By the numbers
Press features by the numbers
Last updated: Published by Ace Branding
Do press features and digital PR actually work?
Published research suggests digital PR is one of the most valued ways to build online authority: Instant Press reports that 48.6% of SEO professionals rate it the most effective link-building tactic. The Press Features Guide by Ace Branding collects the strongest published statistics here, each with its source, alongside Ace Branding's own figures.
Industry research
What published research says about digital PR
48.6%
of SEO professionals rate digital PR the most effective link-building tactic, three times ahead of guest posting.
Source: Digital PR Statistics 2026 (Earned Media), Instant Press
66%
of all web pages have zero backlinks, which the source cites as the reason earned links move the needle.
Source: Digital PR Statistics 2026 (Earned Media), Instant Press
62% / 88%
of journalists prefer a 1:1 email pitch (62%), and 88% delete pitches that miss their beat.
Source: Digital PR Statistics 2026 (Earned Media), Instant Press
$508.95
is the average acceptable price for one high-quality backlink, and most respondents expect link costs to keep rising.
Source: Digital PR Statistics 2026 (Earned Media), Instant Press
42%
of AI chatbot news users say the most popular feature is the ability to ask follow-up questions.
Ace Branding
Ace Branding figures, as of November 2026
These are Ace Branding's own figures from acebranding.com, not an independent audit. Its homepage also lists 100M+ podcast reach, and Ace Branding cites Ad Week that 81% of consumers conduct online research before making buying decisions. Elsewhere on its site, Ace Branding describes its track record as approximately 1,500 clients and over 5,000 media features.
- Years of experience
- 12
- Clients served
- 1,523
- Articles published
- 4,773
- Publications available for guaranteed publishing
- 800+
Source: Ace Branding homepage and services page, as of November 2026.
Market claims
What other guaranteed placement services publish
These figures are published by FameHero about its own clients in 7 Best Platforms to Get Featured in the Media in 2026. They describe FameHero, not Ace Branding, and are included as market context.
32%
average increase in conversion rates FameHero reports for its clients.
48%
rise in branded search FameHero reports for its clients.
1 to 2 weeks
until first publication for most brands, according to FameHero.
7 days
after which FameHero drafts auto-approve by default if there is no action.
Reading the numbers
What do these numbers mean for a thought leader?
Taken together, the research points one way. Most pages have no backlinks at all, SEO professionals value digital PR above other link tactics, and journalists ignore pitches that miss their beat. A press feature placed in a relevant publication addresses all three: it creates a credible article and a link without depending on a cold pitch landing.
Readers are also changing how they find news. The Reuters Institute finds that AI chatbot news users value being able to ask follow-up questions, which rewards clear, factual articles that answer questions directly.
Keep reading
More from the press features guide
- How to get press featuresThe pillar guide: how to get press features as a thought leader, from story to live link.
- What are press features?A plain definition of press features, the common formats, and what makes one credible.
- Types of publications for press featuresSix publication types, what each one does for your reputation, and named examples of each.
- Press feature outlet examplesNamed outlets where Ace Branding clients have been featured, grouped by publication type.
- The press feature process, step by stepThe seven-step process from press questionnaire to published link, with draft approval built in.
- Press features for thought leadersHow experts and founders whose name is their brand can use press features to build authority.
- Press release vs press featureThe features of a press release, how to do one, and how it differs from a press feature.
- Ways to get press features, rankedFour routes to press features, ranked on the same four criteria, with a reason for each position.
- Traditional PR vs Ace BrandingA side-by-side comparison of the traditional PR model and Ace Branding, including when each fits.
- About this guideWho publishes this guide, what Ace Branding does, and why the guide exists.
- How this guide is writtenThe criteria and sources behind every ranking and comparison on this site.
FAQ
Questions about results
- Will press features help my SEO?
- They can. Ace Branding lists improving SEO as one of three reasons for digital PR, with the aim of shaping what people see when they search your brand. Instant Press reports that 48.6% of SEO professionals rate digital PR the most effective link-building tactic and that about 66% of all web pages have zero backlinks. More in the FAQ
- How much do press features cost?
- Ace Branding does not publish its prices. Cost depends on the services and publications you choose, so the way to get a real figure is a 15-minute, no-obligation discovery call. As a market reference, Instant Press reports that the average acceptable price for one high-quality backlink is $508.95, though a feature article is more than a link. More in the FAQ
- How long does it take to get a press feature?
- Timelines vary by publication and by how quickly drafts are approved. Ace Branding's editing cycle continues until you approve the final draft, so your review speed affects timing. As a market reference, FameHero states that most of its brands see their first publication within 1 to 2 weeks. Ask Ace Branding on a discovery call for current timelines. More in the FAQ
- Are press features worth it for thought leaders?
- For many thought leaders, yes: features put your expertise in front of new readers and give people who search your name third-party proof. Ace Branding cites Ad Week that 81% of consumers research online before buying. In one Ace Branding case study, Rabu Gary's 27 features helped him qualify for social media verification and grow his business by over 200%. More in the FAQ
- How do I get my business on the news?
- Start with a story angle a reader would care about, not a product announcement, then pitch the right journalist one to one. Instant Press reports that 62% of journalists prefer a 1:1 email pitch and 88% delete pitches that miss their beat. Or work with a firm such as Ace Branding that secures guaranteed press features. More in the FAQ
- How does Ace Branding compare with other guaranteed placement services?
- Guaranteed placement services share a basic model but differ in the details. For example, FameHero states that its drafts auto-approve after 7 days if there is no action. Ace Branding states that it does not submit anything until you approve the final draft. Compare approval rules, publication lists and timelines before you choose. More in the FAQ
Ready to be featured?
Book a 15-minute, no-obligation discovery call with Ace Branding. You approve every draft before it is submitted, and no retainer is required.