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

Writer: Bridget and Lydia
Bridget and Lydia
May 6
3 min read

Updated: Jul 2

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 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

Feature

HARO

Qwoted

Cost

Free

Free + Premium Options

Ease of Use

Email-based

Email, Dashboard + Filters

Journalist Quality

High (lots of Tier 1 media)

High + niche outlets

Backlink Potential

Strong

Moderate to Strong

Time to Pitch

Fast turnaround required

More flexibility

Not sure how to pitch once you're receiving HARO emails or in Qwoted? That's exactly what we map out for you in your Personalized PR Plan — your custom story angles, dream outlet list, and a publicist-written pitch ready to go. Get your plan here →


📈 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.


That's exactly what we do inside your Personalized PR Plan — a done-for-you roadmap with your custom story angles, dream outlet list, a publicist-written pitch, and the full strategy to get your brand featured without an agency.

👉 Grab your Personalized PR Plan: visibilityonpurpose.com/pr-plan


This post was written by Bridget Sicsko & Lydia Bagarozza, co-founders of Visibility on Purpose — a PR strategy studio helping CPG and product-based brands get featured in top media without agency retainers.

Together we've supported 300+ brands in landing features in Forbes, USA Today, Women's Health, mindbodygreen, FOX, and top podcasts.


Ready to get your brand featured? Grab your Personalized PR Plan here → visibilityonpurpose.com/pr-plan

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