How to Get PR Backlinks: Techniques, Tips and Best Practices for 2025

PR backlinks are the crown jewels of any solid SEO strategy. Imagine this: securing backlinks from famous media publications like Forbes, NYPost, BBC, and other media outlets. Sounds almost too good to be true, right? Well, it’s not. It’s entirely possible—and I’m living proof. Over the years, I’ve earned links from some of the most influential platforms on the internet, and trust me, it wasn’t just luck. It was strategy, precision, and relentless.

But getting these desired links isn’t about crossing your fingers and hoping a journalist stumbles upon your content. It’s about strategy, precision, and knowing exactly how to play the PR game in 2025. You’ll get the inside scoop on what really works, the traps to avoid, and how to stand out in a world where everyone’s competing for a slice of the PR pie. I’ll even throw in some hard-earned lessons (and mistakes) because hey, I’ve been there, too.

So, if you’re serious about taking your PR backlinks to places you didn’t think were possible, stick with me. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have the tools, confidence, and clarity to make it happen.

Ready to take your backlink game to the next level and become the PR hero your brand deserves? Fasten your belt, because this is the ultimate guide to earning high-quality PR backlinks in 2025. Keep reading—your future self will thank you.

What Are PR Backlinks?

PR backlinks are links from high-profile websites, usually associated with news outlets, media publications, or influential blogs. Imagine, they’re VIP tickets in the SEO world—they get you noticed by search engines because they come from sources that are already trusted and respected.

PR backlinks are like getting your restaurant featured in a food critic’s column. It’s not just a random diner saying your pizza is great; it’s a top food blogger or a celebrity chef giving you a shoutout. The credibility boost? Massive. The attention? Oh, it’s coming.

Without PR backlinks, your SEO strategy might still work, but it’s like shouting about your pizza from a street corner instead of having Gordon Ramsay post about it on Instagram. One gets you local traffic; the other, well, gets you a line out the door.

The Benefits of PR Backlinks

First off, PR backlinks come from media outlets and trusted publications. These aren’t just links; they’re signals of authority and trust. When your site gets mentioned in a respected publication, it tells Google, “This brand knows what it’s talking about.” That’s a huge boost, not just for rankings but for your overall online credibility.

PR backlinks align perfectly with Google’s E.E.A.T factors—Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. These links aren’t something you can buy or mass-produce. They’re earned, which is exactly what makes them so powerful. When you have a PR link, it’s like a seal of approval that Google respects, and trust me, that respect translates into rankings.

But it’s not just about SEO. PR backlinks also do wonders for your reputation. Imagine being featured in a major publication. And yes, these links boost your domain authority too, but what’s even better? They boost your real-world authority. Here’s where PR backlinks really shine: they give you an unfair advantage over competitors stuck in the grind of guest posting and niche edits. While they’re busy chasing the same old tactics, you’re standing out with links that truly matter.

From my experience, investing in PR link-building isn’t just smart—it’s essential if you want to dominate competitive industries. It’s about more than just climbing the rankings; it’s about building a brand that lasts. So, when you think about your link-building strategy, ask yourself: Do you want to blend in, or do you want to stand out? Because PR backlinks are your ticket to the top.

Are PR Backlinks Safe and Compliant With Google’s Guidelines?

Short answer: Yes, PR backlinks can be safe and compliant with Google’s guidelines if you earn them the right way. Let me explain this in a way that’s easy to digest, with a bit of my personal experience thrown in.

When I first started working with SEO, PR backlinks felt like this mysterious gray area. Are they good? Will they get a site penalized? But as I dug deeper and ran multiple campaigns, I realized it’s all about intent and execution.

Google’s guidelines focus on earning backlinks naturally. PR backlinks, when they stem from real press coverage or earned media, fit this perfectly. For example, let’s say you’re running a campaign for a water filter company, and you issue a press release about a study your company conducted on tap water quality. Journalists pick it up, write articles, and link back to your website. That’s a PR backlink. And yes, Google loves it because it’s organic and earned.

Now, here’s the flip side. If you’re spamming press releases stuffed with keywords and dropping links everywhere just to manipulate rankings, that’s where you run into trouble. Trust me, I’ve seen sites get penalized for doing this. It’s like buying a brand-new car but driving it straight into a wall because you didn’t follow the rules.

PR Backlinks Vs. Regular Ones

Alright, let me break this down in the simplest way possible. Imagine your website is like a new café in town, and backlinks are the word-of-mouth buzz. Now, the difference between PR backlinks and regular links is kind of like the difference between a glowing review from a big food critic and casual mentions from your loyal customers.

PR links are the links you earn when your business or content gets featured in an article on Forbes, The New York Times, or even a niche industry journal. They signal to Google that you’re credible, and they often drive big bursts of traffic.

PR backlinks are like the cherry on top. They’re not always easy to get, and they often require effort, like pitching your story to journalists, responding to HARO queries, or hiring PR pros. When I worked on a client’s link-building campaign for their eCommerce store, landing PR backlinks from eco-conscious publications gave their site a huge boost. Traffic shot up, and they started ranking for high-value terms. But it wasn’t the only type of link we built.

Regular links are your day-to-day backlinks. These could come from smaller blogs, forums, resource pages, or even niche directories. They may not have the same glitz as PR backlinks, but they’re easier to earn, and they provide steady, reliable value over time. Think of these as the regular customers of your café who keep the buzz alive, even when no critic is talking about you.

For example, I once focused on building regular backlinks through guest blogging and broken link replacements. Over time, these links added consistent authority to the client’s site and helped them sustain rankings long after the PR buzz wore off.

So, relying on only PR backlinks or only regular links won’t cut it in the long run. You need both. Search engines look for a diverse backlink profile to evaluate your website’s natural authority. If all your links come from flashy PR sites, it can seem unnatural or even suspicious. On the other hand, too many average or low-authority links without any big wins can slow down your growth.

5 Expert-Level Techniques to Get PR Links

Some might argue that press releases are a thing of the past, but 78% of journalists still view press releases, news announcements, and compelling stories as the content they most value from PR professionals.

So, yeah, PR is not dead.

I’ve seen how a well-crafted press release can open doors, attract authoritative backlinks, and spark media coverage that boosts a brand’s presence. Now, let me share the top 5 proven techniques to get PR links that have worked wonders for me, time and time again. These aren’t theories or recycled strategies—they’re real methods that deliver real results. Keep reading, because the next few insights could be the turning point for your link-building success.

Digital PR

Let me tell you a story about Digital PR. Imagine your brand is a house on a quiet street. Sure, it’s beautiful, sturdy, and well-maintained, but no one knows it exists. Digital PR is like a party invitation—it gets people talking about your house, visiting it, and telling their friends about it.

But it’s not just any invite. In the world of Digital PR, you’re offering journalists, bloggers, and industry leaders a reason to care about your brand. Maybe it’s a new product launch, an insightful survey, a compelling story, or even a unique stance on a trending topic. You’re not just asking for attention—you’re giving them something valuable to share with their audience.

When you create a buzz-worthy campaign or piece of content, journalists or bloggers often link back to your website as the main source.

Example of a Digital PR

There are countless creative ways to run successful digital PR campaigns.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, you can find dozens of examples in this guide.

The chip works because it’s mutually beneficial. Journalists get engaging content for their readers, and your brand gets exposure and backlinks.

Steps

Here’s how you deal your hand in Digital PR:

Research the Players: Identify journalists or bloggers who write about your industry. I prefer a personal touch—reading their latest articles to understand what they value.

Craft Your Chip: This is your pitch. It could be a press release, an infographic, a whitepaper, or even a killer headline. For example, when I pitched an article about “The Impact of Remote Work on Family Pets,” it connected with a lifestyle blogger who was passionate about work-life balance.

Play the Card: Personalize your outreach. Nobody likes mass emails. Refer to the journalist’s recent work and explain why your story or content aligns with their audience.

Win the Round: Once they pick up your pitch, their article links back to yours. Of course, backlinks are not guaranteed, but based on my experience, most of the publications link to the main source. One solid PR link from a top-tier publication can outperform dozens of mediocre links.

A Killer Digital PR Case Study

Here’s a story of one of my favorite Digital PR wins. I had an eCommerce client who was looking to break into a highly competitive niche, and we knew that traditional tactics weren’t enough to make a splash. So, I pitched an idea that would not only grab attention but also trigger conversation across industries and audiences.

The idea started with a thought-provoking question: What kinds of pressing social issues could be addressed with the billions of dollars spent on elections in 2024? It was a topic bound to stir curiosity and debate, touching on economics, politics, and human impact—all while staying relevant to current events.

The angle was fresh, data-driven, and emotionally resonant. It wasn’t just a critique of election spending—it opened a new perspective by visualizing the impact of reallocating those funds. The story became a tool for engaging readers and journalists.

The Execution: Crafting a Viral Pitch

We researched the total cost of elections in 2024 and compared it to the cost of addressing specific social issues like education reform, clean water initiatives, poverty alleviation, or global healthcare challenges.

Infographics and interactive charts made the numbers digestible and shareable. For example, we showed how $1 billion could fund education for X million children or provide clean drinking water to Y million people.

Journalists love stories, but they love relevance even more. We segmented our pitches based on the journalist’s beat.

The Results

The pitch went viral. Within days, major publications like BBC, The Guardian, and Business Insider picked it up.

The client’s brand was linked to over 80 high-authority publications (DR 50+). The organic traffic started increasing These weren’t just backlinks—they were traffic-driving, trust-building assets that skyrocketed the brand’s visibility.

I don’t want to stray too far from the main topic, but I believe in leaving no stone unturned. That’s why I’ve laid out some more key information about Digital PR below:

Host a Virtual Event with Industry Leaders

Hosting a virtual event is like throwing a party where the guest list is full of VIPs—except this party takes place online, and instead of cocktails, you’re serving up valuable insights. It’s a brilliant strategy not just for building credibility, but also for earning PR backlinks.

A virtual event with industry leaders is a live or pre-recorded online session where experts share their insights, engage in discussions, and provide actionable value to an audience. For example, panel discussions, webinars, or even a fireside chat. But here’s the twist: it’s your brand pulling the strings, which means the attention—and the links—come back to you.

Why does this work for PR backlinks? Simple. Journalists, bloggers, and industry websites love sharing valuable events with their audiences, especially if it features well-known names. And guess what? They’ll often link to your event page or website as the source.

The Process: How It All Comes Together

Define the Topic and Goals: First, decide what your event will be about. What’s a hot topic in your industry that your audience craves insight on? For example, when I worked with a SaaS client, we hosted a virtual event on “The Future of AI in Marketing.” I believe it was a pressing topic that journalists were already covering.

Curate Industry Leaders: Next, reach out to thought leaders, influencers, or even competitors who are respected in your niche. For instance, CEOs, researchers, or best-selling authors. When big names are involved, people—and the media—pay attention.

Create Hype: Following, build an event page on your website. Include speaker bios, the agenda, and a registration form. Promote the event on social media, through email campaigns, and in industry forums. Here’s the trick: reach out to journalists and bloggers who have covered similar events or topics, and let them know about your event. Most will naturally link to your event page as part of their coverage.

Deliver Value: The day of the event is your time to shine. Make sure the discussions are engaging, the content is insightful, and the audience is involved (polls, Q&As, etc.). Record the session for repurposing—this opens doors for even more backlinks later when you share the recording.

After the event, send a press release or personal pitch to journalists summarizing key takeaways, and include quotes from the speakers. You’ll be surprised how many will write about the event and link back to your website or recording.

Real-Life Example

When we hosted “The Rise of Remote Work” during the pandemic, we invited HR leaders from companies like Zoom and LinkedIn. The topic was timely, and the panelists were recognizable names. Here’s what happened:

150+ attendees from various industries joined live.

The event page attracted 17 backlinks from sites that covered remote work trends.

Post-event content (blogs and video snippets) earned 10 additional backlinks over the following months.

If you’ve got something important to say—and the right voices to say it with—you’re only one virtual event away from making waves in your industry.

Partner With Influencers for Joint Press Releases

Let me paint a picture for you. Imagine you’ve just launched a groundbreaking product or service, but you’re struggling to get it in front of the right audience. Partnering with an influencer—someone who already commands the attention of your target market—can be the game-changer you need. And here’s where the magic happens: combining your announcement with their credibility in a joint press release.

What Is It?

A joint press release is a collaborative announcement crafted by you and an influencer to share exciting news that benefits both parties. It could be a partnership, a co-branded product, or even a campaign highlighting their involvement with your brand. The influencer brings their established audience and authority, while you bring the story and platform for amplification.

This strategy is like borrowing their spotlight to shine on both of you. The result? Media attention, clicks, and the holy grail of SEO—high-quality PR backlinks from authoritative publications.

Steps

Journalists love stories with a human touch. When an influencer’s name is tied to your announcement, it instantly feels more credible and relatable. Add the influencer’s promotion to the mix, and your story reaches audiences who are really interested in the topic.

Provide Value

Journalists, bloggers, and industry leaders are busy. If you want them to link to you, you need to give them something they can’t resist—something that rises above the ordinary. Sure, advanced Digital PR techniques can deliver exceptional results but don’t underestimate the raw power of great content.

I’ve seen blog posts, infographics, media, and even free tools outperform elaborate campaigns simply because they hit the right notes.

Here’s an example: A few years ago, I worked with a client in the travel industry. Instead of chasing press releases or interviews, we created a simple, interactive “Travel Budget Calculator.” It helped users plan trips based on real-time costs in different countries. We promoted it subtly, and before we knew it, top-tier blogs and even travel journalists were linking to it.

Providing value isn’t that simple—it’s a commitment. It’s about putting yourself in the shoes of your target audience or a journalist and asking, “What’s in it for them?”

Go deep, explore angles others haven’t touched, and back your claims with solid data. For instance, I once helped a SaaS client create a blog post comparing the productivity of remote vs. in-office teams. We backed it with surveys and data from over 1,000 professionals. Journalists loved it because it wasn’t just an opinion—it was credible.

Bring your expertise to the table.

HARO

Before moving forward, let’s clear something up: HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is, first and foremost, a platform—not a link-building technique. But in the SEO world, we’ve recognized it as a proven strategy for earning high-quality PR links. HARO connects experts and businesses with journalists who are hungry for credible insights and stories. And when those stories are published, they often come with golden backlinks from top-tier websites that many can only dream of.

Here’s the thing about HARO—it’s competitive. Every journalist’s query can attract dozens, even hundreds, of responses. In my experience, the best HARO opportunities often feel like catching lightning in a bottle. They’re rare, valuable, and wildly impactful.

If you’re intrigued and want to dive deeper into the nitty-gritty of HARO link-building—the best practices, mistakes to avoid, and exact strategies that work—I’ve got you covered. My in-depth guide breaks it all down, step by step.

Yes, HARO takes effort. You won’t land every pitch, and rejection is part of the game. But when you do land a feature? It’s a game-changer. Imagine your name, your insights, and your link on a site with millions of readers. It’s credibility, visibility, and authority—all rolled into one.

For now, just remember: HARO isn’t about luck. It’s about showing up with value, expertise, and a story worth telling. Play it smart, and those dream links can be yours.

The Cost of PR Link-Building

Let me start by being upfront— link-building isn’t cheap. It’s not a simple transactional service where you pay for a backlink and call it a day. The cost of a PR link can vary significantly based on factors like the publication’s authority, the type of link, and the effort required to earn it.

A single PR link from a high-authority site might range from $500 to $2,000+. A full-scale PR campaign, which includes research, outreach, and promoting a unique story or piece of content, typically starts around $5,000 to $20,000 for a month-long effort, depending on its scope.

Several factors influence the cost of PR link-building:

PR link-building is an investment, not an expense. If you approach it with a mindset of adding value—backed by solid research, expert insights, and a creative angle—it pays dividends in ways that go beyond SEO. Yes, it’s costly, but the results speak for themselves.

And let me tell you, when you see that first link from a respected publication driving traffic and credibility to your site, you’ll know it was worth every dollar.

Tips and Best Practices to Earn PR Links

Over the years, I’ve faced my share of wins and setbacks. I’ve had campaigns that took off like wildfire and others that fizzled out despite all the planning. But each experience—whether a roaring success or a quiet lesson—has shaped my understanding of what really works. Now, after navigating the highs and lows, I want to share the strategies that have consistently delivered results. These are not just theoretical tips but hard-earned insights from firsthand experience.

Look Good First

Picture this: a journalist is ready to link to your site. They’ve read your pitch, loved your angle, and are convinced you’re worth sharing. But then they visit your website—and it doesn’t impress. Maybe the design looks outdated, or it’s clunky on their phone. In an instant, that golden opportunity slips away.

You see, journalists are gatekeepers of credibility. They don’t just consider the story you’ve pitched; they scrutinize the destination they’re sending their audience to. A poorly designed, unresponsive website signals carelessness, and no journalist wants to stake their reputation on that.

First impressions aren’t just important—they’re everything. Your website needs to look professional, and modern, no matter the device or screen size. Show them you’ve taken the time to create a space worthy of their link. Invest in a clean, user-friendly design and make sure your site loads ideally on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.

Optimize Your Social Media Profiles

Imagine you’re a journalist looking for an expert pitch for a high-profile article. You need someone credible, someone who knows their field inside and out. Now picture stumbling across a social media profile with no photo, a vague bio, and no signs of professional activity. Would you trust that source? Probably not.

Journalists need to verify your authenticity. If you’re claiming to be an expert—let’s say, a doctor—they’ll want proof that you’re the real deal. This is where platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and even the author bio on your website come into play.

So, my advice: make sure your profile is complete: a professional photo, a compelling headline, and a well-written summary highlighting your expertise.

Showcase your work experience, credentials, and any notable achievements. If you’re a doctor, for example, include where you studied, your certifications, and any publications or projects you’ve worked on.

Remember, journalists aren’t just looking for experts—they’re looking for experts they can trust.

Always Follow Industry-Trends

Let’s pause for a moment. Think about the last time you read a news article that made you stop scrolling, lean in, and say, “Wow, I need to know more.” What was it about that story? Chances are, it wasn’t random. It wasn’t a shot in the dark. It was timely. Relevant. It hit you because it connected to something happening now.

This is the magic of following industry trends—and not just casually keeping an eye on them, but understanding the rhythm of what’s going on in your niche and the world.

When you create stories tied to trending topics, you tap into the curiosity that’s already there. People love stories that intrigue them. Something unexpected. A perspective they didn’t consider. When you nail that balance between what’s trending and what’s worth talking about, your content doesn’t just attract eyeballs—it earns links.

But, you have to act fast. Trends don’t wait around for anyone. If you hesitate, you risk missing the wave entirely. So, stay sharp, stay curious, and remember—sometimes, the best way to create a story that sticks is by meeting people where their attention already is. Trends are your compass. Use them wisely.

Be Patient

In my previous guide on link-building, I mentioned that most link-building techniques demand patience to see meaningful results. When you’ve poured time, energy, and a good chunk of your budget into a PR link-building campaign, you want results yesterday. Good things do take time, especially in the world of Digital PR.

PR link-building campaigns, particularly the ones focused on securing those juicy high-authority links, don’t always deliver fireworks right away. And that’s not because they’re not working. It’s because this type of strategy relies on a ripple effect. Journalists, bloggers, and editors work on their timelines—not yours. A pitch that lands today might not turn into a feature until next month. A press release that gets published tomorrow could take weeks to gain traction and start showing up in those valuable backlink reports.

And even when those links do go live, Google doesn’t just snap its fingers and reward your site instantly. Algorithms need time to process. They evaluate the context of the link, how it fits into your overall backlink profile, and how relevant it is to your content. It’s like planting seeds—you won’t see blooms overnight, but with the right care, the growth will be undeniable.

So, breathe. Trust the process. Watch for the small wins—mentions, social shares, and initial pickups. And know that, with a little patience, those efforts will snowball into something far bigger than you imagined.

Seeking the Right Fit? Let’s Talk!

So, what’s next? Let’s turn all those ideas into action. Let’s craft a PR link-building strategy tailored to your objectives, backed by expertise and an honest commitment to your success.

Your next PR link could be the one that changes the game. Don’t leave it to chance. Get in touch with us today, and let’s write your success story together.