Is HARO Shutting Down? + 9 HARO Alternatives

So, Is HARO Shutting Down? 

Unfortunately, yes. The beloved media outreach platform, HARO (Help a Reporter Out), is officially shutting down. 

The termination is scheduled to take place on December 9, 2024.

This news doesn’t surprise many marketers, SEOs, and content creators who have long voiced concerns about HARO’s trajectory.

The main turning point came after Cision merged with HARO’s parent company, Vocus, and thus acquired HARO in 2014. HARO was then integrated into Cision’s platform, Connectively. 

Over time, Cision would make other choices that weren’t well-received by the community.

Why Is HARO Shutting Down? 

In their official statement, Cision said that HARO/Connectively is shutting down because they want to “focus [their] attention on core offerings,” namely CisionOne.  

However, many in the community are suspicious and believe this isn’t the real reason HARO is getting shelved. 

One particularly widely discussed argument is that Cision made some poor decisions that drove users away from HARO and towards alternative ways of getting featured on news sites and magazines. 

Let’s briefly overview some of the most commonly discussed issues: 

1. Cision’s High-Cost Model May Have Alienated Users

One of the main points of contention for many users was Cision transitioning HARO to a pay-to-pitch model. 

This meant that users now had to pay $1 per pitch should they exceed the limit of 10 free pitches per month, regardless of whether or not they actually managed to score features.

This change came on top of Connectively’s previously introduced tiered subscription system, ranging from $29 to $149 a month. Prior to that, HARO had both a free tier and paid options, and didn’t require any additional payments for pitches.

While some argued this could lead to more high-quality pitches, as AI-generated ones became prevalent on the platform, those who wanted to provide commentary mainly took a more critical stance.

2. Low-Quality Commentary

As mentioned, many felt that HARO became overrun with extremely low-quality and often AI-generated responses.

As Ahrefs’ Head of Content, Joshua Hardwick, put it, “marketers ruin everything,” and HARO was no exception.

The platform became more or less solely used for scoring links and mentions, with genuine expertise and thoughtful input becoming increasingly rare.

3. Connectively Ruined HARO’s Simplicity

Simplicity was one of HARO’s biggest selling points. 

Journalists would simply submit their queries, while sources responded directly via email. 

This straightforward approach made it easy for both parties to connect. 

However, after the transition to Connectively, HARO’s user experience became noticeably more complex.

Instead of the seamless email-based system, users now had to navigate a web-based platform with additional features that many found unnecessary. 

Tasks like submitting a pitch became more time-consuming and involved multiple steps, which frustrated many long-time users accustomed to a quicker, no-frills process.

4. Other Potential Causes of HARO’s Death

To be fair, though, we don’t agree that Cision is necessarily at fault here, at least not entirely. 

Several factors beyond their control have likely contributed to HARO’s decline, too—namely:

1) Changes in the media landscape

The media landscape has evolved significantly since HARO first came out. 

Specifically, many journalists started turning to social media to directly source expert commentary, which reduced HARO’s relevance.

2) Competition from emerging platforms

Also, HARO had many more competitors to compete against in recent years than it did in the past. 

Alternatives like Qwoted and Press Hook offered more user-friendly interfaces and innovative features, drawing both journalists and sources away from HARO.

What to Do Post-HARO?

With HARO shutting down, marketers, SEOs, and media professionals will need to adapt their strategies to continue securing media placements.

In other words, we’ll need to find ways to fill the void left by HARO.

This will likely push the industry and businesses to explore alternatives, such as other media inquiry platforms and partnering with link building agencies. 

9 HARO Alternatives

HARO shutting down doesn’t mean the end of media outreach. 

There are many great alternatives you can try, from using similar media outreach platforms to leveraging social media or working with link-building agencies. 

We’ll walk you through all the alternatives below. 

Platform Alternatives to HARO

If you’re looking for a near-identical substitute for HARO, platforms like SOS, ProfNet, and SourceBottle fit the bill. 

With familiar features like email alerts and structured queries, they deliver a comparable experience for media outreach.

1. Source of Sources (SOS)

Source of Sources (SOS) was created by HARO’s original founder, Peter Shankman. So, it’s no surprise that simplicity is its core selling point, too.

Just like HARO, SOS offers a straightforward way for journalists and sources to connect. The platform is free, and works by sending email alerts with daily media opportunities to subscribers. 

It’s a great replacement for those who appreciated HARO's no-nonsense approach to media outreach.

2. ProfNet

ProfNet, run by PR Newswire, is a more exclusive online platform that connects journalists with expert sources across industries. 

Pricing is determined based on number of users, type of organization, and number of industry categories you choose. So, in order to get a quote, you need to manually request it via the website. 

Although this makes the pricing less transparent, it enhances ProfNet's exclusivity and makes higher-quality opportunities more likely.

3. SourceBottle 

SourceBottle provides free access to media queries tailored to specific topics and regions.
Its interface is simple, and submissions can be made directly via the website.

While there is a free plan, you can also choose from paid subscription tiers starting at just $5.95 per month.

4. JustReachOut

JustReachOut is a PR platform offering a modern, AI-powered approach. It goes well beyond helping users find relevant journalists, so it may not be the best choice if you prioritize simplicity. 

However, if you want a powerful suite of PR tools, JustReachOut may just be the right option. 

Besides responding to media requests, the platform also lets you contact journalists and bloggers on your own initiative. Pricing starts at $147 per month.

5. Qwoted 

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Qwoted stands out with real-time alerts and a seamless interface for connecting experts and journalists. 

The platform provides a free plan with limited pitches and paid options starting at $99.00 per month, offering flexibility for users depending on their needs. 

Qwoted’s design is particularly appealing to those who prioritize ease of use and efficiency.

6. PR Pitches

PR Pitches is a newer platform connecting journalists with PR and marketing professionals and sources. 

The pricing starts at $97/month, but the company promises something no competitor does: to teach you how to get published, and even get paid for your contributions. 

To do so, PR Pitches hosts weekly live training sessions and has ready-made pitch templates.

Other Alternatives to HARO

HARO’s closure—and the increasing overcrowding on other platforms—will likely push many professionals to turn to other approaches that don’t rely on platform-based outreach. 

Working with link-building or PR agencies and leveraging social media will likely gain the most traction.

7. Working with Link Building Agencies

Link building agencies, like ours, are the best choice for those who don’t just want to gain media exposure, but also SEO benefits. 

Unlike PR professionals, link builders choose where to feature you based on measurable metrics that contribute to both exposure and SEO, like domain authority and ranking potential.

We personally focus on placing high-quality, natural backlinks in authority-building content published on carefully selected sites. 

This ensures that each link contributes to better search engine rankings, as well as targeted traffic and brand credibility.

✅ We use a rigorous 12-Point Quality Checklist to vet the prospect sites.
✅ We do 100% manual outreach so you get links in REAL authoritative publications.
✅ Our turnaround starts at just 5 days.
✅ We have served 1,000+ agencies and brands.
✅ Our links come with lifetime guarantees. You get a refund or replacement links if they ever go down.

Order your links and features today, and we’ll get them published in up to 10 days. 

8. Working with PR Agencies

PR agencies provide a broad range of services, including reputation management, press release distribution, and media outreach. 

PR campaigns work great for building your brand’s image or handling public relations crises, but they often underdeliver on the SEO front.

Unlike link builders, PR agencies focus on general visibility and narrative building rather than measurable SEO metrics. 

Their placements are often aimed at securing features in high-profile media outlets, which can take more time and be less predictable. 

Additionally, PR agencies tend to come with higher costs and longer timelines, making them better suited for companies with significant budgets looking to enhance brand awareness or launch major campaigns.

PR vs. Link Building Agencies

9. Finding Media Inquiries on Social Media

Finally, many professionals will also likely turn to social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to try to connect with journalists directly. 

You can do so, too, by monitoring hashtags like:

• #JournoRequest
• #PRRequest
• #MediaRequest
• #SourceRequest
• #HelpAReporter
• #PressOpportunity

Once you find posts using these hashtags—and ensure they’re a good fit—you can directly contact the OP and potentially get coverage without intermediary platforms.

This approach is free, flexible, and super hands-on, making it an excellent choice for SMBs or individuals with the time to engage actively. 

However, it lacks the scalability of working with link-building or PR agencies.

Which HARO Alternatives Should You Choose?

Choosing the right alternative to HARO depends on your goals, resources, and preferred approach. 

Here’s a breakdown of if and when you should consider each option:

1) Platforms (SOS, ProfNet, SourceBottle, etc.)

• Ideal for individuals or small businesses seeking media placements on a budget.
• Best for those who want structured, ready-made opportunities delivered via email or on a platform.
• Recommended for users who prefer a mix of free and paid plans to suit their needs without heavy investment.

2) Link-Building Agencies

• Perfect for businesses focused on improving SEO, driving organic traffic, and gaining measurable results.
• Ideal for those who value targeted outreach and high-quality backlinks in authoritative articles.
• Recommended for companies that want fast, scalable results with minimal involvement in the outreach process.

3) PR Agencies

• Best for businesses looking to build or manage their brand reputation and secure high-profile media coverage.
• Ideal for launching products, managing crises, or establishing thought leadership.
• Recommended for organizations with larger budgets that prioritize visibility and long-term brand narratives over direct SEO benefits.

4) Social Media

• A great option for individuals or SMBs with the time and initiative to engage actively.
• Ideal for those who want to establish direct relationships with journalists without intermediary platforms.
• Recommended for budget-conscious professionals who are comfortable monitoring hashtags like #JournoRequest and acting quickly on opportunities.

Each alternative offers unique advantages, so the right choice depends on your specific goals: 

• For SEO-driven campaigns, link-building agencies are the clear winner. 
• If you’re aiming for broader brand awareness, PR agencies provide the expertise you need.
• Platforms offer a balance of simplicity and structure but require hiring a VA or another professional to handle the outreach. Alternatively, you need to manage it yourself.
• Leveraging social media gives you a hands-on, cost-effective approach to securing media opportunities. Just like specialized platforms, social media platforms require active engagement and hefty time investments. 

Start Working with a Reliable Link Building Agency

With HARO shutting down, you may be disappointed with the choices you have left. 

Other platforms may not be the best fit, while social media may require too hefty time investments. In that case, consider partnering with our link building agency. 

We can help you secure both the features and backlinks you need to start getting serious traction. Contact us today to discuss the details.