HARO vs Connectively for Link Building
Side-by-side comparison of HARO and Connectively for earning journalist backlinks through digital PR and expert source media opportunities
Verdict
Connectively is the evolution of HARO with better filtering; HARO's legacy brand still carries recognition.
Economics
| Metric | HARO | Connectively |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (basic) | Free (basic) |
| Premium Plan | $149/mo | $49/mo |
| Query Volume | High (established network) | Growing (newer platform) |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | HARO | Connectively |
|---|---|---|
| Journalist Query Access | Email-based delivery | Platform dashboard |
| Query Filtering | Basic (by category) | Advanced (keyword, beat, outlet) |
| Response Tracking | No | Yes |
| Journalist Profiles | No | Yes |
| Media Outlet Quality | High (DR 60+ common) | High (DR 60+ common) |
| Real-time Notifications | 3x daily emails | Instant alerts available |
HARO is best for
SEO teams already embedded in the HARO ecosystem who want maximum query volume from established journalist relationships
View full reviewConnectively is best for
Teams that want a modern interface with better filtering, response tracking, and faster notifications to improve pitch success rates
View full reviewHARO (Help A Reporter Out) was the original platform connecting journalists with expert sources, and it built a massive network over more than a decade. In 2023, Cision rebranded and relaunched the service as Connectively, bringing a modernized platform with features that address many of HARO’s longstanding limitations.
The core value proposition remains the same across both: journalists post queries seeking expert quotes, and respondents who get selected earn high-authority editorial backlinks from major publications. These are some of the most valuable links available because they come from real newsrooms with genuine editorial standards.
Connectively improves on the HARO experience with a proper dashboard interface, advanced filtering by keyword and journalist beat, and response tracking so you can see which pitches were opened. The 3x-daily email format that defined HARO is replaced by real-time alerts, giving you a speed advantage when responding to time-sensitive queries.
The trade-off is that Connectively is still building its network. While most active HARO journalists have migrated, some legacy relationships and niche-specific reporters may still be easier to reach through the original HARO channels. Query volume on Connectively is growing but may not yet match peak HARO levels in every category.
For teams using Linkorite to manage reciprocal exchanges, journalist-sourced links from either platform serve as excellent complementary high-authority backlinks that diversify your link profile beyond exchange-based links.