The short answer: Press releases are perfect AI material — the format is fixed (headline, summary, quote, body, boilerplate) and the audience is an editor who scans for facts, not flair. Draft the structure with AI, then strip every word that isn't a verifiable fact or a real quote. The editing pass matters more here than in almost any other document.
Why press releases suit AI
Unlike creative writing, a press release has a rigid skeleton that editors expect:
- Headline — the news, in one line.
- Subhead / summary — who, what, when, where, why, in 2-3 lines.
- Body — the key facts in descending order of importance.
- A quote — from a real person, in their actual words.
- About / boilerplate — who the company is.
AI produces this skeleton in seconds. The skill is keeping it factual — which is the same discipline our press release tools guide stresses.
The prompt that works
Feed the tool facts, not 'write me a press release about my launch.' Here's the structure we use:
Write a press release for [company] announcing [news]. Facts only — no adjectives like 'revolutionary' or 'game-changing': [paste dates, numbers, product details, spokesperson name/title]. Use the standard press release format with headline, summary, body, and one quote placeholder.
Notice the explicit instruction: no adjectives, facts only. That single line is what separates a usable release from an AI-sounding one.
The facts-only edit pass
After the draft, run every sentence through these checks:
- Every claim is verifiable. If you can't prove it, cut it or soften it to what's true.
- The quote is real. Replace the AI's generated quote with an actual quote from the named person — or remove it. Editors quote-check.
- No superlatives. 'World-class,' 'leading,' 'best-in-class' — all read as PR-speak and get tuned out.
- Contact info is correct. One real human, a real email. AI can't know this — it's on you.
This is the same principle as our general AI editing pass, but with a hard fact requirement instead of a style one.
What about distribution?
The release is only half the job. For a small site, skip the expensive wire services — send it directly to the journalists who cover your niche, or use your own channels. This is where a startup marketing workflow and the release together matter more than any distribution platform.
Bottom line
AI genuinely speeds up press releases — the fixed format is its home turf. Give it facts, force a facts-only draft, replace the generated quote with a real one, and strip every superlative. The tool writes the skeleton; you supply the truth it can't invent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can AI write a press release?
Yes — the fixed format suits AI well. Draft the skeleton with AI from your facts, then edit hard: every claim verifiable, a real quote, and no superlatives.
What should I put in an AI press release prompt?
Your facts — dates, numbers, product details, spokesperson name and title — plus an explicit instruction: 'facts only, no adjectives.' That's what makes the output usable.
Will journalists publish an AI-written press release?
Only if it reads factual and has a real quote. Editors tune out superlative-heavy AI copy instantly. The facts-only edit pass is what makes it publishable.
Should I pay for a press release distribution service?
For a small site, usually not. Direct outreach to niche journalists and your own channels typically gets better results than paid wires.