By Hridoy Ahmed | Last updated: October 26, 2026 | 9 min read
Short answer: HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is a service where journalists post requests for expert quotes, and experts reply with short answers. If a reporter uses your answer, you may get a mention and sometimes a link to your site. It takes real expertise, fast replies and short, useful answers. No link is guaranteed, and you should never invent credentials or numbers.
In this guide
- HARO today: what changed
- Where to find journalist requests
- How to respond step by step
- Reply template
- Common mistakes
- FAQ
HARO today: what changed
HARO went through big changes. It was owned by Cision, which renamed it Connectively and then shut that platform down in December 2024. In April 2025, Featured.com bought the HARO brand and relaunched the service. In May 2026, Featured also announced that it was bringing Connectively back as a separate product. Other services such as Source of Sources and Qwoted also connect journalists and experts. Plans and prices differ between them and change often, so check each official site.
Where to find journalist requests
- HARO. Email digests of journalist requests, now run by Featured.
- Connectively. A platform for finding and answering requests inside the product.
- Source of Sources. A free email service started by HARO’s original founder, Peter Shankman.
- Qwoted. A platform that links experts with reporters.
- Social media. Reporters sometimes post requests with hashtags such as #journorequest.
Services change, so test one or two, and check what they cost before you pay.
How to respond step by step
- Choose your topics. Reply only to requests where you have real experience. For me, that is SEO and WordPress security.
- Read the request fully. Note the deadline, the questions and any rules, such as the length of the answer.
- Reply fast. Reporters work on tight deadlines, and early replies are more likely to be read.
- Answer the question directly. Put the answer in the first sentence. Add one or two clear reasons or a short example.
- Use your real experience. A specific story or lesson beats general advice. Do not invent numbers, clients or results.
- Add a short bio. Your name, role, how many years you have worked in the field and your site link.
- Follow the format. Send the answer in the way the request asks. Keep it short.
- Do not nag. Send one reply. If they want more, they will ask.
- Keep a record. Track your replies and any coverage you get.
This fits into a larger plan. See my guide on digital PR for SEO. If you want help running outreach, see my link building service.
Reply template
Subject: Re: [REQUEST TITLE] – expert input from [YOUR NAME], [YOUR ROLE]
Hi [REPORTER NAME],
[DIRECT ANSWER TO THE QUESTION IN 1 TO 2 SENTENCES.]
[ONE SHORT REASON, STEP OR EXAMPLE FROM YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE.]
Feel free to quote any part of this. Happy to answer follow-up questions.
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR ROLE AND YEARS OF EXPERIENCE]
[YOUR SITE]
Replace the capital-letter parts with your own real details. Do not pad the answer.
Common mistakes
- Replying to everything. Replies outside your field waste time and hurt your name.
- Generic AI-written answers. Reporters get many identical replies. Specific, honest input stands out.
- Making up expertise or data. It can end your reputation and get you blocked.
- Long pitches. A short answer is easier to quote.
- Asking for a link. Do not demand one. Include your site in your bio and let the outlet decide.
- Expecting quick results. Many replies will go unused.
FAQ
What does HARO stand for?
Help a Reporter Out.
Is HARO still active?
Yes. Featured.com bought the HARO brand in April 2025 and relaunched it.
Is HARO free?
Sources I checked disagree on pricing, and plans change. Check the current plans on the official sites before you decide.
Will I get a backlink from a journalist request?
Not always. Some outlets link to the expert’s site and some only mention the name. No link is guaranteed.
Are there alternatives to HARO?
Yes, such as Source of Sources, Qwoted and Connectively, plus journalist requests posted on social media.
Want help earning links and mentions? I do manual, white-hat outreach with no shortcuts and no ranking promises. See my link building and guest posting service.
About the author: Hridoy Ahmed is an SEO specialist and WordPress security expert based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. He has 8+ years of experience and works with clients worldwide.