Last updated on March 23rd, 2025 at 06:36 pm
If you’re like me, you are always on a lookout for secret and innovating white-hat ways to build backlinks. Although shortcuts are never ok in the art of developing a steady link profile, with the right relationships and supply and demand arrangements, you can secure a high-value mention in a completely organic way. Meet HARO link building.
HARO is a platform where journalists and bloggers look for experts to quote for their articles. It is quite simple – you receive new requests in your email three times a day (SOS sends emails twice a day), in the industries you picked as relevant when you joined HARO.
What makes using HARO for link building so lucrative for marketers is that 1) it’s free; and 2)it’s unlimited (you can submit as many pitches a day as you want if you have the time). Last but not least, with HARO you can spread the word for you as a thought leader in your industry with a mention by a high-authority site.
Did I win you over on HARO link building yet? I know. It’s awesome.
BUT
If done in the right way.
Oh, and not on HARO (Connectively) as it closed down permanently on December 9, 2024. It is reborn into HERO (Help Every Reporter Out), then SOS (Source of Sources), but more on this later.
In this article, I will fill you in on what HARO link building entails Also, you’ll learn how to use it to your (and your clients) advantage, and recommend some HARO link building tactics.
Happy reading!
What is HARO Link Building?
HARO link building is the process of submitting pitches to journalists that request an expert quote for their materials on the HARO (Help A Reporter Out) platform.
The platform was created in 2008 by Peter Shankman and has grown into a powerful tool for businesses and professionals who want more media exposure.
It is now called HERO (Help Every Reporter Out) – Source of Sources, after the original HARO that was acquired by Cision, ceased to exist.
It works like this: journalists post questions on HARO when they need expert opinions for their stories. These questions are sent out three times a day in emails, and anyone who has signed up as a source can reply with their insights.
This is great for link building because well-known websites like Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times used HARO. If a journalist chooses your response, they might include your name, your company, and a link to your website in their article. But getting featured isn’t just about answering questions – you have to write clear, helpful, and well-thought-out responses to stand out from other experts.
One of the best things about HARO was that it was free to sign up as a source. You didn’t need special connections or a big budget to get started. While there are other alternative platforms that we have mentioned below, HARO was one of the most popular ways to earn high-quality backlinks and get noticed by journalists.
So, if you’re looking for a way to grow your website’s reputation and get featured in the media, HARO-like platforms are a smart, easy-to-use tool that can help you build trust, improve your online visibility, and boost your SEO rankings over time.
Key HARO Statistics to Keep in Mind
Although HARO shut down, it had been on the market for almost 20 years and proved that reactive PR is a powerful online visibility technique. Here are some stats from 2024 that back that:
| Satisfaction | 39% of journalists were satisfied with using HARO for their articles. |
| HARO Link Building Effectiveness | 42% of publishers insert 2-4 links per article. |
| Major Media Users | Leading publications such as GOBankingRates, SHEfinds, and Homes & Gardens were among the top outlets consistently using HARO to source expert insights. |
| Publishing Speed | Around 30% of HARO-based articles went live within a week, while nearly half were published within two weeks of receiving expert contributions. |
| Best Time to Pitch | Experts who responded within six hours of a journalist’s request had a 20% better chance of being featured in an article. |
| Success Rates | On average, 5% to 15% of HARO pitches resulted in published mentions, with factors like topic relevance, pitch quality, and timing playing a crucial role in success. |
Advantages of Using HARO for Link Building (Before Its Shutdown)
Before HARO (Help A Reporter Out) was shut down, it was one of the most effective tools for earning high-quality backlinks and increasing brand visibility. Here are some of the key advantages it once offered:
1. Provided High-Authority Backlinks
HARO allowed users to secure backlinks from trusted, high-ranking websites such as Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and Business Insider. These links carried significant SEO value, helping websites improve their rankings on search engines like Google.
2. Increased Brand Awareness
Getting featured in major publications helped businesses build credibility and trust. When readers repeatedly saw a brand mentioned in authoritative sources, it reinforced brand recognition and established expertise in the industry.
3. Delivered Long-Term SEO Benefits
Unlike other link-building strategies that required constant outreach or paid placements, HARO provided organic, earned backlinks. These links boosted website authority and contributed to long-term SEO success.
4. Helped Build Relationships with Journalists
One of the biggest advantages of HARO was the opportunity to connect with journalists and editors. Many users built lasting relationships with media professionals, leading to ongoing media coverage and future PR opportunities.
5. Offered a Cost-Effective Link Building Strategy
Unlike paid PR campaigns, HARO provided a free and accessible way to earn valuable media mentions. For businesses with limited budgets, it was an excellent way to increase visibility without significant financial investment.
6. Improved Website Traffic and Click-Through Rates
Since HARO links came from trusted sources, they often resulted in higher click-through rates (CTR). Readers from authoritative websites were more likely to engage with the content, driving organic traffic to businesses.
7. Provided Insights into Industry Trends
By monitoring HARO queries, users could identify emerging topics and trends. This helped businesses stay ahead of the competition by adapting their content strategy based on what journalists were actively covering.
Are HARO-like Platforms Worth It in 2025?
The short answer is yes, but with moderation. Google has a way of picking up on excessive link building practices that are of the same type. I mean, if all links your website receives is from media mentions like the ones you get from HARO i.e. quotes with links to your Home page, search engines spot it as unnatural activity and you may get a penalty like this user:
So, make sure you use a mix of different link building practices AND you build links to different pages of your site, not just the Home page.
HARO Link Building Tactics for Success
It’s safe to say that whatever strategies were successful for HARO can also be applied to its alternatives and reincarnations. Here are some of the best tactics that have helped people get their responses selected:
1. Show That You’re a Real Expert
Journalists only want credible sources for their articles. To prove you’re trustworthy, it helps to have a professional bio, a website, and active social media accounts. Adding a short description of your experience in your response also makes it clear why you were the right person to quote.
2. Reply as Fast as Possible
The sooner you send your response, the better your chances of being picked. Most journalists work on tight deadlines, so they often choose responses that arrive within the first few hours of posting the query.
3. Keep Your Answer Short and to the Point
Long responses are often ignored. The best responses are 100-300 words and get straight to the point. Journalists usually only need a quote, so there was no need to write an entire article.
4. Pick the Right Queries
It was important to only answer questions related to your expertise. If a website is focused on fitness, getting backlinks from a finance article wouldn’t be very helpful. Sticking to relevant topics increases the chance of getting published and makes the backlink more valuable.
5. Write a Catchy Subject Line
Journalists receive dozens of responses for each query, so they often decide which emails to open based on the subject line. A clear and interesting subject line makes responses stand out.
6. Give Unique Insights or Data
Answers that include statistics, expert insights, or real-life examples have a better chance of being used. Journalists want something new, not just the same information they could find anywhere.
7. Build Relationships with Journalists
HARO alternatives aren’t just about getting one link and moving on. People who give great responses and are easy to work with sometimes become regular sources for journalists. This leads to more media opportunities in the future.
8. Follow Up After Your Quote Was Published
After being featured, it is a good idea to thank the journalist and share the article on social media. This helps strengthen connections and could even lead to more opportunities. If the article doesn’t include a backlink, politely asking for one sometimes works.
17 HARO Alternatives
Source of Sources (SOS, formerly HERO)
Help a B2B Writer
Qwoted
JournoLink
Riporter
JustReachOut
Czardom
Featured
Prowly
Muck Rack
Press Loft
Prezly
Response Source
PressPlugs
SourceBottle
Dot Star Media
OnePitch
Social Media
Source of Sources (SOS, formerly HERO)
SOS is the successor of HARO, created by the same founder. In case you’re wondering, the main reason for the end of HARO was that bloggers and journalists were sick of wasting their time with AI-generated, irrelevant and inadequate pitches from “experts”. Here is a video by
Edward Sturm that explains the deets:
The way to use SOS to SOS your link building is quite straightforward: you just sign up with your name and email and wait for requests to come in your mailbox:
Help a B2B Writer
Help a B2B Writer is a tool that helps business writers find experts to include in their articles. Unlike other platforms, it connects writers with sources for top business websites, making it easier to get featured on well-known sites.
The cool thing is that you can see the current requests onsite:
You still need to subscribe to take advantage:
Qwoted
Qwoted is another popular platform that connects journalists with experts, businesses, and brands to create stronger, more insightful stories. Using advanced technology and AI, it streamlines the process of finding credible sources, making reporting faster and more efficient.
In my case, I chose the first option:
Then, after you verify your account from your mailbox, you need to finish off your profile:
You get to see all relevant opportunities like this:
JournoLink
JournoLink is a publicity platform designed to help small businesses connect with journalists, bloggers, and influencers to gain media exposure. Unlike traditional PR services, it offers features such as press release distribution, media contact databases, and instant journalist requests, making it easier for businesses to share their stories with the right audience.
It’s actually very affordable:
Riporter
Ripoter is a free online community designed to help journalists, startups, and subject matter experts connect and collaborate directly. By removing unnecessary barriers, it streamlines the process of finding credible sources and media opportunities.
This is how you’ll see the available requests:
JustReachOut
With features like a verified media contact database, outreach templates, automated follow-ups, and journalist pitch request searches, JustReachOut streamlines PR efforts for teams of all sizes.
Prices are quite steep but there is a free 7-day trial on all plans:
A cool feature is the in-built broken backlink search engine that lets you find broken links on media sources you can replace.
Czardom
Czardom is a paid only reporter platform and you need to apply and get vetted before you use it, and to join their Facebook community.
Featured
Featured.com is another HARO link building alternative. Writers from big websites like Entrepreneur and Fortune use it to find quotes, and experts can respond to their questions to get mentioned and sometimes earn backlinks to their websites.
It’s free to use:
This is how you see the requests:
Prowly
Prowly is a PR tool that helps businesses manage media contacts, send press releases, and track news coverage – all in one place. It makes it easier to connect with journalists, organize PR campaigns, and create professional press materials, saving time for companies of all sizes.
There is a 7-day free trial:
Muck Rack
Muck Rack is another PR and media database platform that helps brands, agencies, and journalists connect and manage media outreach. With AI-powered tools, a journalist database, media monitoring, and analytics, it allows companies to track press coverage, pitch stories effectively, and measure the impact of their public relations efforts.
Press Loft
Press Loft is designed for retailers, especially those in the home, lifestyle, and interiors industries, to showcase their products to journalists and media outlets. With features like an AI-powered product image library, press release distribution, and influencer collaborations, it helps brands easily connect with the right media professionals to secure press coverage and brand exposure.
Prezly
Prezly is a PR CRM platform designed to help businesses manage media contacts, send pitches, and publish press releases in one place. With customizable newsrooms, easy-to-use storytelling tools, and detailed email tracking, it streamlines PR campaigns and helps brands secure real media coverage efficiently.
There is a free 14-day trial. Here are the pricing options:
Response Source
Response Source is another HARO-like journalist outreach and PR platform. Originally launched in the UK in 1998, it has grown into a global PR tool that helps users secure media coverage, build connections, and distribute press releases to thousands of journalists and bloggers in the UK.
There is a free 7-day trial:
Prices are as follows:
PressPlugs
PressPlugs is another UK journalist request service. Founded by journalists and PR professionals, it helps both sides collaborate effectively, providing valuable PR opportunities while making it easier for journalists to find credible sources for their stories.
There is a 7-day free trial so make sure you check it out if aiming for UK media coverage.
Here is how you’ll see the latest opportunities:
SourceBottle
SourceBottle has a global reach across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and beyond, it allows businesses and individuals to gain publicity by responding to media requests, making it easier for anyone to share their story and secure press coverage.
There is a free option as well:
Dot Star Media
Dot Star Media is yet another option. By curating Twitter’s #journorequest and other media opportunities, it delivers relevant journalist requests straight to users’ inboxes, saving time and increasing the chances of securing media coverage.
OnePitch
Built for storytellers by storytellers, OnePitch simplifies the pitching process by matching users with relevant media opportunities, making it easier to secure press coverage.
Unfortunately, they don’t offer a free trial:
Social Media
It sounds a bit odd but journalists sometimes look for experts on social media. To be honest, you need to make sure your profiles are on point even if you prefer to use a different link building. Journalists and clients will for sure check you out before accepting to work with you.
Some X hashtags that can help you find PR opportunities are:
#Urgharo
#JournoRequest
#PRrequest
#BloggerRequest
#Helpareporter
And some Facebook groups you can use (if vetted):
Journalist Outreach | Public Relations | Journo Request
Media PR Connect
SEO & PR Pros (Link Building & Brand Building)
LinkedIn:
Media Connect
Freelance Business Journalists
Journalist outreach | Public Relations | Journo Request & Digital PR – Ripoter.com
Wrapping Up
While HARO is no longer available, its link-building strategies and media outreach tactics remain valuable for securing high-quality backlinks and media mentions. By leveraging HARO alternatives like SOS, Qwoted, and Featured.com, and applying the right pitching techniques, businesses can continue to build authority, gain exposure, and enhance their SEO in 2025 and beyond.