If you’re trying to get your brand noticed online, you’ve probably heard of SEO and PR. But do you really need both? Can one do the job of the other? And what’s actually the difference between showing up on Google… and showing up with credibility?
Spoiler: You absolutely need both. Here’s why.
SEO Gets You Seen. PR Gets You Trusted.
Let’s start with the basics.
SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is all about visibility. It helps your website appear in search results when someone’s Googling your product, service, or industry. Good SEO means more clicks, more traffic, and more opportunities to convert.
PR (Public Relations), on the other hand, is about credibility. It gets you featured in media, builds trust through third-party mentions, and positions you as a leader in your space.
In simple terms:
SEO says “I exist.”
PR says “And I’m worth paying attention to.”
What Happens When You Only Use One?
You could be ranking number one on Google, but if the first five results don’t say anything impressive about your brand, you’re forgettable.
You could land a feature in Forbes, but if your website doesn’t show up in search, the buzz ends there.
It’s not about choosing between SEO or PR. It’s about how they work together.
Why SEO and PR Are Better Together
Let’s connect the dots.
Media features from PR drive high-authority backlinks—a major ranking factor for SEO.
Press releases and interviews can be optimized to rank in search.
People Google you after seeing a feature. If your SEO is strong, they’ll find even more reasons to trust you.
PR content gives SEO something to work with—stories, interviews, expert insights that are keyword-rich and reputation-boosting.
This is how modern brands build presence and perception.
Still Not Convinced? Google Yourself.
What shows up?
If it’s just your website and a couple of social links, you’ve got visibility—but no authority.
If it’s media features, guest articles, and strong content, you’ve got the real edge: searchable credibility.
That’s what SEO and PR together can do.
If you’re only investing in SEO, you’re easy to find—but not necessarily easy to trust.
If you’re only doing PR, you’re credible—but only to the people who happen to see the feature.
You don’t need to pick sides. You need a strategy that makes you visible and valuable.
That’s what we do at Level Up PR—we build brands people find, follow, and believe in
