How to Use HARO (Help a Reporter Out) for Backlinks: A Complete Guide

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June 6, 2025 0

How to Use HARO (Help a Reporter Out) for Backlinks: A Complete Guide

If you’re looking to build high-quality backlinks to your website, you’ve probably heard of HARO (Help a Reporter Out). This powerful platform connects journalists with expert sources, giving you a unique opportunity to get mentioned in authoritative publications while gaining valuable backlinks. But how exactly do you use HARO effectively? How can you turn this opportunity into real SEO benefits without feeling like you’re spamming reporters?

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about using HARO for backlinks — from what HARO is, why backlinks matter, how to craft compelling pitches, to best practices and tips for long-term success.

What is HARO and Why Does It Matter for Backlinks?

HARO, or Help a Reporter Out, is a free service that connects journalists with sources. Reporters submit queries on specific topics they’re working on, and experts or businesses respond with relevant insights or information. If a reporter uses your input in their story, they’ll usually credit you with a mention, often including a link back to your website.

Why Are Backlinks Important?

Backlinks, or inbound links from other websites to yours, are a crucial factor for SEO (search engine optimization). Search engines like Google view backlinks as votes of confidence in your site’s authority and relevance. But not all backlinks are created equal — links from reputable, high-authority sites in your niche can significantly boost your rankings, while low-quality or spammy links might do more harm than good.

HARO backlinks are especially valuable because they come from well-known news outlets, blogs, and industry publications, making them a goldmine for SEO.

How Does HARO Work?

Here’s the basic flow of how HARO works:

Journalists submit queries — Reporters from various media outlets submit requests for expert quotes or insights on a range of topics. These queries are emailed out to HARO subscribers multiple times a day.
You receive query emails — Once you sign up as a source, you get emails with a list of journalist queries. These are grouped by categories like Business, Technology, Health, Lifestyle, and more.
You respond to relevant queries — You sift through the queries and send a well-crafted pitch or response to any that align with your expertise or niche.
Reporters review responses — Journalists go through the responses they receive and decide whose quotes or information to include in their articles.
If selected, you get mentioned and linked — If the reporter includes your contribution in their story, they’ll usually credit you with a byline or a mention and link back to your website.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use HARO for Backlinks

Step 1: Sign Up and Set Up Your HARO Profile

First, go to helpareporter.com and sign up as a source (it’s free). During sign-up:

Enter your basic information like name, email, and company.
Choose your areas of expertise. This helps HARO tailor queries that are relevant to you.
Set your preferences for the frequency of query emails (usually 3 emails per day: morning, afternoon, and evening).

Make sure your email address is professional and one you check regularly — timely responses are critical.

Step 2: Monitor Queries and Choose Relevant Ones

Once you start receiving HARO emails, you’ll see dozens of queries from journalists daily. Each query includes:

The reporter’s name and media outlet
A brief description of what they need
The deadline to respond
Instructions on how to respond (usually via email)

Your job is to quickly scan these queries and select the ones that match your niche and expertise.

Pro Tip: Don’t try to respond to everything — focus on high-quality, relevant queries where you can provide genuine value.

Step 3: Craft a Compelling and Concise Pitch

The reporters receive hundreds of pitches, so you need to stand out. Here’s how to write a winning HARO response:

Subject Line: Use a clear and relevant subject line that matches the query.
Introduce Yourself Briefly: Mention who you are and your credentials to establish authority.
Answer the Query Directly: Get straight to the point and provide useful, insightful information or quotes.
Be Concise: Keep your pitch short but valuable — reporters prefer quick, ready-to-use answers.
Include Your Contact Info: Always provide your website URL and contact details.
Avoid Spammy Language: No hard selling or irrelevant promotions — focus on helping the journalist.

Example Pitch:

Subject: Expert Insights on Remote Work Trends

Hi [Reporter’s Name],

I’m [Your Name], a remote work consultant with over 10 years of experience helping businesses optimize their remote teams. Here’s my take on the biggest remote work trends in 2025:

Increased adoption of asynchronous communication tools.
Emphasis on employee mental health and flexible schedules.
Greater investment in virtual team-building activities.

Let me know if you need more info!

Best regards,
[Your Name]
[Your Website URL]

Step 4: Follow Up (If Necessary)

Some reporters get overwhelmed with responses, so if you don’t hear back, it’s usually okay to send a polite follow-up after a few days — but only one follow-up, no spam.

Step 5: Track Your Mentions and Backlinks

When your quote or information is used, the journalist will usually provide a link back to your site. To keep track:

Use tools like Google Alerts with your name or brand.
Use backlink monitoring tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Moz.
Keep a spreadsheet to record where and when you got mentions.

Tracking your backlinks helps you measure the success of your HARO efforts and identify high-value sources.

Tips to Maximize Your HARO Backlink Success

Respond Fast: Deadlines can be tight — the quicker you reply, the better your chances.
Be Selective: Prioritize queries from reputable, relevant outlets.
Add Value: Provide unique insights, data, or expert quotes, not generic statements.
Maintain Professionalism: Always be polite and helpful — journalists appreciate reliable sources.
Use Your Real Expertise: Don’t pretend to be an expert in unrelated topics.
Customize Your Responses: Avoid copy-pasting the same pitch — tailor each reply to the specific query.
Keep Your Website Updated: Make sure the page you want linked to is valuable and relevant.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring Deadlines: Late pitches won’t get considered.
Sending Long or Irrelevant Responses: Journalists want concise, useful info.
Over-Promoting: HARO is not an advertising platform.
Using a Generic Email: Use a professional and recognizable email.
Not Checking the Publication: Research the journalist or outlet before responding.

How HARO Backlinks Boost Your SEO

Getting backlinks from authoritative news sites like Forbes, Entrepreneur, or Huffington Post via HARO can:

Increase your domain authority.
Improve your rankings on Google for target keywords.
Drive referral traffic from reputable sources.
Enhance your brand’s credibility and visibility.

Because HARO links come from editorial content, they carry more weight than paid or directory links.

Beyond Backlinks: Additional Benefits of HARO

While backlinks are a major advantage, HARO can also:

Position yourself as an industry thought leader.
Give your brand exposure in top-tier media.
Create networking opportunities with journalists and other experts.
Help you develop content ideas based on trending queries.

Should You Use HARO Paid Plans?

HARO offers premium plans with features like:

Early access to queries.
Search filters by category or keyword.
Advanced reporting.

If you’re serious about scaling your backlink strategy or PR efforts, these paid plans can save time and increase your success rate.

Conclusion

HARO is one of the most effective and accessible ways to build high-quality backlinks in 2025 and beyond. By positioning yourself as a helpful expert and responding to relevant journalist queries quickly and professionally, you can earn valuable media mentions and backlinks that boost your SEO and authority.

Remember to stay consistent, focus on quality over quantity, and treat HARO as a relationship-building tool rather than just a backlink machine. With patience and the right approach, HARO can become a cornerstone of your digital marketing strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is HARO?

HARO is a platform connecting journalists with expert sources. It helps reporters find credible information quickly and allows sources to gain media exposure by responding to relevant queries.

How does HARO work?

Journalists submit queries on HARO. Registered sources receive daily emails with these requests and can pitch relevant insights. If chosen, sources get media coverage, boosting their authority and visibility.

Who can use HARO?

HARO is for journalists seeking quotes and experts wanting publicity. Professionals, businesses, PR agencies, and bloggers use HARO to share expertise and build brand awareness through media mentions.

Is HARO free to use?

Yes, HARO offers a free basic service with daily query emails. Paid plans provide advanced filters, faster notifications, and premium features to improve chances of media placement.

How can I get featured using HARO?

Respond quickly with clear, concise, and relevant answers. Tailor your pitch to the journalist’s query, provide credentials, and offer unique insights to increase your chance of being quoted.

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