In the ever-evolving digital landscape, links are a critical component of SEO and can be a differentiator for many websites. They play a pivotal role in enhancing a website’s visibility and ranking on search engine result pages. Moreover, they also augment credibility and trust among consumers. This is why platforms like Help a Reporter Out (HARO) and Terkel (now Featured) have gained significant traction among marketers seeking to boost their online presence.
How HARO Works
Help a Reporter Out, commonly known as HARO, is an ingenious online service that connects journalists and bloggers with relevant industry experts. It serves as a robust bridge between reporters seeking valuable insights and industry professionals willing to share their knowledge.
The process is pretty straightforward. Journalists post queries about the information they need for their stories or articles, and experts who subscribe to HARO can respond if they possess relevant information. If the journalist finds the expert’s information beneficial and decides to include it in their article, they usually give credit by linking back to the expert’s website. In this way, HARO creates a win-win situation for both parties, as it helps journalists find expert insight while providing experts with valuable backlinks to their websites.
Exploring Terkel
Terkel operates differently from HARO. It’s a question-and-answer platform where experts can share their insights by answering questions related to their industry or area of expertise. Once an expert answers a question, Terkel’s team of editors crafts it into a unique piece of content that’s published on their platform, thereby providing a backlink to the expert’s website.
Unlike HARO, where journalists post queries and experts respond, Terkel allows experts to proactively seek out questions to answer. This gives them more control over the topics they discuss and ensures they can showcase their expertise in areas they are most comfortable with.
Comparing HARO and Terkel
While both HARO and Terkel offer excellent opportunities for link building, they have significant differences. HARO has a broader user base, implying there’s a wider range of queries to respond to. However, because of this, there’s also more competition, reducing the likelihood of your pitch being selected.
On the other hand, Terkel offers a more streamlined and less competitive platform. You can pick and choose the questions you want to answer, and you have a higher chance of your response being published. However, the topics may not be as diverse as those found on HARO.
Other Journalist Link Building Platforms
Aside from HARO and Terkel, other platforms like SourceBottle and ProfNet provide similar services. SourceBottle is very similar to HARO but is more focused on women’s interests, making it an excellent tool for experts in fields like fashion, beauty, and health. ProfNet, on the other hand, is designed for professional communicators and experts, offering a more niche audience.
The Pros and Cons of Using Link-Building Platforms
Like any other digital marketing strategy, using link-building platforms comes with its advantages and disadvantages. On the positive side, these platforms can help you gain high-quality backlinks, increase brand visibility, establish authority in your industry, and even generate traffic to your website.
However, there are also potential downsides to consider. For one, there’s no guarantee that your pitches will be accepted. This can sometimes lead to a lot of time and effort spent with little return. In addition, while these platforms can help you gain backlinks, they should not be your only link-building strategy. It’s still important to invest in other SEO tactics like content marketing, social media marketing, and influencer outreach.
The Verdict
Choosing between HARO, Terkel, and other journalist link-building platforms ultimately depends on your specific needs and goals. If you’re looking for a wide range of queries and don’t mind the competition, HARO might be the best fit. If you prefer a less competitive platform and more control over the topics you discuss, Terkel could be a better choice.
Remember, successful link building is not just about the quantity of backlinks, but also their quality. Whichever platform you choose, ensure your responses provide real value to stand out and make the most of these link-building opportunities.