HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is a PR and media outreach platform that connects journalists, bloggers, and content creators with expert sources who can provide credible quotes, insights, or data for stories. It is one of the most influential tools in digital PR, often used by businesses and professionals to secure brand mentions, credibility, and valuable backlinks.

The platform operates as a mutually beneficial bridge:

  • For journalists: quick access to reliable expert commentary.

  • For sources: opportunities for exposure, reputation building, and link equity.

Since its launch in 2008, HARO has had a fascinating journey — from explosive growth to decline, a controversial rebrand, shutdown, and finally, a 2025 revival.

The Evolution of HARO

HARO was founded in 2008 by Peter Shankman as a free, email-based service to connect reporters with qualified sources. By 2010, it was acquired by Vocus, and later folded into Cision in 2014. Under Cision, HARO became widely used by PR professionals, content marketers, and business owners who wanted to boost content marketing strategies and earn editorial links.

It quickly established itself as a powerful channel for:

Decline and Shutdown (Connectively Phase)

In 2024, HARO was rebranded as Connectively by Cision, shifting away from its simple digest-based email model. Unfortunately, the transition alienated many users:

  • Journalists reported fewer quality responses.

  • Sources criticized complex workflows and limited free access.

  • The volume of queries dropped, making the platform less useful for outreach marketing.

Finally, on December 9, 2024, Connectively was officially shut down — leaving HARO inactive for a period.

Revival in 2025

In April 2025, HARO was acquired by Featured.com, a platform specializing in expert-driven media contributions. On April 22, 2025, HARO was relaunched in its classic digest model with modern upgrades:

  • AI-detection filters to block spam and auto-generated content.

  • Masked emails for better privacy.

  • Journalist dashboards for streamlined query management.

  • Stronger anti-spam measures to ensure credible responses.

This revival restored HARO’s credibility and made it a renewed powerhouse in PR and off-page SEO.

How HARO Works?

Here’s a step-by-step look at HARO in its revived form:

  1. Sign Up / Register

    • Sources (experts, business owners, professionals) register with their expertise and credentials.

    • Journalists submit queries, specifying topic, deadline, and required response format.

  2. Query Delivery
    HARO distributes queries via email digests (multiple times daily). Each includes:

    • Headline & summary

    • Publication/outlet name

    • Deadline

    • Details on what the journalist needs

  3. Scanning & Selecting
    Sources review digests, identify relevant opportunities, and select queries aligned with their expertise.

  4. Pitch Submission
    Responses are submitted via email or a provided link. Best practices include:

  5. Selection by Journalist
    Journalists choose the best-fit pitches, sometimes requesting clarifications or further input.

  6. Publication & Exposure
    If selected, the expert’s quote appears in the article — often with a nofollow link or dofollow link, depending on editorial policy.

  7. Ongoing Credibility
    Consistently providing high-quality responses builds reputation, strengthens online reputation management, and increases future selection chances.

Why HARO Matters? SEO & PR Value!

HARO has long been a staple tool in content marketing and digital PR because of the tangible benefits it offers for both sources and journalists.

Benefits for Sources (Experts, Businesses, Thought Leaders)

  1. Media Exposure & Credibility
    Being quoted in major outlets establishes trust and authority in your niche. This aligns closely with E-A-T principles, which search engines use to assess credibility.

  2. Backlinks & SEO Value
    Many HARO placements include backlinks. When these come from authority sites, they pass link equity that can improve search engine rankings.

  3. Lead Generation & PR
    Even when users don’t click the link, brand mentions can drive referral traffic and spark new business or partnership opportunities.

  4. Networking & Relationships
    Consistently being featured opens doors to long-term collaborations with journalists, podcasters, and editors.

Benefits for Journalists

  • Speed & Efficiency – Instead of manual sourcing, queries go out to thousands of experts at once.

  • Diverse Voices – Journalists gain access to experts from different industries and geographies.

  • Cost-Effective – HARO remains free for journalists, making it an accessible sourcing channel.

Challenges & Mistakes

Despite its benefits, HARO is not without drawbacks:

  1. Inbox Overload & Noise
    Some queries receive hundreds of replies. Journalists skim quickly, often ignoring verbose or off-topic responses.

  2. Declining Quality & Spam
    Low-effort, salesy, or even AI-generated content pitches have historically reduced trust. The new HARO includes AI filters to detect this, but the risk persists.

  3. Backlink Uncertainty
    Not all publications provide a clickable dofollow link. Sometimes only a brand mention or nofollow link is given, limiting direct SEO value.

  4. Regional & Language Gaps
    HARO remains U.S.- and English-centric, though Featured.com aims to expand reach globally.

  5. Verification & Trust Issues
    While filters reduce link spam and fake accounts, journalists must still verify credibility to avoid low-quality contributions.

Best Practices to Win with HARO

To stand out from the noise and make HARO worth your time, follow these tactics:

  1. Respond Quickly
    Journalists often review pitches early. Aim to reply within the first 15–60 minutes of a query hitting your inbox.

  2. Lead with Authority
    Start your pitch with credentials — job title, relevant experience, or recognized achievements. This helps build authority signals.

  3. Be Concise & Value-Driven
    Provide clear, fact-based insights, stats, or examples. Avoid keyword stuffing or long-winded explanations.

  4. Tailor to the Query
    Generic copy-paste replies rarely succeed. Personalize your answer to the journalist’s request.

  5. Offer Optional Extras
    You can hint at additional data, visuals, or infographics, but keep the core pitch tight.

  6. Track Your Results
    Use a spreadsheet or CRM to log queries, responses, and outcomes. Over time, you’ll identify which niches or outlets yield the best ROI.

  7. Be Selective
    Focus only on queries where you are a true fit. Over-participation wastes time and reduces pitch quality.

HARO vs Alternatives & Complementary Tools

While HARO is one of the most popular platforms, other tools exist that complement or compete with it:

  • SourceBottle – Popular in Australia and some other regions.

  • ProfNet – Longstanding expert-journalist connection service.

  • Qwoted – A PR-focused alternative with structured journalist-expert matching.

  • JournoRequests (Twitter/X) – Public journalist requests via social media.

  • Featured.com’s Q&A Platform – HARO’s parent company also runs a separate question-and-answer system.

PR professionals often combine HARO with email outreach, guest posting, and outreach marketing campaigns to maximize visibility and diversify backlink sources.

Final Thoughts on HARO

HARO remains a cornerstone of modern off-page SEO, especially after its 2025 revival. Its simple digest model, broad reach, and reputation make it an invaluable tool for earning brand mentions, authority, and organic media coverage.

However, success is not guaranteed. The best results come from:

  • Responding quickly

  • Providing unique, expert insights

  • Building a reputation for credibility over time

As HARO evolves under Featured.com, it stands to regain its position as the go-to bridge between journalists and sources — provided both sides commit to quality, authenticity, and trust.

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