We live in a world today in which searching for things on our phones and computers is an everyday activity. We search for everything; restaurants, hotels, information, advice, and much more. We also use search to find our doctors. It follows that improving search rankings is an important objective for doctors and wellness experts. There are many ways to improve search rankings, but one that is related to our expertise at MCPR, is the Search Engine Optimization (SEO) benefits from Public Relations (PR). It turns out that PR can positively impact SEO for several reasons. This article offers an overview of some of the key SEO benefits from PR for doctors.
Quality backlinks: PR efforts result in media coverage and online mentions. When reputable websites, in this case online media outlets, link to your website, content, or mention your brand, it creates quality backlinks. Search engines view these backlinks as a sign of credibility and authority, which improves your website’s SEO. SEO experts tell us that these backlinks are “like gold”. The value of backlinks for PR has a tremendously positive impact on search rankings.
Increased visibility: PR produces increased visibility for a doctor. PR efforts enhance an experts’ visibility through media coverage and online mentions. This increased visibility leads to more people searching for them, positively impacting a doctors’ website organic search rankings.
Brand mentions: Even without direct links, expert mentions and citations in online content contribute to SEO. Search engines recognize brand mentions and consider them when determining the relevance and authority of a website.
Social media: PR related media mentions often involve social media exposure. Social signals, such as likes, shares, and comments on social media platforms, are considered by search engines when evaluating the popularity and authority of a website. This can have a positive impact for doctors search rankings.
Content development: PR often involves the creation of fresh, original, high-quality content, such as press releases, articles, and blog posts. Search engines favor new and relevant content, and doctors can benefit from regularly updating their websites with such content. This has a positive impact on SEO.
Reputation management: PR can plays a crucial role in managing and enhancing a doctor’s online reputation. A positive online reputation can lead to increased trust from both patients, the general public and search engines. This too can have a positive influence on search rankings.
Diversification of Traffic Sources: PR efforts can help diversify the sources of online traffic to a doctor’s website. Relying on various channels, such as media coverage, social media, and influencer partnerships, can make a doctor’s website less dependent on search engine traffic fluctuations.
Impact: While some SEO strategies may yield immediate results, PR efforts often have a lasting impact. Building a positive online presence through PR can contribute to sustained visibility and authority over time.
It’s important to note that the relationship between PR and SEO is multifaceted, and a comprehensive digital marketing strategy that integrates both can be highly effective in improving online visibility and search rankings.