HARO (Help a Reporter Out), the journalist-request newsletter owned by Featured, has introduced Advertise in HARO, a self-serve platform that lets companies purchase text advertising in its three weekday editions. The move matters because it reinforces HARO's commitment to keeping the service free for PR professionals and journalists, while creating a new revenue stream that could sustain the platform long-term. Unlike some competitors that charge PR people a monthly subscription for the right to pitch more often, HARO continues to offer free access to both journalists and the experts who answer their queries. "Some platforms in this category charge PR people a monthly subscription for the right to pitch more often. We took the other route," said Brett Farmiloe, founder and CEO of Featured. "HARO stays free for journalists and for the experts who answer them. The companies that pay are the ones that want to reach this audience, and now they can book that reach in a few minutes without a sales call."
The implications are significant for the PR and marketing industries. HARO sent more than 100 million emails to subscribers over the past year, reaching PR professionals, publicists, marketers, founders, and subject matter experts across categories like business, technology, health, travel, lifestyle, and entertainment. By offering self-serve ads, HARO gives vendors that sell to this audience—such as PR and marketing software, agencies, media databases, research publishers, event organizers, course creators, and other newsletters—a direct, efficient way to reach decision-makers. The platform's free model depends on advertising, and this launch ensures that the newsletter can remain accessible without charging the journalists or sources who rely on it.
Advertisers can book at helpareporter.com/advertise. The process involves choosing a placement, edition, and date on a calendar showing live prices; writing the ad copy and link text; and paying through Stripe. HARO reviews every ad before it runs, requiring at least one business day between booking and publication. Ads that do not meet guidelines are declined and refunded in full. Placement options include Presenting Sponsor at the top of the edition, Spotlight directly below the query index, and Classified in the closing block. Rates vary by placement, edition, and weekday, with Thursday base rates ranging from $125 for a Classified in the Evening edition to $795 for a Presenting Sponsor in the Morning edition. Volume discounts apply automatically, and fixed-price bundles are available.
For those new to HARO advertising, a comprehensive guide is available at https://blog.helpareporter.com/how-to-advertise-on-haro-a-step-by-step-guide-to-haro-ads/. The launch also includes a special offer for first-time advertisers on the booking page. HARO, which was founded in 2008, shut down by its previous owner in December 2024, and relaunched by Featured in April 2025, continues to connect journalists with expert sources. This advertising initiative not only provides a sustainable funding model but also strengthens the entire PR ecosystem by keeping the pitch process open and free.
