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Marketing · head to head

Google Analytics vs HARO

Google Analytics logo

Google Analytics

Marketing

Get to know your customers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
HARO logo

HARO

News

Help A Reporter Out - connecting journalists with expert sources

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Google Analytics data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires; HARO hARO was rebranded and phased out by Cision in favor of Connectively (www.connectively.us) starting early 2024, per the vendor's own helpareporter.com notice (Internet Archive capture, 2023)
  • They diverge on capability: Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, HARO covers Daily journalist queries.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Google Analytics and HARO actually diverge.

Attributes where Google Analytics and HARO differ
AttributeGoogle AnalyticsHARO
PlatformsWebWeb, Email
CategoryMarketingNews
Founded19982008

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Google Analytics

  • Real-time analytics
  • Audience insights
  • Acquisition tracking
  • Behavior flow
  • Conversion tracking
  • Custom reports
  • Mobile analytics
  • E-commerce tracking

Only in HARO

  • Daily journalist queries
  • Source submissions
  • Query archives
  • Response tracking
  • Source directory
  • Email matching
  • Profile management
  • Email

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Google Analytics

  • Website and web application analyticsnot HARO
  • Event tracking and user behaviour analysisnot HARO
  • Traffic source and conversion trackingnot HARO

HARO

  • Finding expert sourcesnot Google Analytics
  • Press coveragenot Google Analytics
  • Expert positioningnot Google Analytics
  • Media relationsnot Google Analytics

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Google Analytics

  • Data retention limited to maximum 26 months on standard properties, with automatic deletion after retention period expires
  • Large and XL properties capped at 2-month data retention only
  • Age, gender, and interest data always expire after 2 months regardless of retention settings
  • Free tier does not include GA360 advanced features

HARO

  • HARO was rebranded and phased out by Cision in favor of Connectively (www.connectively.us) starting early 2024, per the vendor's own helpareporter.com notice (Internet Archive capture, 2023)

Pricing, plan by plan

Google Analytics

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Google Analytics review.

HARO

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Daily email alerts
    • Query submissions
    • Source directory
  • Pro$19.99/month
    • Advanced features
    • Priority support
    • Analytics

Which should you pick?

Choose Google Analytics if

  • You need real-time analytics.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You also want audience insights.
Google Analytics review

Choose HARO if

  • You need daily journalist queries.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Email.
  • You also want source submissions.
HARO review

Questions people ask

Is Google Analytics or HARO better?
Neither clearly leads. Google Analytics starts at Free and HARO at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Google Analytics or HARO?
Google Analytics starts at Free and HARO at Free.
Does Google Analytics or HARO run on more platforms?
Google Analytics runs on Web. HARO runs on Web, Email.
Can I use Google Analytics for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Google Analytics best used for?
Google Analytics is most often used for website and web application analytics, event tracking and user behaviour analysis, traffic source and conversion tracking. Of those, website and web application analytics and event tracking and user behaviour analysis are not what HARO is typically brought in for.
What can Google Analytics do that HARO cannot?
Google Analytics covers Real-time analytics, Audience insights, Acquisition tracking, Behavior flow. HARO covers Daily journalist queries, Source submissions, Query archives, Response tracking.
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