Using HARO Alternatives for Backlinks

For years, HARO (Help a Reporter Out) was the go-to platform for brands and SEO professionals seeking quality backlinks through journalist connections. But in 2025, the digital PR landscape has evolved - and so have the tools. With HARO becoming more competitive and slower in response, smart marketers are now exploring HARO alternatives that offer faster outreach, better niche targeting, and higher link success rates.

This comprehensive guide explores the best HARO alternatives for backlinks, how to use them effectively, and why diversifying your PR outreach strategy is essential for sustainable link-building success.

What Is HARO and Why It Matters for Link Building?

Understanding HARO

HARO (Help a Reporter Out) connects journalists seeking expert sources with brands, marketers, and professionals who can provide insights. When your pitch gets selected, you often earn a backlink from an authoritative media publication - making HARO a valuable tool for white-hat link building and brand visibility.

• Journalists post queries seeking expert comments or statistics.
• Sources submit pitches answering those queries with relevant insights.
• Accepted responses are featured in articles, usually with backlinks.

HARO helped thousands of brands build domain authority, but its growing competition and volume have made it harder to stand out - leading to the rise of alternative platforms.

Limitations of HARO in 2025

• High Competition: Hundreds of pitches flood each journalist query within minutes.
• Generic Queries: Many requests are broad or irrelevant to niche industries.
• Limited Free Access: Priority features and real-time alerts now require premium subscriptions.
• Low Response Rate: Even strong pitches often get buried in journalist inboxes.

To maintain consistent backlink acquisition and media coverage, brands now rely on HARO alternatives that offer more specialized connections and efficient workflows.

Top HARO Alternatives for Backlinks

1. Help a B2B Writer

Help a B2B Writer is a powerful alternative focused specifically on B2B and SaaS industries. It connects marketers, thought leaders, and content experts with writers producing content for leading industry publications.

• Best for B2B, SaaS, and tech niches.
• Provides highly targeted opportunities from credible brands and agencies.
• Free to join and easy to navigate via daily email alerts.

Unlike HARO’s generalist audience, Help a B2B Writer delivers laser-focused backlink opportunities relevant to business and marketing sectors.

2. Qwoted

Qwoted is a modern journalist-source platform that emphasizes transparency and professional networking. It allows users to create detailed profiles showcasing expertise, improving visibility among journalists.

• Journalists can reach out directly based on your verified profile.
• Includes media requests across multiple industries (finance, marketing, tech, lifestyle).
• Offers built-in messaging for better collaboration.

Qwoted bridges the gap between PR and SEO, giving experts long-term visibility beyond a single pitch.

3. Connectively (Formerly HARO)

In 2024, HARO rebranded as Connectively, introducing a more organized platform for both journalists and sources. It now features search filters, pitch tracking, and improved niche categorization.

• Real-time alerts and improved sorting by topic relevance.
• Option to manage and track past pitches in one dashboard.
• Premium plans for early access and visibility boosts.

Connectively remains useful, but it’s no longer the only player in the journalist outreach market - making diversification essential.

4. Featured (by Terkel)

Featured, formerly known as Terkel, is a content-driven expert platform that allows professionals to contribute to curated articles published across high-authority sites.

• High-quality publications like Fast Company, Zapier, and Forbes Councils.
• Easy to use - respond to 3–5 questions and potentially earn a backlink.
• Free plan available with paid tiers for guaranteed placements.

Featured is an excellent alternative for professionals who want consistent media exposure without competing in overcrowded HARO threads.

5. SourceBottle

SourceBottle is a PR connection tool popular in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. It helps brands gain media mentions in regional outlets and global publications.

• Ideal for international businesses seeking diverse audience exposure.
• Includes categories for lifestyle, business, travel, and health industries.
• Free to join, with premium options for prioritized alerts.

SourceBottle’s regional focus makes it a strong addition for brands targeting English-speaking markets beyond the US.

6. PressPlugs

PressPlugs is a UK-based platform designed to connect experts directly with journalists looking for credible sources.

• Provides instant journalist requests in real time.
• Great for professionals in finance, business, and media sectors.
• Paid memberships include analytics on coverage performance.

If your business operates in Europe, PressPlugs offers a steady flow of link-building and branding opportunities.

7. OnePitch

OnePitch simplifies the media pitching process by using AI to match your brand’s expertise with relevant journalists automatically.

• AI curates journalist matches based on your niche and past content.
• Tracks engagement metrics (opens, replies, and mentions).
• Best for startups, PR agencies, and thought leaders.

With automation and personalization combined, OnePitch eliminates guesswork in media outreach.

How to Use HARO Alternatives Effectively for Link Building

1. Create a Professional Expert Profile

Whether using Qwoted, Connectively, or Featured, your profile acts as your first impression to journalists. Make sure it communicates authority and credibility.

• Include your full name, title, and area of expertise.
• Add links to your company website, LinkedIn, and previous media mentions.
• Upload a professional headshot and concise bio.

Journalists prefer verified experts with visible track records - make your profile easy to trust.

2. Respond Quickly and Professionally

Speed is key in journalist outreach. Queries often close within hours, so set up real-time notifications.

• Check your email or platform alerts several times a day.
• Keep response templates ready but customize each pitch to the query.
• Stick to short, relevant, and fact-based answers (100–150 words).

Fast, valuable responses significantly increase your chances of being featured and earning a backlink.

3. Personalize Every Pitch

Generic replies rarely get selected. Tailor each response to the journalist’s publication and audience.

• Mention the journalist or publication name in your reply.
• Address the question directly with actionable insight or unique data.
• End with a short call to action, like “Happy to share more context if needed.”

Personalization proves you’ve read the request and care about providing real value, not just links.

4. Track and Organize Your Submissions

Managing multiple HARO alternatives means tracking where and how often you’ve pitched. Create a tracking sheet or use a CRM.

• Track the platform, journalist, topic, submission date, and status.
• Note successful placements to measure your ROI and link value.
• Follow up politely after 5–7 days if you haven’t heard back.

Consistency and organization make outreach more efficient and improve long-term results.

5. Build Relationships Beyond One Pitch

The most successful PR-driven link builders focus on relationships, not one-time opportunities.

• Thank journalists after being featured - even with a quick email or social mention.
• Follow them on LinkedIn or X (Twitter) and engage with their content.
• Offer future collaboration or comment opportunities for upcoming stories.

Building authentic relationships turns one successful link into a recurring media partnership.

Best Practices for Maximizing Backlink Value

1. Prioritize Relevance Over Volume

One link from a relevant, authoritative publication outweighs dozens from generic sites.

• Focus on publications within your niche or industry.
• Evaluate sites by domain authority, traffic, and editorial reputation.
• Avoid low-quality, spammy publications that may harm your SEO.

2. Optimize Anchor Text and Landing Pages

When you earn a backlink, ensure it leads to the right content on your site.

• Use natural, branded, or generic anchors - avoid keyword stuffing.
• Link to relevant landing pages that expand on your quoted topic.
• Track referral traffic from each link to measure conversion impact.

3. Diversify Your Outreach Platforms

Don’t rely on one platform alone. Each HARO alternative offers unique strengths - using several ensures consistent backlink opportunities.

• Use Connectively and Featured for general media coverage.
• Try Qwoted and OnePitch for journalist networking.
• Combine with niche-specific tools like Help a B2B Writer for industry relevance.

4. Leverage Social Proof and Past Mentions

When pitching, showcase previous media features or quotes to establish credibility.

• Include “As featured in [Publication Name]” on your website or bio.
• Link to past media mentions in new pitches to boost authority.
• Use social sharing to amplify your brand’s visibility post-publication.

Journalists are more likely to quote and link to trusted, experienced sources.

Key Takeaways: Using HARO Alternatives for Backlinks

• HARO remains valuable but overcrowded - diversify your strategy with modern alternatives.
• Tools like Qwoted, Featured, OnePitch, and Help a B2B Writer offer faster, niche-focused opportunities.
• Prioritize response speed, personalization, and journalist relationships for long-term success.
• Track pitches, measure backlink ROI, and build credibility through consistent contributions.
• Focus on earning high-quality, relevant backlinks that enhance your brand authority and SEO performance.

In 2025, journalist outreach is about value, speed, and authenticity. Using HARO alternatives strategically allows you to build stronger backlinks, expand your media presence, and stay ahead of competitors in an increasingly competitive SEO landscape.