HARO vs SearchEye

Whether you’re a writer looking for reliable sources to quote in articles, a brand trying to secure media mentions and backlinks, or a publisher that wants to build credibility for your website, you’re probably familiar with Help a Reporter Out (HARO), a service that matches journalists with expert sources.

If you’ve used HARO, you’re probably also aware of some of the downsides of the service; writers can get flooded with responses that vary widely in quality, while brands often respond to lots of queries with few results.

If you’re frustrated with HARO, or if you simply want more options, you may be considering HARO alternatives, including Searcheye.

What is HARO?

Help a Reporter Out (HARO), a service offered by Cision, connects writers and journalists with expert sources for articles and other types of content. Writers, journalists, and other content creators use HARO to find sources for their articles and content needs.

HARO says some 75,000+ journalists and bloggers, and more than 1 million sources, use its service.

Both journalists and sources can create a free account. Sources can sign up for paid services that allow them to save a profile to be used in responses, and to get earlier notification of queries.

HARO recently introduced Connectively as the “new home of HARO. Connectively offers two pricing plans; free and paid, along with the option to purchase additional pitches.

HARO’s focus is PR. It was originally created for journalists to find sources. It does not specifically focus on SEO or website visibility.

What is Searcheye?

Searcheye is a dynamic marketplace that brings together creators, brands and publishers. It allows writers and publishers to find expert sources for articles.

It allows brands to connect with writers and publishers, to get high quality media mentions and links.

PR opportunities are emailed to sources daily.

It offers pricing plans, ranging from free to agency plans.

Following we’ll describe key differences and similarities between HARO and Searcheye for brands, publishers and writers.

Searcheye’s focus is online visibility, incorporating the latest SEO trends. It was designed for journalists, brands and publishers.

HARO Link Building

Most sources respond to HARO queries with one goal in mind: to get quoted with backlinks.

Backlinks are an important part of a successful SEO strategy. Links from other sites can help increase search engine rankings and drive traffic. Google’s search results take into account Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T), and media mentions on reputable websites can help build EEAT.

HARO was designed for PR, not links. Its terms prohibit backlink/link swaps, preferential treatment based on whether a backlink will be given, or any kind of “quid pro quo backlink requirements.”

As a result, getting quoted in an article with a back link as a result of responding through HARO can be hit or miss.

There’s no guarantee that a media mention from a HARO pitch will include a backlink, and writers are not required to mention in their queries whether they can or will include links.

Searcheye Link Building

Searcheye offers brands straightforward opportunities to get targeted backlinks. Brands can choose opportunities based on domain ranking (DR), estimated traffic, country, site description and more. The cost of these opportunities is always clearly displayed.

Searcheye’s AI Page Recommendation Engine further streamlines the process, making it easier for brands to create relevant pitches with targeted backlinks, to help increase the likelihood of being included in an article.

Additionally, publishers and writers may choose to receive compensation for links they publish. Alternatively they can get credit toward links of their own in articles on other sites. They can also choose to accept no compensation if they are simply looking for relevant expert sources.

Transparency is at the heart of the Searcheye marketplace. Brands, publishers and writers can connect with clear expectations. Still, writers are always free to reject pitches.

HARO vs Searcheye for Journalists

There are also several key differences between Searcheye and HARO for writers and content creators seeking sources.

One reason for HARO’s popularity is that journalists and writers often get a lot of responses quickly. With HARO, a journalist publishes a query, and potential sources respond with a pitch.

In Searcheye’s HARO Survey, writers reported a wide range in the number of responses they received to queries, with many receiving dozens of pitches for each query. Some reported receiving a hundred or more pitches in response to a single query.

The number of responses received can lead to overwhelm. Over half of writers (51%) responding to the HARO survey said they spend more than 30 minutes reviewing pitches, and of those, 13% reported spending 60 minutes or more.

Satisfaction was generally lower for writers who spent the most time reviewing pitches. Because HARO has traditionally offered free unlimited responses to queries, a number of writers who responded to the survey reported frustration with “spammy” responses and irrelevant pitches.

Searcheye uses targeted pitching along with AI to facilitate highly relevant responses to journalist’s queries. This helps ensure writers aren’t flooded with off-target responses and can help writers save significant time.

HARO vs SearchEye for Brands

Brands often use HARO to try to get media mentions and backlinks. While it can be rewarding when it works, the process is often fraught with challenges and frustrations.

One common frustration for sources using HARO is the lack of responses. A Reddit post captures this sentiment well:

“I’ve signed up for HARO and seen a few options come up that are relevant to my expertise. I’ve pitched ideas and never heard back. I’m aware that HARO is hard work, so I’m not expecting miracles. But I would like to be sure I’m pitching correctly and not wasting my time.”

There are numerous reasons why pitches go unanswered:

• The writer received numerous pitches and could only use a few of them.
• The pitch was not appropriate, quoteworthy, or duplicated other responses.

HARO is available to sources for free, allowing anyone to sign up without verification of their credentials. This often results in responses from poorly qualified sources, diluting the quality of pitches received by writers.

While sources can pay a higher monthly fee to hear about queries sooner, this does not guarantee success. Experts frequently don't hear back from writers, even when their pitch is accepted, and it's not uncommon for writers to use quotes without notifying the source.

In contrast, Searcheye offers a more effective and reliable solution for brands seeking links and media mentions.

Searcheye connects brands with over 5,000+ vetted sites, including some of the world's biggest publishers. Opportunities are emailed daily, ensuring that brands have consistent access to high-quality link-building and media mention opportunities.

Unlike HARO, Searcheye offers guaranteed results. Brands sign up for free and only pay when they find the right opportunity, ensuring transparency and value.

Searcheye's AI-driven platform further streamlines the process, making it easier for brands to create relevant pitches with targeted backlinks, significantly increasing the likelihood of being included in an article.

With Searcheye, brands can connect with writers more effectively, ensuring that their pitches are seen and considered, leading to higher success rates and more valuable media mentions.