Public and private blog networks both serve the same end goal: boosting traffic for money sites.  Both types come with risks and rewards, and both can be successful if constructed properly.  In general, however, private blog networks are far safer.  Ultimately, public networks are an inferior option for this reason, but can be useful for those who are willing to take the risk.

Defining Public and Private Blog Networks

Private blog networks consist of a series of websites, usually between ten and fifty (but sometimes much larger), which all post content about similar subjects.  Contextual links are added into these posts to link back to money sites, both funneling targeted traffic and building the site’s page rank within Google.  As long as the sites are not identified as part of a PBN, Google sees these backlinks as one individual legitimately referencing another website.  One person manages the network, owns each website, and reaps the benefits with their money site(s).

Public blog networks are similar.  The operation and basis is the same, except that more people are involved.  One entity manages the network and publishes blog posts with backlinks through blogs managed by other people.  This service is provided for owners of money sites for a fee.  In this situation, all three parties end up receiving money in some way.  Some private blog networks also sell backlinks, but this trend is dying.

Google versus Blog Networks

Selling links, filling the World Wide Web with poor content, and generally circumventing the order of natural selection on the internet are all activities frowned upon by Google.  These are not illegal, but since Google is the leading search engine with no close second, it basically dictates what can and cannot happen on the internet.

Public blog networks violate every single one of these rules.  Their entire purpose is to provide backlinks for a price, and to avoid Google’s detection the links are hidden in what appears to be genuine content.  Creating content can be costly, so articles and posts are often written by low-skill writers.  The only difference between public and private networks in this regard is that private networks may not always sell links.

How can you obtain links the right way without resorting to PBN networks?

To obtain links in a legitimate manner without resorting to PBN networks, it is advised to engage in ethical link building strategies. Some recommended methods include conducting outreach to relevant websites, establishing yourself as a reputable source in your industry, utilizing broken link building techniques, and implementing other aboveboard practices. Although it requires effort and time, relying on these strategies is considered the most effective way to secure safe and high-quality backlinks to your website.

Are all paid links sourced from private blog networks?

It is a common misconception that all paid links are sourced from private blog networks (PBNs). While it is true that paid links can come from PBNs, not every site that sells links or sponsored posts is part of a PBN. In the digital world, many bloggers openly engage in selling links or sponsored posts, but it is essential to recognize that not all paid links originate from PBNs. However, regardless of their source, it is crucial to note that paying for links typically goes against Google’s official guidelines. In essence, the origins of paid links vary, and not all are sourced from private blog networks.

What is the significance of anchor text in backlinking strategies?

Anchor text in backlinking strategies plays a crucial role in helping search engines understand the context of a web page. When a user clicks on a hyperlink, the anchor text is the visible, clickable part that directs them to another page. By incorporating relevant, descriptive anchor text within backlinks, website owners can potentially enhance their page’s ranking, as search engines like Google use this information to assess the content of the linked page.

In the realm of backlinks, having control over anchor text is seen as a valuable asset by many website owners. For example, Private Blog Networks (PBNs) offer the ability to select specific anchor text for backlinks, enabling site owners to include keyword-rich text that provides additional context to search engines. While organic backlinks from journalists or webmasters may use generic anchor text such as “Click here” or an article title, SEO professionals often prioritize keyword-rich anchor text to give Google a clearer understanding of the linked content’s relevance.

Overall, the significance of anchor text in backlinking strategies lies in its ability to influence how search engines interpret and rank web pages, making it a fundamental aspect of search engine optimization (SEO) efforts.

What happens if Google ignores the links from a PBN?

When Google chooses to disregard links originating from a Private Blog Network (PBN), the impact on website rankings is nullified. Google’s algorithm is designed to recognize and dismiss any backlinks that appear unnatural or violate its guidelines. Consequently, these ignored backlinks have no bearing on the search engine ranking positions, neither positively nor negatively. John Mueller, a prominent figure at Google, has attested to the fact that links deemed unnatural are simply disregarded by Google’s algorithms.

What are the consequences if your website is penalized or loses rankings due to PBNs?

When a website is penalized or loses rankings due to Private Blog Networks (PBNs), the consequences can be severe. Excessive use of manipulative link-building tactics can lead to penalties from search engines such as Google. If penalized, your website may face a manual action that could result in lower rankings or even complete removal from search results.

Google typically notifies website owners of such penalties through the ‘Manual Actions’ report in Google Search Console. Reversing a manual action involves identifying and addressing the issues causing the penalty, often by removing problematic links or submitting a disavow file. After rectifying the situation, website owners must file a reconsideration request for their site to be reevaluated by search engine algorithms.

Even if the reconsideration request is successful, there is no guarantee that the website will return to its previous ranking positions. To improve chances of recovering and regaining lost rankings, creating high-quality, relevant content is essential. This strategy not only aids in remedying penalties but also helps in attaining better search engine rankings organically in the long term.

How can you identify if a website has links from PBNs?

To identify if a website has links from Private Blog Networks (PBNs), you can utilize Semrush’s Backlink Analytics tool. First, navigate to the tool and input the website URL you want to investigate, then click on the ‘Analyze’ button. Next, proceed to the ‘Network Graph’ tab within the tool interface. Within this section, you will encounter a color-coded graph that visually represents the website’s backlink network. Specifically, pay attention to any red dots within the graph structure, as the presence of these indicates the use of PBNs, which is typically viewed as a violation of Google’s guidelines.

Pros and Cons

Avoiding detection by Google is the primary concern of a blog network.  Public blog networks run a greater risk of this as the managers of the network have limited control over the content on each blog.  If a network is exposed, every single blog and money site linked to it could potentially face repercussions.  Private blog networks are controlled exclusively by one party, so the chances of this happening are low to none.  Even further, if the private network only services money sites owned by the same person, there is no chance that the network will be exposed by poor management of other networks.

Despite the risks, finding a well-managed public network (or private network that is open for business) can be a fantastic resource.  For those looking to boost page ranks and gain traffic, building a private network consumes time and is a much larger investment.  For blog owners, this represents a method to gain some extra money for doing very little work.  And of course, network managers can build and maintain a blog network with lower risk of losing their investment.