There’s a reason why HARO (now called Connectively) is so popular—it’s straightforward, widely used, and can deliver impressive results when you know the tricks of the trade. However, like any tool, HARO isn’t perfect.
While it remains a strong platform, many users face challenges, especially when it comes to standing out in an increasingly crowded space. The sheer volume of pitches journalists receive through HARO means that even well-crafted responses can sometimes get lost in the noise. If you’ve been struggling to build links or gain the media attention you’re after, it might be time to explore some alternatives.
We’re not here to dismiss HARO—it’s a solid option that has helped many. But if you’re finding it hard to get the traction you need, there are other platforms out there that might suit your needs better.
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve done the legwork: we’ve researched, signed up for accounts, and even pitched quotes across multiple platforms to identify the best three alternatives to HARO.
Our Favourite HARO alternative: Featured.com (formerly Terkel)
Website: https://featured.com/
Cost:
You can get started by submitting three free answers a month or upgrade to:
Pro Plan: $49.75/month with unlimited answers, filter sites according to Domain Authority, track the progress of answers from submission to placement and up to 25 keyword alerts emailed to your inbox.
Business Plan: $79.20 with all the benefits of the Pro Plan, plus author and submit one full-length article per profile for publication consideration, as well as conduct and submit one full-length Q&A interview per profile for publication.
Note that the price for each plan mentioned above is for 1-2 seats or profiles only. The more profiles you need, the higher the monthly cost.
Ease of registration:
It’s super easy. All you need is to fill in basic details, and you’ll have access to the list of questions.
Ease of pitching:
Again, it’s incredibly easy.
Simply scan through the list of queries and select one to answer on behalf of your client or your own company. What I really appreciate is that the source of the query is clearly listed next to the question, and you can filter questions so that only those suited to your niche appear.
What features make it unique?
Conduct and submit a full-length Q&A interview for publication: By conducting an interview via Featured, experts can land Interview Profiles on websites to help build their visibility and credibility online. For more info, see their FAQ article.
Author and submit one full-length article per profile for publication consideration: Experts can choose a source and topic relevant to their expertise and submit a bylined article contribution for the chance to be published. For more info, see their FAQ article.
What others are saying:
“Does it really work? If my life were a history book, it would say that I’ve always had a certain level of skepticism when it comes to trying out a new platform. I wondered if Featured would really empower me to gain more visibility for my brand. Let me tell you, the answer is a profound “YES!” My insights have been published on a variety of online blogs and publications thanks to this cutting-edge platform. I’ve recommended it to many of my friends and colleagues.”
Rachel Blank, Allarahealth.com
(Testimonial taken from featured.com)
How does it compare with HARO?
It seems that both platforms are fairly similar. But with HARO’s free plan, you’re able to submit 10 pitches a month. But for the same cost of Featured’s Pro plan at $49, you’ll be limited to 50 pitches.
At the moment, there seems to be much less competition than with HARO, so now’s a good time to get pitching. In addition, the whole process is much simpler than HARO. There are no daily emails sent at specific times, just a list of queries which can be answered in a few simple steps.
But is it good for link building?
You should know that the free plan does not require publishers to link to an expert’s website. Doing so is entirely up to their discretion. For this reason, it could be a bit hit-or-miss.
However, paying members will be able to set filters according to link type and ensure you only answer queries with Do Follow links.
To be honest, although we chose Featured.com as one of our top HARO alternatives due to its simplicity, there really isn’t that much external information available. So, besides their own site testimonials, there’s very little info to determine whether or not it’s possible to successfully build links using their platform.
We did manage to find a decent review on YouTube, though: How I Build 50+ Top Backlinks Per Month With Featured (ex-Terkel), HB2BW, HARO [50%+ Success Rate!]. According to this video, Rafael has had 28 out of 195 answers published. That’s 28 backlinks from high-DA sites at a very reasonable cost.
HARO Alternative #2 – Qwoted
Website: https://www.qwoted.com/
Cost:
You can create a free expert account and submit two responses monthly. You’ll also need to wait at least 2 hours after a pitch is posted.
Alternatively, you can sign up for the Pro Plan at $149/month, which includes unlimited pitches and the ability to respond to pitches in real-time.
Ease of registration:
Easy enough, you’re asked to fill in basic details only. Even though other sites claim that you will be vetted by Qwoted, this doesn’t seem to be the case. How much of your profile you choose to fill in is entirely up to you.
Ease of pitching:
Once again, when it comes to pitching, I would say this platform is much easier to use than Haro. However, it doesn’t feel as streamlined as Featured.com. I would definitely suggest using their Advanced Search feature to filter out questions that are past their deadline or require payment.
What features make it unique?
What’s great about Qwoted is that a journalist can reach out to you personally for a pitch based on how you’ve set your profile up. So be sure to fill out your profile as soon as you sign up and give as much detail as you can so Qwote can send you the most relevant questions.
What others are saying:
“So far, 1 of the 3 pitches I submitted on Qwoted was accepted. I used HARO for years, and (to my knowledge), none of my pitches were accepted – it felt like I was just sending pitches into the void. Not to mention, their submission process was a bit clunky. Receiving an automated email from Qwoted when a reporter opens your pitch is much better than wondering if your pitches are being seen by reporters! This is just one of the great features Qwoted offers.”
Casey, USA
(Testimonial taken from trustpilot.com)
How does it compare with HARO?
Although both platforms are very similar in terms of use, what makes Qwoted a good alternative to HARO is the fact that once your profile is set up, journalists are able to contact you for a quote.
Qwoted does come at the cost of $149 monthly, so it may not be a viable option for cash-strapped clients, but it will also mean there’s less competition. Their free plan is very limited, allowing you to post only two pitches a month.
I do appreciate their email marketing, though, with regular tips on how to get the most out of their platform.
But is it good for link building?
As with any platform, your success in link building on Qwoted will largely depend on the time and effort you invest in creating valuable and helpful pitches.
Remember that behind each query is a journalist who takes pride in their work. If you treat their requests with respect and provide high-quality responses, you can build lasting relationships. As a result, journalists might reach out to you directly the next time they need an expert, further enhancing your link-building opportunities.
HARO Alternative #3 – Source Bottle
Website: https://www.sourcebottle.com/
Cost:
The core service on Source Bottle is free, which means you can send as many pitches as you want right off the bat. You can also create an Expert Profile for $25/month to create a media-ready online profile that matches your keywords to pitches.
Ease of registration:
Fairly simple, it allows you to select which industry you’d like to see as well as location.
Ease of pitching:
Responding to queries is very straightforward. Simply filter questions by niche and location, select your pitch, and write your pitch.
What features make it unique?
SourceBottle stands out for its strong presence in the Australian and New Zealand markets, making it an excellent choice for those looking to build media connections in these regions. In addition, the fact that it’s mostly a free online service makes it a no-brainer.
What others are saying:
“Thanks again SourceBottle! Our business was quoted in 3 national magazines this month. Really appreciate being able to connect with media so easily.”
Dr Joann Lukins
(Testimonial taken from sourcebottle.com)
How does it compare with HARO?
Unlike HARO, SourceBottle’s paid plans allow experts to participate in special requests like product reviews, giveaways, and goodie bags. These opportunities are particularly valuable for building relationships with brands and gaining visibility in specific markets.
Additionally, SourceBottle occasionally includes callouts for case studies. These are excellent for experts looking to establish credibility and showcase their expertise in a detailed, real-world context. This kind of exposure can be especially beneficial for those wanting to position themselves as thought leaders in their industries.
Conclusion
HARO (now Connectively) has truly made its mark in the link-building community, providing multiple opportunities to get backlinks from high DA sites. But as competition gets stiffer and it becomes increasingly difficult for your pitch to be chosen, it’s a good time to take advantage of similar platforms.
But don’t get us wrong, our team here at Batlinks are avid HARO supporters and have used it to build backlinks for many of our clients effectively. If you’d like to outsource this aspect of link building to the experts, let’s schedule a meeting. We only charge for links from sites with a DA of 30+ and won’t charge you unless it’s a Do-Follow link.
FAQs – HARO Alternatives
How does a platform like HARO work?
HARO and similar platforms work by connecting sources (such as PR agencies, professionals or business owners) to relevant journalists. Put simply, if a journalist is writing an article and needs a quote or information from a topic expert, they can create a question on the platform. From there, experts can submit their responses and if chosen, will be quoted in the article. This not only builds brand awareness but is also used as a way to build backlinks from high-authority sites.
Why is HARO so popular?
HARO has earned its reputation as a powerful tool for businesses and PR professionals looking to connect with journalists and secure extensive press coverage. It has a massive network of users, with thousands of journalists and media outlets relying on it to find credible sources for their stories. This wide reach means that experts have the potential to get their insights featured in well-known publications, leading to valuable media coverage and backlinks.