps — entering company details, selecting a distribution category, and uploading media — are not affected by this restriction. 🌍 How to Create Press Releases for Non-English Audiences Use this two-step workflow to deliver a polished press release in any language: 1. Generate your press release in English. Complete all steps in the Press Release module using English AI Writing Instructions. Review and finalize the English draft before proceeding. 2. Translate the finished draft. Use a professional translator or a trusted translation tool such as DeepL (recommended for formal business content) or Google Translate to convert the finalized English draft into your target language. Translating a polished English draft consistently produces more accurate, professional results than attempting to direct the AI to output in another language. ❓ Why Is Output Limited to English? The AI writing engine is optimized and fine-tuned specifically for English-language press release content. Its tone calibration, structure awareness, and output quality are all built around English. Directing it to produce output in another language bypasses these optimizations and is not supported by the current engine. Support for additional output languages is on the product roadmap. ✍️ Tips for Effective AI Writing Instructions in Step 2 Follow these practices to get a high-quality English draft on the first attempt: - Write all instructions in English for the most consistent results. - Specify the desired tone — for example, formal and authoritative or conversational and engaging. - Include key messages, product or company names, spokesperson quotes, and any required statistics or facts. - Be specific about the announcement, target audience, and objective — more detail produces a stronger first-generation draft. - Keep all instructions in English — the AI disregards any directive specifying a non-English output language. 🛠️ Common Questions & Troubleshooting I wrote my instructions in Spanish (or another language) and still received English output. Is this a bug? No — this is expected behavior. The AI engine always outputs English, regardless of the language used in your instructions. Use the two-step workflow above to deliver your final press release in another language. The AI ignored my request to write 'en français' or 'auf Deutsch.' Why? Any directive specifying a non-English output language is not supported and will be disregarded. Write your instructions in English and translate the finished output using a professional translator or a tool such as DeepL. Can I write my AI instructions in my own language if I still want English output? Instructions written in English consistently produce the best results. While the AI may attempt to process instructions written in other languages, output quality and tone accuracy may vary. English instructions are strongly recommended. Will multi-language AI output be supported in the future? Support for additional output languages is on the product roadmap. Check the Search Atlas Release Notes for the latest feature announcements. 🎯 You now know where the English-only restriction applies and how to use the translate-after-draft workflow to publish your press release in any language. For a complete walkthrough of every step in the Press Release creation flow, see Getting Started with the Press Release Module.

📧 Digital PR Campaigns: Catch-All Domain Skipping

Search Atlas's Digital PR Outreach module includes a Skip Catch-All Domains toggle in the campaign creation flow. Enable it to automatically remove contacts with unverifiable email addresses before your campaign sends — keeping your deliverability and engagement metrics accurate. 📬 What Is a Catch-All Domain? A catch-all domain is a mail domain configured to accept every email sent to it — even if the specific mailbox does not exist. For example, if editor@example.com was never set up, a catch-all server still accepts the message instead of returning a bounce. Because the server accepts anything, no verification tool can confirm whether that address belongs to a real, active inbox. Sending to catch-all addresses inflates your send count while producing unreliable open, reply, and bounce data. ⚙️ How Catch-All Domain Skipping Works in Search Atlas Search Atlas checks each prospect's email domain during campaign setup. When Skip Catch-All is enabled: - Any contact whose email resolves to a catch-all domain is removed from the send queue before launch. - Those contacts move into a dedicated Catch-All bucket visible in your campaign details — they are not deleted, just separated for review. - Your delivered, opened, replied, and bounced counts reflect only contacts with verifiable inboxes. When the toggle is disabled, Search Atlas sends to every contact on your list, including those on catch-all domains. Reach is maximized, but engagement data will be less reliable. 🚀 How to Toggle Catch-All Domain Skipping in a Campaign 1. Go to Digital PR → Outreach in the left navigation. 2. Click Create Campaign. 3. Fill in the campaign name, target URL, and prospect list. 4. In the campaign settings section, find the Skip Catch-All Domains toggle. 5. Toggle it on to exclude catch-all addresses, or leave it off to include them. 6. Complete any remaining fields and click Launch Campaign. Search Atlas saves the toggle setting per campaign. Each new campaign can be configured independently based on your outreach goal. 📊 Understanding the Catch-All Bucket in Campaign Details After launching a campaign with Skip Catch-All enabled, open the campaign's detail view. The Catch-All stat shows: - Catch-All count — the number of contacts excluded because their domain was identified as catch-all. - These contacts received no email and are not counted in your delivered, opened, bounced, or replied totals. - Review this list to decide whether to reach those prospects through an alternate email address or a different channel. If the toggle was disabled when the campaign launched, the Catch-All bucket displays zero — all contacts were included in the send regardless of domain type. 💡 When to Enable vs. Disable Catch-All Skipping Choose the setting that matches your campaign priority: - Enable Skip Catch-All when accurate engagement data matters — for example, when open rate or reply rate will inform your next outreach round. This is the recommended default. - Disable Skip Catch-All when maximizing raw reach is the goal and you can tolerate less precise metrics — for example, broad brand-awareness sends where list size is the key variable. If you are unsure, enable the toggle. You can always review the Catch-All bucket and follow up with those contacts separately through a verified address. 🎯 You now know what catch-all domains are, how the Skip Catch-All toggle protects your campaign metrics, and how to read the Catch-All bucket in campaign details. For best results, pair this setting with a clean, deduplicated prospect list before each campaign launch.

📰 Core Components of a Press Release: Structure and Formatting Guide

Every press release you submit through Search Atlas must include specific components in a defined structure to pass distribution partner validation. Build each section correctly before you submit to avoid rejection and maximize media pickup. 🖼️ Logo - Format: PNG or JPEG, 72–300 DPI - Placement: Top-left or center ✍️ AI Writing Instructions (Step 2) Write your AI Writing Instructions in English. Non-English instructions are not supported and may produce unexpected results. A disclaimer appears in the product as a reminder. 📌 Headline (Recommended) - 70 characters or fewer - Title case - Include one main keyword - Avoid hype or jargon Example: Acme Corp Unveils AI-Powered Thermostat to Cut Energy Bills 📝 Sub-headline / Summary (Optional) - 120 characters or fewer - Sentence case, no trailing period Example: New platform improves delivery efficiency by up to 30% 📍 Dateline (Required) Format: CITY, STATE – Month Day, Year — all-caps city, two-letter state abbreviation, em dash before the date. Open your lead paragraph with the dateline in this exact format. Example: NEW YORK, NY – May 23, 2026 🔍 Lead Paragraph - Covers Who, What, When, Where, and Why - 1–2 direct sentences - Third-person, factual tone 📄 Body Paragraphs - Follow the inverted pyramid: most important details first - 2–4 sentences per paragraph - Include context, a quote, and a proof point - Attribute all quotes and claims Example quote: “We’re excited to bring this to market,” said Jane Doe, CTO of Acme Corp. Note: Place the Call to Action as a separate block after the boilerplate — do not include it within the body paragraphs. 🏢 Boilerplate Write a brief, factual about-the-company statement. Avoid marketing language. Example: About Acme Corp — Founded in 2015, Acme Corp develops smart home devices powered by AI, serving clients across North America. 📢 Call to Action (Optional) Include links or referrals for additional information. Keep the language neutral — avoid promotional or sales-driven phrasing. 📇 Media Contact (Required) Include a Media Contact block so distribution partners and journalists can follow up. Expected fields: - Full name of the press contact - Title - Company - Email address - Phone number (optional) Some fields may be auto-populated from your user profile. Review and update them before you submit. 📏 Length Guidelines - Recommended total: 400–600 words - Hard limit: Distribution partners may reject releases exceeding 800 words - Aim for 3–5 concise body paragraphs to stay within range ✅ Final Formatting Checklist - Single spacing with a line break between paragraphs - Left-align all text - End your release with ### or – 30 – - Total word count: 400–600 words 🚀 Next Steps: Submit for Distribution Once your press release follows the structure above, submit it for distribution directly within the platform. Before submitting, confirm that all required components — Dateline, Lead Paragraph, Boilerplate, and Media Contact — are complete to avoid validation errors from distribution partners. 🎯 You now have a complete reference for every press release component in Search Atlas. Review each required field against this guide before you click Submit.

📋 Digital PR: Importing Domains via CSV and Managing Campaign Contacts

Import any list of domains into a Digital PR campaign using a CSV file — every domain you upload becomes an opportunity, even when Search Atlas cannot auto-discover a contact email for it. Once imported, add contacts to each opportunity individually or in bulk. 💡 Recently released: The behavior described here — every valid domain becoming an opportunity (even without an auto-discovered email) and bulk contact addition — was introduced as a recent improvement. If your workspace still drops domains without contacts, the update is rolling out and will reach your environment shortly. 📋 How Domain Import Works in Digital PR When you create or edit a Digital PR campaign using the Domains option and upload a CSV file, Search Atlas converts each domain into an opportunity inside your campaign. Every valid domain in your CSV appears as an opportunity — including domains where no contact email was automatically found. Your opportunity count will always match the number of valid domains in your CSV. - Domain with auto-discovered contact — appears as an opportunity with a pre-filled contact email, ready for outreach. - Domain without auto-discovered contact — still appears as an opportunity with no contact email. Add the contact manually or via bulk addition. What counts as a valid domain A valid domain is a properly formatted domain name such as example.com. Rows containing malformed URLs, IP addresses, or blank values are skipped and noted in the import summary shown after upload. 📂 How to Import Domains via CSV 1. Go to Digital PR in the left-hand navigation. 2. Open an existing campaign or click Create Campaign. 3. On the campaign creation wizard, at Step 2 — Input Method, select Domains. 4. Click the Import CSV button that appears directly below the input method selector, then select your file. 5. Click Confirm to begin the import. Once the import finishes, every valid domain in your file appears as an opportunity in the campaign dashboard. No valid domains are dropped silently — any skipped rows are listed in the post-import summary so you can review and re-upload them if needed. 📑 CSV Format Requirements Follow these requirements so Search Atlas can parse your file cleanly: - Encoding: UTF-8. - Structure: One domain per row, in a single column. A header row is optional and will be ignored automatically. - Maximum file size: 10 MB per upload, up to 10,000 rows per CSV. Split larger lists into multiple files. - Subdomains: Accepted (e.g. blog.example.com) and treated as distinct opportunities from their root domain. - Duplicates: Duplicate domains within the same CSV are de-duplicated automatically — only the first occurrence is imported. - Invalid rows: Malformed URLs, IP addresses, and blank values are skipped and reported in the import summary. Example CSV: domain example.com blog.example.com another-site.org 👤 How to Add a Contact to a Single Opportunity 1. Open the campaign dashboard and find the opportunity row for the domain you want to update. 2. Click Add Contact on that opportunity row. 3. Enter the contact's name, email address, and any additional details (such as role or notes). 4. Click Save. The contact email now appears in the opportunity row. Click the contact name at any time to edit or remove it. 👥 How to Add Contacts in Bulk Use bulk addition when you need to assign contacts to many opportunities at once — for example, after importing a large domain list where most opportunities have no auto-discovered email. 1. In the campaign dashboard, select the checkboxes next to the opportunities you want to update. Use the No Contact filter first to surface only opportunities that still need a contact. 2. Click the Bulk Actions button at the top of the opportunity list, then choose Add Contact. 3. Choose your input method in the bulk dialog: - Paste a list: Paste contact rows in the format domain,name,email, one per line. Search Atlas matches each row to the correct opportunity by domain. - Upload a CSV: Upload a CSV with the columns domain, name, and email. Match-by-domain works the same way. - Apply a single contact to all selected opportunities: Enter one name and email to assign to every checked opportunity. 4. Click Apply. Every selected opportunity is updated immediately and the contact email appears in each row. Opportunities that received a contact move into your active outreach queue automatically. ⚠️ What to Do When Opportunities Show No Contact An opportunity shows no contact when Search Atlas could not automatically find an email address for that domain. This is expected behavior — the opportunity is fully created and sitting in your campaign, waiting for outreach once you supply a contact. Opportunities without a contact are not removed or hidden. They remain visible in your campaign dashboard so you can fill them in at any time. - Use the No Contact filter in the campaign dashboard to surface all opportunities that still need a contact assigned. - Add contacts one by one using the single-opportunity steps above, or select multiple and use Bulk Actions → Add Contact to fill several gaps at once. Once a contact is added, the opportunity moves automatically into your active outreach queue. 🎯 You can now import a full domain list via CSV, understand why every valid domain appears as a campaign opportunity, and add contacts individually or in bulk. To set up and launch outreach sequences for your opportunities, see the Digital PR Outreach Sequences article in the Help Center.

📰 Press Release vs. Advertorial Content: Key Definitions and Differences

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.