πŸ“° Core Components of a Press Release: Structure and Formatting Guide

Camilo Aponte

Camilo Aponte

Last updated on Sep 30, 2026

Every press release you submit through Search Atlas must include specific components in a defined structure to pass distribution partner validation. Build each section correctly before you submit to avoid rejection and maximize media pickup.

πŸ–ΌοΈ Logo

  • Format: PNG or JPEG, 72–300 DPI
  • Placement: Top-left or center

✍️ AI Writing Instructions (Step 2)

Write your AI Writing Instructions in English. Non-English instructions are not supported and may produce unexpected results. A disclaimer appears in the product as a reminder.

πŸ“Œ Headline (Recommended)

  • 70 characters or fewer
  • Title case
  • Include one main keyword
  • Avoid hype or jargon

Example: Acme Corp Unveils AI-Powered Thermostat to Cut Energy Bills

πŸ“ Sub-headline / Summary (Optional)

  • 120 characters or fewer
  • Sentence case, no trailing period

Example: New platform improves delivery efficiency by up to 30%

πŸ“ Dateline (Required)

Format: CITY, STATE – Month Day, Year β€” all-caps city, two-letter state abbreviation, em dash before the date.

Open your lead paragraph with the dateline in this exact format.

Example: NEW YORK, NY – May 23, 2026

πŸ” Lead Paragraph

  • Covers Who, What, When, Where, and Why
  • 1–2 direct sentences
  • Third-person, factual tone

πŸ“„ Body Paragraphs

  • Follow the inverted pyramid: most important details first
  • 2–4 sentences per paragraph
  • Include context, a quote, and a proof point
  • Attribute all quotes and claims

Example quote: β€œWe’re excited to bring this to market,” said Jane Doe, CTO of Acme Corp.

Note: Place the Call to Action as a separate block after the boilerplate β€” do not include it within the body paragraphs.

🏒 Boilerplate

Write a brief, factual about-the-company statement. Avoid marketing language.

Example: About Acme Corp β€” Founded in 2015, Acme Corp develops smart home devices powered by AI, serving clients across North America.

πŸ“’ Call to Action (Optional)

Include links or referrals for additional information. Keep the language neutral β€” avoid promotional or sales-driven phrasing.

πŸ“‡ Media Contact (Required)

Include a Media Contact block so distribution partners and journalists can follow up. Expected fields:

  • Full name of the press contact
  • Title
  • Company
  • Email address
  • Phone number (optional)

Some fields may be auto-populated from your user profile. Review and update them before you submit.

πŸ“ Length Guidelines

  • Recommended total: 400–600 words
  • Hard limit: Distribution partners may reject releases exceeding 800 words
  • Aim for 3–5 concise body paragraphs to stay within range

βœ… Final Formatting Checklist

  • Single spacing with a line break between paragraphs
  • Left-align all text
  • End your release with ### or – 30 –
  • Total word count: 400–600 words

πŸš€ Next Steps: Submit for Distribution

Once your press release follows the structure above, submit it for distribution directly within the platform. Before submitting, confirm that all required components β€” Dateline, Lead Paragraph, Boilerplate, and Media Contact β€” are complete to avoid validation errors from distribution partners.

🎯 You now have a complete reference for every press release component in Search Atlas. Review each required field against this guide before you click Submit.