One of our favorite tactics to implement as part of a comprehensive SEO campaign is HARO link building.
Time and again, HARO has come through with the goods — editorial links on powerful domains.
But as anyone who has tried using HARO to build links can attest, the success of your campaign depends on the whims of journalist requests and publishing calendars.
We have diversified from a reliance on HARO to other competing platforms, and it would probably be prudent for you to do so too.
Here are some of the best options to incorporate into your workflow.
Best alternatives to HARO
These are the best HARO alternatives, some of which we use at Forte Analytica to land high-quality editorial links that build a moat around your website and help improve rankings over time.
We’ve purposefully limited this to services that operate like HARO, i.e. media requests come to you.
1. Qwoted
Qwoted presents itself as a “better way to source expert insights”. From a source’s view, it’s a joy to use. In fact, it is our team’s preferred platform.
Like HARO, Qwoted provides businesses with a platform to connect with journalists and other media professionals, delivered via a modern and easy-to-use platform. Journalists from top tier publications — Forbes, New York Port, Daily Mail, Insider, etc. — use Qwoted extensively.
There is a trade off, however. Well, actually, there are two. Qwoted is only available with a paid plan and the volume of requests is considerably lower than HARO, albeit generally of a high quality.
Is it worth it? We think so.
Key features
- Ability to respond to media requests from journalists.
- Detailed expert profile creation and more insight.
- Customizable filters.
- Daily, weekly or real-time newsletters.
- Easy-to-use dashboard and request management.
What we don’t like
Qwoted’s policy is to limit one account to one responder. If you have more than one person responding to requests, Qwoted can get pricey.
Pricing
Qwoted’s free plan is basically useless. The “cheap” paid plan costs $124.99 per month.
2. SourceBottle
Ever tried to land links in Australia? It’s extremely difficult. SourceBottle goes some way to address this.
Like HARO, this is a platform that connects businesses with journalists, bloggers, and producers. It is similar to HARO in that it provides media opportunities to respond to as well as pitch opportunities.
However, the volume of requests through SourceBottle’s platform is considerably lower than HARO. Journalists from large Australian publications like SMH and AFR do use it to source experts, but some of the websites are of questionable value in terms of their SEO metrics.
SourceBottle isn’t your main alternative to HARO, but it’s worth considering adding it to your operations since there is less competition and it’s a useful way to build contacts.
Key features
- Daily emails with media requests.
- Easy-to-use dashboard.
- Detailed expert profile.
- Customizable filters.
What we don’t like
Being based in Australia, there is a bias towards Aussie responders (but it is a good way to get links from Australian publishers that are notoriously difficult to connect with).
Pricing
SourceBottle is a free service, but there’s a fee to set up a public expert profile.
3. Terkel
Terkel operates much like HARO and the other services on this list. Journalists pose questions, experts provide insights, and collective knowledge is crafted into high-quality articles for blogs or partner websites.
It is an alternative to HARO, but is best seen as complementary rather than a replacement. The volume of requests is lower than HARO and the number of pitches you can send is heavily restricted on the free plan (although the entry-level paid plan has no restriction).
Key features
- Comprehensive media list of journalists and influencers.
- Customizable filters by media type and location.
- Article alerts and media insights.
- Options for promoting podcast appearances.
What we don’t like
We found the interface to be clunky and the lower volume of requests make it hard to justify the cost.
Pricing
A severely liited version of Terkel is available for free. The paid plan removes the limit on responses, with an additional cost per seat for teams.
4. ProfNet
ProfNet connects businesses with journalists and experts. It is owned by Cision, the well-known press release service. You can think of it as a more exclusive version of HARO.
Like HARO, journalist requests are delivered via email. There is, however, lower volume and some overlap with other platforms.
One of the benefits of ProfNet is that the requests and opportunities extend into real-world events, public speaking appearances, and trade shows. That’s beneficial if you are promoting your own business, less so if you represent clients and are focussed on building links.
Key features
- Ability to post and receive expert requests.
- Comprehensive media list with editor contacts.
- A database of subject-matter experts to connect with.
- Ability to distribute press releases.
What we don’t like
ProfNet doesn’t come cheap.
Pricing
ProfNet is a paid service. The cost of membership depends on the size of your business.
FAQs
Why explore alternatives to HARO?
HARO can be slow in response times, have a high volume of requests, and limited options for filtering requests. MentionMate is another alternative to HARO.
Are there overlapping requests between HARO alternatives?
Yes, definitely. It’s not uncommon for a journalist to use multiple services.
