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Securing valuable media coverage and establishing the right connections with journalists is a persistent challenge for brands and experts alike.
For a long time, Help A Reporter Out (HARO) was the reliable industry standard—the first stop for anyone looking to get quoted. But times have changed, and a wave of modern tools is making a serious impact on how PR gets done. Consequently, the conversation has shifted, with many professionals now weighing the pros and cons of HARO vs Qwoted as they look for more efficient ways to land placements.
In this detailed Qwoted review, we’ll dive deep into how the platform functions, highlight what makes it fundamentally different from its predecessors, and assess whether it’s a worthy investment for increasing your brand's visibility.
What is Qwoted? An Overview
Source: Qwoted
Qwoted is a platform built to connect journalists, PR professionals, and subject-matter experts in one place. Launched in 2019, it has quickly grown into a go-to space for media outreach, now hosting over 100,000 users.
What makes it stand out is how it allows each group to get exactly what they need — journalists can find reliable sources fast, PR pros can manage multiple clients, and experts can share their knowledge without needing a big agency.
How Does Qwoted Work?
Source: Qwoted
Qwoted works as a bridge between journalists, PR professionals, and experts. Here’s how.
For Experts and Small Businesses
Qwoted gives independent professionals and small businesses the chance to share their knowledge without needing a PR agency. By creating a profile, they can respond to media requests in their field and build authority through press mentions. For many, it’s an affordable way to grow visibility and credibility.
For PR and Marketing Professionals
PR pros benefit from tools that make it easier to manage multiple clients. With Qwoted, they can receive tailored press opportunities, represent more than one expert profile, and build stronger relationships with journalists. From my own experience, this side of the platform feels designed to save time while keeping pitches targeted.
For Journalists and Media Creators
Reporters, podcasters, and producers use Qwoted to find trusted voices quickly. They can post requests, browse nearly 100,000 verified experts, and start direct conversations to shape better stories. This makes Qwoted not just another PR pitching tool but also a media networking platform that brings balance to both sides.
Standout Features of Qwoted
Here are some key features of Qwoted.
Easy-to-Use Query System
Qwoted makes it simple for journalists to post queries and for experts to respond. The dashboard is clean and straightforward, so there is no confusion about where to start.
Reporters can set clear deadlines, add details about their stories, and instantly reach a pool of verified professionals. For experts, responding is just as smooth, with no complicated steps or hidden requirements. This ease of use saves time for both sides.
Verified Expert Database
One of Qwoted’s biggest strengths is its network of verified professionals. Instead of random pitches, journalists gain access to people whose identities and expertise are screened. This means responses are more reliable and credible, which is essential when working on a story under deadline.
For experts, verification adds value too, since it highlights their authority and increases their chances of being featured. The built-in trust factor helps both sides focus on quality communication instead of worrying about whether a source is genuine.
Media Outlet Transparency
Unlike some platforms where experts don’t know where their quotes will appear, Qwoted gives clear information about the media outlet requesting input.
Journalists list their publication details, which helps build trust with potential sources. This transparency is useful for experts who want to evaluate whether the opportunity matches their brand or audience. It also benefits journalists, since experts are more likely to reply when they can see exactly where their insights will be published.
Search and Match Features
Qwoted also provides tools for searching and matching, which help both journalists and experts find the right connections faster.
Reporters can filter through categories to locate specific types of professionals, while experts can track queries that are most relevant to their field. The platform’s matching system saves time and reduces irrelevant noise, which is a common problem on other PR networks.
With smarter filtering, both sides can focus only on meaningful opportunities.
Pros and Cons of Using Qwoted
Qwoted offers several advantages that make it attractive for journalists and experts, but there are also some drawbacks to keep in mind. Let’s start with the positives.
Pros
- Free plan available to test the platform
- Access to verified journalist queries from top outlets
- Cleaner, more modern interface compared to HARO
- Option to upgrade for faster responses and better visibility
- Builds long-term media relationships if responses are strong
Cons
- Limited number of pitches on the free plan
- Competition is high, especially on big-name queries
- Responses can sometimes go unanswered
- Paid plans is expensive for beginners
Pricing and Membership Options
Source: Qwoted
Qwoted has both free and paid membership plans. The free version lets you create a profile and respond to two media queries each month.
Paid plans start at $99 per month, which unlocks 35 pitches and better access to media requests. For unlimited queries, you can contact their team to get the pricing.
Before I talk about whether you should try Qwoted link building, I want to discuss something really important, that I think businesses must realize.
The New Reality of Link Building and Business Visibility
If you own a business today, you already know that visibility on Google is essential for growth. However, the methods for achieving that visibility have changed dramatically.
Years ago, businesses could sometimes manipulate rankings with low-quality "link building" tactics. Today, Google’s highly sophisticated algorithms prioritize expertise, authority, and trust.
The most effective, sustainable way to demonstrate this to search engines—and your customers—is through mentions and backlinks from authoritative news sites and respected industry publications.
But securing these high-value placements is notoriously difficult. Journalists at top-tier media outlets are inundated with hundreds of emails daily and rarely have the time to respond to cold pitches from businesses they don't know.
This challenge is evidenced in Muck Rack’s recent State of Journalism report, which notes that a primary frustration for journalists is receiving a high volume of irrelevant, spammy pitches.
They urgently need credible experts for their stories, but they don't have the bandwidth to sift through the noise to find them.
This environment is why platforms designed to vet and connect sources have become essential infrastructure for sustainable business SEO. By using a platform specifically built to facilitate these high-quality connections, you can effectively bypass the spam filters and gain access to the types of high-authority media opportunities that actually move the needle on search rankings and organic traffic.
Digital PR platforms have shifted from being optional tools for large corporations to becoming a critical necessity for any business serious about competing in organic search and establishing market credibility.
Final Thoughts: Is Qwoted Worth It?
We hope this review has helped clarify exactly where Qwoted fits in the current PR landscape. In short, it is an excellent platform for responding to verified queries and gradually establishing a respected media presence over time. It’s a powerful tool in the right hands.
That said, consistent media outreach requires significant dedication and persistence. If you want the results of a strong PR strategy without adding another daily task to your plate, our team is here to help. Contact us today, and let’s talk about how we can get your brand the visibility it deserves.
FAQs
1. What is Qwoted and how does it work?
Qwoted is a platform that connects experts, entrepreneurs, and PR professionals with journalists who are looking for credible sources for their stories. Journalists post queries on specific topics, and users can respond with relevant insights, data, or quotes. If a journalist finds a response useful, they contact the user via the email linked to their account. This allows professionals to get featured in media outlets without cold emailing journalists individually.
2. How long does it usually take to get a response on Qwoted?
Response times on Qwoted can vary widely depending on the journalist and the query. Some journalists reply within hours, while others might take several days or even weeks to review responses. Timely, relevant, and well-crafted pitches increase the chances of a faster response.
3. Is there a free plan on Qwoted, and what does it include?
Yes, Qwoted offers a free plan that allows users to test the platform and submit 2 queries in a month to journalist queries. It’s very limited. But paid plans provide additional features like faster visibility, more pitching opportunities, and access to premium queries from top-tier media outlets.
4. How competitive is Qwoted for getting featured?
Qwoted is quite competitive, especially for queries from popular media outlets. Many experts and PR professionals respond to the same journalist query, so standing out requires well-written, relevant, and timely pitches.
5. Should I use Qwoted instead of HARO or SourceBottle?
Whether Qwoted is better depends on goals and workflow. It has a cleaner interface and verified journalist queries, making it easier to navigate than HARO or SourceBottle. It is excellent for building long-term media relationships and credibility over time.
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