If you’ve been in SEO or PR for a while, you’ve probably used or at least heard of HARO (Help a Reporter Out). For years, it was the secret weapon for landing media mentions and high-quality backlinks. But here’s the thing: HARO isn’t what it used to be. It rebranded to Connectively, became bloated with competition, and eventually shut down in late 2024.
The silver lining? HARO’s downfall opened the door to a wave of better alternatives. Tools that are faster, more focused, and way less noisy. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best HARO alternatives in 2025, why they matter, and how you can use them to boost your SEO and brand authority.
Why Look Beyond HARO?
Let’s be real HARO was great… until it wasn’t. Here’s why businesses (myself included) started searching for alternatives long before its closure:
- Inbox chaos: Daily HARO emails could run 50+ queries. Finding relevant ones felt like digging for gold in a landfill.
- High competition: A single journalist request could receive 200+ replies. Good luck standing out.
- Relevance issues: Many pitches didn’t align with niche industries, wasting valuable time.
- Quality concerns: Not every “journalist” was from Forbes. Some came from low-tier blogs with little SEO value.
So while HARO helped plenty of people get published, it also burned out thousands more. The good news? The new crop of platforms actually learned from HARO’s flaws.
The 7 Best HARO Alternatives to Try in 2025
1. ProfNet Best for High-Authority Media
Run by PR Newswire, ProfNet is one of the oldest HARO alternatives. It connects experts with established journalists from outlets like Reuters, The New York Times, and Bloomberg.
- Strengths: Fewer but higher-quality requests, strong traditional media presence.
- Weaknesses: It’s pricey subscriptions can run into the thousands annually.
- Best for: Larger companies and agencies that want consistent placements in tier-one media.
If you’re serious about PR and have the budget, ProfNet is the Cadillac of HARO replacements.
2. Source of Sources (SoS) HARO’s Original Founder Returns
Peter Shankman, the original creator of HARO, came back in 2024 with Source of Sources (or SoS). It feels like “classic HARO” free email alerts with journalist requests but cleaner and more transparent.
- Strengths: Free, familiar format, direct from HARO’s founder.
- Weaknesses: Still building momentum, so opportunities are fewer compared to bigger platforms.
- Best for: Solo founders, consultants, and small businesses who want an easy, low-barrier entry.
Think of SoS as HARO 2.0 but without the baggage.
3. Featured (formerly Terkel) Fast, Streamlined, and SEO-Friendly
Featured has quickly become a favorite in the digital PR space. Unlike HARO, it gives you SEO insights like Domain Rating (DR) and whether the link is dofollow or nofollow so you can prioritize your efforts.
- Strengths: User-friendly dashboard, SEO metrics, high conversion rates.
- Weaknesses: Paid plans required for higher pitch volume ($39–$79/month).
- Best for: Marketers who care about both backlinks and the SEO value behind them.
Featured is the HARO alternative I recommend most often to clients it’s practical, data-driven, and affordable.
4. Help a B2B Writer Perfect for Niche B2B Coverage
As the name suggests, Help a B2B Writer connects subject matter experts with freelance and staff writers working on B2B content.
- Strengths: Highly relevant if you’re in SaaS, marketing, or tech. Much less noise compared to HARO.
- Weaknesses: If you’re in consumer or lifestyle industries, this isn’t for you.
- Best for: B2B brands that want backlinks from authoritative industry blogs.
Example: If you’re a SaaS founder, instead of competing with 300 other people on HARO, you’ll be one of maybe 10 on Help a B2B Writer.
5. Qwoted Polished, Premium Platform
Qwoted feels like LinkedIn meets HARO. You create a verified expert profile, journalists post requests, and you can pitch directly through the platform.
- Strengths: Clean interface, strong presence in finance and tech.
- Weaknesses: Free plan only allows two pitches/month. Paid plans start at $99/month.
- Best for: Professionals and agencies that want to build credibility with their expert profile.
Pro tip: A polished Qwoted profile can double as a mini-PR portfolio.
6. JournoRequest / #JournoRequest – Twitter Still Works
Believe it or not, X (formerly Twitter) is still a PR goldmine. Journalists use the hashtag #JournoRequest when they need quick expert input.
- Strengths: Free, direct access to journalists, often real-time opportunities.
- Weaknesses: Requires constant monitoring and quick responses.
- Best for: PR pros who already live on Twitter/X and can act fast.
Example: A health reporter might tweet, “Looking for quotes from fitness coaches on hydration trends #JournoRequest.” First reply usually wins.
7. PitchResponse Aggregator Tool for Busy PR Teams
If you hate juggling multiple platforms, PitchResponse aggregates queries from HARO-like sites (including SoS, Qwoted, and more) into one dashboard.
- Strengths: Saves time, filters irrelevant pitches, centralizes your outreach.
- Weaknesses: Still newer, so coverage breadth is growing.
- Best for: Agencies or teams handling PR for multiple clients.
Think of it as the Zapier of HARO alternatives one inbox, many sources.
Final Thoughts
HARO might be gone, but the opportunity isn’t. In fact, the new wave of platforms makes it easier than ever to connect with journalists, earn backlinks, and build brand authority without drowning in irrelevant noise.
Start small: sign up for Source of Sources (free) and Help a B2B Writer if you’re in that niche. Layer in Featured for SEO-rich backlinks. If you’ve got the budget, test Qwoted or ProfNet for pr
FAQs
Which HARO alternative gives the best ROI for SEO?
If budget isn’t an issue, ProfNet wins for authority. For balance of cost and results, Featured is the clear ROI leader.
How can I measure the value of links earned through these platforms?
Use tools like Ahrefs or Moz to check Domain Rating, organic traffic, and whether the backlink is dofollow. Featured conveniently shows this upfront.
How do I improve my success rate with pitches?
Personalization is everything. Reference the journalist’s past work, keep your response concise (3–5 sentences), and lead with your most unique insight.
Should I diversify across multiple HARO alternatives?
Yes. Think portfolio strategy. Use SoS for free leads, Featured for SEO-rich backlinks, and one premium tool like Qwoted or ProfNet for credibility.
Can HARO alternatives help me build long-term journalist relationships?
Absolutely. The pitch is just the intro. Follow journalists on LinkedIn, engage with their content, and offer value outside of their queries. That’s how you move from one-off mentions to recurring collaborations.
