An $80 Press Release Ranked #1 on Google (And Tricked AI)

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Feb 1, 2026

A real case study of an $80 press release that climbed to the top of Google for a non-branded query and even shaped AI overviews. Discussion of how press releases can build topical authority, influence search and language models, and persist in caches after removal. Comparison of low-cost distribution services and how to use legitimate announcements rather than spam as part of an SEO strategy.

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ANECDOTE

Cheap Press Release Went #1

Matt Diamante bought an $80 press release on AB Newswire that targeted the keyword "best-selling SEO book."
The release rapidly ranked #1 on Google and influenced Google's AI overview and syndicated coverage on The Globe and Mail.

INSIGHT

Press Releases Influence AI Overviews

Press releases can influence both traditional search rankings and the AI overview panels that summarize results.
Syndicated press release copies on trusted sites (like The Globe and Mail) can amplify that influence quickly.

ANECDOTE

Ranked Even After Removal

The press release was published on January 6th, ranked #1 for weeks, then the original release disappeared from public access.
Despite removal, cached and syndicated copies still caused the press release to appear in search and AI recommendations.

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E942: A real case study showing how an $80 press release from Matt Diamante (Hey Tony Agency) ranked #1 on Google for a non-branded keyword and influenced Google's AI Overview.

This isn't theory. This actually happened.

I walk through exactly how a single press release, distributed through AB Newswire, showed up at the top of Google search results, was cited by a publication, and continued to influence AI search results weeks later - even after the original press release was no longer publicly accessible.

This episode explains why press releases still matter, how they influence search engines and large language models, and how they can be used responsibly to build real topical authority.

What this covers: - The difference between branded vs non-branded search keywords - Why purchase-intent keywords behave differently in search - How an $80 press release ranked #1 for "best selling SEO book" - How press releases influence Google AI Overviews - Why authority publications still rank syndicated press releases - What happened after the press release was removed - The role of search behavior and user interaction in rankings - ABNewswire vs PR Newswire vs PRLog - When press releases help SEO and when they don't - The difference between legitimate press releases and link spam - How press releases reinforce entity credibility and topical authority - Why company announcements have always mattered in SEO - How press releases influence AI systems like Google AI and ChatGPT - How to use press releases as part of a broader content strategy

Key takeaway: Press releases are not about gaming algorithms. When used correctly, they document legitimate business activity, create citation consistency, and help search engines and AI systems understand what your business is actually about.

This also explains how press releases fit into my broader SEO framework and why they are just one tactic among many.

⭐️ How to use press releases for SEO and LLMs - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/how-to-use-press-releases-for-seo-and-llms/

💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/

00:00 Introduction to Press Releases and SEO 00:46 Case Study: Matt Diamante's Press Release Strategy 03:58 The Power of Press Releases in SEO 06:10 Maximizing Press Release Impact 10:22 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

The Edward Show. The #1 search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/

#searchengineoptimization #publicrelations #generativeengineoptimization #growthhacking