A few years back we published "Lucky 13", a no nonsense list of the simplest publications to land links from via HARO. It still holds up as a practical starting point, especially if you want low friction wins and a clearer idea of which outlets tend to move fast. But platforms shift. Editorial habits change. And the best "easy wins" list depends on where journalists and publishers are actually sourcing experts right now. That is why this is an update, not a redo. Same goal, different route.
Featured flips the game. Instead of chasing journalists across a firehose of chaos, you pitch inside a platform built for expert answers and clear attribution. It is still competitive, but the process is cleaner, the intent is clearer, and the outcomes are far more trackable. This article is your shortcut to the easiest wins. Not theory, not fluffy “be helpful” advice. A practical list of publications that actually publish, actually attribute, and are realistically attainable for most brands when you pitch smart.
You will get a curated hit list of sites worth prioritising, plus the key context that matters: authority, link profile strength, organic visibility, and whether the publication is the kind that helps your SEO long term, not just your ego for a day. Full disclosure: always read the fine print on each request. The best results come when your expertise genuinely fits the niche.
Hubspot | Is one of the most authoritative platforms in marketing, sales, CRM, and customer growth. It operates both as a SaaS provider and a massive educational publisher, producing in depth guides, benchmarks, research, and tooling that define best practice across digital marketing and revenue teams.
With a DR of 93, nearly 330,000 referring domains, and over 230,000 ranking keywords, HubSpot sits at the very top tier of the web. Its 4.2M+ monthly organic traffic reflects global trust and constant demand for its content.
Links from HubSpot are exceptionally powerful because they come from pages already treated as reference material by search engines. For brands in SaaS, B2B, marketing, sales, and tech, a HubSpot link acts as a credibility multiplier and a long term authority signal rather than a simple SEO boost.
Bored Panda | Is not a niche blog; it is a viral content machine with global reach. The site publishes emotionally engaging, curiosity-driven stories that consistently rank and attract links at scale, making it one of the most powerful mainstream publishers for visibility-driven SEO.
From a metrics perspective, the site is elite. A DR 84, 65,343 referring domains, and 189,146 ranking keywords reflect long-term dominance rather than trend-chasing. Its 2.1M+ organic traffic puts it in a different league entirely, offering exposure few publishers can match.
A backlink from Bored Panda is impactful because it is earned within content that search engines already trust and users actively engage with. For brands prioritising authority, reach, and brand signals alongside SEO value, links from Bored Panda deliver outsized returns.
The Muse | Is a leading career and workplace platform offering job listings, employer branding, and extensive editorial content on careers, leadership, and professional growth. It is widely trusted by job seekers and employers alike.
The site's metrics place it firmly in top tier media. A DR of 85, nearly 35,000 referring domains, and 57,000+ ranking keywords support 535,000+ monthly organic visitors. This reflects long term editorial authority and strong brand recognition.
Links from The Muse are extremely valuable due to trust, audience relevance, and editorial context. For brands in HR, recruitment, education, SaaS, or workplace services, backlinks here act as strong credibility and authority signals.
GoBankingRates | Is a major U.S.-based personal finance publisher covering banking, savings, investing, credit cards, retirement, and consumer money habits. It produces data-driven, evergreen content designed to help readers make practical financial decisions.
The site's strength is undeniable. A DR of 82, nearly 30,000 referring domains, and over 100,000 ranking keywords support 166,000+ monthly organic visitors. This combination places GoBankingRates firmly in top-tier finance media territory.
Links from GoBankingRates are powerful because they come from deeply trusted financial content that ranks and attracts secondary links naturally. For brands in finance, fintech, insurance, investing, or consumer services, backlinks here reinforce authority, trust, and topical relevance in one of the most competitive SEO verticals.
FinanceBuzz | Is a consumer focused finance publisher covering credit cards, budgeting, banking, side income, and everyday money decisions. Its content is designed to be practical, accessible, and evergreen, appealing to a broad U.S. audience.
The site holds a DR of 75, supported by nearly 12,000 referring domains and 43,000+ ranking keywords. With 73,000+ monthly organic visitors, FinanceBuzz demonstrates stable visibility in a competitive financial landscape.
Links from FinanceBuzz are valuable because they appear in trusted consumer finance content that search engines already understand and reward. For brands in fintech, consumer finance, credit, savings, or financial services, backlinks here reinforce trust, relevance, and authority without the volatility often associated with lower quality finance sites.
AZ Big Media | Is a respected regional authority that punches well above its geographic weight. Covering Arizona's business ecosystem, it publishes in-depth articles on leadership, innovation, real estate, finance, and growth sectors, positioning itself as a go-to resource for professionals and executives.
From an SEO standpoint, the numbers back this up. A 77 Domain Rating, over 15,300 referring domains, and 12,355 ranking keywords indicate long-term authority rather than short-term optimisation. Its 15,000+ organic traffic is steady and commercially relevant, driven by evergreen content rather than fleeting trends.
Links from AZ Big Media are powerful because they come from a genuine publisher with editorial standards, not a content farm. Search engines value this distinction. For brands seeking authority reinforcement, trust signals, and safe long-term link equity, AZ Big Media offers exactly the kind of high-quality editorial environment that strengthens rankings rather than risking them.
TechBullion | Is a technology and business media outlet covering startups, fintech, blockchain, AI, and emerging tech trends. It operates as a high volume digital publisher with global reach across innovation focused audiences.
With a DR of 80, over 33,000 referring domains, and 13,000+ ranking keywords, TechBullion demonstrates strong domain authority supported by 25,000+ monthly organic visitors. Its strength lies in consistent coverage of fast moving tech sectors.
Links from TechBullion are valuable for visibility and authority within tech driven niches. For brands in fintech, SaaS, crypto, AI, or startups, backlinks here provide credible exposure and topical relevance at scale.
Featured | Is an expert-sourcing and thought-leadership platform that connects journalists with verified professionals across business, marketing, finance, health, and technology. It operates as a modern replacement for legacy PR query platforms, with a strong emphasis on expert credibility and clean editorial attribution.
With a DR of 73, 3,800+ referring domains, and 4,400+ ranking keywords, Featured has built solid authority in a relatively short time. Its 6,500+ monthly organic visitors are highly relevant, consisting largely of publishers, founders, and subject-matter experts.
Links from Featured are valuable because they are earned through genuine expert commentary and appear in editorial-style content. Search engines treat these links as trust signals rather than placements. For brands focused on authority, expertise, and long-term credibility, Featured delivers clean, defensible link equity.
College Recruiter | Serves a clear and valuable purpose: helping students and graduates find legitimate entry-level opportunities. The platform focuses on quality listings and career guidance rather than mass-market job spam, giving it credibility within the recruitment and education space.
Its DR 68 reflects solid authority for a niche publisher, supported by 2,900 referring domains and over 1,300 organic keywords. While traffic is modest at around 1,400 monthly visitors, it is highly targeted, consisting of job seekers, educators, and employers.
From a link-building perspective, College Recruiter offers contextual relevance. Links placed here strengthen topical signals for careers, HR, education, and workforce development. For SEO campaigns where relevance and trust matter more than raw scale, this site delivers clean, defensible link equity.
PR On The Go | Is a compact PR focused publication covering media relations, pitching strategy, and public relations tactics. It targets communications professionals and small teams looking for practical guidance rather than theory.
The site has a DR of 37, with 430+ referring domains and modest organic traffic. Its strength is not scale, but niche relevance within the PR and earned media space.
Links from PR On The Go are best used as relevance signals. They sit naturally alongside PR, communications, and outreach topics, supporting topical authority rather than delivering major traffic or ranking shifts. For campaigns focused on earned media, journalism, or PR tooling, this type of link adds contextual legitimacy when used selectively.
Lightkey | Is a productivity and AI writing platform designed to assist professionals with faster, smarter content creation. Alongside its product offering, the site publishes supporting content around writing efficiency, technology, and workplace productivity.
The site holds a DR of 56, supported by nearly 700 referring domains. Organic traffic is modest, but keyword coverage is tightly aligned with its core use cases. This points to focused authority rather than broad editorial reach.
Links from Lightkey are most valuable for relevance driven SEO. For brands in SaaS, AI tooling, productivity software, or workplace technology, backlinks here support contextual trust and topical alignment rather than raw ranking power.
Lead Grow Develop | Is a niche personal development and leadership publication focused on growth, mindset, management, and professional improvement. It publishes reflective, advice driven content aimed at entrepreneurs, managers, and career focused readers.
With a DR of 49 and 2,100+ referring domains, the site's authority is driven more by editorial consistency than traffic volume. Organic traffic is low, but the backlink profile suggests long term trust within the leadership and self development space.
Links from Lead Grow Develop work best as contextual authority reinforcers. They fit naturally within leadership, coaching, and professional growth narratives. For brands aligned with education, career development, or thought leadership, links here add topical depth rather than raw ranking power.
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By Bretto
Founder of Haro Helpers. An ex traveller, current CEO and future retiree.