HARO Link Building: How To Succeed In 2025

Imagine landing a backlink from The New York Times or Forbes without spending a dime on ads or writing a guest post. It’s the promise of HARO link building. HARO (Help a Reporter Out) has exploded in popularity among SEO professionals because it offers exactly that – a chance to earn high-authority backlinks by being quoted as an expert source. But with popularity comes competition.

If you’ve tried HARO, you know the reality: hundreds of other “experts” scrambling to answer the same query, journalists overwhelmed with pitches, and a success rate that can be frustratingly low.

In fact, even seasoned pros might only convert one in six pitches into a link, and newcomers might see just one win out of 10+ tries.

So is HARO link building still worth it? Absolutely – but only if you do it right. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll demystify HARO link building and share the battle-tested strategies (and new angles) that can turn this oversaturated tactic into a pillar of your SEO strategy. You’ll learn what HARO link building is, why it’s uniquely valuable, and exactly how to execute it step by step for maximum results.

We’ll also cover advanced tips rarely discussed elsewhere – from safeguarding against algorithmic fragility to aligning HARO with your SEO funnel. By the end, you’ll know how to leverage HARO like an expert (and avoid the mistakes that trip up everyone else). Let’s dive in.

What is HARO link building?

HARO link building is the process of using the platform Help a Reporter Out (HARO) to earn backlinks from media publications. HARO itself is a free service (now owned by Featured, formerly by Cision) that connects journalists with expert sources for their articles.

Here’s how it works in a nutshell:

• Journalists post queries on HARO when they need quotes or insights for a story. These queries cover every topic imaginable – from business and marketing to lifestyle and tech.

• Sources (that’s you) receive these queries (via daily email digests or through HARO’s online platform) and can respond with your expertise. You essentially pitch the journalist a short answer or quote addressing their question.

• If the journalist likes your pitch, they will feature your quote in their published article – and crucially, cite you with a backlink to your website (usually to your homepage or a profile page).

In essence, HARO link building flips traditional outreach on its head.

Instead of begging websites for a backlink, you’re providing real value (expert insight) to earn a link naturally as a citation. It’s a form of “digital PR” or “link earning” where quality content and credibility are your currency, not dollars.

HARO was originally created as a PR tool to help journalists find sources and help sources (often small businesses and entrepreneurs) get media coverage. SEO professionals quickly realized that those media mentions often come with golden “dofollow” editorial backlinks from authoritative domains – which are SEO gold.

Think about it: a single link from The Wall Street Journal or Mashable can turbocharge your domain authority and rankings. These aren’t spammy blog comments or forum links; HARO links are placements on real news sites and high-DR blogs that Google trusts.

How to access HARO

Today, HARO offers two main access points. You can use the traditional method – sign up on helpareporter.com and receive three daily emails (around 5:35am, 12:35pm, and 5:35pm ET, Monday–Friday) listing all the current queries.

Alternatively, you can use HARO’s newer platform called Connectively (launched during HARO’s transition under Cision) which provides a live feed of queries, search filters, and pitch tracking. Both get you to the same opportunities; Connectively just makes it easier to sort and respond quickly.

Note: HARO underwent some changes in ownership – it briefly became a paid product called Connectively – but as of now it’s back to the original HARO model under new ownership, and Connectively acts as the pitching dashboard.

What HARO link building is not

It’s not a guarantee of links, and it’s not a lazy shortcut. HARO doesn’t promise you a link with every answer – journalists are free to choose the best responses and they’re not even required to give a backlink in exchange for your quote.

Also, HARO is not a place to advertise your product or drop links in your pitch – it’s truly about contributing knowledge. In my experience, approaching HARO with a

“what can I teach or clarify?”

mindset (rather than “how do I get a link?”) ironically leads to far more link wins.

Benefits of HARO link building

Why bother with HARO when link building is already “the most difficult part of SEO” according to 55.7% of professionals? Simply put, HARO link building offers unique benefits that few other tactics can match:

Backlinks from sites your competitors can’t easily get. HARO can land you links on top-tier publications that are nearly impossible to obtain through typical outreach. Your competitors can’t just replicate a Forbes mention you earned, because they’d have to hope the same query appears again (and that they beat you to it). This exclusivity makes HARO links especially valuable – they’re hard-won and rare.

High-authority links with real SEO impact

With HARO, you’re often dealing with big-name news outlets and well-established blogs. These domains carry massive authority (think DR 80, 90+). A single link from such a site can boost your rankings significantly, sending strong “trust” signals to Google. In a recent industry survey, 89.7% of link builders confirmed that backlinks remain a top ranking factor in Google’s algorithm – and HARO is a direct route to some of the highest-quality backlinks available.

Genuine referral traffic (not just SEO juice). Unlike PBN links or low-quality guest posts that nobody reads, HARO links often live in articles on high-traffic websites. That means potential customers or partners might click those links.

For example, if you’re quoted in a Business Insider article and linked, you could see readers coming through to learn more. HARO links

“actually get referral traffic”

,making them doubly valuable: they improve rankings and bring visitors.

Build your brand’s E-E-A-T

Being cited as an expert source in reputable publications boosts your credibility in the eyes of both Google and users. Google’s quality guidelines place an increasing emphasis on E-E-A-T for content creators. When your name or company consistently appears in authoritative outlets, it signals that you’re a trusted authority in your field.

I’ve found this benefit to be more intangible but incredibly powerful – after a year of aggressive HARO pitching, one of my brands was able to proudly display “As seen in [Forbes, TechCrunch, etc.]” on our site. That social proof not only helped SEO but also improved conversion rates (people trust you more when you’re quoted by reputable sources).

Brand awareness and thought leadership

Even if SEO weren’t a factor, HARO is essentially free PR. It puts your name in the news.

Over time, you can become the “go-to” expert for certain topics.

For instance, if you run an analytics SaaS and frequently comment on data trends via HARO, you start owning that thought leadership space.

This kind of exposure has ripple effects – I’ve had prospects mention they first heard of my company through a quote in an article. HARO helps you

“establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry”

without the hefty cost of hiring a PR agency.

Cost-effective and white-hat

HARO is as white-hat as it gets in link building. You’re earning links by merit (providing valuable insights), not buying or manipulating. That means no worries about Google penalties for unnatural links in this approach.

It’s also cost-effective: the basic HARO service is free, and even the time investment can be efficient if you develop a system. Compared to the hundreds or thousands of dollars some spend on link placements or guest post services, HARO can deliver bigger results for a fraction of the cost (mostly your time). Plus, with 26.0% of link builders citing HARO as an effective tactic in a 2025 survey, it’s clear that many see solid ROI from this method.

Of course, HARO link building isn’t all rainbows. It has its challenges – mainly the fierce competition and time/effort required – which we’ll address along with solutions. But when you weigh the benefit of a single HARO success (a DA90 link and a mention in a huge publication) against other tactics, it’s easy to see why HARO has become one of the “most loved link building strategies among SEO professionals”. It’s a high-reward game for those willing to play it smart.

Step-by-step guide to HARO link building

Ready to try HARO for yourself? Success depends on your approach. In this step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through the entire HARO link building process – from getting set up to monitoring your results. Follow these steps diligently, and you’ll dramatically improve your odds of securing those coveted backlinks.

1. Sign up and set up your HARO account

Your first step is to create a HARO account and set up your profile. You have two options here:

Traditional HARO (email-based)

Go to helpareporter.com and register as a source. You’ll start receiving the thrice-daily email digests with queries. It’s free.

If you go this route, choose the categories relevant to your industry so the emails you get are somewhat filtered by topic.

HARO via Connectively (recommended)

Connectively is HARO’s pitching platform that allows real-time access and filtering. Sign up via connectively.us using your HARO credentials. From my experience, using Connectively streamlines the process – you can log in to see new opportunities as they appear, instead of wading through long emails. It’s especially useful given the speed needed for HARO (more on that soon).

Once signed up, fill out your profile or bio completely. Don’t skip this – a well-crafted profile can automatically be appended to your pitches (for premium users) or at least gives you a template to introduce yourself. Include your credentials, title, company, and any noteworthy experience that establishes you as an expert.

For example, mention how many years you’ve been in your field, any awards or publications, and add your website and social links if possible. This bio builds credibility; journalists may skim it to decide if you’re legit. Pro tip: keep your bio concise and focused on why you’re an authority, not a full autobiography. Something like: “Jane Doe is the CTO of TechXYZ with 15 years in cybersecurity (CISSP). She has been featured in DarkReading and SC Magazine.” – short, relevant, credibility-packed.

If you’re using Connectively or a paid HARO plan, take advantage of keyword alerts and preferences.

For instance, set up alerts for your niche keywords (e.g. “SEO”, “cybersecurity”) so you get notified instantly for queries containing those. This gives you a head start on hot opportunities.

Also, choose the relevant categories (HARO verticals like Business, High Tech, Lifestyle, etc.) to reduce noise.

2. Seek out relevant queries (and choose them wisely)

HARO will throw dozens of queries at you every day. Selecting the right opportunities is half the battle for successful link building. Here’s how to be strategic:

Scan for relevance and requirements

When a HARO email hits your inbox (or you’re checking Connectively), quickly scan the query list for topics squarely in your wheelhouse.

Focus on questions you genuinely have expertise to answer. If a query asks for “tips from certified fitness trainers” and you run a fitness blog but have no trainer certification, skip it.

Journalists often list specific requirements (e.g. “Only CEOs of fintech companies” or “need certified nutritionists”), and if you don’t meet them, don’t waste time – your pitch will likely be ignored and you could even be blacklisted as a timewaster. One HARO expert warns that journalists will remember and block serial spammers who fling off-topic answers.

Prioritize quality sites

Not all HARO opportunities are equal. Each query usually names the publication (sometimes anonymously as “Anonymous” or “A Tech Blog” – those are trickier). When the outlet is named, vet it quickly. Is it a respected site with good traffic and SEO metrics? Use tools like Ahrefs or Semrush to check the site’s Domain Rating (DR) and organic traffic.

Also, visit the site: does it publish quality content? A quick eyeball test helps – some sites exist just to publish HARO roundups filled with external links (which dilutes link equity).

Ideally, target queries from publications that are top-tier in your industry or broadly well-known. I personally have a “tier list”: e.g., Tier 1 – major outlets (Forbes, NYT, etc.), Tier 2 – quality niche blogs or mid-level news sites, Tier 3 – unknown or low-quality sites.

I focus my energy on Tier 1 and 2. If the query is anonymous, it could be a great publication incognito or a dud. You might take a gamble if the topic is perfect for you, but be aware it’s “harder to track and more likely to be on a low-quality site” according to experts. When in doubt, a quick Google search of the query text might reveal the requester’s identity (some savvy folks do this to decide if it’s worth pitching).

Beware vanity metrics obsession

A common mistake is only chasing high-DR sites or “dofollow links above DR 60 in my niche”. Yes, we want authoritative links – but don’t let metrics blind you. The goal is to gain links that move the needle for your SEO or business, which could mean a super relevant niche site with engaged readers is valuable even if its DR is 50. As HARO veteran Jenny Abouobaia points out, links should accomplish at least one of: reaching your target audience, providing link equity for rankings, or driving referral traffic. If a site checks one or more of those boxes, it’s worth considering.

In practice, I’ve answered HARO queries from an outlet I never heard of, but it had great alignment with my niche and content. Some of those turned into links that drove actual leads (despite DR being moderate).

Set up filters to manage the deluge

The volume of queries can be overwhelming (HARO emails can be long). Save time by using email filters or rules.

For example, create a filter that highlights or auto-flags emails containing your key topics or industry terms. Some pros even pipe HARO emails into Slack and set notifications for keywords. With Connectively, use the built-in search and category filters to only see what matters. The key is to reduce noise so you can react fast on good opportunities.

Act fast, but don’t rush garbage

Timing matters hugely in HARO. Journalists often stop reading new pitches once they find a good quote. With hundreds of responses coming in, being early can significantly improve your odds. Many queries now have same-day deadlines or short turnaround windows. I recommend checking HARO emails as soon as they come (or frequently refreshing Connectively). When you spot a great query, aim to submit your pitch within a few hours, if not sooner.

However, speed should not trump quality. Don’t shoot off a half-baked response just to be first. The goal is to be early and excellent. In the next step, we’ll cover crafting a pitch quickly without sacrificing substance. One tip: maintain a repository of common soundbites or facts you can draw on.

For example, I have a doc of statistics, one-sentence insights, and brief anecdotes relevant to my industry that I’ve used before. This way, if a similar query appears, I can copy-paste a well-formed nugget (and then customize it) – it saves time without starting from scratch. Another trick: leverage content you already have (like a blog post or about page) for material. Just be sure to paraphrase and tailor it to the query so it doesn’t read like a generic snippet.

3. Craft a compelling pitch that stands out

Your pitch makes or breaks your HARO success.

This is where you win the link or lose the opportunity. Having reviewed countless pitches (and admittedly failed with many of my own early on), I’ve learned the anatomy of a winning HARO pitch. It boils down to: a clear subject line, a credible intro, a valuable and concise answer, and a polite closing. Let’s break it down.

a. Nail the subject line (for email pitches)

If you’re emailing your response (which is the case if you reply via the HARO email), the subject line is critical. Journalists’ inboxes are flooded; a good subject can get yours opened. The recommended formula is simple and effective:

• Reference the query title – so the journalist immediately sees which question you’re answering.

• Your name & title – establishes who you are at a glance.

• Maybe a tiny credibility boost – if space allows, add a word or two that makes you shine (award, expertise, etc.).

For example, if the query is “SEO Tips for 2025” and you’re a known consultant, your subject might be: RE: SEO Tips for 2025 – Jane Doe, Award-Winning SEO Consultant. This does a few things: it’s short enough (around ~70 characters), it tells the journalist which of their many queries you’re addressing, and it gives your credentials upfront (“SEO Consultant” and even better “Award-Winning” if true). In my experience, including something like “PhD” or “Author” in the subject (when relevant) has improved open rates – it sets you apart from the countless “Joe Smith, Marketing Specialist” emails.

If you pitch within Connectively’s platform, you might not craft an email subject per se (the platform handles it when forwarding to the journalist). But the same principle applies to the opening line of your pitch – it should immediately contextualize your answer and establish relevance/authority.

b. Start with why you’re qualified (briefly)

Once the journalist opens your pitch, the first thing they see should be who you are and why you can answer their question. This is your intro. Keep it to one short paragraph or a few sentences. Mention your name, title, company, and relevant experience in relation to the query. For example:

“Hi [Name], My name is Jane Doe, and I’m the CTO of TechXYZ, a cybersecurity firm. I’ve spent 15+ years in infosec, focusing on data breach prevention, so I thought I could offer some insight on your question about cloud security best practices.”

This establishes

“I am exactly the kind of source you’re looking for.”

It’s concise and to the point – no life story. Many successful HARO pitchers say to “sell yourself” here – don’t be shy about highlighting what makes you an expert, because if you don’t, the journalist won’t bother to figure it out. Just do it succinctly.

c. Answer the query directly and helpfully

The core of your pitch is the answer or quote itself. Write it in a way that the journalist can lift it and drop it into their article with minimal editing. Some guidelines to achieve this:

Actually answer the question asked

This sounds obvious, but you’d be amazed how many HARO responses go off on tangents or give a generic statement. If the question is “What’s your top tip for remote hiring?”, don’t talk about general HR trends for five paragraphs. Lead with your direct answer.

For example: “My top tip for remote hiring is to incorporate a one-day virtual project as part of the interview. I’ve done this with my last 5 engineering hires and it’s been a game-changer for evaluating skills and fit.” – Then, if needed, follow up with a brief explanation or additional detail. But make sure the key quote is up front and obvious. A busy writer might copy-paste just the punchy first line of your answer.

Keep it concise and scannable

Aim for 1-3 short paragraphs or a few bullet points at most, in the body of your answer. HARO pitches are not the place for a thesis. Journalists have literally said they don’t want to read “War and Peace” in these pitches. A good range is ~150 words for your main answer.

If you have multiple points, consider bulleting them for clarity.

For instance, “Three key things I recommend: (1)… (2)… (3)…”. This makes it easy for the journalist to see the structure and perhaps even use a list format in their article.

Offer unique insight, not generic fluff

Remember, the journalist might get 100+ answers for popular queries. Many will say the same obvious thing. To stand out, dig into your experience or data. Use concrete examples or statistics if you can.

Instead of “I believe remote teams need good communication,” say “In my experience running a 50-person remote team, we scheduled twice-daily 15 min check-ins – and it cut our project completion time by 20%.” See the difference? Specifics make your contribution memorable and credible.

If you have data (even if it’s from your own company’s results), include it.

Also, use vibrant yet professional language – don’t be boring. One trick: imagine you’re being quoted on live TV – you’d want to sound confident and quotable in a single soundbite.

Add facts and figures (with citations if relevant)

Journalists love when you support a claim with a stat: e.g., “

According to a 2024 Gartner survey, 70% of CISOs plan to increase cloud security spending.”

If you drop a stat, cite the source (and ensure it’s a reputable one). Pro tip:

If your company has original data, share it. “Unique data is catnip to writers” as one HARO alternative (Help a B2B Writer) puts it. It not only backs up your point but could get your data itself cited or linked. Just don’t fabricate – honesty is crucial.

Keep your tone professional and helpful

HARO isn’t Twitter; avoid snark, slang, or anything overly salesy. You want to come off as a helpful expert colleague, not a PR shill. That said, do let a bit of personality through so your quote is human. Perhaps a light analogy or a very brief anecdote if it illustrates the point.

For example, “We jokingly call this the ‘virtual coffee test’ in our office, because…” – just a pinch of personality can make your quote more readable. I’ve had journalists use my quote verbatim because it had a relatable metaphor that others didn’t.

d. Close with an offer to follow up and a polite sign-off

After your main answer, one or two sentences to wrap up: let the journalist know you’re available for clarification and that you’d be happy to help further. Something like: “Hope this is useful – let me know if you need any more info or a different angle, I’m happy to elaborate. Thank you for considering my input!”

Also, offer to promote the article when it goes live. Many journalists appreciate sources who will share their piece (it can indirectly incentivize them to pick you). For example: “

If you end up using my quote, I’d love to share the article with our audience – just drop me the link when it’s live!” This shows you’re collaborative and understand it’s a two-way street.

Finish with your signature (Name, Title, Company, Website).

If your HARO profile isn’t auto-included, make sure to include a one-liner bio in the signature as well. It’s basically a second chance to state who you are.

One more tip: proofread before sending. An obvious typo or sloppy writing can undercut an otherwise great pitch. You want to inspire confidence that you’re detail-oriented (since your quote might appear in print). I often read my pitch out loud to catch awkward phrasing. And double-check any factual claims.

By crafting pitches in this focused way, you’ll significantly raise your hit rate. In my early HARO days, I got silence 90% of the time.

After refining using the above approach, I started getting responses like “Thanks, we’ll include this” or seeing my quote live on major sites with increasing frequency. One of my proudest HARO wins came from a pitch where I offered a contrarian viewpoint backed by data – the journalist loved that it wasn’t the same advice everyone else gave.

Remember: your pitch is competing with many others, so put in that extra effort to make it insightful, original, and easy to use.

4. Follow up by tracking your results (and the article)

After sending your pitch, the waiting game begins. You won’t always get a reply – in fact, typically you won’t hear anything unless you’re quoted. Journalists rarely respond to say “thanks but we went with someone else.” So you need ways to know if/when your link goes live.

This is where tracking is essential:

Use HARO/Connectively’s tracking if available. Connectively has a “Pitches” dashboard that shows the status of each pitch – whether it’s been opened by the journalist and whether it’s marked as “used”. This is super handy to gauge interest.

If you see a pitch was never even opened, that’s a hint (maybe you missed the window or they found their quote early). If it’s marked used – congrats! You know to watch for that article.

Set Google Alerts or use SEO tools for your name/domain

I have Google Alerts set up for my name and brand. If the article publishes and mentions me, I often get an alert.

However, Google Alerts can be slow or miss things. A more proactive method is using a backlink monitoring tool.

For example, the Semrush Backlink Analytics tool or Ahrefs Alerts can notify you of new backlinks to your site. By periodically checking for new links, you might spot a HARO link you earned, even if the journalist didn’t inform you.

Manually search if you know the outlet

If you know an article is likely to be published (say the journalist reached out to you or it’s a known publication that posts on schedule), you can search the publication’s site for keywords or your name. I’ve done this for time-sensitive queries – e.g., if I responded to a journalist at Inc.com, I’ll search Inc’s website a week or two later with my name or a snippet of my quote to see if it ran.

Check the “new backlinks” list regularly

Many SEO pros recommend checking your recent backlinks via Ahrefs or Semrush on a weekly basis. This will catch any surprise mentions. HARO successes often come 4-8 weeks later (journalists have to write and publish the piece), so keep an eye even a couple of months out.

Monitor for unlinked mentions

Sometimes, you might get quoted but not linked 😞. It happens – the journalist might simply mention your name/company without a hyperlink. To catch these, use a brand mention tool (Semrush has a Brand Monitoring tool, or tools like Mention.com or Google Alerts as mentioned).

If you see your name in an article and no link, you have an opportunity: a polite outreach to request a link. The brand monitoring tool can systematically show where your brand or expert name appears without a link.

If you discover a published piece used your quote but didn’t link, reach out kindly. This is essentially link reclamation. Send a short note thanking them for featuring you, and gently ask if they could add a link so readers can easily find you. Emphasize the reader’s benefit, e.g.: “Would you mind linking our company name to our site? That way, readers can easily get more info or contact us if they have questions based on the quote. Appreciate it if so!” – Make it about helping their readers, not just “hey I want a link”. In my experience, about half will oblige and add the link, especially if it was an oversight.

Finally, learn and refine. Keep a simple spreadsheet of your HARO pitches: note the date, the query, whether you responded quickly, and whether it resulted in a link or not.

Over time, you might spot patterns – maybe you have a higher success rate on certain types of questions or with certain lengths of answers. Use that intel to refine where you spend your effort.

For instance, I realized I was batting 0/10 on extremely broad, consumer queries (too much competition), but doing well on niche technical questions where my expertise was rarer. So I adjusted which queries to focus on.

By tracking diligently, you ensure you actually collect the links you earn and iterate on your approach. There’s nothing worse than missing out on celebrating a hard-earned Wall Street Journal link because you never noticed it went live!

Best practices for successful HARO link building

Beyond the basic steps, what separates power users from frustrated newbies in HARO? Here are some best practices gleaned from HARO experts (and my own hard-won experience) that will maximize your success:

Be patient and persistent

HARO is not a one-and-done deal; it’s a long game. You might send dozens of pitches before the first win. That’s normal. Many journalists publish weeks after the query – it can take 6–8 weeks to see results even after a successful pitch. Don’t let early silence discourage you. As one expert noted, when working with clients they set the expectation of at least six weeks to start seeing a flow of links. Consistency is key: keep answering relevant queries daily.

Over time, your “pipeline” builds and you’ll start seeing a steady stream of backlinks once the earlier pitched articles go live. In my case, I treat HARO like a routine – 30 minutes every morning to scan and pitch. After a couple months, I had new mentions popping up almost weekly, which then continued as long as I kept pitching.

Respond quickly, but never at the expense of quality

As emphasized, speed matters – often same-day response is needed – but a great answer sent slightly later beats a poor answer sent first. Find a balance. Some pros use templates to respond faster, which is fine as long as you customize each pitch heavily. Personally, I have a “framework” for answers but I avoid copy-paste filler.

If you’re strapped for time, prioritize queries with imminent deadlines first. And consider a team approach:

If you have colleagues, divide and conquer the HARO emails by topic, so the right person can answer more efficiently.

Stay relevant and on-topic

It cannot be overstated: only answer queries that truly fit your knowledge. Not only will off-base pitches fail, they can get you blacklisted by journalists. HARO is a credibility game. If a finance journalist gets a nonsense pitch from you on a fintech query, they’ll remember and ignore your future emails. Play the long game and build a reputation (even if informally) as someone who provides high-quality, on-point info. A tip: if you have multiple areas of expertise or multiple people in your company, leverage that.

For example, I’m a marketing expert and my co-founder is a developer. We use different personas for different topics – this “multiple persona” strategy means we can cover more ground and appear as distinct expert sources in our respective domains. Just ensure each persona is genuine (don’t invent fake experts – use real team members or partners).

Add value and be unique

Journalists are hunting for insightful quotes that add value to their story. Before sending your pitch, ask: Does this actually teach something new or provide a fresh angle?

If your answer feels generic, consider tweaking it. Perhaps add a quick case example from your experience or a contrarian viewpoint if you have one. Unique = memorable. One strategy I use: read the query and predict what the majority will likely answer. Then try to offer something different (without being contrarian for contrarian’s sake). This is especially useful in roundup-style articles (“10 experts share…”) – you want to be the one that isn’t saying the same thing as the other nine.

Keep it short, but not empty

Brevity is gold in HARO pitches. But ultra-short pitches that don’t substantively answer the question will fail too. Aim for a sweet spot where every sentence delivers value. A journalist should be able to skim your pitch in 10 seconds and know what they’d get by including you.

If you find yourself writing 4+ paragraphs, trim it down.

Remember, pitches are not blog posts.

Conversely, a one-liner answer usually isn’t enough context for them to quote you. I shoot for ~100-200 words of actual answer content unless the query specifically asks for more.

Show your personality and authenticity

This one’s a bit counterintuitive, since I also said to be professional. What I mean is, don’t sound like a robot or an AI. With the rise of AI-written pitches, journalists are seeing a lot of bland, lifeless text. You want to sound like a real human with expertise. It’s okay to use a conversational tone or a little humor if appropriate.

For example, “As a self-confessed analytics nerd, I actually get excited about cleaning data…” – small phrases like that can make your quote more relatable. One journalist recently lamented that HARO pitches felt like “having a conversation with ChatGPT – and not a very good one” due to all the formulaic responses. By injecting genuine voice and maybe an anecdote, you’ll stand out as authentic. Just ensure it’s still concise and relevant.

Treat journalists with respect (and don’t be pushy)

Always remember there’s a human on the other side curating a story. Be polite in your language, never accusatory or demanding.

If you don’t get picked, don’t send a follow-up whining about it – that’s a quick way to burn a bridge.

If you do get picked, a short thank-you note or a share on social media tagging the author can go a long way to building a relationship. Some platforms like PressPlugs even give you the journalist’s direct email – don’t abuse it. As PressPlugs co-founder Tracy Nolan advises, 

“only go after opportunities where you are a good match… Speculative long shots are not helpful and will mean the journalist is more reluctant to look at future pitches”

Essentially, always prioritize being helpful over being promotional.

Use HARO alternatives in parallel

This might belong in the next section, but it’s a best practice: diversify the platforms you use. HARO is very crowded; by also using newer platforms (like Qwoted, Featured, etc.), you can often snag links more easily from those. We’ll detail them shortly, but a power user isn’t relying on HARO alone – they cast a wider net.

For example, I’ve found success on niche platforms like Help a B2B Writer where competition was lower and I could specify the link to a relevant page (not just homepage) – a nice bonus for topical relevance. Using multiple platforms in combination ensures you’re not missing good opportunities that aren’t on HARO.

Maintain a system and refine your approach

Treat HARO like a campaign. Keep notes on what works. Maybe you notice you get more pickups when you include a stat, or when you pitch as a founder vs. a marketer. Continuously apply those learnings.

If you have someone helping (an assistant or a service), make sure they follow these best practices too and represent your voice accurately – nothing worse than outsourcing HARO and finding out “your” quotes sound off-brand or, worse, AI-generated (some agencies have done this, to their clients’ detriment).

By following these best practices, you’ll elevate your HARO game from average to elite. HARO link building is hard work – no sugarcoating that. But these guidelines are exactly how many SEO pros routinely get 5-10+ HARO links per month while others struggle to get one. The difference is in the strategy and consistency.

Common mistakes to avoid

Even seasoned SEO practitioners can stumble with HARO if they fall into bad habits. To save you from learning the hard way, here are some common mistakes in HARO link building – and why they’ll cost you links:

Sending generic, copy-paste pitches

Journalists can smell a template a mile away.

If you blast out the same canned response to every query (or worse, use an AI to auto-generate answers without personalization), you’re doomed. Joshua Hardwick of Ahrefs, who has seen the HARO deluge from the journalist side, reported that “every other pitch seemed like lazy AI-generated nonsense” when he solicited sources.

If your pitch reads like it could’ve been generated en masse for any question, it’ll go straight to the trash. Avoid: using the exact same intro or answer repeatedly. Always tailor it to the question and ensure it sounds human.

Ignoring the query instructions

Many HARO queries come with specific instructions or questions to answer. If the journalist asks for three specific tips and you only provide one, you’ve not delivered what they need. Likewise, if they say “please include your credentials” and you don’t, they might skip you. Not following directions is a fast-track to being ignored. Always double-check the query for any explicit requests or formatting.

For example, some ask for a subject line of a certain format or to include a Twitter handle. Failing to follow these is an easy mistake to avoid – and surprisingly many people do miss it.

Overt self-promotion or salesy language

HARO is not the place to plug your product extensively or use marketing buzzwords. A subtle mention of your company is fine (as part of your credential), but don’t turn your answer into an ad. Journalists hate that. One thing I’ve heard from reporters: pitches that pitch a product or service rather than giving an answer get deleted.

For instance, “Our software XYZ helps solve this problem by…” – nope. HARO is about providing insight, not directly selling. Keep your focus on educating or informing, and let the link to your site do the marketing later.

Writing a novel (too long-winded)

We touched on this, but it’s such a common pitfall. Some experts, in an effort to be thorough, send a full page worth of text. This often backfires. A journalist scanning dozens of replies doesn’t have time for a wall of text. If they open your email and see 8 dense paragraphs, they may close it immediately. As one HARO contributor quipped, don’t send “War and Peace” as your pitch. Brevity shows you can communicate clearly and respect their time.

If you have more to say, you can always mention “I have more examples if you need, but I kept it brief here.”

Being too vague or clichéd

Pitches that use empty phrases like “There are many things businesses can do…” or vague claims like “increase productivity by a lot” without specifics just don’t stick. Avoid clichés and corporate-speak. Mistake: not backing up claims.

If you say something is “game-changing,” show how or give an example. Journalists roll their eyes at hyperbolic language with no substance.

Answering when you’re not actually qualified

This is worth repeating: don’t stretch the truth about your qualifications. Some might be tempted to respond to everything by slightly bending their title or experience. This can burn you.

If you somehow get included and it’s clear you aren’t what you claimed, that relationship is done. Plus, you risk giving inaccurate info on a topic you’re not expert in, which can harm your reputation. Stick to your lane.

Missing deadlines

 It sounds obvious, but with HARO’s quick turnaround, a common mistake is to procrastinate and then send a pitch after the deadline. It will not be seen. Many queries have a deadline timestamp – once passed, your email won’t even be delivered to the journalist. So if you see a query you like, jump on it or let it go, but don’t bother after the cutoff.

Not vetting HARO services or assistants

If you hire an agency or freelancer for HARO link building, ensure they follow ethical practices. Some services churn out low-quality or AI-generated pitches at scale (as highlighted by the Ahrefs story where an SEO paid a service that used AI for cheap pitches).

This can damage your brand and yield poor results. If someone is pitching on your behalf, review what they’re sending periodically. It’s your name on the quotes, after all. I’ve audited a client’s HARO agency before and found they were spamming every query, relevant or not – we quickly corrected course.

Forgetting to check for your link or to say thanks

A softer “mistake,” but still important:

If you never check whether you got a mention, you miss the chance to amplify it or thank the writer. I once discovered a quote of mine in a major publication a month after it went live – I could have shared it widely had I known. When you do get a link, don’t forget to promote that article (tag the publication/journalist on social media, perhaps). Not only is it good manners, it also puts you on the journalist’s radar as someone appreciative and supportive, making them more likely to want you as a source again.

Avoiding these pitfalls will save you time and preserve your reputation. HARO is an ecosystem – behave badly and you’ll quietly get filtered out. But play it smart and professional, and you’ll build a positive presence where journalists might even start reaching out to you directly for future stories.

Tools and resources to enhance HARO link building

While HARO itself is the primary tool, there are several tools and resources that can streamline your HARO workflow and boost your success rate. Here are some that I (and other HARO pros) find invaluable:

HARO Premium features / Connectively platform

We’ve mentioned this, but it’s worth highlighting as a “tool.” Upgrading your HARO account (Standard or higher) or using Connectively gives you benefits like: setting up keyword alerts (so you get queries emailed to you before the normal digest), creating a pre-filled profile that auto-inserts into pitches, and getting those queries slightly earlier than free users.

For $19/month (Standard), it’s often worth it if you’re serious about HARO – even one extra high-value link pays that back.

I particularly love the keyword alert -> SMS notification feature (available in higher tiers) which can ping my phone for, say, any query with “SEO” in it. That has helped me pounce on opportunities quickly while others were still reading their email.

Email management tools (filters, labels, etc.)

If you stick with the free HARO emails, set up your inbox to work for you. Use Gmail filters to label emails from HARO and mark as important. You can even auto-forward HARO emails to a task management tool or Slack channel if that helps your workflow. Some people use Zapier to push HARO emails into a Slack feed or Trello board for each team member to grab a query. The key is to ensure you see relevant queries ASAP and don’t lose them in inbox chaos.

Templates and snippet tools

To respond faster without sacrificing personalization, use tools that let you insert saved snippets.

For example, I use a text expander app with shortcuts for common sentences (like my bio, or a sign-off line offering to share the article). This saves typing time on each pitch. Just beware of overusing templates – they’re a starting point, not the final pitch.

Domain research tools (Ahrefs, Semrush, Moz)

As mentioned under selecting queries, these are essential for vetting the quality of a publication quickly.

If you have a backlink analysis tool, keep it open while looking at HARO queries. When I see an outlet I don’t recognize, I’ll plug it into Ahrefs’ Site Explorer and look at Domain Rating and organic traffic within 30 seconds. If DR is 2 and the site has 0 traffic, I often skip. If DR is decent but I see the site’s recent posts are 90% HARO roundup style (“Experts say X...”), I know the link might be less valuable. Use these tools to prioritize your efforts.

Backlink monitoring and brand mention tools

After pitching, track your rewards. Tools like Semrush Backlink Analytics or Ahrefs Alerts can notify you of new backlinks to your domain (catching those HARO wins as they appear).

Also, Semrush’s Brand Monitoring (or a free Google Alert) is great to catch unlinked mentions of your name or brand. I have Semrush Brand Monitoring set for my name with variations, so if someone publishes my quote without a link, I can quickly reach out to reclaim that link. These tools ensure you don’t miss the fruits of your labor.

HARO alternative platforms (as resources)

Using platforms like Qwoted, Featured (Terkel), SourceBottle, and Help a B2B Writer can be seen as extending your toolkit. We’ll detail them next, but note that many have their own dashboards and email alerts. In effect, if you’re serious about “HARO link building,” you should sign up for these services too – they’re resources that widen the pool of opportunities.

For instance, Qwoted has a sleek interface to track your pitches (like Connectively) and sends notifications when a journalist views or likes your pitch. Featured.com uses an algorithm to match you with queries and even shows if your answer was read or chosen by the journalist. These features can give you more feedback than HARO’s blind system.

Content library (your own)

One often overlooked “resource” is your existing content and knowledge base. Keep a library of statistics, whitepapers, case studies, and past writing that you can draw from for HARO answers. When you have authoritative data ready, plugging it into a pitch is faster.

For example, I keep a list of key stats (with sources) relevant to my industry in a doc. When a query asks for “trends” or “insights backed by numbers,” I can quickly grab an appropriate stat from my stash (e.g., “93.8% of link builders say link quality is more important than quantity” if I’m talking about link building focus).

Networking as a resource

This is a bit meta, but building relationships with journalists on Twitter or LinkedIn can sometimes lead to them recognizing your name in a HARO pitch.

I’ve had a couple instances where a journalist later told me, “I chose your pitch because I remembered you shared my last article on Twitter, thanks!” While the HARO system is anonymous, the world is small – being a good citizen in the SEO/PR space can indirectly boost your HARO success. So consider the resource of professional networks and communities (like #PRrequest on Twitter, relevant Slack groups, etc.) as supplements to HARO where you might find requests or at least build rapport with writers.

In summary, equip yourself with these tools and resources to work smarter, not just harder. HARO link building can be labor-intensive, but the right tools will improve your efficiency and outcomes.

For example, using Connectively to filter opportunities, a template tool to speed up writing, Ahrefs to qualify targets, and Alerts to catch your wins makes the whole process far more manageable and repeatable.

Alternatives to HARO for link building

While HARO is the best-known platform, it’s not the only fish in the sea.

In fact, given HARO’s oversaturation, smart link builders diversify across multiple “HARO-like” services. These alternatives often have smaller user bases (meaning less competition for you) or cater to specific regions/industries. Here are some top HARO alternatives and what makes them valuable:

1. Qwoted

Qwoted is a US-based platform that connects experts with journalists, much like HARO. Many high-authority publications use Qwoted, including Forbes, Business Insider, HuffPost, and more.

How it works

You create a free profile as an expert or PR professional. Journalists post opportunities (similar to HARO queries) on the platform. You can search and filter by industry. Pitching is done through Qwoted’s interface – and here’s a nice feature: you often get feedback on your pitch status. The platform might show if a journalist has viewed or liked your pitch. This feedback loop can help you refine future responses.

Why use it

Many journalists have migrated or expanded to Qwoted because they got too much spam on HARO. So you’ll find legit opportunities on Qwoted that might not be on HARO. It’s also less of a free-for-all; some reporters may directly invite experts on Qwoted to respond if they fit a profile. I’ve personally landed links on news outlets via Qwoted, and the competition felt lower – perhaps because Qwoted isn’t as famous outside PR circles. Definitely worth being on if you want more bites at the apple.

2. Featured (formerly Terkel)

Featured.com (formerly known as Terkel) is an all-in-one pitching platform that’s been gaining traction as a HARO replacement. It was named after Studs Terkel (a famous interviewer) and built to give small business voices a chance to be featured widely. Interestingly, Featured actually acquired HARO in 2023 after Cision shut it down, and has been part of relaunching it to the classic model – so Featured and HARO are now siblings in a way.

How it works

You sign up on Featured with a profile (headshot, bio, expertise). It then shows you a dashboard of questions posted by various publishers, ranging from big outlets like Fast Company and Zapier to niche blogs. You answer directly on the platform (no more email chaos). Featured’s claim to fame is its algorithmic matching – it learns from your activity. As you successfully get published, Featured’s “expertise score” for you goes up, and it will match you with more relevant queries. This encourages you to stick to what you know (because spamming irrelevant queries could hurt your score).

Why use it

Featured offers a more curated experience. It’s free to start (with limits on monthly pitches) and has paid plans for more volume. Some cool features:

You can see when a journalist has read your pitch or marked it as a favorite – insight HARO doesn’t give.

• It provides tailored opportunities based on your profile, so less time sifting through noise.

• Featured also has a done-for-you service where they’ll ghostwrite pitches on your behalf (useful if you truly can’t do it yourself, but I’d still oversee what’s sent).

• Because it’s relatively new, competition is still manageable. Some users report significantly higher success rates compared to HARO – e.g., one SEO pro on Reddit claimed Featured (Terkel) netted them 5-10 links per 100 pitches vs. zero from HARO in a similar batch, thanks to less saturation.

For me, Featured has been great for getting placements on mid-tier sites that still have good authority.

Also, it tends to allow linking to specific pages more often. HARO usually results in a homepage link, but Featured/terkel might let you specify a relevant article of yours to link (depending on the publisher’s policy).

3. PressPlugs

PressPlugs is a UK-focused HARO alternative. It’s a platform where UK journalists post requests, and it has attracted media from Metro, The Guardian, BBC News, The Telegraph, etc. – basically many big British publications.

How it works

PressPlugs operates via its own dashboard (and email alerts if you want). It’s a paid platform (no free tier). You sign up (there’s typically a 7-day free trial) and then you get access to the live opportunities. You can filter queries by category, deadline, or even journalist name. A nice touch: each request shows the journalist’s name and direct email. This means you could pitch via the platform or reach out directly – and even build a relationship outside the platform.

Why use it

If you or your clients target UK markets, PressPlugs is gold. It has a lot of geo-specific requests (useful for local UK SEO).

For example, a regional UK business could get featured in local press via PressPlugs queries – something HARO’s mostly US-centric feed might not offer. Another benefit is the direct journalist info, which savvy PR folks can use to develop media lists (essentially, PressPlugs can act as a lead for future outreach beyond that single query).

• Pros: High-quality UK opportunities, ability to build long-term journalist contacts.

• Cons: The email notifications can be overwhelming – they tend to send an email for every new query. Many users (myself included) turn off the email flood and just log into the site to check.

  Also, it’s not cheap – but if UK links matter to you, it pays for itself with one big media hit.

PressPlugs tip: Tracy Nolan (co-founder) emphasizes the long game: don’t burn bridges with off-target pitches, and be as helpful as possible – same rules as HARO. That ethos is even more important on a smaller community like PressPlugs where repeat interactions with the same journalists happen.

4. SourceBottle

SourceBottle is like the HARO of Australia (and also covers New Zealand and some APAC media). It’s been around a while and is popular in those regions for connecting reporters with sources.

How it works

Very similar to classic HARO – you subscribe to email digests of queries, or you can browse on their website. You can select the industries/topics of interest and even choose when you want to receive the email (morning, afternoon, etc. in your time zone), which is a nice scheduling feature.

Why use it

If you want links or press in Australian media, SourceBottle is the go-to. It’s used by outlets like Financial Review, ABC Australia, news.com.au and more. For global companies, an Aussie .au domain link can diversify your backlink profile.

Also, fewer people outside Australia are paying attention to SourceBottle, so you might find less competition on those queries.

Accounts are free, with optional paid features for filtering.

A handy feature: you can temporarily pause emails when you’re unavailable (say you go on vacation), preventing your inbox from cluttering or missing deadlines.

I’ve used SourceBottle to snag a couple of .au domain backlinks for a client – it was surprisingly easy compared to HARO, likely because many U.S. SEOs ignore it, leaving more room for those who do participate. So it’s an “easy win” if geographic diversity is a plus for you.

5. Help a B2B Writer

Help a B2B Writer is a newer platform specifically targeting B2B content writers and SaaS brands. Think of it as HARO but for content marketing and SaaS thought leadership pieces. It was founded by a B2B writer who noticed that writers for company blogs also need expert insights, not just journalists.

How it works

You sign up (free for sources – and they emphasize it will remain free). You select the industries/topics you’re interested in (e.g., Marketing, Sales, Software, etc.). Then you’ll receive one email daily with all the relevant requests for your chosen topics (usually in the afternoon, as per UK time).

The queries often come from writers at well-known B2B SaaS companies or publications (the platform has mentioned brands like Shopify and Content Marketing Institute using it). You reply via email or a form with your answers.

Why use it

This platform addresses a gap: not every high-authority backlink comes from a news site – many come from big SaaS company blogs or industry blogs (which often have high authority and traffic). Help a B2B Writer surfaces those opportunities.

A cool unique feature: you can suggest the URL you want them to link to when you answer. Unlike HARO, which usually only yields a homepage link, here you might get a link to a specific blog post or resource on your site that’s relevant. That can be great for building topical authority (e.g., if the query is about affiliate marketing and you have a comprehensive guide on that, you can ask them to link to that guide instead of your home page).

• Pros: Free, focused on quality B2B content, ability to direct the link, and queries from very high-authority SaaS brands (Zapier, etc.).
• Cons: It’s new, so still growing. Some users noted that a few writers use the platform to get quotes but then don’t give links or even mentions. Essentially, a writer might take your input to help them write an article (especially if it’s ghostwritten for a CEO) and not explicitly quote you. That’s a risk. The platform advises to report abusers and encourages writers to properly credit sources. So far, I’ve had a decent experience – about 70% of my responses yielded a linked quote, 30% yielded nothing (possibly used as background info). Still, given it’s one email a day, the effort is low and the potential reward is high.

In summary, these alternatives can complement HARO and should be part of an advanced link builder’s toolkit. Each has its niche:

• Use Qwoted and Featured to cover general U.S./global media with possibly better UX and less spam.

• Use PressPlugs for UK-centric coverage.

• Use SourceBottle for Australia/New Zealand coverage.

• Use Help a B2B Writer for SaaS and content marketing related links, with the bonus of deep-linking to relevant content.

By pitching across multiple platforms, you increase your total pool of opportunities and reduce reliance on any one source. In my own link building campaigns, integrating these alternatives helped me go from maybe 2 HARO links a month to 6-8 links from various sources. And sometimes, the easiest wins came from the smaller platforms because fewer people were competing.

Just remember: the same high standards apply on every platform – don’t make the mistake of sending sloppy pitches thinking “oh fewer people see this.” The goal is always quality, regardless of platform.

Conclusion and next steps

HARO link building can be a game-changer for your SEO – if you’re willing to put in the work and strategic thought. We’ve covered everything from the basics of getting started to the nuanced tactics that can multiply your success.

By now, you should appreciate that HARO is not a quick hack; it’s a skill to be honed. When done right, it yields some of the highest-quality backlinks and brand mentions that your competitors will envy, and it does so in a Google-approved, white-hat way.

Let’s quickly recap the core takeaways:

• HARO is about value exchange. Give journalists great insights, and you earn great links. Always lead with expertise and authenticity.

• Success requires speed, relevance, and persistence. Respond fast, only to what you know, and keep at it. A single big link might take dozens of pitches to land – but that one link could outweigh a hundred low-tier links.

• Polish your pitching craft. Write compelling, concise pitches with strong subject lines, solid data, and quotable answers. This sets you apart from the sea of mediocre responses.

• Avoid the pitfalls. No spam, no fluff, no off-topic rambling. Respect the process and the people involved.

• Leverage tools and broaden your reach. Use HARO alternatives, tracking tools, and any efficiency hacks available. This increases your odds and saves time.

• Think strategically (new angles). Understand how HARO fits into your overall SEO strategy. Diversify your link building, align HARO with your content and conversion goals, and anticipate changes.

In my own experience, HARO link building has been worth every bit of effort. There’s a thrill to seeing your company mentioned in a major publication and knowing that it’s also boosting your search rankings. It’s like doing PR and SEO at the same time.

One month, I recall spending about 15 hours on HARO responses which resulted in 3 big media links and a handful of niche blog links. The organic traffic impact from those high-authority links was noticeable within a couple of months, and some of those articles still send referral traffic and lend credibility years later. That compounding benefit is something few other link tactics can offer.

As you venture into HARO link building or ramp up your current efforts, keep this guide handy. The SEO landscape will continue to evolve – tactics will get saturated, algorithms will get smarter – but the fundamental principle of HARO remains sound: earn links by being genuinely helpful to content creators. That’s a future-proof ethos.

If you find yourself overwhelmed or needing guidance to scale this (or other link strategies) further, don’t hesitate to seek expert help. HARO can be labor-intensive, and partnering with link building specialists or content marketing teams can amplify results while you focus on your core business.

Ultimately, the backlinks you earn through HARO are more than just SEO assets – they’re bridges between you and your audience, built through knowledge and trust. So start building those bridges, one pitch at a time, and enjoy the rewards that follow.

Need a boost in executing these strategies or integrating them into a broader campaign? Consider partnering with professionals who specialize in high-quality, content-driven link building. Check out our SaaS link building services to see how we can help elevate your backlink profile with white-glove tactics – including HARO outreach and beyond – all tailored to accelerate your SEO growth.