If you’re looking to build credibility, land media coverage, or grow your personal brand, you’ve likely come across HARO (Help a Reporter Out) and Featured. Both platforms are designed to connect expert sources with journalists, but they work a bit differently and offer unique strengths.
Here’s a breakdown to help you understand the differences, the benefits of each, and why many contributors choose to be active on both.
HARO: A Legacy Platform for Broad Media Reach
HARO has been a go-to resource for journalists and sources for over a decade. Every weekday, the HARO newsletter is sent out three times a day, highlighting new media opportunities—from digital outlets to podcasts, radio, and even TV and print.
How it works:
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Journalists submit a query.
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HARO distributes it via daily email blasts.
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Sources scan and reply directly via email.
Why users love HARO:
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You’ll find a vast array of opportunities every day.
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You’re more likely to see requests for podcasts, TV, radio, and print, in addition to digital stories.
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It’s a powerful tool for those who want broad exposure across many media formats.
- It’s completely free!
Featured: A Modern, Curated Experience for Digital Visibility
Featured is built for today’s digital-first PR environment. It offers a searchable, user-friendly platform where sources can view and respond to publisher queries all in one place.
How it works:
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Journalists submit questions.
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Opportunities are approved and posted by the Featured team
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Sources log in, look for relevant opportunities, and submit their quote directly on the platform. No pitching involved.
Why users love Featured:.
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Expert Profiles are searchable and indexable, helping build long-term visibility.
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Users on paid plans can access information on sources like the Domain Authority (DA) and expected link type. This can help with tailoring your efforts based on your visibility goals.
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The platform enables you to track your submissions across a single dashboard.
Why You Don’t Have to Choose Just One
Since HARO was acquired and is now managed by Featured, our goal isn’t to make experts pick sides—it’s to offer complementary tools for different types of goals.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Features | HARO | Featured |
|---|---|---|
| Query delivery | Daily email | Real-time, platform-based. Users can sign up for alerts |
| Query types | Digital + TV, radio, print, podcasts | Primarily digital |
| Deadlines | Queries often close within a few days. The faster you can respond, the better | If a Query doesn’t show the “May Close Early” status, it remains open till the deadline date |
| Profile visibility | Not visible | Searchable, indexable |
| Pitch insights | None | Basic visibility into submission status |
| Best for | High-volume, traditional media | Curated, digital-first placements |
Final Take
Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your thought leadership efforts, HARO and Featured each bring something unique to the table. If you’re aiming for high-volume outreach, including broadcast and print, HARO is a valuable tool to keep in your rotation. If you want curated, high-impact digital features and a platform built to elevate expert voices, Featured is the place to be.
Want to make the most of your media efforts? Use both. Together, they expand your reach, increase your odds of getting published, and help you show up where your audience is already looking.