Featured.com Revives HARO, Aims to Counter AI-Generated Content with Human Expertise

Featured.com has acquired Help A Reporter Out (HARO), signaling a strategic effort to reintroduce human expertise into media content creation. The platform, previously owned by Cision since 2014, will return to its original email-based format, offering journalists a targeted method for finding credible sources amid the growing prevalence of AI-generated content.

Founded in 2008, HARO has been a critical resource for journalists seeking expert insights and professionals looking to share their knowledge through media coverage. Under Featured's new ownership, the platform aims to modernize its approach while maintaining its core mission of facilitating genuine human connections in media.

Brett Farmiloe, Featured's Founder and CEO, emphasized the importance of the acquisition in countering the flood of generic AI-generated content. By providing a platform where journalists can quickly access diverse, credible human sources, HARO offers a unique solution to the challenges posed by automated content generation.

The platform will continue to operate free of charge for both journalists and sources, with revenue generated through newsletter advertisements. Reporters will be able to submit queries and receive relevant expert responses, streamlining the source-finding process and potentially improving the quality of media reporting.

The acquisition is supported by investors like Great North Ventures, who see potential in community-driven platforms that foster trusted connections between experts and media creators. Rob Weber, Managing Partner at Great North Ventures, expressed confidence in Featured's vision for HARO's revival.

With a community of over 50,000 experts and more than 1 million submitted answers, Featured is positioning itself as a significant player in knowledge sharing. The platform's network spans 2,500+ media outlets, suggesting a robust infrastructure for connecting experts with journalists.

As media landscapes continue to evolve with technological advancements, HARO's relaunch represents a commitment to preserving human expertise and nuanced storytelling. By prioritizing authentic, human-generated insights, Featured.com is making a statement about the irreplaceable value of genuine human knowledge in an increasingly automated world.