Definition
HARO (Help A Reporter Out), rebranded as Connectively, is a service that connects journalists seeking sources with industry experts. By responding to journalist queries, professionals can obtain mentions and backlinks in high-authority media outlets (Forbes, Business Insider, HuffPost, etc.). It is one of the most effective link building techniques for obtaining high-quality editorial links. The process involves signing up as a source, monitoring daily queries, and responding quickly with relevant expertise and usable quotes.
Key Points
- Enables editorial backlinks from very high-authority media
- Speed of response and expertise relevance are key
- 100% White Hat technique: links are editorial and natural
Practical Examples
Responding to a journalist query
A Forbes journalist is looking for digital marketing experts. An SEO consultant responds with a relevant quote and earns a DA 95 backlink in the published article.
Systematic HARO strategy
An agency assigns a HARO manager who responds to 3-5 relevant queries per day. In 6 months, the agency earns 15 backlinks from national media with an average DA of 70+.
Frequently Asked Questions
The basic version was free, allowing you to receive queries by email. Paid plans offered advanced features like keyword search and real-time alerts. The service has been rebranded as Connectively.
Generally, allow 2 to 4 weeks between responding to a query and article publication. The success rate varies: expect 5-15% of responses to result in a citation with a link.
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Last updated: 2026-02-07