Help a Reporter Out (HARO) to Shut Down in December 2024

It’s a bittersweet moment for those of us who have been faithful users of Help a Reporter Out (HARO). 

Come December 9, 2024, this essential service—now known as Connectively—will officially be discontinued. 

If you’ve relied on HARO over the years, this news might hit hard. 

I remember the days when HARO was my go-to for snapping up those golden opportunities to get brand mentions and high-quality backlinks. 

It’s been a game-changer for so many, and now, it’s time to say goodbye.

A Brief Look Back at HARO’s History

HARO was launched back in 2008 by Peter Shankman as a straightforward way to match journalists with expert sources. 

What started as a simple Facebook group turned into a mailing list that exploded in popularity. 

By the time it was acquired by Vocus, Inc. in 2010, HARO had become a lifeline for brands, marketers, and PR professionals looking to make their mark.

In 2014, when Vocus merged with Cision Inc., HARO came under Cision’s umbrella. 

Though there were whispers about whether HARO backlinks might be impacting the drop in Google rankings of a few websites, I still found it hard to pass up the opportunity. 

The potential risk was worth the reward for many, including myself. HARO was invaluable for securing media coverage that mattered.

HARO’s Role in Elevating Brands and Visibility

For anyone who’s ever waited for those daily HARO emails like I did, you know the excitement of finding that perfect query that matched your expertise. 

Respond quickly enough, and you’d be looking at a backlink or mention on a major site—a badge of credibility that Google tends to notice. This strategy wasn’t just about backlinks; it was about building trust and authority.

Journalists loved HARO too. I was a journalist for more than 6 years, and I experienced the power of HARO firsthand. It was beneficial for me not just in my journalism career but also as an SEO professional. 

As a journalist, HARO provided a quick and reliable way to access expert information, enhancing the credibility and depth of my articles. 

As an SEO, it became a valuable tool for acquiring mentions and backlinks, which helped improve search engine rankings and visibility. 

This dual advantage made HARO an indispensable part of my professional toolkit till 2019 but ever since, HARO hasn’t come to my radar. This could well be the reason why Cision decided to pull the plug. 

Integration and API Power

HARO wasn’t just a manual process for many of us. Through its API capabilities, HARO became part of automated workflows, feeding directly into CRMs, email marketing systems, and other SEO tools like Search Atlas. 

The integration meant that we could get alerts, draft replies, and engage with journalists without missing a beat. It was a time-saver in a fast-paced industry.

Why Is HARO (Connectively) Shutting Down?

So, why is this service, which has been a staple in the PR community for over a decade, coming to an end? According to the official announcement from Cision, the decision is strategic. 

By retiring Connectively, Cision aims to focus on CisionOne, their flagship platform that offers an integrated solution for media monitoring, analytics, reporting, and outreach. 

The idea is to direct resources into enhancing CisionOne, promising more innovative tools for PR and communications professionals.

This shift means that HARO is bowing out, making way for a broader, more comprehensive set of tools under Cision’s core offering. 

It’s a logical move for Cision, but for many of us who’ve grown comfortable with HARO’s simplicity, it feels like the end of an era.

How Will This Affect Users?

If you’re currently subscribed to Connectively (or HARO), know that your access ends on December 9, 2024. 

Cision has assured users that paying customers will receive pro-rata refunds and encourages everyone to export any data they might need before the shutdown. 

The email they sent out was clear: “We understand this may cause some inconvenience, and we apologize for any disruption this may cause to your workflow.”

It’s also a heartfelt moment for many in the HARO community. The email signed off with a thank-you to users for being a part of their journey, acknowledging the role we played in shaping the platform.

What’s Next? Finding HARO Alternatives

If you’re wondering how to fill the HARO-shaped void, there are some solid alternatives. ProfNet is one of them, offering a similar service that connects journalists with expert sources. 

SourceBottle is another option, particularly popular in certain regions. And don’t forget JournoRequests on Twitter—a more informal, yet effective way for finding opportunities.

Still, while these platforms can offer similar services, the departure of HARO leaves behind a legacy. HARO was more than just a tool; it was an enabler for growth, an opportunity to amplify voices, and a bridge that connected experts and media.

A Goodbye to HARO

As we prepare for this transition, it’s essential to appreciate what HARO brought into our lives. 

For those who, like me, used to race against the clock to respond to queries, those days are over. 

Yet, the lessons remain: be proactive, showcase your expertise, and adapt. HARO may be shutting down, but the strategies it helped us build will continue to shape how we navigate PR and media outreach.

And so, we bid farewell to HARO/Connectively, with gratitude for the doors it opened and the partnerships it forged.