HARO Link Building: Earn Backlinks From Top Publications

Have you ever wondered how some businesses consistently earn mentions in major publications? Or why certain websites seem to effortlessly attract high-quality backlinks while yours struggles to gain traction?

The secret might be simpler than you think. Many successful marketers have discovered a powerful yet underutilized tool in their link building arsenal: HARO.

In today’s competitive digital landscape, quality backlinks remain one of the most valuable assets for improving your website’s authority. Yet, traditional link building methods often feel like pushing a boulder uphill – exhausting, time-consuming, and frequently disappointing.

But what if you could position yourself as an expert, build relationships with journalists, and earn backlinks from authoritative publications – all without cold outreach or expensive PR agencies?

This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of HARO link building – a strategy that has helped countless businesses transform their backlink profiles and boost their organic rankings through expert commentary and media mentions.

What is HARO and How Does it Work?

HARO (Help A Reporter Out) is a platform that connects journalists seeking expert sources with individuals who can provide valuable insights. Founded in 2008 by Peter Shankman, HARO has evolved into one of the most effective tools for both media professionals and marketers looking to build authority.

The concept is simple but powerful: journalists submit queries when they need expert commentary for their stories, and subject matter experts respond with their insights. When a journalist uses your response, you typically get credited with a mention and often a backlink to your website.

HARO sends out three emails daily, each containing dozens of queries across various categories:

• Business and Finance
• High Tech
• Healthcare
• Lifestyle and Fitness
• Travel
• General
• And many more specialized topics

The platform serves as a mutually beneficial exchange: journalists get expert insights to enhance their content, while sources (like you) receive valuable media coverage and potential backlinks from authoritative websites.

What makes HARO especially valuable for link building is the quality of participating media outlets. Publications like The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, HuffPost, and countless industry-specific outlets regularly use HARO to find sources.

The Benefits of HARO Backlinks for Your SEO Strategy

HARO link building offers several unique advantages that set it apart from traditional link acquisition methods. Understanding these benefits will help you appreciate why this strategy deserves a place in your SEO toolkit.

One of the most compelling aspects of HARO link building is that it aligns perfectly with Google’s guidelines. These are natural, editorially given links that you earn by providing value, not through manipulation or payment.

“The most valuable backlinks are those that are earned naturally through creating high-quality, relevant content that others want to reference. HARO facilitates exactly this kind of valuable link acquisition.”

Beyond the SEO benefits, HARO helps position you and your brand as thought leaders in your industry. Regular appearances in respected publications build credibility with both your audience and potential clients.

Creating Your HARO Link Building Strategy

Success with HARO requires more than just responding to occasional queries. A systematic approach will significantly increase your chances of securing valuable backlinks.

Here’s how to develop an effective HARO link building strategy:

Step 1: Set Clear Goals and Expectations

Before diving in, establish what you’re hoping to achieve with HARO:

• Are you targeting specific publications in your industry?
• How many responses can you realistically manage per week?
• What metrics will you use to measure success?

Remember that HARO is a numbers game. Even experienced users typically see a 10-20% success rate, so persistence is key.

Step 2: Optimize Your HARO Profile

Your HARO profile information appears at the bottom of every pitch. Make it concise but compelling:

• Clear statement of expertise and credentials
• Professional title and company information
• Brief accomplishments that establish authority
• Website URL (this is where your backlink will point)

Step 3: Select the Right Query Categories

HARO allows you to subscribe to specific categories. Choose those most relevant to your expertise to avoid email overload.

Step 4: Develop a Response Workflow

Step 5: Prioritize High-Value Opportunities

Not all HARO queries are created equal. Look for these indicators of high-value opportunities:

• Queries from known, authoritative publications
• Topics where you have unique insights or data
• Requests that align with your content strategy
• Queries with fewer technical requirements (making them less competitive)

Pro tip: Some journalists mention their publication directly, while others don’t. You can sometimes identify the publication by reviewing the journalist’s previous work through a quick Google search.

Step 6: Be Consistent and Persistent

HARO success comes from consistency. Commit to reviewing queries daily and responding to a set number each week. The more quality responses you submit, the more backlinks you’ll earn over time.

Remember, this is a long-term strategy that builds momentum. Many HARO users report that their success rate improves as they refine their approach and build relationships with journalists.

Crafting the Perfect HARO Pitch for Expert Commentary

Your HARO pitch is your one chance to stand out among dozens (sometimes hundreds) of responses. Here’s how to create pitches that journalists love:

The Anatomy of a Winning HARO Pitch

Key Pitching Tips from Successful HARO Users

• Respond quickly – Journalists often work with tight deadlines and may select the first good responses they receive
• Be concise yet thorough – Respect the journalist’s time while providing complete answers
• Format for skimmability – Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and clear headings
• Provide unique insights – Offer perspectives or data points the journalist is unlikely to get elsewhere
• Follow instructions exactly – If the query asks for specific information in a particular format, deliver precisely that
• Avoid promotional language – Focus on providing value, not selling your services
• Proofread thoroughly – Spelling or grammatical errors can immediately disqualify an otherwise good pitch

Common Pitching Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced marketers make these frequent HARO pitching errors:

• Responding to queries outside your area of genuine expertise
• Missing the deadline (responses after the deadline are automatically rejected)
• Ignoring specific journalist instructions
• Writing overly long, unfocused responses
• Including attachments when not specifically requested
• Using excessive formatting or HTML that may not transfer well in email
• Following up too aggressively (one follow-up maximum, and only if appropriate)

Remember that journalists using HARO are looking for two things: expertise that enhances their story and content that’s easy to incorporate. The easier you make their job, the more likely they’ll use your contribution.

Measuring Your HARO Link Building Success

Like any marketing strategy, HARO link building should be measured to understand its effectiveness and ROI. Here’s how to track and evaluate your HARO success:

Essential HARO Metrics to Track

Setting Up Proper Tracking Systems

Create a spreadsheet or use a project management tool to track:

• Date and details of each query you respond to
• Publication name and expected publication date (if known)
• Follow-up dates
• Publication status (pending/published/rejected)
• Link details (URL, anchor text, follow/nofollow)
• Domain authority of the linking site

Backlink Monitoring Tools for HARO Success

Several tools can help automate the process of discovering when your HARO contributions are published:

• Google Alerts – Set up alerts for your name and company to catch mentions
• Ahrefs – Monitor new backlinks to your domain
• SEMrush – Track backlink acquisition and domain authority changes
• Moz Link Explorer – Monitor link profile growth and quality
• BuzzSumo – Track brand mentions across the web

Calculating HARO ROI

To determine if your HARO efforts are worthwhile, consider:

• Time investment (hourly cost of your team’s time)
• Premium HARO subscription costs (if applicable)
• Equivalent cost of purchasing similar backlinks (although purchased links violate Google’s guidelines, this helps with ROI calculation)
• Value of referral traffic and potential conversions from media mentions
• Long-term SEO value of authoritative backlinks

Most marketers find that HARO delivers an excellent ROI compared to other link building strategies, especially when factoring in the additional credibility benefits of media mentions.

HARO Alternatives for Diverse Source Opportunities

While HARO is the most well-known platform for connecting with journalists, several alternatives offer similar source opportunities, sometimes with different advantages:

Complementary Digital PR Strategies

For a comprehensive backlink strategy, consider pairing HARO with these complementary approaches:

• Original Research Content – Create and promote industry studies that journalists naturally want to reference
• Expert Roundups – Feature insights from industry experts, who often share and link to the content
• Reactive PR – Monitor trending news in your industry and offer timely commentary to relevant journalists
• Speaking Engagements – Present at industry events, which often results in media coverage and backlinks
• Podcast Appearances – Guest spots typically include backlinks in show notes

The most successful link builders use multiple channels simultaneously, with HARO serving as a cornerstone of their earned media strategy.

Real-World HARO Link Building Success Stories

To illustrate the potential of HARO link building, here are some anonymized but real examples of businesses that have achieved remarkable results:

Case Study 1: SaaS Startup Builds Authority

A B2B software company targeting the marketing industry implemented a systematic HARO strategy with the following approach:

• Dedicated 5 hours weekly to HARO responses
• Focused exclusively on business and marketing queries
• Leveraged proprietary data from their platform in responses
• Created templates for common question types to improve efficiency

Results after 6 months:

• 42 backlinks from domains with DA50+
• Featured in industry publications like Marketing Land and Search Engine Journal
• 15% increase in organic traffic
• Used media mentions in sales materials, improving conversion rates

Case Study 2: Financial Advisor Establishes Credibility

An independent financial advisor sought to differentiate from competitors by building a media presence:

• Responded to 3-5 HARO queries weekly in the personal finance category
• Created straightforward, jargon-free explanations of complex financial concepts
• Included relevant personal anecdotes from client experiences (anonymized)

Results after 1 year:

• Featured in Business Insider, CNBC, and Yahoo Finance
• 28 quality backlinks that helped achieve first-page rankings for key service-related keywords
• Created a “As Seen In” media section on website homepage
• Reported 40% increase in prospect trust during initial consultations

Case Study 3: E-commerce Brand Diversifies Link Profile

A specialty e-commerce retailer with an over-reliance on affiliate links implemented HARO to diversify their backlink profile:

• Positioned founder as industry expert
• Focused on lifestyle, retail trend, and consumer behavior queries
• Highlighted unique product knowledge and market insights

Results after 9 months:

• 35 earned media backlinks
• Featured in holiday gift guides on major publications
• Recovered from algorithm update that had penalized affiliate-heavy sites
• Significant improvement in non-branded keyword rankings

These case studies demonstrate that HARO can deliver substantial results across different industries and company types when approached strategically and consistently.

Frequently Asked Questions About HARO Link Building

Is HARO link building still effective?

Yes, HARO remains highly effective for building quality backlinks. While the platform has become more competitive over time, businesses that provide genuine expertise and follow best practices continue to secure valuable media mentions and backlinks. The key is consistency, relevance, and quality in your responses.

How long does it take to see results from HARO?

Most businesses begin seeing their first placements within 2-4 weeks of consistent HARO activity. However, building a substantial portfolio of high-quality backlinks typically takes 3-6 months of regular participation. The timeline varies based on your industry, expertise, and the quality of your responses.

Do all HARO mentions include backlinks?

No, not all HARO mentions include backlinks. Sometimes you’ll receive attribution without a link, especially in print publications or outlets with strict linking policies. However, even unlinked mentions provide brand visibility and credibility. Additionally, you can sometimes secure links by politely reaching out to the journalist after publication.

Is it worth paying for HARO’s premium service?

For most businesses, the free HARO service provides sufficient opportunities. However, the premium tiers offer advantages such as earlier access to queries, keyword alerts, and profile enhancements. Consider upgrading if you’re in a highly competitive industry or if you’ve achieved good results with the free version and want to scale your efforts.

How competitive is HARO?

Competition varies significantly by category. General business queries might receive hundreds of responses, while niche technical topics might only get a handful. Journalists report that despite high response volumes, many submissions are low quality or off-topic, so well-crafted, relevant responses still stand out.

Can I outsource HARO responses?

While you can outsource the monitoring and administrative aspects of HARO, the actual expertise should come from a genuine authority within your organization. Journalists can typically spot generic or inauthentic responses. A common approach is having a marketing team member handle the process while drawing expertise from appropriate team members.

What if a journalist uses my response but doesn’t link back?

This happens occasionally. If your contribution is used without a link, you can politely email the journalist thanking them for the inclusion and respectfully ask if adding a link would be possible. Approach this gently, as the primary value is in the media mention itself, and maintaining good journalist relationships is more important than any single link.

How can I improve my HARO success rate?

To improve your success rate: respond quickly to relevant queries, provide concise yet thorough answers, include unique data or insights when possible, follow all journalist instructions precisely, build relationships with journalists who use your responses, and continuously refine your approach based on what gets selected.

Conclusion: Building a Sustainable HARO Link Building Strategy

HARO link building represents one of the most authentic and effective ways to earn high-quality backlinks while simultaneously building your brand’s authority. By positioning yourself as a helpful expert source for journalists, you create a win-win scenario that aligns perfectly with Google’s vision of natural link building.

The key takeaways from this guide include:

• HARO provides access to journalists from top-tier publications actively seeking expert insights
• Success requires consistency, genuine expertise, and well-crafted responses
• An effective HARO strategy can yield authoritative backlinks that significantly impact your SEO performance
• The benefits extend beyond SEO to include brand visibility, credibility, and thought leadership
• When combined with other digital PR strategies, HARO becomes even more powerful

Remember that HARO is a long-term strategy. The most successful practitioners view it as an ongoing relationship-building process rather than a quick link-grabbing opportunity. By providing consistent value to journalists and their audiences, you establish yourself as a reliable source who journalists return to repeatedly.

As with any marketing strategy, the key is to start, measure, learn, and optimize. Begin responding to HARO queries today, track your results meticulously, and refine your approach based on what works best for your specific industry and expertise.

Your first few attempts might not yield immediate results, but with persistence and the techniques outlined in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to building a backlink profile that drives sustainable organic growth.