HARO vs Qwoted: Which PR Tool is Better for Backlinks & SEO?

If you're a founder or small business owner trying to build organic SEO authority and get featured in the media—without spending thousands on ads—you’ve probably heard of HARO (Help A Reporter Out) and Qwoted.

But which one is actually better for high-quality backlinks, press mentions, and media exposure?

We break it all down in this video below and this blog:

🧠 What You’ll Learn:

• How HARO and Qwoted work for PR & SEO

• Pros and cons of each platform

• Which one gets you better backlinks & higher domain authority

• How to pitch journalists effectively

• The secret to using BOTH tools together for maximum visibility

🔍 What is HARO?

HARO (Help A Reporter Out) is one of the oldest and most-used tools in the PR world. Journalists from top-tier outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, The New York Times post queries looking for expert sources.

• You receive daily emails with media opportunities

• You respond directly via email with your pitch

• If selected, you can be quoted in major publications—and often score a backlink....but you won't always hear back from the writer (so you might have a link floating around the internet, but not to your knowledge)

💡 Best For:
Founders, consultants, product brands who want to build SEO through editorial links.

🚀 What is Qwoted?

Qwoted is a newer platform that connects journalists and sources in a more streamlined way. Think of it like a PR inbox and social networking platform combined...and it's SO user-friendly. Bonus point there.

• You set up a profile and respond directly to media requests

• Journalists can also search for and message you directly

• You can track pitches, get alerts, and even submit press releases

💡 Best For:
Experts who want a more organized, filterable system—and to build relationships with journalists.

⚖️ HARO vs Qwoted: Pros & Cons

📈 Which One Gets You Better Backlinks?

If your primary goal is domain authority and backlinks, HARO still has the edge due to the volume of high-tier media outlets. But Qwoted is quickly catching up—and it's easier to use consistently, especially if you're managing your own PR. Qwoted is great for in-house teams managing their own PR and narrative, and in our opinion is way more user-friendly so we prefer it.

Pro Tip: You don’t have to choose just one.
Use HARO for volume and backlinks, and Qwoted for relationships and strategic targeting.

✍️ How to Answer So You Actually Get Featured

Both platforms rely on one thing: a great answer/response. Here's how to stand out:

• ANSWER to the journalist’s ask

• Lead with your most credible “hook” or insight

• Keep it short, skimmable, and quote-ready

• Add social proof (your title, past press, etc.)

• Be human—no copy-paste vibes! And seriously Qwoted has some top notch AI software, so beware!

Need help writing your first pitch? We will write it FOR YOU!
🎯 Personalized PR Plan for a pitch and plan created for YOU.

💡 Final Thoughts: HARO or Qwoted?

You don’t need a publicist or $5K/month agency to start building backlinks and brand authority. Tools like HARO and Qwoted make media exposure more accessible than ever.

Here’s our take:

• Use HARO if you have the time to sort through emails and are a good fit for responses

• Use Qwoted for relationship-building and press strategy and a simpler to use platforms

• Use both if you’re serious about visibility

Ready to get started?

🔗 Create a free Qwoted profile 
🔗 Subscribe to HARO (it's free!)

And don’t forget to watch the full breakdown above 👆

💬 P.S. Want Help Getting Featured?

We teach founders and product brands how to get into top-tier outlets like Entrepreneur, Business Insider, Forbes, and more—without hiring a publicist.

🎟️ Free Workshop: How to Get Featured in Top Media 
🎯 Buy our DIY PR Program