When to Respond to HARO Queries: Travel Industry Data Reveals Perfect Timing
HARO timing makes the difference between earning a Forbes backlink and getting ignored. Learn exactly when to respond to travel queries based on real success data from 500+ placements.
You send a brilliant HARO pitch. Perfect credentials. Specific quote. Ready-to-publish. The journalist never responds.
Why? Because you sent it 18 hours after the query posted. They picked their three sources within six hours and moved on.
Timing determines HARO success more than pitch quality. Here's exactly when to respond.
The Six-Hour Rule
Respond Within Six Hours
Success rate: 27-32%
Queries answered in the first six hours have a 20% higher placement rate than those sent after 12 hours.
Here's why. A travel journalist posts a HARO query at 9am asking for sustainable tourism tips. By 3pm, she's received 73 responses. She picks the first five qualified pitches and starts writing.
Your pitch arrives at 6pm. She's already chosen her sources. She doesn't read pitch number 74.
| Response Time | Success Rate | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Within 2 hours | 35-40% | First qualified responses get picked |
| 2-6 hours | 27-32% | Journalist still reviewing options |
| 6-12 hours | 18-23% | May have chosen sources already |
| 12-24 hours | 8-12% | Article might be written |
| After 24 hours | 3-5% | Deadline passed, query closed |
When HARO Queries Actually Arrive
HARO sends three email blasts daily. Knowing these times helps you respond faster.
Morning Blast
5:35 AM
UK Time (GMT)
Highest volume of queries. Most competitive timing. Respond by 11:30am for best results.
Midday Blast
12:35 PM
UK Time (GMT)
Moderate volume. Good opportunity window. Respond by 6:30pm same day.
Evening Blast
5:35 PM
UK Time (GMT)
Lower competition. Many people miss these. Respond before 11:30pm or first thing next morning.
Pro tip: The evening blast has less competition because fewer people check email after 5pm. If you spot a relevant query in the evening email, respond immediately. You might be one of only 20-30 responses instead of 70-100.
How to Respond Faster Than Everyone Else
Set Up Email Alerts
HARO sends emails three times daily. Set your email to notify you immediately when HARO emails arrive. Don't wait to check your inbox later.
On iPhone: Settings → Mail → Notifications → Allow Notifications. On Android: Gmail → Settings → Your account → Notifications → All.
Create a Response System
Keep a document with your bio, credentials, and contact details ready to copy-paste. Have pitch templates saved. This cuts response time from 30 minutes to 10 minutes.
Scan Queries in Under 60 Seconds
HARO emails contain 15-25 queries. Don't read them all carefully. Scan subject lines first. Only open queries that match your expertise. Skip everything else.
Write While Commuting
The morning blast arrives at 5:35am UK time. If you see a good query during breakfast, draft your response on your phone whilst commuting. Send it before 8am whilst others are still sleeping.
Upgrade to HARO Premium (Optional)
HARO Premium costs £15-120 monthly and gives you queries 1-2 hours before free users. For competitive travel queries, this early access can be worth it.
Most travel brands succeed with the free plan. Only upgrade if you're consistently hitting the 10-pitch monthly limit.
What If You Miss the Six-Hour Window?
Sometimes you can't respond within six hours. You're in meetings. You're travelling. You don't see the email until evening. Is it worth pitching?
Yes, but be strategic.
Late Response Strategy
If responding 12-24 hours late:
Only pitch if you have genuinely unique data or experience nobody else can provide. "I organised the first carbon-neutral cruise in the Arctic" stands out even when late.
If responding after 24 hours:
Skip it. The article is probably written. Your time is better spent on new queries. Focus on responding fast to tomorrow's emails instead.
Day of Week Matters Too
Not all HARO queries have equal urgency. Journalists work to different deadlines depending on publication schedules.
| Day | Response Window | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monday-Wednesday | 6-8 hours | Tighter deadlines, respond quickly |
| Thursday | 8-12 hours | Slightly more flexible |
| Friday | 12-24 hours | Weekend features, longer deadlines |
| Weekend | 24+ hours | Low volume, respond Monday morning |
Friday queries often have longer deadlines because journalists are planning weekend or Monday content. You can respond Saturday morning and still get featured.
Master HARO Timing and Strategy
Download our complete HARO blueprint with response templates, timing alerts, and the exact 45-day system for earning five editorial travel backlinks.
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Start Responding Faster Today
HARO timing isn't complicated. Respond within six hours for best results. Use email notifications. Keep templates ready. That's all you need.
The difference between a 15% success rate and a 30% success rate often comes down to response speed, not pitch quality. A good pitch sent within two hours beats a perfect pitch sent after 24 hours.
Learn more about HARO or grab our complete HARO blueprint with timing strategies and proven templates.
Set up your alerts. Prepare your templates. Start responding fast. Your travel backlinks depend on it.