lightningblitz
Elite Member
- Nov 30, 2014
- 1,920
- 4,714
Short answer, yes. You can use Web 2.0s as a form of PBN. This question is tossed around a lot. You can use any Parasite or Web 2.0 as either a network for referring domains / ranking or even for a money site. Some details are different. So let's go over them!
1. Are Web 2.0s weaker than a PBN?
You betcha. But the reason why is the interesting one. The simple answer is the Web 2.0 has a weaker back link profile. But why? If you scrape the Web 2.0s by the same metrics as the PBN domains, why would one be weaker?
That is because some metrics are built into 3rd party properties. Take Page and Domain authority. A Web 2.0 will automatically have a high domain authority and page authority. For example, a brand new Tumblr has PA 27 without any link building. A domain takes hundreds of links to get to that PA score normally or a few very strong links.
You can have two identical properties in terms of metrics. The PBN domain will always be stronger because it has better back links.
You can test his if you want. A Web 2.0 will gain PA rapidly with crummy links. The metrics on a Web 2.0 spike faster and easier than a normal domain.
How do you get around this? First of all, the bar for 'good' when it comes to a Web 2.0 is MUCH higher. PA should be 35+ for tumblr. That is the same as a domain having PA 8. That is because the auto PA of 27 is subtracted from the 35. Sure, the math is not exact, but it is a good place to start. If you want a good Web 2.0 network like you would want a good PBN domain, you would want metrics like PA 42 + when working with Tumblr, because the actual PA in terms of power would be 15.
This is getting complicated for no reason. A Web 2.0 will need far higher metrics to be good.
2. How do I keep my network safe?
You can't. Unlike a real PBN, you cant block all crawlers. You competition will find your Web 2.0s. Most likely they will be reported to the Web 2.0 owners and you could be reviewed. It sucks, I know.
This means you need to cover your footprints better. You need to make each property completely unique. Each property needs to use a different email, different IP, and you need to customize the Web 2.0 as much as possible. You need to vary anchor text used on each property and also ensure each piece of content on the same Web 2.0 platform is unique.
You also need to randomize posting dates to avoid a footprint.
Basically, with a Web 2.0 network you need to cover different footprints to ensure the Web 2.0 provider will not remove your Web 2.0s and ban them. It is not exactly harder, but it is different and is more manual work.
3. Do Web 2.0s rank as well as a PBN?
No. On top of point one, this comes down to referring domains. Having ten links from the same Web 2.0 platform is not as powerful as ten links from ten different domains. It is the difference between a site wide link on a real domain and ten strong links on different domains. The ten links are better.
This is piggybacking off of number one. But I need to hammer this point home. While a Web 2.0 can be as strong as a PBN domain, the metric on the Web 2.0 needs to be much higher to have the same power.
As someone who has scraped his share of expired Web 2.0s and has an expansive aged Web 2.0 network, I will assure you having a Web 2.0 that strong and aged is rare. Normally it will get found or taken down before then.
4. How do I manage a Web 2.0 Network?
Just like a PBN network. The only difference is you should keep track of the IP address you sign into the Web 2.0 with. It is a pain, I know. But we have no idea if the Web 2.0 hosts keep track of log in IP addresses. I know from my experience with forums, some forums do track user IP sign ins. So I have a feeling a Web 2.0 could if they wanted to.
This is an anal addition, but it is worth it.
You can either use my method of excel sheets to keep track of all of your IPs, user names, passwords, and registration emails or you can use one of the automated Web 2.0 management systems like Rank XYZ or FCS Networker. I prefer cloud based API or or to do it manually, so I tend to keep massive excel sheets.
5. Do not forget about the emails!
This is a tip most people forget with Web 2.0s and PBN domains. You need to keep track of your email accounts used and check them. Why check them? sometimes you can get an email due to inactivity from a Web 2.0 provider. You will get spam warnings. You will get notices from PBN hosts and domain registrars with PBN domains as well.
The worst possible outcome with a Web 2.0 network is your Web 2.0s get suspended due to a lack of activity. When I first started I did not record or check my Web 2.0s, and about 10% have gone down due to no activity and the files are purged and my accounts locked.
For my more recent additions I have received email warnings about a lack of activity. This should be enough of a warning to check them often.
6. Can I use other Parasites for this network?
Absolutely. Although my shares focus around blogs you can use as Web 2.0s for a network, you do have other options for a free network. You can get authorship on Wikipedia and add your link. You can get a Guest Posting account on a site like icnn.reports - a subdomain of CNN. These are good additions to a free network. As are Edu Blog Web 2.0s.
you treat these like any Web 2.0 property. They can be taken down at any time and you have less control. You can't spam and you need to pay more attention to detail.
Mostly these will be fresh accounts. Sites like Wordpress have a built in Web 2.0 301 redirect url shortener. those are great to add link juice to your web 2.0s. You can find other Web 2.0 properties with a built in 301 redirect url shortener such as Change.org which will allow you to post an article and use a built in shortener for sharing. These properties have a lot more utility and built in options other accounts do not.
7. How big should my network be?
Unlike a PBN, where you can start with one site and see a ranking improvement. Web 2.0s normally require more links. Unless you plan on making ten or so Web 2.0s, do not waste your time.
If you make brand new Web 2.0 accounts you also need to add link juice and filler content. It is the same as starting a PBN with a brand new domain. it is mostly worthless unless you pump it up.
I personally say start at 100 Web 2.0s. That way you can rank a couple KWs and learn the ropes.
You also want to ensure you use a variety of Web 2.0s. Wordpress, Blogger, Change.org, Webnode, Weebly, Overblog, Jimbo, Web, etc. I can rattle off good Web 2.0s or Parasites you can add to your network all day. A few of each is always going to be better than a lot of one.
Think Smart - Work Hard
I keep beating a dead horse, but you need to think long term here. Any network is about thinking ahead, making properties that last and enjoying the rankings. I treat a Web 2.0 network not like a poor mans PBN, but a unique and powerful ranking tool all of its own utility.
You should think the same way. Start building your network today to enjoy long term rankings.
1. Are Web 2.0s weaker than a PBN?
You betcha. But the reason why is the interesting one. The simple answer is the Web 2.0 has a weaker back link profile. But why? If you scrape the Web 2.0s by the same metrics as the PBN domains, why would one be weaker?
That is because some metrics are built into 3rd party properties. Take Page and Domain authority. A Web 2.0 will automatically have a high domain authority and page authority. For example, a brand new Tumblr has PA 27 without any link building. A domain takes hundreds of links to get to that PA score normally or a few very strong links.
You can have two identical properties in terms of metrics. The PBN domain will always be stronger because it has better back links.
You can test his if you want. A Web 2.0 will gain PA rapidly with crummy links. The metrics on a Web 2.0 spike faster and easier than a normal domain.
How do you get around this? First of all, the bar for 'good' when it comes to a Web 2.0 is MUCH higher. PA should be 35+ for tumblr. That is the same as a domain having PA 8. That is because the auto PA of 27 is subtracted from the 35. Sure, the math is not exact, but it is a good place to start. If you want a good Web 2.0 network like you would want a good PBN domain, you would want metrics like PA 42 + when working with Tumblr, because the actual PA in terms of power would be 15.
This is getting complicated for no reason. A Web 2.0 will need far higher metrics to be good.
2. How do I keep my network safe?
You can't. Unlike a real PBN, you cant block all crawlers. You competition will find your Web 2.0s. Most likely they will be reported to the Web 2.0 owners and you could be reviewed. It sucks, I know.
This means you need to cover your footprints better. You need to make each property completely unique. Each property needs to use a different email, different IP, and you need to customize the Web 2.0 as much as possible. You need to vary anchor text used on each property and also ensure each piece of content on the same Web 2.0 platform is unique.
You also need to randomize posting dates to avoid a footprint.
Basically, with a Web 2.0 network you need to cover different footprints to ensure the Web 2.0 provider will not remove your Web 2.0s and ban them. It is not exactly harder, but it is different and is more manual work.
3. Do Web 2.0s rank as well as a PBN?
No. On top of point one, this comes down to referring domains. Having ten links from the same Web 2.0 platform is not as powerful as ten links from ten different domains. It is the difference between a site wide link on a real domain and ten strong links on different domains. The ten links are better.
This is piggybacking off of number one. But I need to hammer this point home. While a Web 2.0 can be as strong as a PBN domain, the metric on the Web 2.0 needs to be much higher to have the same power.
As someone who has scraped his share of expired Web 2.0s and has an expansive aged Web 2.0 network, I will assure you having a Web 2.0 that strong and aged is rare. Normally it will get found or taken down before then.
4. How do I manage a Web 2.0 Network?
Just like a PBN network. The only difference is you should keep track of the IP address you sign into the Web 2.0 with. It is a pain, I know. But we have no idea if the Web 2.0 hosts keep track of log in IP addresses. I know from my experience with forums, some forums do track user IP sign ins. So I have a feeling a Web 2.0 could if they wanted to.
This is an anal addition, but it is worth it.
You can either use my method of excel sheets to keep track of all of your IPs, user names, passwords, and registration emails or you can use one of the automated Web 2.0 management systems like Rank XYZ or FCS Networker. I prefer cloud based API or or to do it manually, so I tend to keep massive excel sheets.
5. Do not forget about the emails!
This is a tip most people forget with Web 2.0s and PBN domains. You need to keep track of your email accounts used and check them. Why check them? sometimes you can get an email due to inactivity from a Web 2.0 provider. You will get spam warnings. You will get notices from PBN hosts and domain registrars with PBN domains as well.
The worst possible outcome with a Web 2.0 network is your Web 2.0s get suspended due to a lack of activity. When I first started I did not record or check my Web 2.0s, and about 10% have gone down due to no activity and the files are purged and my accounts locked.
For my more recent additions I have received email warnings about a lack of activity. This should be enough of a warning to check them often.
6. Can I use other Parasites for this network?
Absolutely. Although my shares focus around blogs you can use as Web 2.0s for a network, you do have other options for a free network. You can get authorship on Wikipedia and add your link. You can get a Guest Posting account on a site like icnn.reports - a subdomain of CNN. These are good additions to a free network. As are Edu Blog Web 2.0s.
you treat these like any Web 2.0 property. They can be taken down at any time and you have less control. You can't spam and you need to pay more attention to detail.
Mostly these will be fresh accounts. Sites like Wordpress have a built in Web 2.0 301 redirect url shortener. those are great to add link juice to your web 2.0s. You can find other Web 2.0 properties with a built in 301 redirect url shortener such as Change.org which will allow you to post an article and use a built in shortener for sharing. These properties have a lot more utility and built in options other accounts do not.
7. How big should my network be?
Unlike a PBN, where you can start with one site and see a ranking improvement. Web 2.0s normally require more links. Unless you plan on making ten or so Web 2.0s, do not waste your time.
If you make brand new Web 2.0 accounts you also need to add link juice and filler content. It is the same as starting a PBN with a brand new domain. it is mostly worthless unless you pump it up.
I personally say start at 100 Web 2.0s. That way you can rank a couple KWs and learn the ropes.
You also want to ensure you use a variety of Web 2.0s. Wordpress, Blogger, Change.org, Webnode, Weebly, Overblog, Jimbo, Web, etc. I can rattle off good Web 2.0s or Parasites you can add to your network all day. A few of each is always going to be better than a lot of one.
Think Smart - Work Hard
I keep beating a dead horse, but you need to think long term here. Any network is about thinking ahead, making properties that last and enjoying the rankings. I treat a Web 2.0 network not like a poor mans PBN, but a unique and powerful ranking tool all of its own utility.
You should think the same way. Start building your network today to enjoy long term rankings.
