How to get featured in Semafor

How Semafor decides what to cover

Semafor, founded in 2022 by Ben Smith and Justin B. Smith, covers business and finance, technology, politics, media, and global news, with regional editions such as Africa and the Gulf. Its signature format, the Semaform, separates each story into the reported news, the reporter’s view, counterarguments, and outside perspectives. Much of the reporting is distributed through beat newsletters.

That format shapes what works. Semafor wants news that matters to global decision-makers, and it actively makes room for distinct, attributed views from people with standing on a topic.

How to pitch Semafor

Semafor’s About page lists a newsroom address for news and tips, which is the official route when you do not know the right reporter. When you do, read their recent newsletters and stories and pitch them directly. Keep it short: what happened, what is new, and why it matters beyond one company or one country.

Executives are most useful to Semafor as sources with a clear point of view. Reporters there tend to cover a small number of big themes in depth, so an executive who can speak credibly about one of those themes over time, rather than about a single announcement, is the stronger long-term relationship. Because the Semaform includes a “view from” or counterpoint element, a well-argued, attributable perspective on a story the reporter is already working on can be more valuable than a separate pitch.

Contributed articles and op-eds

We found no public op-ed or contributor submission process at Semafor. Outside voices appear mainly inside reported stories. Semafor also runs events, where executives may speak, but sponsorship of those events is a commercial relationship and not editorial coverage.

Frequently asked questions

Can you pay to be featured in Semafor?

Not in editorial coverage. Semafor sells advertising and partnerships, and its About page says commercial messages should be clearly identified as such.

Does Semafor accept guest posts?

We found no guest post or contributed article program.

Who should I pitch at Semafor?

The reporter who writes the relevant newsletter or beat, or the newsroom news and tips address on the About page.

A PR-led agency approaches Semafor by offering executives as credible, quotable views on global stories and by pitching news with clear international stakes. See how we handle media relations.