Ever struggled with getting high-authority backlinks that actually move the needle for your SEO? If you’ve tried guest blogging, outreach and content marketing but are still looking for another avenue, HARO (Help a Reporter Out) might be the answer you’ve overlooked.
HARO link building isn’t new, but in 2025, it’s arguably more valuable than ever. It’s a shortcut to appearing in some of the world’s most respected publications, earning authoritative backlinks and positioning yourself as a genuine expert. These aren’t run-of-the-mill directory links or blog comments; HARO connects your expertise with journalists from big-name sites like Forbes, TechCrunch, Business Insider and more.
In this post, we’ll shed light on what HARO is, the precise process for earning these coveted backlinks and how to maximise your success rate without wasting your time.
What is HARO, and Why Should SEOs Care?
HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is essentially a matchmaking service between journalists and industry experts. Reporters use this platform when they need credible quotes for articles, and experts use it to earn high-authority backlinks from respected publications by providing those quotes.
For SEO professionals, HARO link-building is a genuine treasure trove because the resulting links are the gold standard. Journalists from heavyweight media outlets (think The New York Times, Entrepreneur, CNBC and HuffPost) use HARO regularly to source expert opinions, statistics and insights. Users receive three daily emails packed with these journalist requests — making it easy to scan for relevant opportunities in real time.
Unlike traditional outreach, where you often pitch cold and hope your message reaches the right inbox, journalists come directly to you with clearly outlined requests. They’re looking for experts, so you’re already halfway through the door. Even better, backlinks from these domains often carry domain ratings (DR) above 70 or 80, significantly boosting your site’s SEO strength.
In short, SEOs should care because HARO link-building offers:
- Access to powerful, editorially embedded, high-authority backlinks
- Enhanced domain authority and organic visibility
- Opportunities to build real brand credibility and trust
The SEO Value of HARO Link Building
It’s easy to chase quantity in link building, but any marketer knows quality always wins out. HARO-generated backlinks offer uniquely high SEO worth precisely because they’re editorially embedded and earned — not bought or begged for.
These backlinks typically have four big advantages:
Media credibility boosts your authority
When you earn backlinks from respected media outlets and industry-leading sites, you’re essentially receiving endorsements recognised universally as reliable, credible and authoritative. Google perceives these mentions as a strong validation of your expertise, significantly improving your site’s perceived authority. Imagine the weight a single backlink from Forbes or CNBC holds compared to dozens of lesser-known blogs.
Beyond Google’s algorithms, media credibility also directly affects your brand perception among your audience. Readers naturally associate your brand with the trustworthiness and prestige of the publication featuring you. This “borrowed” credibility makes potential customers far more likely to trust your content, buy your products or recommend your brand.
Natural editorial integration drives relevance
The strength of HARO backlinks lies in their authenticity. Unlike traditional outreach or guest posts, HARO quotes are genuinely requested by journalists seeking expert insights. This editorial process ensures your backlink is contextually relevant and organically embedded — exactly the type of natural linking Google values most highly.
Moreover, this editorial integrity helps your backlink avoid algorithm penalties commonly associated with manipulative or over-optimised SEO practices. Journalists carefully select the quotes they feature, aiming for content that supports their article rather than promotional fluff. This means HARO placements are less likely to lose value over time.
Direct impact on rankings, referral traffic and conversions
The immediate and measurable impact of high-authority backlinks on SEO is extensively documented. According to research from Ahrefs, links from respected publications show a clear and consistent correlation with better search rankings, domain rating improvements and a notable increase in sustained referral traffic. Their study found that the total organic traffic to referring pages had a stronger impact on rankings than the number of referring domains — suggesting that a single link from a great page can be more valuable than dozens from mediocre ones.
Similarly, Semrush’s analysis of top-ranking domains revealed that 50% of qualified sites without at least one backlink never reached the first page of Google. That’s a clear indicator: No matter how well-optimised your content is, without backlinks, it likely won’t rank where it matters.
Enhanced E-E-A-T signals for long-term SEO success
Google’s focus on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) has made demonstrating authority and first-hand experience more crucial than ever. HARO backlinks directly strengthen these signals by positioning your brand or individuals within your brand as industry-recognised authorities. Each mention you earn is another validation point for Google’s algorithms, signalling that your content meets the standards expected by your audience.
In the long run, this accumulation of E-E-A-T signals secures your current rankings and protects your SEO investment against future algorithm updates.
Step-by-step HARO Link-Building Process
Securing high-authority backlinks through HARO involves a structured process. Follow these steps carefully to streamline your efforts and raise your chances of success.
Step 1: Sign up and set up your HARO account
Begin by registering at the official HARO website: helpareporter.com. The platform is free to use, with its operations supported by newsletter advertisements. During registration, select categories that align with your expertise — such as Business, Finance, Health or Technology. This ensures you receive relevant journalist queries. HARO sends out daily email digests containing media opportunities. To manage these effectively, consider setting up dedicated email filters or using tools like Feedly to organise and streamline the influx of requests.
Step 2: Qualify your HARO opportunities
Not every HARO query will be worth your time. Quickly assess each opportunity using these criteria:
- Domain rating (DR) — Is the requesting publication reputable and authoritative? Aim for DR scores of 60 or above. You can verify this easily using Ahrefs or Moz.
- Relevance — Does the topic closely match your expertise and your audience’s interests? Avoid stretching your niche, as your responses must be authentic and relevant.
- Journalist credibility — Is the journalist genuinely affiliated with the stated publication? A quick LinkedIn check helps avoid wasting time on uncertain opportunities.
Step 3: Crafting a winning pitch
Our best advice here is to draft your pitch with clarity and brevity. Since journalists are flooded with responses, yours must stand out immediately. Here’s how:
- Introduction — Briefly state who you are and your relevant expertise (no life stories, please).
- Quote — Provide exactly what the journalist asked for clearly and succinctly. Aim for 1-2 short paragraphs of actionable insight.
- Credentials — Include your full name, professional title, company and a website link for easy citation.
- Attachments — Only attach additional info (like a headshot) if requested.
- Avoid fluffy or generic insights — Offer data, personal experience or unique expertise that genuinely enriches the journalist’s article.
Step 4: Monitor your results
Journalists typically won’t notify you directly about published quotes, so keep an eye out yourself. Set up Google Alerts or Ahrefs backlink alerts for your name, company and quoted text snippets to track your wins.
Additionally, you can manually check the publication’s website periodically. Once published, leverage these placements further by sharing them on social media, incorporating them into your website or media kit and nurturing relationships with journalists who regularly feature you.
Tips to Boost Your HARO Link-Building Success Rate
Respond quickly and decisively
When journalists send out a HARO request, they often receive hundreds of responses. Aim to respond within the first 30-60 minutes at the latest. They tend to select early, concise responses over late, lengthy ones. Have templates ready, but customise each reply to directly answer the specific question posed.
Ditch the jargon
Journalists rarely have the patience for marketing jargon or buzzwords. They want clear, quotable insights from genuine experts. Speak plainly and confidently, avoiding overly complex language. Your responses should read as if they’re ready for publication straight away.
Lead with your strongest insight
Put your most compelling point front and centre. Journalists often skim through submissions or even use AI when looking for an immediately relevant and insightful quote. If your best insight is buried halfway through, you risk being overlooked. Make it easy for the reporter to recognise your value instantly.
Build a swipe file of successful responses
To boost efficiency, create and maintain a library of your best-performing pitches. Having a go-to style, tone and structure reference will speed up your responses and increase their quality. Just be careful never to reuse content verbatim — journalists notice (and resent) recycled pitches.
Consider automation — but cautiously
AI or virtual assistants can help sort HARO queries and flag promising opportunities. This can free up your time to focus on crafting great pitches. However, don’t delegate response writing entirely. Authentic, personalised responses consistently win over generic, machine-generated replies.
Common HARO Pitfalls To Avoid
- Template overload — Templates save time, but relying too heavily on them results in responses that feel generic. Each HARO response should address the journalist’s query directly and showcase your authenticity.
- Ignoring query details — It sounds obvious, but many marketers skim HARO queries and submit irrelevant or incomplete answers. Take a moment to understand what the journalist needs, including the required formatting or specific information requested.
- Over-promotional content — HARO pitches that contain blatant self-serving links get quickly discarded. Focus strictly on providing valuable insights and building trust first. Choose credibility over salesmanship.
HARO Alternatives Worth Exploring
While HARO remains a powerful tool, exploring additional platforms can further enhance your backlink strategy:
- ProfNet — Operated by PR Newswire, ProfNet is a longstanding platform connecting journalists with expert sources. It has a comprehensive database for targeted outreach across various industries.
- Source of Sources (SOS) — Founded by Peter Shankman, the original creator of HARO, SOS is a free platform that sends journalist queries multiple times daily. It emphasises quality over quantity, encouraging sources to provide valuable insights and maintain relevance in their responses.
- Help a B2B Writer — This niche platform connects B2B writers with subject matter experts for quotes, insights and case studies. It’s particularly beneficial for professionals in the B2B sector looking to enhance their content with authoritative perspectives.
- Qwoted — Distinctly, this platform requires users to verify their credentials, which enhances trust among journalists and increases the likelihood of placement.
- SourceBottle — An Australian-based entity, SourceBottle connects journalists with experts in Australia and New Zealand. It’s ideal for niche industry commentary and regional brand exposure.
From Mentions to Momentum, Let OMG Build Your Backlink Empire
As we’ve covered in this guide, HARO link building in 2025 isn’t about quick hacks or generic responses. It’s about leveraging your expertise to secure high-authority backlinks that genuinely move the needle for SEO.
Success with HARO requires masterful execution and the ability to identify high-quality opportunities fast. That’s exactly what OMG does best. With over a decade at the forefront of Australia’s digital marketing scene and 40+ industry awards to our name, we’ve helped hundreds of businesses boost rankings and earn links that last.
If you’re ready to transform your link-building with HARO and similar platforms, talk to OMG today and claim your no-obligation strategy session.
About the Author
Andrew Raso
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