HARO allows journalists, content creators, and qualified media outlets to submit source requests provided they meet the following guidelines:
1. Credible Media Outlet
- The outlet must be fully launched, with a live domain, recent content, and a verifiable editorial presence.
- Outlets must have a minimum Domain Authority of 20 or receive at least 10,000 monthly visitors (via Moz, Ahrefs, or internal HARO review).
- Podcasts must be published on a recognized platform (e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify). Podcasts that are only hosted on a company’s website will not be accepted.
- Social media posts on a reputable platform (e.g., LinkedIn, X, Bluesky) must be published from a public profile with at least 5,000 followers and demonstrate clear editorial intent or thought leadership.
- Medium and Substack blogs must have at least 5,000 followers/subscribers.
- Proof of contributor status must be publicly available, either on the media outlet’s website or linked from the journalist’s personal site or social media profiles.
2. Transparent and Relevant Queries
- The name of the media outlet must be included in the submission.
- Query requests must ask for content responses of no more than 3,000 words.
- Reporters may not link to outside surveys, blog comments, or data capture forms. All responses must go through HARO.
- No guest blogging, link exchanges, or backlink solicitation is allowed.
- No requests for monetary compensation from sources are permitted.
3. Restrictions and Prohibited Use
- Student reporters may only submit if part of an accredited journalism program with faculty endorsement.
- No subscription-only content is allowed. The public must be able to view published stories without paywall access.
- Product sample requests are only accepted from verified, reputable outlets or creators. Samples must be returned unless otherwise agreed to by the sender.
- Gift bag queries are only allowed for confirmed in-person or high-profile digital events. Sponsorships, pay-to-play opportunities, or solicitations for paid placements are prohibited.
- No online gambling sites are permitted.
- No data collection, business lead sourcing, or testimonial/review farming is allowed on our platform.
- Queries must never require pre-recorded video. Experts may optionally provide one, but it must not be mandatory.
- Story pitches and business/client solicitation within the query submissions will be marked as spam.
Guidelines Subject to Change
These guidelines are intended to help maintain quality, clarity, and alignment with the platform’s standards. However, they are not exhaustive and are subject to change at any time without prior notice. We encourage you to review this page regularly for the most up-to-date information.
HARO maintains a strict one-strike policy for any violations of our submission guidelines. Our company reserves the right to approve, reject, edit, or remove any submission, query, or content at our sole discretion—regardless of whether it fully meets the guidelines outlined here. Adherence to these guidelines does not guarantee query approval.
By submitting a query on helpareporter.com (HARO), you acknowledge and agree to these terms.
Note: The HARO team reviews and schedules query submissions 8 am – 5 pm MST Mon -Fri.