Muck Rack
Digital PRMedia database and PR outreach platform for link building
Overview
Muck Rack positions itself as the definitive platform for media relations and journalist outreach, serving PR professionals and SEO teams running digital PR campaigns. Founded in 2009, the platform has built the largest verified database of journalists and media contacts, making it a go-to tool for securing high-quality editorial links and brand coverage.
The platform combines a comprehensive journalist database with monitoring and outreach tools designed specifically for media relations. Unlike broader link building tools like BuzzStream or Pitchbox, Muck Rack focuses exclusively on the media landscape, providing detailed journalist profiles, beat coverage, and recent article history that helps SEO teams craft targeted pitches for editorial link opportunities.
Muck Rack's strength lies in its focus on legitimate media relationships rather than guest posting or other link building tactics that may carry more risk in the current SEO space. The platform tracks over 1 million journalists across traditional media, digital publications, podcasts, and influential blogs, with verified contact information and detailed coverage histories.
Key features
Journalist Database
Access to 1+ million verified journalist profiles with contact details, recent coverage, and beat specializations for targeted outreach.
Media Monitoring
Real-time tracking of brand mentions and industry coverage across news sites, blogs, podcasts, and social media platforms.
Email Outreach Tools
Built-in email templates and tracking for pitch campaigns with open rates, response tracking, and follow-up automation.
Media Lists
Create and manage custom journalist lists by beat, publication, geography, or other criteria for targeted PR campaigns.
Coverage Reports
Automated reporting on earned media coverage with reach metrics, sentiment analysis, and coverage value calculations.
CRM Integration
Connect with popular CRM and marketing platforms to sync contacts and track PR campaign performance alongside other metrics.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | Custom | Journalist database, basic monitoring, email outreach |
| Professional | Custom | Advanced search, media lists, reporting, CRM integration |
| Enterprise | Custom | Team collaboration, custom dashboards, API access, dedicated support |
FAQ
How accurate is Muck Rack's journalist contact information?
Muck Rack maintains accuracy through regular verification and journalists updating their own profiles. Contact information is generally reliable, though some freelancers may have outdated details.
Can Muck Rack help with HARO alternative outreach?
Yes, Muck Rack's journalist database allows direct outreach to reporters covering specific beats, providing an alternative to HARO's query-based approach with more targeted pitching opportunities.
Does Muck Rack integrate with other PR and SEO tools?
Muck Rack offers integrations with major CRMs, email platforms, and social media tools. It doesn't directly integrate with SEO platforms but can export data for use in other tools.
What's the difference between Muck Rack and BuzzStream for link building?
Muck Rack focuses specifically on journalist outreach and media relations, while BuzzStream is broader link building software that includes blogger and website owner outreach beyond just media contacts.
How much does Muck Rack cost for small agencies?
Muck Rack uses custom pricing that typically starts around $300-500 per month for basic plans, making it more expensive than HARO but offering more comprehensive features for serious PR efforts.
Review Sentiment
413 reviews across 2 sources
Bottom line
Muck Rack earns its 4.6/5 with comprehensive journalist database, making it a strong pick for PR and outreach teams. The main consideration: custom enterprise pricing puts it out of reach for freelancers.
People love
- +Comprehensive journalist database with verified contact information for digital PR outreach
- +Media monitoring tracks brand mentions and competitor coverage in real-time
- +Pitch tracking shows when journalists open your emails and click links
Common complaints
- –Custom enterprise pricing puts it out of reach for freelancers and small agencies
- –Database quality varies by industry — some niches have thin journalist coverage
- –No built-in email sequence automation — requires manual follow-up management
Last updated Feb 2026