Press Release Publishing Policy
At IconicNewswire, we are committed to providing a platform that promotes responsible and ethical publishing practices. This Publishing Policy outlines the guidelines and standards we expect our users to adhere to when using our platform for publishing content. By using our platform, you acknowledge and agree to the practices described in this policy.
IconicNewswire’s editorial staff reviews all press releases before distribution to ensure that content is newsworthy, accurate, and in an acceptable press release format. Attention to the following guidelines will help your press release get speedy approval and distribution on our platform.
IconicNewswire press releases must contain a clear, timely and newsworthy angle and be free of advertising hype, direct address and spam. Press releases should incorporate the following features/qualities:
Newsworthy Content
Common news angles include timely information about a new product or service, a business expansion or recent event, an organizational milestone like an anniversary or award or the issuance of a tip sheet or expert opinion on a topic currently in the news. The news announcement must be clearly stated in the headline.
Not everything is news. Do not try to use your press release for advertising or to post a general interest article, “open letters” and the like that lack attribution and/or news value.
Objective Tone
IconicNewswire press releases should be free of hype flags and direct address (i.e. “you,” “I,” “we,” etc.) unless used within a quotation from a spokesperson from a company or organization. Direct address is a flag that the content is an advertisement rather than a news release. Similarly, hype flags — exclamation points; hyperbolic product/service claims; descriptions of a product or service as AMAZING, or the use of upper case characters to create emphasis — challenge the credibility of your news announcement.
Legally Accurate
IconicNewswire requires a case number, court of record, complaint number or other sufficient documentation for all press releases referencing legal action or criminal matters.
Valid Contact Info
IconicNewswire press releases must contain a valid phone number and e-mail address in the contact information.
Written Authorization
In certain cases, such as with network marketing companies, with the use of a stock ticker symbol, or with major corporate announcements such as (but not limited to) those related to M&A, IconicNewswire may require written authorization from a company executive before a press release is approved for distribution. Independent representatives of network marketing companies, MLM or party plan companies must always obtain the express consent of the company’s executive.
Standard Length
IconicNewswire press releases should be between 300 and 800 words. The length of your release directly affects its distribution, and press releases that are overly short or long may have trouble being indexed in the search engines. The news summary should also be limited to 1 or 2 sentences.
Standard Grammar and Spelling
IconicNewswire press releases should be free of spelling and grammatical errors. Although jargon and acronyms are good for search engine ranking, make sure to include definitions for industry jargon so the average person can understand as well.
IconicNewswire Formatting
IconicNewswire press releases cannot contain HTML tags and other formatting such as non-standard characters, tables or forced line breaks. Releases also should not be written partially or entirely in all capital letters. Before submitting your release, please ensure all links in your release are fully functional. If your website is not available or fully functional at the time of editorial review, you will need to remove the links from your release, or wait until the website is in operation to submit.
A Clear News Source
IconicNewswire requires a clear news source be identified in the headline. The news source is the company or organization that is issuing the release. If your agency, firm or business is distributing on behalf of a client, then the source would be the client’s company or organization’s name. It should also be clear how that company or organization relates to the news announcement.
IconicNewswire Does Not Distribute
❌ Advertisements
Press releases are distributed via a direct-to-consumer platform but are written in a standard press release format with a news angle — not to sell to consumers. A good press release informs the media and the general public about a newsworthy topic. If your press release reads like an advertisement, rewrite it.
❌ Personal Opinions
IconicNewswire will not distribute content intended to harm or exact personal revenge against a person or group. We typically accept press releases related to political, public policy and other sensitive matters, provided opinions are appropriately attributed and the release does not contain unsubstantiated allegations or excessive hyperbole.
❌ Unaccepted File Attachment Types
We do not accept releases that contain links or attachments with extensions other than:
jpeg, gif, png, tiff, bmp, ps, pdf, doc, xl, rtf, ppt, mpeg, mp* and mov.**
❌ Sexually Explicit Content
To ensure the integrity of our service for all, IconicNewswire does not accept content about sexually explicit material or products. Press releases should not contain references or links to explicitly sexual material, illegal material or profane language. All 18+ websites are considered sexually explicit.
❌ SPAM
Avoid getting caught in content filters because of the prominence, high volume or density of words and/or phrases that are frequently found in advertisements, unwanted email (SPAM) or on non-newsworthy websites. Examples include:
girls, amazing, FREE, sex, naked, buy, make money, don’t miss this opportunity
❌ Link SPAM
Limit link count to 1 per 100 words to protect link value within the IconicNewswire network.
❌ Blog Posts
General interest articles, blog posts, and open letters are not in press release format and lack proper attribution or news value.
❌ Opinion Pieces
News releases can be about a person or group’s opinion on a topical subject, but should not contain only opinion. Opinions must be attributed to a credible source.
❌ Reprints
Content that is reprinted from another site or publication, especially copyrighted work, is not acceptable.
❌ Fiction
All users must agree to submit only accurate and factual information.
❌ Duplicate Content
The same release should not be submitted more than once.
❌ Intent to Harm
We do not distribute content intended to:
- Incite hatred or violence
- Attack individuals or groups
- Maliciously affect a company’s stock
- Stalk, defraud, degrade or defame others
❌ Unauthorized Ticker Symbols
Use of stock symbols must be authorized by the issuing company. If authorization is not provided, we will request their removal.
❌ Online Gambling & Fantasy Sports
Content promoting or linking to gambling and fantasy sports is prohibited.
❌ Streaming Video Sites
No promotion of or links to premium broadcast/TV streaming without permission from content owner.
❌ Payday or Short-Term Loans
We do not accept content promoting these services.
❌ Online Pharmaceuticals
Sexual enhancement products and online drugstores without a clear prescription policy are not accepted.
❌ Work From Home
We do not accept content promoting “work from home” programs.
❌ Stock Recommendations
No newsletters, stock tips, alerts, or advice. Public companies may announce their own news only.
❌ Electronic Cigarettes
Promotional content for e-cigarettes is not accepted.
❌ Green Coffee Beans / Raspberry Ketone
Content promoting these supplements is not allowed.
❌ Over-Optimization
Avoid excessive keyword use and link stuffing.
❌ Illegal Unlocking
Content about unlocking phones or tablets without carrier permission is not allowed.
❌ BlackHat SEO Tactics
No promotion of services such as:
- Link buying/selling
- Paid followers
- Keyword stuffing
- Manipulative SEO tactics
Note:
IconicNewswire also reserves the right to remove news releases that are determined to have earned unnatural inbound links through participation in paid link schemes. We occasionally review client content for compliance with search engine Webmaster Guidelines.
