Why You Should Use HARO for SEO

Most people think HARO is just a tool for PR teams or big agencies. But in reality, it’s one of the easiest ways for any business — small or large — to earn backlinks from top publications like Forbes, Business Insider, or HuffPost. And the best part? These are the backlinks Google actually trusts.

When you get quoted as a source in an article, you’re not just building a link. You’re building authority. You’re showing search engines (and your audience) that real journalists consider you a reliable expert. This is exactly what Google looks for when deciding which sites to rank higher.

But this is just half the story because there are many more reasons why you should use HARO for SEO.

Let’s cover these reasons in this blog.

1. Earn Backlinks from High-Authority Media Sites

One of the main reasons we recommend HARO for SEO is simple — it helps you land backlinks from some of the biggest media sites on the internet. 

I’m talking about publications like Forbes, Business Insider, HuffPost, CNBC, and USA Today. These websites have Domain Ratings (DR) of 80, 90, even 95+ — which makes them some of the most powerful backlinks you can get for your site.

We’ve personally used HARO to secure media links for dozens of clients. In one campaign, a client in the finance niche landed mentions in both Yahoo Finance and MarketWatch within 45 days. These backlinks didn’t just improve their DR, they also brought in referral traffic that converted into real business. 

The key here is that these are earned editorial links, not paid placements or guest posts. That’s why Google sees them as highly trustworthy.

Most SEO agencies spend thousands of dollars trying to “buy” backlinks from blogs and sites that don’t even compare to these media giants. HARO flips that approach. Instead of chasing backlinks, you provide value as a source, and journalists reward you with a mention and a link. 

2. Build Real Authority That Google Notices

These days, Google cares a lot about who’s giving the advice. It’s not enough to just have a blog post with good keywords. Google wants to know. 

• Is this person an expert? 
• Can people trust what they’re saying? 

And that’s when media mentions play a very important role. Because when a journalist quotes you in a well-known publication like Forbes or HuffPost, it shows Google that you’re a reliable source. Over time, the more you’re mentioned on these trusted sites, the more Google connects your name or business with that topic.

This helps your website show up higher in search results because Google feels more confident showing information from recognized experts. It’s especially important in industries where trust really matters — like finance, health, or legal services.

Even if you don’t get a DoFollow backlink, just being mentioned still adds to your online reputation. Google doesn’t only look at links; it looks at the bigger picture of your presence across the web. That’s why these media features from HARO are so valuable for long-term SEO growth.

3. Media Mentions Help You Get Noticed by AI Search

AI search tools like ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overview, and Gemini are changing how people find information. Instead of showing a list of links, these AI tools try to give direct answers. But they don’t pull answers from just any website. They look at trusted sources.

If your business is mentioned in articles on major media sites, there’s a much better chance that AI search tools will pick up that information. That’s because these AI models are trained using content from credible publications. They’re more likely to trust data, quotes, and examples from sites like Forbes, Business Insider, or MarketWatch. 

So when you’re quoted as an expert in a big media outlet, it increases your chances of showing up in AI-generated answers. This can put your name or brand in front of people even if they didn’t search for you directly.

As AI-driven search becomes more common, these media mentions are becoming just as important as traditional SEO rankings. HARO gives you a way to tap into that by getting featured where AI models are most likely to look.

4. Build a Strong Digital Footprint Across the Web

When people search for your business online, what shows up? Your website is just one piece of the puzzle. Google also looks at how often your name or brand appears on other trusted sites. This is called your digital footprint, and HARO is a simple way to grow it.

Every time a journalist mentions you in an article, it adds to your online presence. Over time, these mentions start to stack up. Google begins to see your brand pop up in different places, on different websites, across various topics. This helps with entity recognition, which means Google understands who you are and what you’re an expert in.

Brands that get regular media mentions show up in many places on Google. Their name appears in articles, interviews, and even answer boxes. This helps build trust because people see them everywhere, not just on their own website. 

You can see this with my name. When you search on Google for “Best HARO Link Builder in 2025,” the AI Overview shows my Upwork profile.

The reason? I recently got featured on media sites, and because of that, Google’s AI Overview is now showing me.

Plus, a stronger digital footprint helps in branded searches. When someone types your business name into Google, they’ll see more than just your homepage. They’ll see credible articles, interviews, and features that build trust instantly. HARO is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to make that happen.

5. Bring Targeted Traffic to Your Website

One of the best things about HARO is that the backlinks you earn aren’t just for SEO — they also bring in targeted traffic. When you’re featured in an article that’s related to your niche, the people reading it are already interested in what you do. That means they’re more likely to click on your link and visit your site.

This isn’t like directory backlinks or random blog comments where the link doesn’t bring any real visitors. A well-placed mention in a media article can drive people to your website who are actively looking for solutions or advice. And because these visitors are coming from trusted publications, they already have a certain level of trust in you before they even land on your site.

Plus, referral traffic from media sites tends to be more engaged. These visitors spend more time on your site, check out your services, and are more likely to become leads or customers. All of this helps improve your site’s engagement metrics, which Google pays attention to. If people are spending time on your site and not bouncing away, it’s a good signal for SEO.

HARO helps you get in front of the right audience, in the right context, at the right time.

6. Save Money Compared to Expensive PR and Link Building

Image Source: HARO

Let’s be honest, building backlinks the traditional way is very expensive. Buying guest posts, hiring PR agencies, or paying for link placements often costs hundreds or even thousands of dollars per link. And half the time, those links come from sites that don’t really move the needle for SEO.

That’s why HARO plays a good role. It’s free to sign up, and the opportunities that come through are from publications people actually read and trust. 

Instead of paying to get your content published, you’re offering valuable insights to journalists who are already looking for expert sources.

Even if you hire someone to manage your HARO pitching, the cost is still a fraction of what you’d spend on traditional PR or paid backlink campaigns. And the quality of the links? Way better. You’re earning links from sites with Domain Ratings of 80, 90, or even higher. These are links that would cost a fortune if you tried to “buy” them.

7. Open the Door to Long-Term Journalist Relationships

HARO isn’t just a one-time backlink strategy. It is the starting point for building real relationships with journalists and editors in your industry. When you consistently provide helpful, expert insights that make their articles better, journalists start to notice. You become a go-to source.

Over time, these relationships lead to direct requests for quotes, exclusive interviews, or even feature stories. Instead of competing with hundreds of other pitches, you get fast-tracked because the journalist already knows you deliver valuable content. This opens the door to regular media exposure without the constant need to pitch.

The more you’re featured, the more your credibility grows. And not just with Google, but within your industry. Other journalists and content creators might pick up your quotes, reference your insights, or invite you to collaborate on bigger stories.

It’s a cycle that starts with one HARO response but can turn into a steady stream of media coverage, backlinks, and brand authority. These long-term relationships are priceless because they keep bringing opportunities your way, even after the initial effort.

Wrap Up

If you want better Google rankings and stronger backlinks, HARO is one of the easiest ways to get there. It connects you with journalists who need expert quotes. When they feature you, you earn links from trusted sites like Forbes or Business Insider. These links help your SEO, build your brand’s trust, and can even get you shown in AI search overviews. 

And if you need help building media links, reach out to us. We will help you build media links that Google trusts.

FAQs

1. What is HARO and how does it help with SEO?

HARO is a platform where journalists look for expert sources for their articles. By responding to these queries and getting featured, you earn high-quality backlinks from trusted media sites. These backlinks help improve your website’s SEO by boosting authority and search rankings.

2. Are HARO backlinks DoFollow or NoFollow? Do they still help SEO?

It depends on the publication. Some HARO backlinks are DoFollow, while others are NoFollow. But even NoFollow links from trusted media sites can improve your site’s authority, drive referral traffic, and enhance your brand’s reputation, which indirectly helps your SEO.

3. How long does it take to get backlinks through HARO?

It varies. Some opportunities get published within a week, while others may take a month or more. Consistent pitching increases your chances of faster placements. On average, most businesses see results within 30-60 days of active HARO pitching.

4. Can I outsource HARO link building to an agency?

Yes, you can. Many businesses choose to work with agencies that specialize in HARO link building. Agencies handle the pitching process, craft expert responses, and track live media mentions to secure backlinks for you.

5. Do HARO links help in AI search results like Google’s AI Overview?

Yes. When you’re mentioned in trusted media sites through HARO, it increases the chances that AI search engines like Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Gemini will surface your brand in AI-generated answers. Media links make you part of the trusted source ecosystem these models pull from.