HARO and Similar Platforms for Link Building (What Works in 2026)

Your inbox pings at 11:08. A journalist needs a quote in two hours. The angle is narrow, the deadline is real, and one clean answer can earn a trusted mention, sometimes a backlink too.

That’s the heart of HARO-style link building. Journalists ask, experts answer. If you show up fast with something useful (not salesy), your brand can land in real editorial content instead of another “links for cash” corner of the web.

This guide gives you a 2026-ready shortlist of HARO alternatives, how to pick the right platform, and a repeatable pitching routine that earns mentions without spray-and-pray outreach.

What HARO-style link building is, and why it still works in 2026

HARO began as a simple trade: expertise in exchange for coverage. The name has shifted over time (many people now associate it with Connectively), but the model hasn’t changed.

You respond to a specific request from a writer or journalist. If your input strengthens their article, they may quote you, name your company, and sometimes link to your site.

It still works in 2026 because it follows the oldest rule in publishing: writers need reliable sources. Search algorithms change, but editorial judgement is hard to fake. A quote that supports a story tends to sit on pages that have earned trust over years.

Two guardrails keep this tactic clean:

• You can’t force a link. You can only earn it.
• Don’t pitch if you can’t add value fast and honestly.

If you want a wider view of tools and how they compare, this roundup is a useful reference point: HARO alternatives for 2026.

The backlinks you can earn, and what makes them high-quality

Not every link is equal. HARO-style links are often strong because they’re:

• Editorial: the writer chooses what to include.
• Contextual: your mention sits inside a relevant paragraph, not a sidebar.
• Naturally anchored: your name, brand, or a neutral descriptor, rather than keyword-stuffed text.
• Trust-building: even readers who don’t click still see your brand beside credible reporting.

Also, don’t obsess over the link alone. A brand mention without a link can still pay off. People Google names they recognise, and journalists often return to helpful sources for future pieces.

The best win rarely looks like promotion. It looks like a short quote that makes the writer’s point clearer.

Common mistakes that get you ignored (or filtered out)

Journalists read pitches the way commuters read train boards: quickly, impatiently, and with a deadline breathing on their neck.

Avoid these common errors:

• Long introductions and life stories
• Trying to sell your product instead of answering the question
• Skimming the request and missing what they actually asked
• No proof, no data, no first-hand experience
• Slow replies, especially when the deadline is same-day
• Generic advice that could be copied from any blog
• Attachments (many writers won’t open them)
• Inflated credentials (they’ll spot it, or they’ll verify it)

One rule keeps you honest: if your first two lines don’t answer the question, you’re too slow.

Best HARO alternatives and similar platforms to try (with who each one suits)

HARO is still “around” in spirit, but the market has split into clearer lanes: Q&A platforms, journalist-request networks, social monitoring, and full PR databases.

For extra background and UK context, this guide is a helpful companion: best HARO alternatives for PR coverage.

Below is a practical list you can act on.

Easy-start picks for solo founders and small teams

If you’re a one-person marketing team, consistency matters more than complexity. You need a platform that nudges you into a habit.

Featured (formerly Terkel) suits people who can answer clearly and often. The workflow is simple, the prompts are direct, and it tends to reward steady participation.

SourceBottle is a friendly entry point if you’re new to journalist requests. It’s also known for popularity in Australia and New Zealand, which is useful if you want links and mentions beyond the UK and US.

Source of Sources keeps the old-school rhythm, show up, answer requests, build a track record. Early-stage platforms can be less saturated, which can lift your win rate.

Pick one platform first. Give it four weeks. Build muscle memory before adding more.

Higher-trust platforms for bigger media wins

Qwoted is closer to classic journalist sourcing, and it can attract stronger outlets. It’s also competitive, which is why clarity beats creativity. Writers aren’t looking for a “fresh take” at 1:47 pm. They want a usable quote, quickly.

Paid limits can be a hidden benefit. When you can’t pitch everything, you stop wasting shots. Your replies get sharper, and your hit rate often climbs.

B2B-focused options for business, software, and marketing

General platforms can be noisy. Niche platforms often feel quiet, but the quiet is the point. A B2B writer searching for RevOps input doesn’t want ten lifestyle bloggers answering with vibes.

Help A B2B Writer (often associated with MentionMatch) fits SaaS, marketing, HR, sales, and operations. It also surfaces SEO info about opportunities, which can help you decide if a request is worth your time.

A strong B2B proof point looks like this:

One metric, one result, one sentence.

Example: “We reduced onboarding drop-off from 38% to 24% by moving the activation email to step two and adding a 30-second demo clip.”

It’s concrete, believable, and easy to quote.

Real-time requests when speed is your edge

Social HARO isn’t a single site, it’s a habit. Journalists post requests using hashtags like #journorequest, and the first good sources often win.

This channel rewards people who treat speed like a skill:

• Turn on phone alerts for key terms in your niche
• Keep two to three draft templates ready
• Aim to reply in 10 to 20 minutes when possible

Speed doesn’t mean sloppy. Check facts. Don’t guess. A wrong stat can burn a relationship before it starts.

Advanced PR databases and outreach tools for scale

Some teams outgrow inbox hunting. If you’re managing many contacts, multiple brands, or ongoing campaigns, you need systems.

Muck Rack is a full PR database and relationship tool. It’s not a “Q&A board”, it’s built for finding journalists by beat and tracking conversations over time.

ProfNet is more traditional and often tied into established PR setups. It can suit companies already investing in PR tools.

BuzzStream isn’t a journalist request platform, but it’s useful for running outreach like a real process. When you’re juggling responses, follow-ups, and outcomes, a CRM stops things falling through gaps.

These tools make sense after you already have a pitch style that works. Software can’t fix a weak quote.

A simple pitching system that wins mentions and links

Think of this like making tea for a guest. You don’t explain where you bought the kettle. You put the mug on the table, hot, ready, and easy to enjoy.

Your pitch should feel the same: ready to use.

How to pick the right requests, so your time turns into links

Not every request deserves a reply. Use a tight filter:

• Publication fit: Is it a real outlet with real readers?
• Topic match: Can you answer from first-hand experience?
• Link likelihood: Does the outlet often include source links or author bios?
• Deadline: Can you respond well before it closes?
• Unique angle: Do you have something the average person can’t say?

Pass on vague requests. “Share tips about marketing” usually means the writer will get 200 replies and use none.

Track what works. A simple spreadsheet with categories (finance, hiring, ecommerce, cybersecurity) will show where you win most often.

Pitch structure that feels like a ready-made quote

Writers don’t want to edit your pitch into a quote. They want to paste it.

Use this structure:

1-line credential
Name, role, and why you’re qualified in plain words.

2 to 3 bullet answers
Direct responses to the question, with short sentences.

1 data point or example
A number, timeframe, or result that makes it real.

Optional paste-ready quote
A single sentence with a strong, clear point.

Clean signature
Name, role, company, website.

Keep it short. Don’t ask for specific anchor text. Don’t demand a dofollow link. The moment your pitch feels like SEO, you lose the room.

Proof that makes journalists trust you fast

Proof is the difference between “interesting” and “publishable”.

Strong proof can include:

• First-hand experience (what you saw, what you changed, what happened)
• Internal numbers (kept honest and not exaggerated)
• Small study findings (state sample size and limits)
• Screenshots you can describe (without sending files)
• Public references when relevant (reports, official stats, guidelines)
• A past quote or media appearance (one line, no bragging)

Avoid attachments. Instead, offer a simple line: “Happy to share a screenshot or more detail if needed.”

Stay honest about what you know. Under pressure, it’s tempting to sound certain. Writers don’t need certainty, they need accuracy.

Follow-ups, tracking, and turning one win into a relationship

Follow-ups should be light. One polite nudge is enough if the deadline hasn’t passed. After that, let it go.

Track outcomes like a professional, even if you’re a solo founder:

• Request topic
• Date pitched
• Platform used
• Outlet
• Result (published or not)
• Published URL
• Link type (linked mention, unlinked mention)
• Notes (what worked, what didn’t)

When you get a win, send a short thank you. Share the article once. Then disappear until you can help again. That restraint is rare, and it gets remembered.

Safety checks: staying white-hat and protecting your brand

HARO-style link building sits close to journalism. That’s why it can be powerful, and why it can also backfire if you act like a spammer.

Keep it clean:

• Make accurate claims you can support
• Use real credentials only
• Pitch selectively, not constantly
• Respect the writer’s time and choices

If you get an unlinked mention, you can request a link, but do it gently. A short note works: “Thanks for including my quote, would you be open to linking my company name to our site for readers who want details?” Don’t push.

How to spot low-quality opportunities before you waste a pitch

Some requests look like journalism, but feel like a back alley.

Red flags:

• No clear publication name
• Requests that look copied and pasted
• Odd email domains that don’t match the outlet
• No editor or writer name
• Offers that ask you to pay for inclusion
• Sites stuffed with guest-post ads and thin content

Do a quick check before replying. Look at the outlet. Scan the author’s past work. If it feels off, skip it.

Measuring results that matter (links, mentions, leads)

Rankings are only one signal. Track what matters month to month:

• Reply rate (how many pitches you send)
• Publish rate (how many turn into coverage)
• Average outlet quality (basic domain checks and relevance)
• Referral traffic from placements
• Assisted conversions (especially in B2B)
• Brand searches (people looking for you by name)

Some wins show up late. A quote today can lead to a podcast invite in three months. Keep your eyes on repeatable patterns, not one lucky hit.

Conclusion

HARO-style platforms still reward the same things in 2026: real expertise, fast replies, and writing that’s easy to quote. If you treat each request like a small editorial job, you’ll earn mentions that feel natural and links that don’t put your site at risk.

Choose one platform from the list, pitch three times a week for four weeks, and track every outcome. Build a simple quote bank (3 credentials, 10 proof points, 5 short quotes), and you’ll be ready when the next inbox ping lands. The best backlinks often start with one useful sentence at the right time.