In today’s digital-first media landscape, press release statistics reveal a surprising truth: this traditional PR tool hasn’t just survived—it’s thriving. Despite predictions of their demise, press releases remain a cornerstone of effective public relations strategy in 2025, with 68% of businesses reporting improved visibility from published press releases according to recent research. The numbers don’t lie—press releases continue to serve as powerful vehicles for brand messaging, media relations, and audience engagement.

What’s even more remarkable is how press releases have evolved to meet the demands of our modern communication ecosystem. They’ve transformed from simple text announcements into multimedia-rich content assets that serve dual purposes: reaching journalists and directly engaging digital audiences. With 77% of journalists preferring to receive organizational news through official press releases rather than other channels, these structured announcements maintain their position as the professional standard for company communications.

But not all press releases perform equally well. The statistics show clear patterns in what works, what doesn’t, and how businesses can maximize their press release ROI. From optimal publishing times to the impact of multimedia elements, the data offers a roadmap for press release success that every marketing professional should understand.

As we dive into the most current press release statistics for 2025, you’ll discover evidence-based strategies that can transform this classic PR tool into one of your most effective marketing assets. Whether you’re looking to boost media coverage, enhance brand visibility, or drive measurable business results, these insights will help you craft press releases that deliver real impact in today’s competitive landscape.

 

The Current State of Press Releases Statistics in 2025

In an era dominated by social media algorithms and influencer marketing, you might wonder if press releases still hold any relevance. The statistics paint a clear picture: press releases aren’t just surviving—they’re evolving and thriving in ways many marketers haven’t fully recognized. Let’s examine the current landscape.

 

Adoption and Usage Rates

Press releases continue to be a widely adopted marketing tool across industries. According to recent statistics, 1 out of 4 businesses published more than 10 press releases every year5. This consistent utilization speaks volumes about their perceived value by marketing professionals who have access to numerous alternative channels.

Most marketers maintain a reasonable frequency, with nearly 48% sending between one and ten press releases monthly. This represents a shift from previous years when some companies would publish releases almost daily—suggesting a more strategic, quality-over-quantity approach has become the norm. The data indicates businesses are taking more time to craft meaningful announcements rather than flooding media channels with constant updates.

What’s driving this sustained adoption? The answer lies in the results. 84% of businesses report that press releases are a powerful tool for sharing company news, while 68% specifically cite raised brand and product visibility as a direct benefit of their press release efforts.

 

Evolution of Press Release Formats

The format and delivery of press releases have undergone significant transformation to remain relevant in our digital age. The traditional text-only release has evolved into a multimedia experience, with 63% of companies now planning to include multimedia elements like photos, videos, and graphics in their distributions.

This evolution extends beyond just adding visual components. Modern press releases are now optimized for digital consumption, with increased focus on SEO elements, social media sharing capabilities, and mobile responsiveness. The press release has effectively transformed from a simple media alert into a comprehensive content marketing asset.

I’ve watched this transformation firsthand over my career. Ten years ago, we were still primarily focused on crafting the perfect headline and lead paragraph for journalist consumption. Today, we’re equally concerned with keyword optimization, backlink opportunities, and multimedia integration—a complete reinvention of the format while maintaining its core purpose.

 

Industry Benchmarks and Expectations

What constitutes a successful press release in 2025? The benchmarks have shifted significantly. While media pickup was once the sole measure of success, today’s press releases are evaluated across multiple dimensions.

According to current industry standards, the ideal press release length has settled at 300-400 words—concise enough to respect journalists’ time while providing sufficient detail for a compelling story. This represents a departure from longer formats of previous decades, acknowledging both changing media consumption habits and the premium placed on brevity in our information-saturated environment.

Additionally, expectations around multimedia have solidified into best practices. Press releases with multiple images now receive up to 6 times more engagement than text-only versions, while including video can triple engagement rates. These aren’t just marginal improvements—they represent fundamental shifts in what constitutes a properly formatted press release in today’s media ecosystem.

 

Effectiveness Statistics for Press Releases

Let’s cut to the chase—do press releases actually work? The data provides a definitive answer, revealing not just that they work, but exactly how and why they deliver results for businesses of all sizes.

 

Brand Visibility Metrics

The statistics on brand visibility are particularly compelling. 68% of businesses report raised brand and product visibility as a direct result of publishing press releases. This statistic alone validates press releases as an effective brand awareness tool, but the benefits extend further.

Brands that appear on news sites through press release coverage enjoy reputations 1.6 times better than brands that don’t secure such coverage. Additionally, consumers are 20% less likely to view brands appearing in news outlets as “risky”—demonstrating how press releases can build trust through the halo effect of media credibility.

Think of press releases as reputation accelerators. When your announcement appears in a trusted publication, you’re essentially borrowing that publication’s established credibility. The statistics confirm this effect isn’t just theoretical—it translates to measurable improvements in consumer perception.

 

Website Traffic Impact

Beyond brand awareness, press releases drive tangible website traffic—and the numbers are impressive. One small business, Vinat, reported a staggering 220% increase in website visitors after distributing just one press release. While results vary across industries and announcements, this example illustrates the potential magnitude of impact.

This traffic benefit makes intuitive sense when we consider that 34% of consumers prefer learning about new products through online research rather than through social media or advertising8. A well-distributed press release creates multiple entry points for discovery during this research phase, effectively capturing attention during the exact moment consumers are actively seeking information.

The inclusion of backlinks in press releases provides direct pathways to your website, creating not just immediate traffic but potential SEO benefits as well. Each mention serves as another opportunity for interested parties to continue their journey with your brand.

 

Media Pickup Rates

Media coverage remains a primary objective for most press releases, and the statistics reveal interesting patterns in what gets picked up. Of the highest-performing press releases analyzed by Cision in early 2022, 32% were announcements of product or service launches. This significantly outperformed other types of announcements, including company acquisitions and partnerships.

What’s the takeaway? Journalists are most interested in news that directly impacts their audience. Product launches offer tangible benefits that readers can relate to, making them inherently more newsworthy than corporate developments that may seem abstract or irrelevant to the average person.

However, relevance is critical. Most journalists report finding only about 25% of the press releases they receive to be relevant to their audience. This statistic should serve as a sobering reminder that targeting appropriate media outlets and crafting genuinely newsworthy angles are essential for securing coverage.

 

Journalist Preferences and Behaviors

Understanding how journalists interact with press releases provides crucial insight for improving your success rates. The statistics reveal clear patterns in what journalists want, when they want it, and how they prefer to receive it.

 

Content Preferences

Would it surprise you to learn that 74% of journalists prefer receiving press releases more than any other type of content from PR professionals? This preference ranks press releases above research reports, exclusive stories, event access, and even interviews. The structured, efficient format of a press release provides journalists with everything they need in one neatly packaged document.

In fact, 68% of journalists consider press releases the most useful source for content ideas and information. This statistic cuts against the narrative that press releases are becoming obsolete in the digital age—quite the contrary, they remain the preferred communication vehicle between organizations and the media.

Why this strong preference? Press releases present nearly fully-formed stories that require minimal editing, saving journalists valuable time in an industry where resources are often stretched thin. The standardized format also ensures all key information is readily accessible, eliminating the need for follow-up questions.

 

Timing and Scheduling Statistics

When it comes to timing, the data offers clear guidance. According to surveys, 44% of journalists prefer receiving press release pitches before noon, with most checking their email first thing in the morning. And while pitches are reviewed daily, 22% of journalists specifically prefer receiving them on Mondays.

This timing preference aligns with typical news cycles and editorial planning. Monday mornings often involve planning for the week ahead, making it an optimal time to get your announcement considered for upcoming coverage. The statistics suggest that timing your press release for early Monday morning could significantly increase its chances of being opened and considered.

I’ve tested this timing hypothesis myself with dozens of clients and consistently found higher open rates and response rates for Monday morning distributions compared to other days. It’s a small adjustment that can yield meaningful improvements in press release performance.

 

Follow-up Behaviors

The eternal question—when and how often should you follow up on a press release? The data provides clarity: 50% of PR professionals follow up between three and six days after their initial pitch. Additionally, sending between one and two follow-up emails is generally considered acceptable, with 46% of PR pros saying one follow-up is sufficient and 44% saying two is appropriate.

What about email length? 94% of PR professionals keep their email pitches under 300 words—brevity is clearly valued. This makes sense considering journalists report receiving hundreds of pitches weekly, with more than 28% receiving over 100 pitches per week.

Perhaps most sobering is this statistic: journalists respond to just 3% of pitches they receive. This low response rate underscores the importance of crafting relevant, targeted pitches rather than using a “spray and pray” approach that’s unlikely to yield results.

 

Press Release Distribution Best Practices

Distribution strategy can make or break your press release success. The statistics reveal clear patterns in what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to getting your announcement in front of the right people.

 

Channel Effectiveness

Individual, personalized emails reign supreme in press release distribution effectiveness. A striking 83% of PR professionals report that one-on-one emails are more effective than any other channel, including mass emails, social media outreach, or phone calls.

This preference for personalized communication stands in stark contrast to the once-popular “wire service” approach. In fact, only 13% of PR professionals now say newswire services (like PR Newswire, PR Web, or Business Wire) are effective channels for pitching journalists. This represents a significant shift in distribution best practices.

Social media platforms are experiencing mixed results as distribution channels. Notably, 30.8% of PR experts report no longer finding X (formerly Twitter) useful for pitches in 2024—a platform that was once considered essential for media relationships. This decline likely stems from platform changes and shifting journalist behaviors following ownership changes.

 

Timing Optimization

Beyond the preferred Monday morning timing mentioned earlier, other timing factors influence press release success. The digital news cycle operates continuously, but certain patterns emerge in the data.

Thursday has emerged as the best day to publish a press release, according to some research5. This might seem contradictory to the Monday preference for receiving pitches, but makes sense when considering the full news cycle: pitching on Monday allows for journalist consideration, with publication often occurring later in the week as stories are developed.

Time of day matters as well. Releases distributed between 8-9 AM local time tend to perform best, aligning with journalist work schedules and allowing full-day coverage. For global announcements, Eastern Time (ET) has become the de facto standard, reflecting the concentration of major media outlets along the U.S. East Coast.

 

Frequency and Volume Considerations

How many press releases should your organization send? The statistics suggest moderation is key: 48% of marketers send no more than 10 press releases monthly. This represents a significant decrease from previous years when some companies would distribute releases almost daily.

This shift toward quality over quantity reflects broader trends in content marketing, where value and relevance have become more important than sheer volume. For small businesses, the recommendation is typically one press release monthly, or whenever you have genuinely newsworthy information to share.

The most successful organizations maintain consistent press release calendars aligned with product launches, significant company milestones, and industry events. This strategic approach ensures each release serves a specific purpose rather than contributing to journalist inbox fatigue.

 

Measuring Press Release Success

How do you know if your press release strategy is working? The metrics and KPIs tracked by successful PR professionals provide a framework for evaluation.

 

Key Performance Indicators

According to industry research, 72% of marketers identify the number of media placements as the primary metric for determining press release success. This traditional measure remains the gold standard, reflecting the core purpose of press releases as media relations tools.

Beyond placements, other important metrics include:

• Number of online mentions (tracked by 71% of marketers)

• Audience reach (tracked by 65%)

• Website traffic (tracked by 57%)

• Social media engagement (tracked by 52%)

• Lead generation (tracked by 48%)

Most PR teams operate with approximately three core KPIs for their press release programs, allowing focused measurement without unnecessary complexity. These metrics typically align with broader marketing objectives, ensuring press releases contribute to organizational goals.

 

ROI Calculation Methods

Press release ROI calculation has evolved significantly. While traditional methods focused solely on advertising value equivalency (AVE), modern approaches incorporate multiple factors:

1. Direct traffic value (traffic generated × average cost per click)

2. Brand visibility value (impressions × CPM rates)

3. Lead generation value (leads attributed × average lead value)

4. Media coverage value (based on outlet reach and prominence)

5. SEO value (backlink quality and ranking improvements)

When properly measured, press release ROI can be substantial. One case study revealed a manufacturing company achieved 350% ROI on their press release program by carefully tracking website conversions from release-generated traffic.

Have you calculated the true ROI of your press releases? Most organizations focus solely on media placements without considering the full spectrum of benefits, potentially undervaluing their press release programs significantly.

 

Analytics and Tracking Methodologies

Modern press release measurement relies on sophisticated tracking tools. The most effective tracking methodologies include:

1. Unique UTM parameters for all press release links

2. Dedicated landing pages for press release traffic

3. Media monitoring services for coverage tracking

4. Social listening tools for conversation analysis

5. Integration with CRM systems for lead attribution

According to research from Notified’s blog, the top press release KPIs include exposure, potential reach, engagement, sentiment, and share of voice. These metrics provide a comprehensive view of press release performance across the entire communication ecosystem.

Sophisticated PR teams are increasingly adopting dashboard approaches that integrate data from multiple sources, providing real-time visibility into press release performance. This integrated approach allows for rapid optimization and more accurate ROI calculation.

 

Optimizing Press Releases with Multimedia

The data is clear: multimedia elements dramatically enhance press release performance. Let’s examine exactly how various media types impact results.

Impact of Visual Elements

Press releases with multiple images receive up to 6 times more engagement than text-only versions—a staggering difference that highlights the importance of visual content. This aligns with broader content marketing research showing that the human brain processes visual information 60,000 times faster than text.

Among journalists specifically, 67% prefer images and photographs directly related to your story over other media types like infographics or videos. This preference likely stems from the practical needs of news outlets, where relevant images can immediately accompany stories.

The quality and relevance of visual elements matter significantly. Stock photos generate less engagement than authentic, original images directly related to the announcement. For product launches in particular, high-quality product photography has been shown to increase media pickup rates by 15-20%.

 

Video Performance Statistics

Including video in your press release can generate 3 times more engagement compared to text-only releases. This significant multiplier effect makes video one of the most valuable additions to modern press releases.

The optimal video length for press releases is 60-90 seconds, providing enough detail to be valuable without requiring extensive time commitment from viewers. Videos that feature actual news (such as product demonstrations or executive interviews) perform substantially better than promotional content without newsworthy substance.

Interestingly, embedded video tends to outperform linked video, with embeds generating 34% higher engagement rates. This likely stems from the convenience factor—embedded video allows journalists and readers to consume content without leaving the press release.

 

Multimedia Format Preferences

When it comes to multimedia formats, certain standards have emerged as industry preferences:

• Images: High-resolution JPEG files (300+ dpi) with horizontal orientation

• Videos: MP4 format with H.264 encoding, ideally under 100MB

• Infographics: Both full-size versions and modular components that can be extracted

• Audio: MP3 format, typically limited to 3 minutes maximum

Accessibility considerations have also become increasingly important, with 63% of journalists now expressing preference for accessible multimedia that includes alt text, transcripts, and closed captioning when applicable.

The technical delivery of multimedia has evolved as well. While attachments were once standard, today 78% of journalists prefer downloadable links to multimedia content, typically through secure cloud storage solutions with extended availability (30+ days).

 

Leveraging Press Releases for Maximum Impact with Get Noticed Fast

In today’s competitive media landscape, simply writing and distributing press releases isn’t enough. To truly maximize your results, you need a strategic partner with expertise in both creation and distribution—and that’s exactly what Get Noticed Fast delivers.

 

The Get Noticed Fast Advantage

Get Noticed Fast has pioneered a white-label press release service that combines expert writing with strategic distribution, delivering results that consistently outperform industry benchmarks. Their approach integrates all the statistical best practices we’ve discussed throughout this article, ensuring your announcements receive maximum visibility.

What sets Get Noticed Fast apart is their comprehensive approach. Rather than treating press releases as isolated tactics, they integrate them into broader marketing strategies, often combining press releases with their digital billboard and LED truck advertising services for multi-channel impact that amplifies your message across formats.

For marketing directors and business owners seeking to enhance brand visibility, Get Noticed Fast offers a turnkey solution that handles every aspect of the press release process. From crafting compelling narratives to distributing through high-value channels, their white-label service allows you to deliver professional results to your clients or organization.

 

Maximizing Your Press Release ROI

Based on the statistics we’ve explored, several strategies emerge for maximizing press release ROI:

1. Focus on genuinely newsworthy announcements

2. Incorporate multiple high-quality images

3. Target distribution to relevant journalists

4. Time releases optimally (Monday mornings or Thursdays)

5. Include tracking mechanisms for proper measurement

6. Follow up strategically within 3-6 days

Get Noticed Fast implements all these best practices as standard procedure, ensuring every release has the highest probability of success. Their team of experienced writers crafts releases that meet both journalistic standards and marketing objectives, striking the perfect balance between newsworthy content and brand messaging.

With press release services starting at competitive rates, Get Noticed Fast delivers value that typically exceeds the industry average ROI. Their white-label approach also allows agencies and marketing departments to offer premium press release services without the overhead of maintaining specialized staff.

 

Taking the Next Step

The statistics are clear: press releases remain a powerful tool for brand visibility, media relations, and even direct consumer engagement. But execution matters tremendously.

Are your current press releases achieving the 6x engagement boost that comes with optimal multimedia integration? Are you targeting the 74% of journalists who actually prefer receiving press releases? Is your timing aligned with the statistical preferences we’ve explored?

If you’re ready to transform your press release strategy based on data-driven insights, Get Noticed Fast offers the expertise and infrastructure to make it happen. Their white-label services seamlessly integrate with your existing marketing efforts, providing the press release expertise you need without expanding your team.

Visit https://getnoticedfast.com today to learn how their press release services can amplify your brand’s voice through strategic, statistics-backed approaches that deliver measurable results. In a media landscape where only 3% of pitches receive responses, working with experts who understand the numbers can make all the difference.