Marketers have long used HARO (Help A Reporter Out) as an affordable method of obtaining high-quality backlinks from respectable websites. However, when it shut down in 2024, many people were left thinking about alternate choices and their associated costs.
In this article, we’ll explore HARO’s legacy, the rise of alternative platforms, and how to navigate the costs and pricing influences of HARO-style link building.
Our goal is to help you understand the best ways to continue benefiting from journalist-expert connections while maintaining the effectiveness of your SEO strategy.
What Was HARO and Why Did It Matter?
Help a Reporter Out (HARO) launched in 2008 as a simple email service connecting journalists with expert sources. Founded by Peter Shankman, it quickly grew from a Facebook group into one of the most valuable free PR tools available to businesses and individuals alike.
HARO’s simple model worked like this: journalists submitted queries about topics they were covering, and these queries were sent to subscribers who could respond with their expertise.
When selected, sources received mentions and often valuable backlinks from reputable publications.
For SEO professionals, HARO became a goldmine. It offered access to high-domain authority sites like Forbes, Business Insider, and The New York Times—publications from which it would otherwise be extremely difficult to secure backlinks through traditional outreach.
Early in 2024, HARO halted operations in its original form, and Connectively (owned by Cision) took over. This shift preserved some of HARO’s characteristics while incorporating Cision’s broader ecosystem.
However, by December 2024, even the Connectively brand was officially discontinued, marking the end of a service that had served over 75,000 journalists and 1 million sources during its lifetime.
The Rise of HARO-Style Link Building Platforms
With HARO’s closure, several platforms have stepped up to fill the void, each offering their own version of connecting experts with journalists.
When we talk about “HARO-style” link building, we’re referring to a specific approach:
- Journalists post queries seeking expert input
- Sources (like you) respond with relevant expertise
- Journalists select the best responses to include in their articles
- Sources receive attribution, often including valuable backlinks
The key alternatives that have gained traction in 2025 include:
Qwoted: A modern platform with both free and premium tiers that connects journalists with expert sources through a sleek interface rather than just email.
Help a B2B Writer: Focused specifically on B2B content, this free service sends regular opportunities from writers at industry publications.
ProfNet: One of the oldest alternatives, owned by PR Newswire, offering a more traditional PR approach to media connections.
SourceBottle: A global service connecting journalists with sources, particularly popular in Australia but with a growing US presence.
ResponseSource: A UK-based journalist inquiry service with a strong presence in European markets, offering both industry requests and journalist inquiries.
JournoRequests: Popular in the UK market, this platform aggregates journalist requests from Twitter and other sources.
These platforms generally improve on HARO’s model with better filtering options, more user-friendly interfaces, and, in some cases, higher quality control on both the journalist and source sides.
Understanding the Cost Structure of HARO Alternatives
The pricing landscape for HARO alternatives varies widely, from completely free services to enterprise-level solutions costing thousands monthly.
Here’s how the main pricing models break down:
Free Tiers
Many platforms offer free access with limitations:
- Qwoted: Free tier allows limited pitches monthly with basic functionality
- Help a B2B Writer: Completely free service focused on B2B content
- SourceBottle: Free basic subscription with optional premium features
- JournoRequests: Free email digest with paid options for additional features
Paid Subscription Models
| Platform | Basic Plan | Professional Plan | Enterprise |
| Qwoted | Free (limited) | $99/month | Custom pricing |
| ProfNet | $1,650 annually/industry | ||
| ResponseSource | £85/month | £675/month | £1050/month |
Pay-Per-Placement Services
Some platforms charge based on the number of responses or pitches submitted, which can lead to flexible pricing based on usage.
Agencies offering “HARO outreach” as a service are often charging:
- Flat monthly retainers ($500-2,000/month)
- Per-placement fees ($300-1,500, depending on publication tier)
- Success-based pricing (lower retainer plus placement bonuses)
If you’re looking for a reliable and cost-effective partner to handle HARO-style or editorial link building, The Blueprints is a trusted link service provider known for securing high-quality, niche-relevant backlinks through proven outreach strategies.
What Influences HARO Link Building Pricing?
Several factors determine the HARO link building cost structure:
- Volume of opportunities: Higher-tier plans typically offer more pitching opportunities and faster access to queries
- Publication quality: Premium tiers often provide access to higher-profile journalists and publications
- Platform features: Advanced filtering, analytics, and integrations command higher prices
- Support level: Higher-tier plans may include pitch review, coaching, or dedicated account managers
The hidden cost of HARO links that many overlook is the time investment.
Responding to HARO-style queries typically requires:
- 30-60 minutes per quality pitch
- Daily monitoring of opportunities
- Follow-up communication
- Tracking placements and results
Even “free” platforms require significant time resources, which should factor into your overall ROI calculations.
What Influences the Quality and Results of HARO-Style Links?
Not all HARO-style backlinks deliver equal value.
Several key factors determine the quality and results you’ll get:
Publication Authority and Relevance
The publication’s domain authority (DA) remains the single most important factor in link value. A mention in Business Insider (DA 90+) delivers significantly more SEO benefit than a niche blog (DA 30).
However, relevance matters too. A perfectly relevant link from an industry publication often outperforms an off-topic mention in a general news site.
Editorial Context
How your link appears matters greatly:
- Natural inclusion within relevant content performs best
- Being listed among multiple sources dilutes the value
- Appearing early in the article typically provides more benefit
- Contextual links perform better than resource lists
Pitch Quality and Response Rate
On average, journalists receive 15-30 responses per query on popular platforms.
Your success rate depends heavily on:
- Speed of response (earlier pitches get more attention)
- Adherence to specific query requirements
- Quality and uniqueness of your insights
- Professional presentation and formatting
Platform Curation
The level of platform curation significantly impacts quality:
- Help a B2B Writer has stricter journalist vetting, resulting in fewer but higher-quality opportunities
- Qwoted’s rating system helps filter out low-quality sources
- SourceBottle manually approves all journalist accounts before allowing queries
- JournoRequests filters out promotional or link-seeking queries
- Some platforms now require journalists to verify their employment at listed publications
- Industry-specific platforms tend to have more rigorous vetting of both sources and journalists
The best platforms actively remove spammers and maintain quality control measures that improve everyone’s results.
How to Maximize ROI When Using HARO Alternatives
Getting the most from HARO-style platforms requires strategy.
Here are some tips to maximize HARO link building ROI:
Tip #1: Crafting Concise, Well-Formatted Pitches
The ideal pitch:
- Stays under 300 words total
- Answers the specific question in the first paragraph
- Includes relevant credentials up front
- Provides unique data or insights
- Uses bullet points for scannable content
- Closes with contact information and availability
Tip #2: Be Strategic About Query Selection
Not all queries are worth your time.
Prioritize:
- Queries from named journalists at identified publications
- Topics directly related to your expertise
- Requests that specifically mention including links
- Questions you can provide unique or data-backed answers to
Avoid:
- Vague requests with limited details
- Extremely competitive general topics
- Queries seeking free product recommendations
Tip #3: Track Everything
Once your pitch is picked up, track the backlink placement.
Implement a tracking system for:
- Queries responded to
- Response rate (accepted vs. rejected)
- Publication dates
- Link attributes (follow vs. nofollow)
- Traffic generated from placements
- Domain authority of publications
Use accessible tools like Google Analytics or Ahrefs to monitor its impact on your SEO.
Tip #4: Combining Link Building with Other SEO Tactics
HARO-style links should be part of a broader SEO strategy, which also includes content marketing, on-page optimization, and technical SEO.
Sample ROI Calculation
Let’s calculate the ROI for a mid-tier Qwoted subscription:
Monthly cost: $99
Time investment: 20 hours (valued at $50/hour) = $1,000
Total monthly investment: $1,099
Results:
- 3 placements on DA 60+ sites
- Estimated value per placement: $500-800
- Total value: $1,500-2,400
ROI: 36-118% monthly
This calculation doesn’t account for long-term SEO benefits, which can multiply the value significantly over time.
For a more comprehensive understanding of how your link building investment compares to industry standards, LinkBuildingPricing provides up-to-date market pricing for backlinks, helping you assess your ROI more accurately.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them on HARO Alternatives
While HARO-style platforms can be effective, common mistakes can lead to missed opportunities.
Here’s how to avoid them:
Mistake #1: Poor Formatting and Excessive Length
Journalists don’t have time to read lengthy responses. Keep your pitch concise and properly formatted for easy reading.
Remember, walls of text always get ignored.
Instead, structure your pitch with:
- Clear headers
- Short paragraphs
- Bullet points for key facts
- Bold for essential points
- 2-3 sentence paragraphs maximum
Mistake #2: Missing the Point of the Query
Journalists often skim pitches. So, always address the specific question first. Lead with the most relevant information and get to the point quickly.
Too many responses dive into credentials or background before answering the actual query, losing the journalist’s attention.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Platform-Specific Rules
Every platform has its own rules for pitching. Always follow their guidelines to avoid having your pitch rejected.
Mistake #4: Overlooking Follow-Up Opportunities
If your pitch is NOT picked up, follow up with journalists. They may still be interested in your insights for future articles.
However, when your contribution is published, do NOT forget to:
- Thank the journalist (briefly)
- Share the piece on social media
- Tag the publication and the journalist
- Add the link to your media page
This deliberate action builds genuine relationships, sets the ground for future opportunities, and increases selection chances.
Mistake #5: Irrelevant Pitching
Responding to every query reduces your credibility—only pitch when you have genuine expertise and something valuable to contribute.
Future Outlook: The Evolution of Journalist-Expert Platforms
As the SEO landscape evolves, so does the role of journalist-expert platforms.
We’re seeing several trends emerge:
- Increasing Use of AI and Automation: AI tools are starting to automate some areas of the pitching process, making it easier to craft personalized pitches at scale.
- Growing Importance of Niche Platforms: Specialized platforms focusing on specific industries, such as B2B or healthcare, are becoming more common. These platforms offer highly relevant journalist connections.
- Evolving Media Outreach Tactics: As competition for backlinks grows, journalists may become more selective, focusing on quality over quantity in their responses.
Marketers should stay adaptable, experimenting with new platforms and tools while maintaining their focus on providing high-quality, relevant content.
Wrapping Up
The closure of HARO and the rise of HARO-style alternatives have reshaped how businesses approach journalist-expert link building.
By understanding the costs, quality factors, and strategies for maximizing ROI, you can continue to leverage these platforms effectively.
Platforms like Qwoted and Help a B2B Writer offer great opportunities for SEO professionals. However, it’s important to assess the value of these links against their costs to make informed decisions.
You can drive measurable results by avoiding common mistakes, crafting high-quality pitches, and combining link building with other SEO tactics. So, take time to explore the available alternatives and refine your SEO approach accordingly.
With the right HARO link building strategy, you can continue to build valuable backlinks and improve your site’s SEO performance.
