# Connectively: Expert Sourcing, HARO and Platform History

Understand Connectively's role in expert sourcing, its connection to HARO and its platform history. Check current official guidance before planning outreach.

Canonical: https://backlinkgrid.com/glossary/connectively


> **Platform context, checked 9 September 2026:** Cision discontinued its Connectively platform in December 2024. Featured later acquired the brand and relaunched Connectively in 2026 on its expert-publisher platform. Read the [official migration explanation](https://docs.connectively.us/en/articles/15262847-what-the-featured-to-connectively-migration-means-for-you) and [Featured's company history](https://featured.com/about) for current context. Older HARO-era interfaces and pricing should not be assumed to apply.


**Connectively** is a platform connecting journalists with expert sources, positioned as the evolution of services like HARO. It allows experts to respond to journalist queries and potentially earn backlinks when quoted in articles from major publications.

## Understanding Connectively

### What It Is

**Platform purpose**:
- Connects journalists with sources
- Facilitates expert commentary
- Enables earned media opportunities
- Successor to HARO-style services

### How It Works

**Basic process**:
1. Create a source profile
2. Browse or receive journalist queries
3. Submit relevant responses
4. Get quoted in articles (when selected)
5. Earn links from attribution

---

## Connectively for Link Building

### Link Building Potential

**Opportunities**:
- Major publication links
- High domain authority
- Editorial placement
- Natural link profile enhancement
- Brand visibility

### Publication Quality

**Typical outlets**:
- National news sites
- Industry publications
- Business media
- Lifestyle magazines
- Trade publications

---

## Setting Up on Connectively

### Creating Your Profile

**Profile elements**:
- Professional credentials
- Areas of expertise
- Past media appearances
- Contact information
- Social proof

### Expertise Areas

**Select categories**:
- Business and finance
- Technology
- Health and wellness
- Marketing
- Legal
- And industry-specific areas

---

## Finding Opportunities

### Query Discovery

**How to find queries**:
- Browse open opportunities
- Email notifications
- Filter by category
- Search by keyword
- Check deadlines

### Evaluating Queries

**Good opportunities**:
- Match your genuine expertise
- From quality publications
- Clear requirements
- Reasonable timeline
- Worth your time

---

## Responding Effectively

### Response Best Practices

**For success**:
- Answer the actual question
- Be concise and quotable
- Show genuine expertise
- Respond quickly
- Follow their format requirements

### Response Structure

**Effective format**:
1. Direct answer
2. Supporting context
3. Credentials
4. Contact for follow-up

### What Journalists Need

**Provide**:
- Specific, quotable statements
- Unique perspectives
- Real-world examples
- Verifiable expertise
- Timely responses

---

## Competition and Conversion

### The Reality

**Expect**:
- Many responses per query
- Low selection rates (5-15%)
- Some queries get hundreds of responses
- Quality matters enormously

### Improving Your Odds

**Stand out by**:
- Responding early
- Providing unique angles
- Being genuinely qualified
- Formatting professionally
- Adding specific value

---

## Links and Attribution

### How Links Happen

**When quoted, you may receive**:
- Contextual link in article
- Link in author bio/attribution
- Mention without link
- Link with nofollow
- Various anchor text

### Not Guaranteed

**Understand that**:
- Not all quotes include links
- Some publications don't link
- Nofollow is common
- Mentions still have value

---

## Best Practices

### For Response Success

**Do**:
- Only respond when genuinely qualified
- Lead with valuable insight
- Keep responses focused
- Meet deadlines
- Include credentials

**Don't**:
- Spray and pray approach
- Obviously templated responses
- Self-promotional answers
- Miss the point of queries
- Ignore requirements

### For Building Relationships

**Long-term approach**:
- Be consistently helpful
- Follow up professionally
- Build journalist relationships
- Track successful interactions
- Nurture connections

---

## Connectively vs Other Platforms

### Comparison

| Feature | Connectively | Traditional HARO | Other Services |
|---------|-------------|------------------|----------------|
| Query frequency | Ongoing | 3x daily | Varies |
| Interface | Platform-based | Email-based | Varies |
| Profile options | Detailed | Basic | Varies |
| Targeting | Category-based | Category-based | Various |

### Using Multiple Platforms

**Consider also**:
- Qwoted
- SourceBottle
- ProfNet
- JournoRequests
- Direct journalist outreach

---

## Tracking Success

### Metrics to Monitor

**Track**:
- Queries responded to
- Placements achieved
- Links earned
- Domain authority of placements
- Response-to-placement rate

### ROI Assessment

**Consider**:
- Time invested
- Links earned value
- Brand mention value
- Relationship building
- Long-term benefits

---

## Beyond Direct Links

### Additional Value

**Non-link benefits**:
- Brand awareness
- Credibility building
- Content for marketing
- Social proof
- Journalist relationships
- Portfolio building

### Using Placements

**Leverage coverage**:
- Share on social media
- Add to press page
- Include in marketing
- Use in proposals
- Build authority

---

## Summary

Connectively connects sources with journalists for earned media:

**How it works**:
- Create expert profile
- Find relevant queries
- Submit quality responses
- Get quoted (when selected)
- Earn links and mentions

**Success factors**:
- Genuine expertise
- Quick, quality responses
- Professional approach
- Consistency

**Realistic expectations**:
- Low conversion rates
- Not all placements link
- Value beyond just links
- Patience required

Quality participation builds reputation and earns valuable media links.

---

## Related Terms

- [HARO Link Building](/glossary/haro-link-building)
- [Digital PR](/digital-pr/)
- [Link Building Outreach](/glossary/link-building-outreach)
- [Editorial Link](/glossary/editorial-link)