A single backlink from Forbes, Investopedia, or Business Insider carries more SEO weight than 200 backlinks from mid-tier finance blogs. These placements are earned through HARO (now Connectively).

Week 1-210-15 responses0-1 placements, 5-10% acceptance
Month 130-40 responses2-4 placements
Month 3Refined system20-25% acceptance, 6-10/month
Month 6+Direct outreach begins8-15 placements/month

Query selection — high value signals

Publication visible (Forbes, Investopedia, CNBC). Deadline 4+ hours away. Question in your expertise. Specific, answerable question.

Response structure that gets chosen

Opening: the answer in one sentence. Supporting data (2-3 sentences with a source). Practical implication. Bio (name, role, credentials, URL). Total: 150-250 words — longer is rarely chosen.

Beyond HARO

Qwoted.com offers higher-quality WSJ/Bloomberg queries. Twitter #journorequest for direct outreach. Original data publication (a quarterly "Ratixa Savings Pulse") earns 20-30 links in one release.

Use our Meet Our Authors to model this.

Frequently asked questions

What is HARO?
Connects journalists seeking expert sources with experts seeking press coverage — free backlinks from major publications.
How long to get a backlink?
Most placements appear within 2-4 weeks of a successful response.
What is the acceptance rate?
Beginners: 5-10%. Experienced: 20-30%.
Does HARO still work in 2026?
Yes, rebranded as Connectively but the model is identical.
What publications use it?
Forbes, Investopedia, Business Insider, CNBC, NerdWallet, and hundreds more.