You spend hours writing blog posts. You share them on social media. But your travel website still sits on page three of Google.
I've been there. The problem isn't your content. It's that nobody links to it.
That's where HARO changes everything.
What HARO Means for Travel Brands
HARO stands for Help A Reporter Out. It's a free service that connects journalists with expert sources.
Here's how it works. A travel writer from The Telegraph needs quotes about budget travel in Southeast Asia. They post a query on HARO. You respond with your expertise. They quote you in their article with a link to your website.
Simple, right? But there's more to it.
HARO by the Numbers (2026)
- 35,000+ journalists actively use the platform
- 500,000+ sources respond to queries daily
- 20-30% response rate for professional pitches
- 3 emails per day with fresh journalist queries
HARO was acquired by Featured.com in May 2026 after Connectively shut down. The good news? It's back to the original free format that made it popular.
Why Travel Brands Use HARO Link Building
Most link building strategies take months. Guest posting, directory submissions, broken link building. They all require endless outreach emails.
HARO flips the script. Journalists come to you.
| Strategy | Time to First Link | Link Quality | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| HARO | 1-2 weeks | High (editorial) | Free |
| Guest Posting | 4-8 weeks | Medium | £100-500/post |
| Directory Submissions | Immediate | Low | Free-£50 |
| PR Agency | 8-12 weeks | High | £2,000-5,000/month |
Digital PR ranks as the most effective link building tactic at 48.6% among SEO professionals. HARO is digital PR made simple.
Real Travel Publications Using HARO
These aren't random blogs. We're talking about publications your customers actually read.
UK Publications
- • National Geographic Traveller UK (Travel Magazine of the Year 2026)
- • The Telegraph Travel
- • The Independent (Simon Calder)
- • Wanderlust Magazine
- • Condé Nast Traveller UK
International Publications
- • Travel + Leisure
- • Forbes Travel
- • Lonely Planet
- • Afar Magazine
- • TripSavvy
A single link from National Geographic Traveller carries more SEO weight than 50 directory submissions. Google knows the difference between editorial mentions and paid placements.
How Travel Brands Use HARO Successfully
Most people get HARO wrong. They treat it like email spam. Send 100 pitches, hope for the best.
That's not how this works.
Free account at Featured.com. Choose "Travel & Hospitality" as your category. You'll get three emails daily with relevant queries.
This matters more than you think. Queries get 100+ responses. Journalists pick from the first qualified answers. Responding within six hours gives you a 20% higher success rate.
68% of HARO responses are rubbish. Generic. Off-topic. Don't be that person. If you run a boutique hotel in Cornwall, don't pitch a story about backpacking in Thailand.
Two to three sentences. Lead with credentials. Provide unique insight. Include your name, title, company, website.
Set up Google Alerts for your name. When you get featured, share the article. Thank the journalist. Build the relationship.
Need a complete system? Our HARO Travel Backlink Blueprint breaks down exactly how to win five editorial links in 45 days.
HARO Mistakes That Kill Your Success Rate
What Journalists Hate
- Marketing jargon: "Revolutionary travel platform disrupting the industry." Nobody cares.
- AI-generated responses: They spot it instantly. Use your real voice.
- Off-topic pitches: If they ask about budget travel, don't pitch luxury resorts.
- Generic templates: "I'd love to contribute to your piece." Be specific.
- Following up: Never ask if they got your pitch. They did. They just didn't use it.
The best HARO pitches feel like conversations. You're helping a journalist do their job, not selling something.
When HARO Results Actually Appear
Let's talk realistic expectations.
Week One
Send 15-20 pitches. Get comfortable with the format. Don't expect placements yet.
Weeks Two to Three
Your first mentions appear. Articles take one to two weeks to publish. Expect one to three links.
Month Two
You've refined your approach. Success rate climbs to 20-30%. Five to ten quality links per month becomes normal.
Professional SEOs aim for 5-20 high-quality backlinks per month. 54% of industry professionals hit this target. HARO makes it achievable.
Get Our Free HARO Blueprint
Learn our exact system for earning five editorial travel links in 45 days. No guesswork. Just proven tactics.
Download Free GuideFrequently Asked Questions
Yes. The basic HARO service is completely free. You get three emails per day with journalist queries. Free accounts can send up to 10 pitches per month. Paid plans (£15-120/month) increase pitch limits and add features, but most travel brands start with the free tier.
Quality beats quantity. Send three to five highly relevant pitches per week rather than 20 generic ones. Focus on queries where you have genuine expertise. A 20-30% success rate on five targeted pitches gives you one to two links per week.
Absolutely. HARO links are editorial mentions from high-authority publications. Google values these more than directory links or paid placements. More than 50% of HARO placements include dofollow links. A single link from National Geographic Traveller or Forbes can boost your domain authority significantly.
Featured.com is the platform that acquired HARO in May 2026. It's the new home for journalist queries. You'll need to create your account there to receive the daily emails.
