Does Free Press Release Distribution Actually Work?
I get asked all the time if I can provide a list of free press release submission companies. Despite being antithetical to my press release distribution business, which relies on reaching media directly the way that actually works and creates results for our clients, which relies on reaching media directly the way that actually works and creates results for our clients, by email and dedicated newswire feeds to newsrooms nationwide, I thought it would be worth venturing into this murky world to give you a comprehensive list of online press release services that offer free press releases.
A Huge Word of Caution – Free Press Release Distribution Services Produce Almost Zero Results
I caution you to use any of the so-called free press release distribution services at your own risk and to realize that a free press release is not a mechanism of public relations or PR, but an offshoot of search engine optimization (SEO) — with absolutely no proven track record of actually improving a website’s SEO.
Check out the following links regarding the pitfalls of free press release websites:
- Free Press Release Websites Are Expensive
- WTF?? Free Press Release Distribution Head Scratcher
- How to Write a Press Release That Gets Results
- Why Most Press Releases Fail to Generate Coverage
In fact, getting real earned media is the only way to get lasting SEO benefit from press releases, which you cannot do with free press release sites.
Read Our Case Studies – Press Release Distribution That Produces Profits
Read our Case Studies here:
https://www.ereleases.com/case-studies/ (including this press release that generated media pickup and links from more than 100 media outlets). Just imagine what links from Wall Street Journal, CNN International, Bloomberg, Harvard Business Review, etc., could do for your business (and SEO).
Discover How One eReleases Client Got Picked Up by Over 100 Publications – Why eReleases.com Is Known as the Best Press Release Distribution Service for Small Businesses.
Click image below to view the Dining Bond Initiatives’ case study.
Be sure to read: Free Press Release Websites Are Expensive
Top 10 Free Press Release Distribution Websites
IssueWire
https://www.issuewire.com
PR-inside.com
http://www.pr-inside.com
PRZoom
https://www.przoom.com
OpenPR
http://www.openpr.com
PR LOG
http://www.prlog.org
ClickPress
http://www.clickpress.com
Newswire Today
http://www.newswiretoday.com
1888PressRelease.com
http://www.1888pressrelease.com
Market Press Release
https://www.marketpressrelease.com
Additional Free Press Release Services
PRFire (Free UK Press Release Distribution)
https://www.prfire.co.uk
Free Press Release
http://www.free-press-release.com
Pressbox (UK)
http://www.pressbox.com
Post a Free Press Release
http://www.postafreepressrelease.com
Free Press Release Center
http://www.free-press-release-center.info
Exact Release
http://www.exactrelease.com
PR Urgent News
http://www.prurgent.com
USPRwire (Nonprofits and CSR Only)
http://www.usprwire.com
Free Press Release Sites Ranking Criteria
When evaluating free press release distribution sites for this 2025 roundup, I considered several important factors:
- Distribution Reach: Where your press release actually gets sent
- Search Engine Visibility: How well the site is indexed by Google and other search engines
- Domain Authority: The site’s overall SEO strength and credibility
- User Interface: Ease of submission and account management
- Additional Features: Any value-added services included in the free plan
- Limitations: Word count restrictions, formatting options, link policies
- Longevity: How long press releases remain visible on the platform
Sites that didn’t make this list included simple blogs, industry-specific press release sites, platforms that haven’t published recent releases, and sites with broken submission systems.
Frequently Asked Questions About Free Press Release Distribution Services
Are free press release sites worth it in 2025?
Free press release sites can provide some basic visibility on some websites that will look good to your boss, but they rarely result in significant media coverage, SEO ranking increase, or traffic to your site. If you decide to use them at all, they’re best used as a supplement to other PR strategies rather than your primary distribution method.
What is the difference between free and paid press release services?
Paid services like eReleases offer real, direct distribution to journalists, newsrooms, and premium media outlets that free services simply cannot access. Paid services also typically offer better reporting, formatting options, and customer support.
How can I maximize results from press release distribution?
To get the most from free and paid press release sites:
- Write a compelling, newsworthy headline
- Include relevant keywords naturally throughout the text
- Add a strong call to action
- Submit to multiple free sites (but customize slightly for each to avoid duplicate content issues)
- Follow up with targeted outreach to relevant journalists
Help Us Keep This List of Free Press Release Submission Sites Up to Date
A trend I’ve noticed is that many past free press release websites are no longer free (but let you set up a free account to then pay). If you find any of these sites no longer offer free press release distribution, let us know by commenting below.
Share Your Free Press Release Success or Failure
Please comment below and share your experiences with free press releases.
This article is written by Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases (https://www.ereleases.com), the online leader in affordable press release distribution. To subscribe to PR Fuel, visit: https://www.ereleases.com/prfuel/subscribe/.
Additional Resources to Help You Write and Distribute Press Releases
- Press Release Examples
- Press Release Template & Format
- What Is a Press Release
- Learn How to Write a Press Release
- To Write a Press Release Yourself or Not?
- Press Release Writing Service
- Press Release Distribution Pricing
- Press Release Distribution Case Studies
Free vs. Paid Press Release Distribution in 2025
While free press release distribution sites can provide some basic visibility for your news, they typically don’t deliver the media coverage or business results that most organizations need.
As our case studies demonstrate, professional press release distribution through services like eReleases can generate coverage in major media outlets, resulting in significant business growth and valuable backlinks from high-authority domains.
If you’re serious about getting your news in front of journalists and generating meaningful media coverage, consider investing in a professional press release distribution service like eReleases that can deliver your story directly to relevant media contacts.
Ready to Get Real Results From Your Press Releases?
Check out eReleases’ affordable press release distribution packages designed specifically for small businesses and startups.
Try us out today, and see what real results from a press release looks like. See our first-time buyer discounts here.