10 HARO Alternatives for Better SEO Links: Expert Guide

HARO alternatives Key Takeaways

HARO (Help a Reporter Out) has been a go-to source for SEO link building, but recent pricing changes and increased competition have pushed many marketers toward HARO alternatives that offer better link value, lower costs, or more targeted outreach.

• Discover 10 proven HARO alternatives for earning high-quality editorial links without the high cost or spam risk.
• Learn how each platform works, what types of links they typically deliver, and which niches they serve best.
• Compare pricing, outreach volume, and link quality factors to choose the right fit for your SEO campaign.

Why You Need HARO alternatives for a Sustainable Link Strategy

HARO was once the undisputed leader for journalist-driven link building. However, after its acquisition and subscription price hikes, many SEOs have started looking for best HARO alternatives for SEO that offer similar or better results at a lower cost. Additionally, HARO’s inbox is now saturated with pitches, making it harder to stand out. The alternatives listed below address these pain points by providing more targeted matchmaking, niche-specific databases, or automated outreach tools. For a related guide, see 11 Link Building Strategies Still Working in 2026.

What Makes a Good HARO Alternative?

A strong alternative should meet three criteria: it must connect you with editors or content creators who need expert quotes; it should provide clear link opportunities with dofollow or high-authority editorial placements; and it must offer reasonable pricing or a free tier to test the waters. Some platforms also add value by pre-vetting queries or offering two-way matching based on your expertise.

The Top 10 HARO alternatives for Better SEO Links

1. Qwoted

Qwoted is a direct competitor to HARO with a cleaner interface and a strong focus on quality over quantity. Journalists post queries, and you respond with your expert insights. The platform verifies journalists, which reduces spam. It offers a free plan with limited responses and paid plans for higher volume. Many SEOs report a higher response rate compared to HARO because the user base is smaller and more targeted. For iGaming SEOs, Qwoted has a decent number of queries related to sports betting trends, casino technology, and responsible gaming legislation.

2. Terkel (by Demand Sage)

Terkel is a unique platform where content managers create “expert roundups” on specific topics. Instead of pitching a reporter, you answer a short question, and if selected, your answer appears in a roundup article with a link back to your site. The key benefit is the low effort per pitch — you can submit 2–3 sentence answers quickly. Terkel is free to use and excellent for building niche authority. The links are typically dofollow and from mid-tier marketing or business sites.

3. Connectively (Formerly HARO by Cision)

Connectively is the branded replacement for HARO, now owned by Cision. While HARO still exists, the platform has shifted its focus toward paid subscriptions. However, if you already have a premium account, you still receive daily journalist queries. For those just starting out, the free tier now caps responses, making it less attractive for high-volume campaigns. Use it as a supplement rather than your primary source of HARO alternatives for better links.

4. SourceBottle

SourceBottle is a smaller but highly engaged community where journalists and bloggers post requests for expert sources. It covers a wide range of niches, including technology, health, finance, and lifestyle. The platform is free to use and sends daily or weekly email digests. Because the number of queries is lower than HARO, competition is less fierce, and you have a better chance of being selected. It works well for local SEO campaigns or regional iGaming operators.

5. Help a B2B Writer

This platform is specifically designed for B2B content creators. If your iGaming brand targets affiliate partners, platform providers, or payment processors, this is a strong choice. Journalists and writers post queries exactly as they do on HARO, but the focus is strictly on B2B topics. The community is active, and the links you earn tend to come from reputable industry publications. Free and paid tiers are available.

6. Muck Rack

Muck Rack is a comprehensive PR and journalism database that also includes a journalist request system. While it is primarily a media monitoring tool, its “Journalist Requests” feature allows you to pitch stories directly to reporters who are looking for sources. The platform is paid and relatively expensive, but for serious link-building campaigns, the quality of connections is unmatched. Muck Rack gives you access to journalists from top-tier publications including Forbes, The New York Times, and niche trade magazines.

7. Prowly

Prowly combines media database, press release distribution, and journalist outreach in one tool. Its “Find Journalists” feature lets you search for reporters by beat, publication, or keyword, and then pitch them directly. While not a query-based system like HARO, the ability to personalize your pitch to a specific journalist often yields higher success rates. Prowly is a paid tool but includes a free trial. For iGaming SEOs, it is especially useful for targeting reporters covering legislation, sports events, or casino finance.

8. Featured

Featured (formerly ProfNet) is another expert roundup platform similar to Terkel but with a more traditional pitch process. Content creators post “contributor requests” where they ask for expert input on a specific topic. You respond with a longer-form answer, and if accepted, your contribution appears in an article with a link. Featured is free for experts and has a strong community of bloggers and small publishers, making it ideal for building niche authority with mid-tier links.

9. BlogDash

BlogDash is an influencer marketing platform that also functions as a link-building tool. You can search for bloggers by niche, readership, and domain authority, and then request a sponsored post or a guest post opportunity. While it is more transactional than other alternatives, it gives you control over the publication you target and the anchor text you want. For iGaming affiliates, BlogDash can connect you with gambling-focused bloggers who accept guest contributions. Pricing varies per campaign.

10. Alerti (Media Monitoring + Outreach)

Alerti is a media monitoring tool that alerts you when journalists or bloggers mention key phrases related to your industry. You can then use those alerts as link-building opportunities: if a reporter writes about a topic without citing an expert, you can pitch yourself as a source. It also includes a journalist database for direct outreach. Alerti is paid but offers a free limited version. This approach is more proactive than HARO and allows you to identify gaps in existing articles that you can fill with your expertise.

Comparison of HARO alternatives: Cost, Link Value, and Best Use

How to Choose the Right HARO Alternative for Your iGaming SEO Campaign

Not every alternative will fit your budget or niche. Here is a quick guide to match platforms with common iGaming link-building goals:

If You Need High-Authority Media Links

Invest in Muck Rack or the paid version of Connectively. These tools give you access to top-tier reporters at established news outlets. For sportsbook operators, this can mean quotes in industry publications or even mainstream sports sections.

If You Are on a Tight Budget

Use Terkel, Featured, and SourceBottle. All offer free access and require minimal time investment. The links are from smaller publishers, but they can diversify your backlink profile and improve domain authority over time.

If You Focus on B2B or Affiliate Relationships

Help a B2B Writer and BlogDash are the best fits. B2B writer queries often cover topics like payment processing, compliance, and affiliate program features. BlogDash allows you to approach gambling-specific bloggers directly.

SEO Entities and Their Functions

When evaluating HARO alternatives, it helps to understand the SEO metrics that determine link value. Here are the key entities you will encounter:

• Referring Domains and Referring Pages – The number of unique domains linking to your site. A single domain can have multiple referring pages. High referring domain counts signal strong authority.
• Domain Rating (DR) and URL Rating (UR) – Ahrefs metrics that measure the overall strength of a domain or a specific page. Higher DR/UR URLs pass more link equity.
• Dofollow vs. Nofollow Links – Dofollow links pass authority; nofollow links do not, but they can still drive referral traffic and diversify your link profile.
• Anchor Text – The clickable text of a link. Balanced anchor text (branded, generic, partial-match) is safer than exact-match anchor text, which can trigger Google penalties.
• Broken Backlinks – Links pointing to non-existent pages on your site. Use a tool like Ahrefs to find and fix them, or repurpose them as new link opportunities with a 301 redirect.
• Top Pages – Your highest-traffic or most-linked pages. Use HARO alternatives to build links to these pages to amplify their performance.

Understanding these entities helps you prioritize which HARO alternative to use: for example, if you need strong dofollow links from high-DR domains, Muck Rack or the paid HARO tier is a better choice than Terkel, which delivers mostly nofollow or low-DR roundup links.

Useful Resources

For further reading on link-building strategies and alternative platforms, check these reputable sources:

• Ahrefs Blog: HARO Alternatives for Link Building – In-depth analysis of platform features and link quality metrics.
• Search Engine Journal: HARO Alternatives and Tips – Practical advice for pitching journalists and tracking results.

Building a sustainable link strategy means diversifying your sources. HARO alternatives give you more control over your outreach budget, the types of publications you target, and the time you invest per link. Start with two to three platforms from this list, track your response rates, and gradually scale up as you refine your pitches. For iGaming SEOs, a mix of journalist queries, expert roundups, and direct outreach will build a strong, natural backlink profile that supports long-term organic growth. For a related guide, see 9 White Hat Link Building Tactics: Ethical Backlinks That Boost Rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions About HARO alternatives

What is the best HARO alternative for free link building?

Terkel and Featured are both free and offer a steady stream of link opportunities. Terkel requires very little effort per pitch, while Featured allows for more detailed expert contributions.

Are HARO alternatives better than HARO itself?

It depends on your budget and niche. For high-authority links, HARO (via Connectively) is still strong, but alternatives like Qwoted and Muck Rack often provide better response rates and less competition for the same type of media placements.

Can I get dofollow links from HARO alternatives ?

Yes. Most journalist query platforms (Qwoted, Muck Rack, HARO) result in dofollow links from editorial content. Roundup platforms like Terkel and Featured also give dofollow links in most cases, though some may be nofollow.

Which HARO alternative is best for iGaming SEO?

For iGaming, Help a B2B Writer and Muck Rack are strong choices. They connect you with writers covering sports, gambling legislation, payments, and casino technology. BlogDash can also be used for targeted guest post outreach to gambling publishers.

How many HARO alternatives should I use?

Start with 2–3 that match your budget and niche. Using too many at once can be overwhelming and reduce the quality of your pitches. Once you have a system, you can expand to additional platforms.

Is Qwoted free?

Yes, Qwoted offers a free plan that includes a limited number of responses per month. Paid plans give you more responses and priority placement in journalist inboxes.

What is the difference between HARO and Qwoted?

Both are journalist query platforms. Qwoted has a smaller user base, which means less competition per query, and it verifies journalists to reduce spam. HARO has more queries but higher competition and recent price increases.

Can I use HARO alternatives for local SEO?

Yes. SourceBottle and local journalist queries on Qwoted or HARO can connect you with local newspapers and niche websites. Pitching yourself as a local expert (e.g., regional sports betting) can earn geographically relevant links.

Do I need a subscription for Muck Rack?

Yes, Muck Rack is a paid tool starting at around $199 per month. It is best suited for agencies or brands that need frequent access to top-tier journalists and media monitoring. A free trial is available.

What is a roundup link?

A roundup link is a backlink from a blog post that features expert answers from multiple contributors. Platforms like Terkel and Featured specialize in these types of links, which are typically dofollow and relevant to your niche.

How long does it take to get links from these alternatives?

It varies. On query-based platforms like Qwoted, you may get a response within days if the journalist is on a deadline. Roundup platforms like Terkel can take 1–3 weeks for the article to go live. Direct outreach via Prowly can take longer due to two-way communication.

Are there HARO alternatives for guest posting?

Yes. BlogDash and Prowly are good for guest posting outreach. BlogDash allows you to find bloggers who accept posts, while Prowly helps you pitch guest post ideas to journalists and editors directly.

Can I use HARO alternatives for broken link building?

Indirectly, yes. Use Alerti or Muck Rack to find articles that mention your competitors or relevant topics but lack a source. Then reach out to the author and offer your content as a replacement for a broken or outdated link. This is a proactive method.

Which HARO alternative has the highest link quality?

Muck Rack consistently delivers high-quality links from well-known publications because it gives you access to journalists at top-tier outlets. The paid tier of HARO (Connectively) also yields high-quality links.

Can I automate outreach with these alternatives?

Most platforms discourage automated or templated pitches because they harm response rates. However, you can use tools like Prowly or Alerti to set up alerts and manage your outreach pipeline more efficiently.

Is Terkel really free?

Yes, Terkel is completely free for experts who answer questions. There is no paid tier. The platform generates revenue from the publications that request roundups.

What should I include in a pitch to a journalist?

Include your name, title, a brief credential (e.g., “10 years in sportsbook operations”), and 2–3 bullet points with your unique perspective. Avoid sales pitches; journalists want data, trends, or authentic stories.

How do I track links I earn from HARO alternatives ?

Use a backlink tool like Ahrefs or Semrush to monitor new referring domains. You can also set up Google Alerts for your brand name or set custom alerts in Alerti to track mentions and unlinked references.

Are there HARO alternatives for the casino niche specifically?

No dedicated platform exists for casinos only, but you can filter queries on Qwoted or HARO using terms like “sports betting,” “gambling legislation,” or “casino technology.” BlogDash can help you find niche gambling websites for guest posts.

What is the most affordable HARO alternative for a small agency?

Terkel and SourceBottle are both free. Qwoted’s free tier also works well for small agencies with limited outreach needs. If you can invest $19/month, Qwoted’s paid plan gives you more capacity.