By John Kent

SANTA CLARA (OBSNews.com) - Online press release distribution has become big business on the internet as companies struggle to achieve visibility on the Internet through various strategies known as search engine optimization (SEO).

Search marketing expert, Bruce Clay, of Bruce Clay, Inc. recently spoke with OBSNews.com editor, anchor and co-founder Patrick McGilvray, J.D. about the use of online press releases in an interview conducted at the SMX West search marketing conference recently in Santa Clara, CA

Mr. Clay described some of the the advantages of issuing online press releases in terms of branding and of driving website visitor traffic because of their usefulness from a search engine optimization (SEO) perspective. For his video interview, please click below:

Clay also describes advanced online marketing strategies designed around the use of search engine optimized online press releases and choosing the proper distribution networks.

"The primary objective of [online] press release is getting your brand out and getting traffic. And if you can get traffic it's justified to do it. I think it something that's well worth doing," he said.

Speaking of search giant Google and its Google News aggregation service for worldwide news, the search industry veteran said, "If you can get into Google News, it's worth it's weight in Gold."

With regards too online distribution of news, he commented, "You want to be involved with [the] right distribution." His final observation concerning online press release distribution: "Is it newsworthy?" wasn't just rhetorical.

Clay mentioned how important it is to write press releases with enough engaging, timely, and topical aspects so that readers will actively pass on a recommendation to friends to read a release. This viral or social network marketing effect triggered by a well-written Internet press release or other online campaign, he indicated, can create lasting and positive branding impressions.