Getting featured in the media isn’t just about writing a great pitch; it’s about sending it to the right person.
Whether you’re launching a product, building authority, or simply sharing an expert take, your message needs to land in the right inbox. That’s where media databases come in.
They’re more than just contact lists.
They’re your starting point for real press coverage.
The tools in this list help you search for journalists by topic, outlet or location. Some are perfect for solo founders and small teams.
Others are built for full-scale PR campaigns. Whatever your setup, these platforms make it easier to research, reach out, and get responses from the right people.
Let’s look at 11 solid media databases that can help you find the right journalist faster.
How to pitch a generalist in the best way
Not every journalist specializes in a single topic. A significant portion of journalists are generalists, covering a wide array of subjects.
According to Muck Rack, based on insights from over 2,200 journalists, offering a clear look at where journalism stands today and where it’s headed next.
Given their broad focus, generalist journalists receive a high volume of pitches. According to a 2022 survey, more than 50% of journalists receive over 50 pitches a week, with some receiving up to 100.
According to PR Daily, only about 3.15% of these pitches receive any form of response.
To stand out in this crowded field, consider the following strategies.
1. Highlight the broader impact
Generalists look for stories that resonate with a wide audience. Emphasize how your story connects to current trends or societal issues.
2. Be concise and clear
With the high volume of pitches they receive, brevity is key. Get to the point quickly, ensuring your main message is evident within the first few sentences.
3. Avoid technical jargon
Use straightforward language that readers from various backgrounds can easily understand.
4. Personalize your pitch
Reference recent articles they’ve written to show familiarity with their work and to establish relevance.
5. Provide ready-to-use content
Include quotes, statistics, or links that can be directly incorporated into their stories, making their job easier.
6. Maintain a professional tone
Be respectful and to the point. Avoid unnecessary flattery and focus on the value your story brings.
💡Quick tip: Generalists often appreciate stories with a human element. If your story includes personal experiences or challenges overcome, make sure to highlight these aspects.
Top 11 media databases to find journalists
Finding the right journalist to pitch your story can be a challenge, especially when you’re trying to reach the right person. This is where media databases step in.
These tools help you connect with journalists based on their specific interests, location, and the types of stories they cover.
Whether you’re looking for someone who specializes in tech, lifestyle, or even broader topics, media databases allow you to filter your search to ensure you’re reaching the right audience.
1. HARO
HARO (Help a Reporter Out), once a go-to platform for connecting journalists with expert sources, was officially acquired by Featured.
The move comes after HARO’s rebranding to Connectively in 2024 and its eventual retirement from Cision’s active product suite.
Why choose HARO:
- Legacy of trust: HARO built a name for itself by reliably connecting journalists with credible sources for over a year.
- Direct journalist access: It gave PR professionals daily opportunities to be featured in top publications, an approach that Featured has embraced and expanded.
- Efficient outreach: No need to build a contact list from scratch, just respond to queries that match your niche.
If you’ve used HARO in the past, you’ll be happy to know its core function, helping you get in front of journalists.
HARO pricing: HARO’s pricing isn’t publicly listed on its new platform
2. Featured
Featured remains a top choice for PR professionals looking to build meaningful connections with journalists.
It continues to offer a straightforward way for experts to respond to media requests.
Its large network of reporters and its daily alerts give you a constant stream of opportunities to get featured.
Why choose Featured:
- Daily media opportunities: Receive media queries directly to your inbox, ensuring you’re always aware of opportunities.
- Diverse range of industries: Journalists from various fields use the platform, offering diverse pitching opportunities.
- Easy and fast: The platform’s clean interface makes it easy to find and pitch relevant journalists, saving you time.
Whether you’re looking for a quick response or hoping to contribute your expert opinions to a variety of outlets, Featured makes sure you’re always in the loop.
Featured pricing:
Free: $0 (Forever free)
Lite: $19/month
Pro: $49/month
Business: $99/month
3. Journo
Journo offers an innovative way to connect with journalists and streamline your outreach efforts. Its vast database of over 70,000 media professionals makes it easy to pinpoint the right person to pitch.
It’s perfect for those who want to bypass the noise and reach out directly to the individuals who matter most.
Why choose Journo:
- Massive database: With thousands of journalists across different sectors, Journo helps you find exactly who you need.
- Advanced filters: Use search filters based on location, topic, or beat to ensure you pitch to the most relevant journalists.
- Efficient pitching: Save time with its streamlined system for pitching and managing your outreach.
Journo is a great option if you need quick, direct access to journalists and want to focus on quality connections.
Journo pricing:
Free: 0$
Plus: Rs. 330/billed annually
Pro: Rs. 495/billed annually
Unlimited: Rs. 750/billed annually
4. Qwoted
Qwoted provides a unique twist on media pitching. It’s designed for PR professionals who want to respond to specific media requests.
With its real-time features, journalists post queries, and you can immediately pitch your insights or expert opinions.
Why choose Qwoted:
- Instant response: Real-time media requests allow you to pitch immediately, ensuring your responses are timely and relevant.
- Wide network: Journalists across various industries post queries, giving you many pitching options.
- Focus on expert quotes: Qwoted is ideal for offering your expertise, making it a fantastic tool for thought leadership.
If you want to offer expert commentary in the fastest way possible, Qwoted is a must-have tool for your PR toolkit.
Qwoted pricing:
Pro plan: $99.00/month or $1,188.00 annually
Teams plan: Custom pricing
5. Prowly
Prowly isn’t just another media database; it’s an all-in-one PR platform.
Beyond finding journalists, it allows you to create, send, and track press releases, offering a full suite of tools for your outreach campaigns.
Why choose Prowly:
- Complete PR toolkit: Manage your entire PR process, from pitching to reporting, all in one platform.
- Easy journalist search: With a comprehensive database, you can easily find the journalists you need.
- Campaign management: Track your outreach efforts and monitor how your press releases perform.
For PR pros looking to do more than just pitch, Prowly provides the full package, ensuring your campaigns are effective and well-organized.
Prowly pricing:
Basic annual – $258/mo
Pro annual – $416/mo
Enterprise – Custom Pricing
6. Muckrack
Muckrack is a heavy hitter in the world of media databases, offering journalists’ contact details and detailed insights into their social media activity.
This makes it easier to pitch based on their interests, ensuring higher chances of success.
Why choose Muckrack:
- Deep search capabilities: Filter journalists by beat, social media presence, location, and more.
- In-depth insights: Access detailed reports and insights about journalists’ past work and social media activity.
- Effective monitoring: Track how your pitches are performing, ensuring you’re always improving your outreach strategy.
Muckrack is a great choice for anyone looking for a detailed, data-driven approach to media pitching.
Muckrack pricing: Officially not available . They provide custom plans.
7. Cision
Cision is an industry leader known for its massive database and comprehensive PR tools.
With over 1.6 million journalist contacts, it’s perfect for anyone looking to scale their media outreach and improve their PR efforts across multiple channels.
Why choose Cision:
- Vast database: Over 1.6 million journalists, influencers, and outlets to connect with.
- Integrated tools: Includes everything from press release distribution to media monitoring, making it a one-stop shop for PR.
- Detailed analytics: Measure the impact of your PR campaigns with built-in analytics tools.
Cision is a powerful resource if you’re looking for a complete platform to manage your PR campaigns, from finding the right journalists to measuring your outreach’s success.
Cision pricing: Officially not available on the website.
8. Responsesource
ResponseSource makes it easy to connect with journalists looking for expert sources.
With a database of over 8,000 journalists, it’s an excellent tool for PR professionals seeking quick responses and opportunities to contribute to media stories.
Why choose ResponseSource
- Direct access to journalists: Quickly find journalists posting queries and respond to them in real-time.
- Diverse industry coverage: A wide range of journalists across various industries, so you’re likely to find opportunities relevant to your niche.
- Effortless pitching: The platform allows for easy communication, helping you get your pitches noticed faster.
If you’re looking to engage with journalists and offer expert commentary on relevant topics, ResponseSource is a great tool to keep in your PR toolbox.
Responsesource pricing:
Pay as you go plan – From £85
10 release bundle plan – £675
20 release bundle plan– £1,050
9. Buzzsumo
BuzzSumo is renowned for its content research tools, but it also offers a media database that helps you connect with journalists who are writing about trending topics in your industry.
This makes it an invaluable resource for PR professionals who want to get their stories into the right hands.
Why choose BuzzSumo:
- Trending content insights: Find the latest trending topics and the journalists covering them, so your pitches are timely and relevant.
- Influencer search: Locate influencers and journalists who are already engaging with content in your industry.
- Content and media synergy: BuzzSumo blends content trends with media outreach, allowing you to pitch stories that fit with current trends.
BuzzSumo is perfect for those who want to stay ahead of the curve by connecting with journalists who are already discussing your industry’s hot topics.
Buzzsumo pricing:
Content creation – $199/mo
PR & comms – $299/mo
Suite (most popular) – $499/mo
Enterprise – $999/mo
10. Mediaddress
Mediaddress is a straightforward, no-frills media database that helps you find and connect with journalists quickly.
It’s designed to make media outreach as simple and efficient as possible.
Why choose Mediaddress:
- Simple and easy-to-use: A clean interface that makes searching for journalists quick and stress-free.
- Organized outreach: Keep track of your outreach efforts and follow up with journalists easily.
- Large database: Access to journalists across a wide range of industries.
For anyone looking for a straightforward media database that focuses on simplicity and ease of use, Mediaddress is a great option.
Pricing: Mediadress pricing isn’t publicly listed on its platform.
11. SERP Forge
SERP Forge understands that building media lists and crafting pitches can be time-consuming and not everyone’s cup of tea.
If you’re short on time or prefer to focus on other aspects of your business, we offer a practical solution to handle it for you.
Instead of managing everything yourself, our team takes care of the full media pitching process for you.
Whether you’re looking to earn press mentions, secure interviews, or build authority for your brand, we help you land real media coverage that matters.
Why SERP Forge will be a good fit:
- Hands-free pitching: The team handles outreach, follow-ups, and journalist engagement from start to finish.
- Targeted campaigns: Each campaign is targeted to your niche and media goals, so you’re not sending generic emails into the void.
- Strong focus on SaaS & tech: Especially helpful for SaaS brands and tech startups looking to get seen in the right publications.
- Backlink opportunities: Most placements come with high-quality backlinks from credible media sites, great for SEO and visibility.
SERP Forge pricing: Pricing for this service is custom-based on your needs.
If you’re looking for a done-for-you service that handles everything from journalist research to outreach, we might be exactly what you need to get real results without the manual grind.
Other smart ways to find journalists (outside of databases)
Media databases are great, but sometimes, free tools and platforms can uncover journalists who are actively looking for stories.
Here are two tried-and-true methods to boost your media outreach without spending extra.
1. Use Google News to find journalists quoting experts
Try searching: “according to” + your keyword on Google News.
This surfaces recent articles where journalists have cited expert commentary.
💡 Quick Tip: Once you find relevant articles, look for the byline or author section.
2. Search #JournoRequest + keyword on X (Formerly Twitter)
Journalists often post callouts for sources using the hashtag #JournoRequest.
Just search #JournoRequest + your topic on X to find real-time media opportunities.
💡 Pro Tip: Engage first by liking or commenting on the post before sending your pitch. It’s a subtle way to warm up your outreach.
Find the right database, pitch smarter, and get noticed
You can have the best story in the world, but it won’t matter if the right person never sees it.
The tools above help you do that faster and with more focus, whether you’re a solo founder or part of a growing team.
Once you’ve found the right journalist, how you pitch matters. Keep it simple, relevant, and real. Share a story that resonates, not just a product.
And if you’d rather not handle it all yourself, we offer a hands-free digital PR and pitching service. We take care of the research, outreach, and follow-ups, so you can stay focused on your business.
Contact us to get started.
