Why do some websites rank faster while others never move despite great content? Often, it comes down to poor link building. Many rely on the same HARO link building tactic and expect results without understanding how these systems actually work. Others use the wrong sources or respond late. And most ignore what changed.
In this blog, we’ll cover the shift from HARO to Connectively and what it means for your HARO link building strategy.
What Was HARO? A Quick Refresher
HARO, or Help a Reporter Out, was once the go-to platform for getting featured on high-authority websites. Journalists posted requests. Marketers and SEO experts replied with quotes, hoping to land a backlink. It was simple, fast, and effective, if used right.
This method was the backbone of many off-page SEO strategies. A strong HARO link building strategy often gave brands placements on news outlets, niche blogs, and media sites. It wasn’t just free PR, it was SEO gold.
Consider this: About 92% of the top 100 ranking websites have at least one backlink. That makes HARO link building an essential part of any real SEO campaign. It connected businesses with journalists who needed expert sources. In return, those sources often earned powerful links.
But things were never perfect. While some used HARO for link building successfully, others struggled with approval rates, missed deadlines, and spammy competition.
That brings us to what’s next: the shift to Connectively.
Connectively is the New HARO
Connectively isn’t just a new name. It’s a new interface and workflow, too. It replaced HARO in 2024, aiming to modernize and simplify the same pitch-and-place process.
The backend still operates under the same concept. Journalists post requests. Experts respond. Publishers choose the best quotes. But the changes are in how you access, filter, and pitch.
So, why the move?
First, HARO’s system was outdated. The user experience felt stuck in 2015. Connectively now offers a more intuitive dashboard, enhanced filters, and simplified tracking. Second, HARO had too many irrelevant queries. With Connectively, categories are more precise. You can now choose from sectors like tech, finance, health, or e-commerce without drowning in unrelated requests.
For those using HARO link building service through agencies, not much changes. However, in-house marketers must now learn a new system quickly.
If your HARO link building tactic involved blasting 20 pitches a day without personalization, that won’t work anymore. Connectively wants better replies, not more of them. They reward clarity, not speed.
This makes things better for serious users and harder for spammers. For brands using HARO for link building, it’s a great opportunity to revisit their pitch strategy.
To stay ahead, you must treat Connectively not just as a replacement, but as a reset.
Note: HARO didn’t completely vanish. In April 2025, Featured.com acquired HARO and relaunched it under its original name, ditching the Connectively branding.
Challenges Users Faced with HARO Over Time
Even at its best, HARO came with issues. From high rejection rates to bad filtering, the platform had clear cracks. Understanding them helps us improve future tactics.
1. High noise, low output
As HARO became popular, reply volumes exploded. One journalist could get 400+ replies for a single query. This meant fewer chances for your pitch to even get seen.
2. Time lag
The average link placement time was one to two weeks. And only 30% of placements went live within two weeks. That created a delay in campaign reporting and SEO progress.
3. Repetitive queries
Often, the same kind of requests circulated every few weeks. If your HARO link building strategy wasn’t flexible, you’d waste time on repeated topics.
4. Fake journalists and low-quality links
Some users abused the system. They posed as reporters, collected quotes, and placed them on spammy websites. That made HARO for link building risky at times.
5. Lack of analytics
HARO didn’t show pitch success rates, response tracking, or performance data. This forced users to track everything manually. For teams managing multiple campaigns, this was a messy process.
Because of all this, even seasoned SEO pros using the HARO link building service began to feel the limits. Connectively now promises to address these exact issues with improved filtering, a cleaner UI, and data-driven tracking.
What This Change Means for Link Building Strategies
This shift changes more than just how you send a pitch. It reshapes your full HARO link building tactic. The new system favors quality over speed, specificity over bulk, and human tone over template spam.
So, what should your new strategy look like?
1. Precision targeting
Don’t reply to everything. Focus on your niche. Answer only what your brand can speak about. Connectively makes filtering easier, so use it to your advantage.
2. Personalize, every time
Journalists now look for unique value. Don’t start with your bio. Start with your insight. Tie your pitch to their story angle. Make your response skimmable and helpful.
3. Shift focus from volume to intent
Before, sending 50 replies a week was normal. Now, aim for 10 high-intent ones. That’s the new effective HARO link building strategy.
4. Integrate with content calendar
Align your Connectively outreach with what you publish. If you blog about sustainable fashion, pitch fashion sustainability queries.
5. Build long-term media relations
The real ROI of HARO link building isn’t one backlink. It’s building trust with journalists. That only happens when your quotes are on point and timely.
A platform change doesn’t kill the tactic. It just updates the rules.
Best Practices for Using Connectively Effectively
Here’s where you move from average to expert. Let’s break this into what you must do and what you must stop doing.
| Do This | Avoid This |
| Use clear subject lines | Using generic intros like “Hi, I’m John” |
| Write answers in bullet points or short paragraphs | Sending long, unformatted blocks of text |
| Link to a source or site where you’re quoted | Linking to unrelated pages or sales pages |
| Add a quick, short bio after your answer | Talking about yourself before the answer |
| Follow up if you don’t hear back in 5 days | Spamming follow-ups within 24 hours |
Let’s say you’re using HARO for link building in the finance industry. Your pitch should include:
- One key insight or stat (with source if possible)
- A short 1–2 line background on your expertise
- A clear, skimmable format (no walls of text)
Keep your bio below 40 words. Always add your LinkedIn or professional URL. Don’t attach Word docs. Paste into the body. Make the journalist’s job easy.
For agencies offering HARO link building service, train your team to write fast but sharp. Use templates only as skeletons, never as final replies.
Alternatives to Connectively
Connectively may be the successor, but it’s not the only option. If you’re serious about off-page SEO, you must build a diverse plan. These are a few trusted alternatives:
1. Featured
Another journalist-quote platform, similar to HARO. Easier for startups and solopreneurs.
2. Qwoted
Great for B2B brands. It lets you pitch directly to reporters and get profile visibility.
3. Terkel
Community-driven Q&A that converts expert quotes into articles. Less formal, more accessible.
4. SourceBottle
More popular in Australia and Asia, but worth using if your niche fits. Similar to HARO link building structure.
For teams with aggressive backlink targets, mix at least two of these with Connectively. This keeps your pipeline full and reduces risk.
Final Thoughts
HARO is back.
Connectively had its moment, a rebrand meant to modernize the process. But after its shutdown in late 2024, HARO returned under new ownership. The platform is back to its roots, but with lessons learned.
The core goal stays the same: earning high-authority backlinks through expert commentary. But the landscape has shifted. Now, more than ever, the way you pitch determines your success. Smart, relevant, timely responses still win, but there’s no room for shortcuts.
If you relied on HARO link building in the past, it’s time to sharpen your strategy. HARO is back. So should your best pitches be.
At Rankfast, we help brands use modern tools and methods to build lasting backlinks that drive rankings. Want results from your link building? Let’s talk.
FAQs
1. What is HARO link building?
It means getting backlinks by replying to journalist queries on HARO or Connectively with expert quotes or insights.
2. Is HARO link building still effective now?
Yes. You must improve pitch quality to stay effective.
3. Can I automate my HARO link building tactic?
You can automate alerts and drafts, but avoid auto-replies. Journalists ignore robotic pitches. Custom answers always perform better.
4. Is using a HARO link building service worth it?
Yes, if you lack time or pitching skills. A professional team can save time and improve placement success.
5. How many pitches should I send for HARO link building every week?
Send 10–15 high-quality responses weekly. Focus on relevance and speed instead of mass volume.
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