With the new year just days away, it is a good time to start thinking about how you will spread the word about your brand in 2026. That includes having news ready to share across a wide mix of platforms using EIN Presswire’s massive distribution network.
And now that we’ve added USA TODAY Network, formerly Gannett, you soon will be able to reach an even broader audience. We know you have important announcements to make, milestones and inspirational stories to share, and products to roll out in January 2026.
So what did we learn in 2025?
EIN Presswire, the world’s leading press release distribution platform, sent out more than 190,000 press releases in 2025. That shows why small and mid-sized businesses, PR agencies, and nonprofits rely on us to get their news in front of the right people.
But we’ve learned that reaching journalists should no longer be the only end goal. Today, visibility also means showing up where people discover information, including AI-driven tools that summarize, surface, and recommend content in real time. Think ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude, among others.
That shift reshaped communications strategies this year, and it will continue into 2026. At EIN Presswire, we stayed ahead of the curve, showing how press releases go beyond headlines and serve as trusted sources for AI systems to reference.
Throughout 2025, we shared practical PR insights, tips and real-world examples, as well as stories of PR leaders who have made an impact in the industry.
Below are our top five EIN Presswire Substack posts of 2025.
How Press Releases Boost SEO and AI Visibility for Your Brand
Press releases do more than share news — they boost online visibility by helping your brand and keywords appear faster and more often in search results and news feeds. They support both search engine optimization (SEO) and generative engine optimization (GEO) by distributing content across multiple sites and helping AI tools like Gemini and ChatGPT include your brand in their answers. Press releases can also earn valuable backlinks from trusted news outlets, improving credibility and search rankings. For small and mid-sized businesses, press releases are a simple way to increase visibility in both search engines and AI-powered platforms.
Generative Engine Optimization: How To Get Your Brand Cited By LLMs
In an exclusive piece for the Forbes Communications Council, Jeremy Fields, vice president of corporate development at Newsmatics (parent company of EIN Presswire), explains how generative engine optimization (GEO) is emerging as a critical strategy as AI continues to reshape how people search for information. As search behavior changes, content now helps determine how AI tools find, rank and present answers. Brand visibility and narrative control still matter, Fields explains, but communications and marketing teams must also think about how large language models shape those results.
Case Study: How Diverse Businesses Use Press Releases to Gain AI Visibility and Drive Growth
For diverse and mission-driven businesses, visibility is about more than recognition — it creates access, trust and opportunity. My Home Pathway needed a clear way to connect its story with audiences and partners positioned to drive real change. The organization purchased a corporate distribution package to share press releases with clear, accessible messaging around complex housing issues. The effort resulted in high-impact media placements and increased visibility across AI-driven platforms.
White Paper: How Press Releases Improve SEO & AI Reach
Press releases today do more than secure media coverage. They also help content surface in two critical places: search engines and AI-powered tools. This white paper features insights from the EIN Presswire team, breaking down how news releases support both search engine optimization and generative engine optimization. It outlines how brands can increase visibility across search platforms and AI tools such as Gemini and ChatGPT, including SEO and GEO strategies. A must-read for small and mid-market businesses and PR professionals looking to stay competitive in an evolving search landscape.
The Truth Behind the Trend: Pros and Cons of Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing has grown from a niche tactic to a key strategy for brands of all sizes. Social media influencers offer a way to connect with audiences in authentic and engaging ways, but the approach comes with both advantages and drawbacks. We break down the pros and cons in this post and share a podcast featuring a PR veteran who explains how some influencers are raking in serious dough by promoting brands on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook and Instagram.