HARO is active again under Featured, but no single request service covers every beat, country, or deadline. These alternatives were checked against their operators' own descriptions in September 2026. This is a desk comparison, not hands-on testing or a ranking by placements. Features, access limits, and prices can change; verify them directly before committing a budget.
Four services to compare
Qwoted
Journalists post calls for experts, and sources or PR teams create profiles and pitch relevant opportunities within Qwoted. The operator describes in-platform messaging and rules around contacting reporters.
Source of Sources
Peter Shankman's service offers journalist requests by email. Check its current source-signup terms and the request's deadline before responding.
ProfNet
PR Newswire's ProfNet links journalist queries with subscribed experts and PR representatives. Its journalist side is free; source-side subscription terms should be checked with the provider.
ResponseSource
Its Journalist Enquiry Service serves reporters seeking expert input, case studies, images, and PR contacts, with a particularly visible UK media focus. Source-side access varies by service.
Where the revived HARO fits
Featured says it now operates HARO and Connectively and brings requests from multiple networks into its own tools. HARO's email service remains an option for experts who prefer a digest workflow. Treat claims about query volume or likely placement as provider claims, not a forecast for your campaign.
Choose based on the journalists and geography you need, the source's expertise, the clarity of deadlines, and the time required to answer. A small number of precise, attributable responses is better than a large volume of generic pitches. Never invent a credential or submit a machine-written answer that the named expert has not reviewed.
A fair two-week trial
- Create accurate expert profiles on the platforms relevant to your market.
- Count eligible requests, not every alert in the feed.
- Record time spent, qualified responses, follow-up conversations, and accurate published quotations.
- Ask whether the journalist needs an interview, source documents, or a concise written answer.
- Recheck each service's live terms before paying for a plan.