The world of SEO in 2025 is fundamentally different from just a few years ago. Strategies that once delivered consistent results—like analyst mentions and expert roundups—are now seeing diminishing returns for brands seeking sustainable growth. According to a 2025 survey by Editorial.Link, 48.6% of SEO professionals now consider digital PR the most effective link-building tactic, marking a major shift away from traditional methods (editorial.link). This shift is primarily driven by Google's focus on content quality, user intent, and E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness). For brands navigating these changes, digital PR and link building have become essential elements of a successful SEO strategy.
What Analyst Mentions and Expert Roundups Are—And Why They Used to Work
Analyst mentions and expert roundups were once cornerstones of SEO campaigns. An analyst mention refers to a citation from a recognized industry expert or research firm, lending authority and credibility to content. An expert roundup compiles perspectives from multiple thought leaders on a single topic, boosting the perceived value and shareability of an article. These approaches thrived because they delivered diverse viewpoints and were widely referenced, helping sites earn authoritative backlinks and improve search rankings.
However, as more marketers adopted these tactics indiscriminately, the web became saturated with nearly identical roundups, causing both user engagement and SEO value to diminish over time.
As industry retrospectives show, analyst mentions and roundups became best practices for brands seeking visibility and trust in their sector.
The 2025 SEO Landscape: Why Google’s Updates Changed the Game
SEO has shifted rapidly due to Google's recent algorithm updates. In 2024, Google categorized "scaled content abuse"—mass-produced, low-value content—as spam, directly targeting tactics commonly seen in traditional link-building schemes (link.build). The Helpful Content Update placed user-focused, original content at the center of ranking criteria. Google's Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines now place increased weight on E-E-A-T, making it crucial for brands to demonstrate firsthand experience and original research.
“Google’s emphasis on experience, expertise, authoritativeness, and trustworthiness will be even more critical. SEO pros need to build Author Authority by showcasing expert credentials and first-hand experience, and digital and social footprint, especially in niches like health and finance.” — John Shehata, CEO & Founder at NewzDash
These changes mean that tactics like analyst mentions and expert roundups—especially when executed at scale or without unique insights—are less likely to deliver SEO value. Ranking volatility has become the new normal, with categories like YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) facing even greater scrutiny from Google’s algorithms.
Google’s AI-driven systems can now recognize and devalue content produced solely to manipulate search rankings, further marginalizing old-school tactics.
For more on Google’s standards for content quality, see our discussion of the Site Reputation Abuse Policy.
Proof in the Data: The Decline of Analyst Mentions and Expert Roundups
Let’s compare the outcomes of traditional tactics with those that align with current SEO standards:
| Analyst Mentions / Expert Roundups (Legacy) | PR-First, Original Research (2025) | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Impact | Declining: Many sites saw a 30–40% drop in organic traffic (2024) | Growing: Sites investing in original research saw up to 50% organic growth |
| Engagement Metrics | Lower: Bounce rates rising, time-on-page decreasing | Higher: Quality content increases session duration and engagement |
| Backlink Quality | Declining: Backlinks from roundups now devalued by Google | Higher: Natural editorial links from authoritative publications |
| Risk | Increased: More sites penalized for scaled/low-value content | Reduced: Aligned with Google’s E-E-A-T and spam policies |
A 2024 study found that content relying heavily on expert roundups saw a 30% decrease in organic traffic compared to the previous year (medium.com).
For example, a mid-sized digital marketing agency noted that expert roundups once drove 30% of their organic visits, but by 2022 this had dropped to just 15%, despite increased output.
Case studies such as TechReviewHub and HealthInsightsBlog show that shifting from analyst mentions and roundups to original, in-depth content leads to significant SEO gains, including increased traffic and higher engagement (medium.com).
For more real-world examples, visit our case studies page.
What Google Now Rewards: E-E-A-T, Originality, and Editorial Authority
Google’s algorithm now prioritizes content that demonstrates Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T). The latest Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines and recent updates highlight the importance of firsthand knowledge and original research. As one 2025 survey reports, 48.6% of SEO professionals see original research as one of the most effective link-building tactics (thebacklinkcompany.com).
- Experience: Content that draws from genuine, firsthand knowledge.
- Expertise: Well-documented proficiency in the field.
- Authoritativeness: Recognition by peers and trusted sources.
- Trustworthiness: Transparent, honest content and clear author bios.
Google’s SpamBrain AI can now accurately detect low-quality or manipulative content and disregards thin or spammy affiliate links—even those previously seen as legitimate.
Google’s own documentation and recent updates stress that content offering unique value and deep expertise will outperform generic aggregation and mass-produced tactics.
Instead of outright penalizing sites, Google is more likely to simply devalue the impact of questionable links, making it even harder for outdated approaches to deliver measurable results.
For actionable strategies, see our guide on earning high-DA backlinks through data-driven PR.
Mini Case Study: How Brands Are Winning with PR-First Link Building
Consider how forward-thinking brands are adapting. By shifting to PR-first link building, they’re earning high-authority backlinks and editorial coverage that drive tangible SEO results. For example:
- SafeHome.org: Leveraged original, data-driven stories to secure DA 84–92+ editorial links from outlets like the Chicago Tribune and SeattlePI.
- Security.org: Used unique research campaigns to earn DA 70–94 links from Fox News and other major publishers.
Each of these wins resulted from genuine, newsworthy content and a focus on relationship-building with journalists—not mass-produced outreach or generic roundups.
See more on our earned media coverage.
FAQ: Are Analyst Mentions and Expert Roundups Ever Worthwhile Now?
It’s a frequent question: Are there still scenarios where these traditional tactics deliver value? The answer is yes—but only in rare, highly contextual cases.
Expert roundups and analyst mentions may still work when they feature genuinely unique insights from authoritative voices in niche industries or address timely, newsworthy topics. This is occasionally true in tightly regulated sectors like law, medical, or technical B2B, where unique qualified voices can still bring genuine value.
Google's 2024 policy updates underscore that content quality and relevance remain paramount, so these tactics should never be used solely for link-building purposes (link.build).
For more on the impact of contextual relevance, review our article on on-page relevance and editorial standards.
Key Takeaway: The New Playbook for Sustainable SEO in 2025
The message is clear: Sustainable SEO in 2025 means investing in original research, authoritative content, and digital PR strategies that build lasting brand authority. As industry surveys confirm, digital PR and original research are now viewed by nearly half of SEO professionals as the most effective link-building tactics (editorial.link).
Brands that adapt to these standards will thrive, while those clinging to outdated tactics risk being left behind.
See our proven client successes for more inspiration.
Conclusion & CTA: Ready to Future-Proof Your Brand’s SEO?
The era of generic analyst mentions and expert roundups is fading. Brands that want to achieve sustainable growth and protect their rankings must adapt to Google’s standards.
Prism PR’s pay-for-performance digital PR model is built for this new reality—delivering only high-authority, editorial links that move the needle. Schedule a strategy session with Prism PR’s experts to start building your future-ready SEO strategy today.
References
- Editorial.Link. (2025). Link Building Statistics & Trends. https://editorial.link/link-building-statistics/
- Link.Build. (2024). Link Building Statistics & Trends in the Age of AI. https://link.build/blog/link-building-statistics-trends-in-the-age-of-ai
- The Backlink Company. (2025). Research: Link-Building Survey. https://thebacklinkcompany.com/en/blog/research/link-building-survey
- Medium.com. (2024). Recap of the Google Algorithm Updates in 2024 and How to Plan for 2025. https://medium.com/%40brookebagleycontent/recap-of-the-google-algorithm-updates-in-2024-and-how-to-plan-for-2025-d6d1fa79a0c3
- Google Search Quality Evaluator Guidelines. (2025). https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2025/search-quality-evaluator-guidelines