Have you heard about a private blog network (PBN)? We are sure you must have, but do you know exactly what is PBN and what its advantages and disadvantages are? If not, let’s deep-dive into this article and learn about this well-known technique together. PBN links are undoubtedly an important part of search engine algorithms that influence ranking, but does it meet the search engine guidelines? Come, let’s discover the truth.
What is PBN?
PBN is a technique used in search engine optimization to improve the SEO performance of websites. It is a network of websites that builds links with high-authority domains to rank the main website. PBNs are built in a way that links every domain to a main website. SEOs create PBN links by building new websites or buying old authoritative domains. However, using PBN to improve search engine ranking is against Google’s guidelines. Google and other search engines considered these networks as an attempt to boost rankings artificially.
PBN offers the opportunity to create a backlinks strategy exclusively owned and managed by a single entity or organization. Many people call PBNs the manipulation of search engines, while most use this technique in large numbers. However, it is essential to note that search engines frequently update their algorithms and penalize black hat techniques, and PBN includes one of them. However, besides PBN, there are many white hat techniques like outreach campaigns, guest posts, and so on to gain editorial links. Still, these techniques take time and Money and are sometimes unsuccessful, so people create links from PBN alone.
How do PBNs Work?
The first step in making a PBN is to acquire domains. These domains shouldn’t be random, but they should have high authority and relevancy. These domains are usually acquired through expired domains because you can transfer the existing link authority to your website, which has the potential to boost visibility and credibility. Once you have the domains, the next step is to add high-quality niche-related relevant content while linking to the main website through different strategies.
However, linking sites to one another is fine until and unless the links don’t make sense and do not include manipulation. Many website owners link to their websites through backlinks created to provide foundation and authorization to websites. Also, PBNs were initially only meant to link blog sites, but now they are used in internet marketing, news websites, community forums, and even article directories.
Advantages of Using PBNs
PBN is a sophisticated and debates tactic within search engine optimization to boost up the search engine ranking, but it has some real advantages such as:
- With PBN, you have complete control over the content, including links, SEO, and strategies.
- In some situations, PBN provides faster SEO results by quickly building backlinks.
- The benefit of linking your websites through PBN is its ability to target the anchor Text precisely and the specific placement of the link.
- People can easily create niche-specific backlinks that are relevant to their main website.
- High numbers of links are an indication that the pages are of high quality.
Disadvantages of Using PBNs
While PBN has many advantages, generating them can also lead to penalties and ranking drops. Here, we have discussed its main disadvantages, which no one can ignore.
- Websites caught practicing PBN tactics often lose their ranking in the SERPs.
- Google manually penalizes websites that are somehow a part of PBNs and vanishes them from top results.
- One of the main disadvantages of using PBN is it requires time, effort, and resources to set it up, manage it, and maintain it for an extended period.
- Also, buying high authority domains, hosting, and creating content for specifically PBN sites could be costly.
- If you see a ranking increase, Google can remove it immediately at any time whenever It discovers a PBN.
Long-Term PBNs Techniques
If you decide to use PBN, then you need to be more prepared for this and use different ways to guard yourself from penalties, such as:
- Avoid purchasing domains from just one register.
- Make sure you are using a different server for multiple domains.
- Connect each domain to the original site only after creating some pages.
- Only original links should point to other authoritative websites in the industry.
- Use different anchor Text combinations when linking an original website from an acquired domain.
- Moreover, people use many other strategies within PBN to improve its effectiveness.
Note: Modern search engines have intelligent algorithms to detect doubtful linking patterns. If a massive number of links point to a website that was not present, it will create suspicion in them. In these situations, the websites could be badly affected and fall in their search engine ranking.
Wrap Up
Above, we have discussed what PBN is, including its advantages and disadvantages. PBN may help provide SEO results, but it is also essential to be aware of the risks it has brought. Because it is not a good practice and Google considers it a violation of its policies, people should focus on creating more valuable content, building relationships with the industry’s key faces, and promoting content on social media platforms or through emails. Also, contact our SEO experts for further assistance in ranking your websites.
