Why Has HARO Connectively Been Closed?

If you’ve been in the PR or media world, you’ve probably used HARO at some point to connect with journalists or find sources. 

Over time, HARO was rebranded as Connectively, but recently, many professionals were left asking the same question: why has HARO Connectively been closed? For those who relied on it, the news feels like the end of an era. 

In this post, we’ll look at what led to this decision and what it means for PR professionals going forward. 

The Evolution of HARO to Connectively

HARO, short for “Help a Reporter Out,” started as a simple but powerful way to connect journalists with expert sources way back in 2008ish. 

It quickly became a go-to tool in the PR world, especially for small businesses and professionals who wanted media coverage without paying for expensive PR agencies. 

I remember how valuable it felt when a single HARO pitch could land a feature in a big publication—it was straightforward and accessible.

Over time, HARO’s popularity attracted major attention. In 2010, it was acquired by Vocus, and when Vocus merged with Cision in 2014, HARO became part of Cision’s portfolio of media and communications tools.

That’s when the shift began. 

Cision decided to modernize and rebrand HARO into what became known as Connectively. The goal was to create a more polished, all-in-one tool that still carried HARO’s original idea but with added features for PR professionals.

Some of the changes included:

• A cleaner, more organized platform for pitches and journalist requests.
• Better tools to manage media outreach in one place.
• More structure compared to the old email-based HARO system.

At first, this transition seemed promising. Connectively looked like the natural next step for HARO. But as many users discovered, the experience wasn’t the same, and the platform began moving in a direction that felt different from what HARO had originally offered. 

Connectively Folded Into CisionOne for Platform Consolidation

When Cision decided to close Connectively, one of the biggest reasons was the push to focus on CisionOne. Instead of spreading resources across several tools, Cision chose to put its energy into one main platform that could do it all. 

From their point of view, it made more sense to build one strong system than keep supporting multiple smaller ones.

CisionOne was designed as an all-in-one solution for PR and communications professionals, combining:

• Media monitoring
• Analytics and reporting
• Journalist outreach
• Campaign management

For PR teams, this kind of integration has its appeal. Everything is in one place, instead of jumping between different tools. 

I can understand why Cision felt this was the future—companies today want efficiency, and having fewer platforms to manage can save time and cut down on confusion.

But for long-time HARO and Connectively users, the shift wasn’t easy. Many people saw HARO as a unique way to connect with journalists directly, while CisionOne feels more like a corporate software suite. It’s polished, yes, but it doesn’t carry the same simplicity or community-driven spirit that made HARO so popular in the first place. 

Cision Closed Connectively to Double Down on Core Tools

The major reason behind shutting down Connectively was Cision’s plan to narrow its focus, as stated by Cision themselves in an update. 

Instead of maintaining different platforms with overlapping features, they wanted to double down on their core offerings—the tools they believe bring the most value to PR professionals.

For Cision, this meant prioritizing areas like:

• Media monitoring – keeping track of brand mentions and news coverage in real time.

• Analytics and reporting – helping PR teams measure the impact of their campaigns.

• Outreach tools – building and managing relationships with journalists more efficiently.

From a business perspective, this makes sense. By cutting out platforms that didn’t fully align with their main vision, Cision could put more effort into making their flagship products stronger and more competitive.

But from a user’s point of view, especially those who loved HARO’s simplicity, it felt like something valuable was being left behind. HARO was a bridge between journalists and sources, often in a very personal and direct way. 

By shifting focus, Cision essentially chose depth and integration over the grassroots accessibility many of us appreciated. 

The Paid Subscription That Divided HARO (Connectively) Users

One of the biggest turning points came when HARO moved from being a free, email-based service to a paid subscription model under Connectively. 

For years, HARO was loved because anyone—whether a solo entrepreneur, small business owner, or PR professional—could use it without cost. 

That accessibility was part of its charm.

When the subscription paywall was introduced, reactions were mixed:

• Some professionals were willing to pay, especially if it meant better features or less competition for journalist requests.

• Others felt frustrated, arguing that the value didn’t match the price.

From my perspective, the problem wasn’t just the cost—it was the shift in identity. HARO had always stood out because it was open and approachable. 

Moving to a paid model made it feel more like traditional PR software, and less like the community-driven platform it once was.

This change played a big role in how Connectively was received. While Cision hoped the new model would create a stronger, more professional tool, many longtime users felt it lost the spirit that made HARO special in the first place. 

The State of HARO Now in 2025

In April 2025, Cision sold the platform to Featured.com. Cision confirmed the sale on April 15, Featured announced the relaunch on April 16, and the first HARO email digests were sent out on April 22.

Featured.com supports the new HARO with a network of over 50,000 experts, more than 1 million answers submitted, and partnerships with 2,500+ media outlets.

The service has returned to being completely free for both journalists and sources. Media opportunities are once again delivered through daily (now thrice-daily) email digests, funded by short newsletter ads instead of subscriptions.

Conclusion

So, why has HARO (Connectively) been closed? The answer comes down to Cision’s decision to focus on CisionOne, refine its core tools, and move away from the traditional HARO model. 

While that chapter has ended, HARO’s revival in 2025 shows there’s still demand for simple, direct connections between journalists and sources. 

If you don’t have the time to chase journalist requests yourself, our team at HAROServices.com can handle it for you. 

We manage the entire process—from monitoring queries to crafting expert responses—so you can secure media mentions without lifting a finger. Reach out here!

FAQs 

Why did HARO (Connectively) shut down?

HARO was rebranded as Connectively in early 2024, but the changes didn’t sit well with many users. The biggest shift was moving from its original free model to a paid “pitch-to-journalists” system. This paywall caused frustration and reduced the accessibility that made HARO popular in the first place. Eventually, its parent company, Cision, decided to discontinue the platform and focus on other products.

What led to the discontinuation?

The decision to discontinue Connectively came after customer feedback and a business shift at Cision. The paid subscription model created mixed reactions, and the platform struggled to keep its original community-driven spirit. Cision chose to invest more into its flagship product, CisionOne, rather than continue building Connectively.

What replaced HARO?

There isn’t a single one-to-one replacement for HARO, but several platforms now serve a similar role. Qwoted is a popular choice for PR professionals, while Journo.com has built a strong reputation for verified journalist requests. Help a B2B Writer also caters to content marketers and niche B2B experts. And in 2025, Featured.com acquired HARO and relaunched it in its original free, email-digest format.

What is HARO Connectively?

HARO, short for “Help a Reporter Out,” was rebranded as Connectively under Cision. It was designed as a platform to connect journalists with sources, while also helping professionals gain high-quality backlinks and media coverage. Although it was meant to modernize HARO, many users felt it lost the simplicity that made the original service so valuable.

What is CisionOne?

CisionOne is Cision’s all-in-one platform for PR and communications teams. It brings together tools for social listening, media monitoring, analytics, reporting, and journalist outreach. With CisionOne, brands can track conversations, measure impact, and manage relationships with the press in a single, integrated system.

Who owns HARO now?

In 2025, Featured.com acquired HARO from Cision and relaunched the platform. Originally started in 2008, HARO has been the go-to place for journalists to find expert sources. With Featured.com’s takeover, HARO has returned to its roots, once again offering free access for both journalists and professionals who want to share their expertise with the media.