If you’re looking to improve your local SEO, you may be overlooking an incredibly valuable source of local signals: local news articles. It’s easy to focus on traditional SEO strategies like optimizing your website, getting reviews, or improving your Google Business Profile. But the power of local news—specifically articles that mention your business, events, or even local community involvement—can provide a huge boost to your local SEO rankings.
In this post, we’ll explore why local news articles matter for local SEO, how they can help you rank higher, and the steps you can take to tap into this often-untapped source of SEO value.
Why Local News Articles Matter for Local SEO
You may be wondering: Why should I care about local news articles when it comes to SEO? After all, they seem like just something that businesses use for public relations or visibility, right? While it’s true that news articles can increase brand awareness, they do much more for your SEO than you may realize.
Here’s why local news articles are so important for local SEO:
1. They Increase Local Authority
Google looks for signals that tell it a business is relevant to a specific location. When your business is mentioned in a local news article, it’s a form of validation that signals to Google that your business is part of the local community. It establishes your authority in that region.
As Google places a lot of importance on local authority, the more high-quality local sources that talk about your business, the better your chances are of ranking for local search terms.
2. They Provide Local Backlinks
Backlinks are an essential part of SEO. When a local news article mentions your business and links back to your website, it acts as a backlink. More importantly, these links are often highly relevant to your local area, making them even more valuable for local SEO.
A local news backlink is a powerful signal to Google, showing that other local authoritative sites are vouching for your business. These backlinks will increase your domain authority and improve your ability to rank locally.
3. They Improve Your Business Visibility
Being featured in local news can dramatically increase your business’s visibility. Whether it’s an article about your new product launch, a charity event you sponsored, or a feature on how your business is impacting the community, local news stories reach an audience that is already interested in your area.
The more people see your name, the more likely they are to search for your business online, which signals to Google that you’re a relevant local resource.
4. They Help with Local Keywords
Local news articles often contain keywords that are highly relevant to your area, neighborhood, and even industry. When your business gets featured, it’s a great opportunity for you to connect your business with local keywords, further increasing the chances of ranking for those terms.
For example, if a local newspaper writes about a business event you’re hosting in San Diego, Google will likely associate your business with “San Diego business events” or “San Diego community gatherings.” Over time, this helps build a strong connection between your brand and the city or neighborhood you serve.
How to Leverage Local News for SEO Success
So, now that you understand why local news articles can boost your local SEO, the next question is: How can you use them to your advantage? Below, we break down the actionable steps you can take to get mentioned in local news articles and use these mentions to boost your SEO.
1. Build Relationships with Local Journalists and Media Outlets
To start benefiting from local news, you first need to build relationships with local journalists, bloggers, and media outlets. Here are a few ways to make that connection:
- Reach out with story ideas: Think of potential stories that align with your business and community interests. Whether it’s a unique product launch, an interesting community initiative, or a charity event you’re hosting, pitching these ideas to local journalists increases your chances of being featured.
- Offer expert insights: Position yourself or your business as a thought leader in your industry. Offer insights or commentary on local trends, events, or issues in your area. This establishes credibility and increases your chances of being quoted in news articles.
- Press releases: If your business has something newsworthy to share, such as an anniversary or special event, consider writing a press release and sending it to local news outlets. Press releases are often picked up by news agencies and published online, giving your business exposure.
Remember, journalists are looking for stories that resonate with their readers. If you can offer something relevant to the local community, you’re more likely to earn a mention.
2. Create Newsworthy Events or Partnerships
Another way to get your business in the local news is to create or partner with local events that generate media interest. Here are a few ideas:
- Sponsor local charity events: If your business sponsors a local charity event, there’s a good chance the news will cover it, especially if the charity is well-known or the event garners significant attention.
- Host community-focused events: If you host an event that benefits the local community (e.g., a food drive, local concert, or free seminar), you’re likely to attract the attention of local reporters.
- Collaborate with other local businesses: Partnering with other businesses for a local initiative or event increases the chances of being covered in the local media. Collaborations show that your business is a vital part of the community.
Creating events or collaborating on initiatives gives local journalists and bloggers material that’s easy to write about and share.
3. Use Your Website and Local News Mentions to Create SEO-Optimized Content
Once you’ve secured local news coverage, the next step is to use these mentions to strengthen your SEO strategy. Here’s how:
- Link to news articles on your website: When your business is mentioned in a local news article, make sure to link to it from your website. This shows Google that you’re relevant and establishes a connection between your business and trusted local sources.
- Repurpose news mentions into blog posts: Create content on your website around the news mentions you’ve received. For example, if your business was featured in a local paper for supporting a community event, you could write a blog post about the event and link back to the article.
- Optimize for local keywords: If the news article mentions specific local keywords, such as your city or neighborhood, be sure to incorporate those keywords into your content and website pages.
By leveraging the SEO value of local news mentions, you’ll further boost your site’s relevance for local searches and increase your visibility.
4. Engage on Social Media to Amplify News Mentions
Once your business is featured in the local news, be sure to share the article across your social media platforms. Not only does this drive traffic to your site, but it also sends social signals to Google, showing that your business is actively engaged in the community.
- Share articles on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: Use engaging captions and hashtags related to your local area to attract more local followers.
- Tag the media outlet or journalist: Tagging the publication or journalist who featured you increases visibility and strengthens your relationship with local media.
- Use social media to generate backlinks: Encouraging your followers to share the article can result in more backlinks to your site, further boosting your local SEO.
The more you amplify your local news mentions on social media, the more likely it is that your content will spread and attract attention.
How Local SEO Packages Can Help You Maximize the Impact of Local News
Local SEO is a complex process that requires ongoing effort and strategy. While securing media coverage and leveraging news mentions can provide a significant SEO boost, the process can be time-consuming and requires expertise in SEO and public relations.
This is where Local SEO Packages come into play. Many SEO agencies offer comprehensive local SEO packages designed to improve your local rankings, boost your visibility, and ultimately grow your business. These packages often include:
- Content creation: High-quality, locally-focused content that can improve your website’s relevance.
- Link-building: Strategies for acquiring local backlinks, including through news mentions, partnerships, and guest posts.
- Review management: Help managing online reviews to build a positive online reputation.
- On-page SEO: Ensuring that your website is fully optimized for local keywords and best practices.
- Ongoing monitoring and reporting: Tracking your local SEO performance and adjusting strategies to maximize results.
By working with experts, you can ensure that you’re fully leveraging local news mentions and other local SEO signals to rank higher and drive more traffic to your website.
Conclusion
Local news articles are an underutilized yet powerful resource for boosting your local SEO. Not only do they increase your business’s visibility, but they also provide valuable backlinks, improve your local authority, and connect your brand to relevant local keywords.
By building relationships with local journalists, hosting newsworthy events, and leveraging these mentions on your website and social media, you can make local news work for your SEO strategy.
If you’re looking for a more hands-off approach to improving your local SEO, consider investing in Local SEO Packages. These packages help you navigate the complexities of local SEO and ensure that you’re getting the maximum benefit from local news articles, backlinks, and other essential SEO factors.
Start using local news articles to your advantage and watch your local SEO rankings improve.
