April 3, 2006
How to use Trackbacks to Promote Your Blog
What is a trackback?
A Trackback is like a remote comment.
It simply allows you to comment about another blog on your own blog and then the software lets the other blog know you’ve referenced it.
Why should you use trackbacks?
A trackback is good for both blogs. You want to use them and you want other people to use them.
The trackback allows you to continue a discussion from another blog on your own blog.
For instance, your friend might blog about her daughter’s favorite toy. You read her post and you decide to write a post on your own site about that same toy and how your daughter also likes it. You want to link to her post in your entry and then send a trackback to her post.
How do you use a trackback?
Using a trackback is actually pretty simple. After you’ve done it once, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.
See my video How To Use Trackbacks Tutorial on Google Video!
How to trackback can vary slightly depending on which blogging software you are using, but the main steps are the same.
Unfortunately, some free blogging software, such as Blogger, does not support trackbacks. If your blog doesn’t offer trackback functionality, you may be able to use the free commenting service HaloScan to add trackback support to your blog. You can read what Emily Robbins has to say about HaloScan on her blog.
I’m going to step you through this. Don’t worry if it sounds a bit complicated as I try to explain the process. It’s a bit like tying your shoelaces - it can be hard to explain the steps, but once you know how to do it, it’ll be second nature.
Step 1
Write your new post as you normally would and mention the blog entry you’re going to send a trackback to.
It is good etiquette to include a link to the other blog in your post. To do that, you want to link to the permalink url.
To get the permalink url, click on the permalink hyperlink at the bottom of the post you want to reference.
Then copy the url from the address field of your browser and paste it into your new blog entry. Include that url in a link as you normally would.
For example, you might say something like…
Step 2
Get the trackback url from the blog you want to reference.
Look at the bottom of this post, and you’ll see a hyperlink called “Trackback url”.
Right-click on that hyperlink and select “Copy Shortcut”.
(If you’re using FireFox, right-click and select “Copy Link Location”.)
The link url should be something like
http://www.5minutesformom.com/47/using-trackback/trackback/
On other blog platforms the url may be written out under a heading called “Trackback URL for this post” as shown below. In that situation, just select the url and copy it to your clipboard.
Step 3
Paste the trackback url into the field where you are writing your new entry.
The field should be labeled something like “Send trackbacks to” as shown in the two examples below.
In WordPress, it looks like…
Step 4
Publish your post as you normally would.
Voila! You’re done. You have just used a trackback.
You can now go to the site to which you sent the trackback, and look to see if your trackback is showing. Different sites may show this differently. On WordPress blogs like this one, it will show in the comments section as a trackback. See the sample below.
Make sure your blog can accept trackbacks.
Most blogging platforms allow trackbacks and I think most should have the default set to allow trackback pings. (Ping is just the term used when one blog notifies the other blog about the trackback.)
The images below show two examples of trackback settings. The checkbox on the right that says “Allow Pings” shows how WordPress controls trackbacks. Other blogging software may say something like “Allow Trackbacks” as in the image on the left.
See my video How To Use Trackbacks Tutorial on Google Video!
Let’s Summarize
Trackbacks are great and you definitely want to start using them to help promote your blog.
To use a trackback, write a post on your blog and use a permalink to link to someone else’s blog entry. Then copy that other entry’s trackback url into your post’s trackback field and publish your post.
Now you can write a post on your blog about how you love to trackback and encourage your readers to start using trackbacks.
Filed under Blogging, Computers and Internet, Education, Resources for Blogging by Susan
53 Comments on How to use Trackbacks to Promote Your Blog »
#1 - Peach @ 5:55 am
Thanks Susan! I feel like ya’ll did this one just for me. I’ll have to try it when I’ve got more time. I’m taking my oldest to art class this morning. I’ll check back later for a longer look.
#2 - Janice @ 9:19 am
Thanks Susan! Techie twin scores again!
I could never have explained it that well. Hope that helps you all to go out and start trackbacking. At the very least, make sure you have set your blog to accept trackbacks.
Since one of our main goals with this website is to highlight great blogs we find, we use trackbacks a lot. But often when I am out there in the blogosphere I find some blogs do not have them enabled. It is simple to make sure your blog can accept trackbacks - note Sue’s last point - and that will encourage people to link to your blog and bring you more exposure and traffic.
For those of you who didn’t know, Sue’s background is in software. (Boy did I score in the twin department.) As you can imagine, she is quite helpful to have around. If you have any questions or topics you would like her to discuss, let us know. She would be happy to help.
#3 - Susan @ 6:11 pm
I must add…
Unfortunately, I believe some of the free blogging software “Blogger” and “Blogspot” do not support trackback at this time.
There is a post on Emily Robbin’s blog about an
Add on for Trackbacks.
If your blog does not support trackbacks, you may want to check that article out.
If you are just starting a blog, definitely choose a blogging platform that supports trackbacks.
Susan
#4 - boomama @ 7:59 pm
I use HaloScan commenting, and JUST LAST NIGHT I was thinking, “What is this Trackback thing and why do I need it?” I’m going to sit down tomorrow and try it…thanks for the clear explanation!
#5 - Susan @ 9:51 pm
Hi boomama,
That is so funny about the timing…
Please let us know how it goes with the HaloScan trackbacks. I have not used that service at all, so I’m curious to hear about it.
I’m looking forward to seeing your trackback soon! You can write a post on your blog about using HaloScan for trackbacks and then trackback to this post.
Talk soon,
Susan
#6 - Chaotic Mom @ 2:03 am
THANK YOU so much for posting this in language I could understand. I tried figuring out how to do this a few days ago, just didn’t “get it”. I’m printing out your post for future reference now.
#7 - Duncan M @ 3:39 am
Thanks for explaining trackbacks, I use WordPress so it shouldn’t be a major issue setting things up. Here’s to happy tracking!
#8 - Jennifer @ 11:17 am
Thanks for writing this in an easy to understand way, now if only to get blogger to accept them with out doing 10 times the work
#9 - GiBee @ 11:49 am
You know… this whole twin business can be down right confussing!
I’m thinking to my self…. “GiBee — look how smart Janice got! Didn’t she tell you just the other day that she didn’t understand computers too well???”
And, then, I see Peach and Janice thanking Susan, and then I thought to myself … “Wait a sec — didn’t I just come to Janice’s Blog? Who’s Susan?”
Now, I’m wondering… “Susan… are you the one commenting on my blog that doesn’t have a blog that I can link back to???”
I’m so confused.
#10 - GiBee @ 11:53 am
GIRLS!!!
You are TOTALLY messing with my head!!!! I just read your (someone’s) Spring post, and love the child in the picture, but I’m not sure who exactly this child belongs to.
I guess if you’re identical twins, it doesn’t matter… identical DNA… except it would matter to the father, oh, dear…. Let’s hope you’re not identical twins so we can tell you two apart, ’cause right now, my head is swimming!
#11 - Janice @ 12:42 pm
Gibee you make me laugh!
Ok - to clarify - Susan and I run this blog together. I do most of the fun posts and Sue does the tech stuff. She will post on other topics as well as we go on, but she is very busy running all the tech and SEO aspects of our business. Her training is in computers - she used to be a software developer. (We also have two online stores - http://www.pedalcarsandretro.com and http://a-rocking-horse-to-love.com that we own along with our mom Joan. Joan works full time on the stores and Sue does as well. I wanted something more creative - so we started the blog so I could have some fun!!)
Sue hasn’t commented on your blog yet so that wasn’t her- if she does she would leave this as her blog.
As for the DNA thing - we agree. We pretty much share our kids, since we only have one each. Jackson agrees to - you can read about that in my post about him and Julia - “Real or Not”
Again sorry for the confusion. We pretty much function as a unit in life - so it was just natural to blog together.
And we are identical - so if you were with us in person, we might have some fun confusing you even more!
Talk soon,
Janice
PS for pictures of us with our kids, go to the meet us page
#12 - writingUp @ 4:39 pm
Demonstrating Trackbacks…
This is just a post to demonstrate trackbacks.
You can read about trackbacks on 5 Minutes for Mom.
…
#13 - BooMama @ 6:48 pm
Trackback Test…
I know y’all have seen the thing at the bottom of my posts that always says, “Trackback (0),” but I haven’t known what it was or how to use it, so I just ignored it. Well, last night I was reading Janice’s blog, and I was excited to see a post abo…
#14 - She Lives @ 5:10 pm
She Tracks it Back…
YESSssssssss……. At last! A totally simple, logical, step-by-step explaination of trackbacks and how/why we should use them, written by and for regular us regular blogging types. Thank you, Susan! You said it far better than I ever could. I’ll just…
#15 - eph2810 @ 9:02 pm
I use permalink all the time and people get ‘pings’ from my posts :smile:. At least I am doing something right :wink:.
#16 - Have you used Google Video yet? | 5 Minutes For Mom @ 12:25 am
[…] I just put up my first video. I made a quick demonstration of using trackbacks based on my earlier post and uploaded it to Google. […]
#17 - Don't Try This At Home @ 2:05 am
Using Trackbacks…
You know that little link at the bottom of most blog posts that says Trackbacks (0)? Yeah. I never really paid attention either. As I get more into blogging, though, I’m wondering why more people don’t use it. Essentially, it’s…
#18 - Margus Theson @ 10:25 pm
Hardcore ng party…
How to use Trackbacks ……
#19 - Kevin Aldrich @ 10:38 pm
Boob sucking photo…
How to use Trackbacks ……
#20 - Mariche Van Dyk @ 11:20 pm
Anime babes hentai high…
How to use Trackbacks ……
#21 - Nikolaj Holmboe @ 11:50 pm
Spring break daytona girl…
How to use Trackbacks ……
#22 - Sara Thoresen @ 12:42 am
Banged up bus…
How to use Trackbacks ……
#23 - Brand Helmut @ 12:44 am
Ass hole woman…
How to use Trackbacks ……
#24 - Peter Reogl @ 12:05 pm
Boyz two man…
How to use Trackbacks ……
#25 - Bettina Koeckler @ 2:09 am
Ass hairy smooth…
How to use Trackbacks ……
#26 - Lenore Bremberg @ 2:27 am
See butt cheek…
How to use Trackbacks ……
#27 - Annika Hjelmgren @ 2:46 am
Hair star style teen…
How to use Trackbacks ……
#28 - Marco Ammara @ 2:58 am
Wife swapping letter…
How to use Trackbacks ……
#29 - Ruediger Horstemke (?) @ 3:05 am
Ass spank…
How to use Trackbacks ……
#30 - Chantal Coppex @ 3:26 am
Suck 08…
How to use Trackbacks ……
#31 - Leung Wai Ket @ 11:21 pm
Fake naked pic of lindsay lohan…
How to use Trackbacks ……
#32 - compare allegra prices @ 11:27 pm
is norvasc on walmarts 4 dollar list?…
flonase bad breath side effect…
#33 - rivercrow @ 9:04 am
Extended conversations (Trackbacks and RSS)…
What forums have over blogs is the immediacy of conversation. There’s usually someone around on a well-populated board who’s willing to reply to whatever gets posted.
There comes a time when you want your own space. Either you make a long p…
#34 - Gay batman porn @ 8:12 am
Gay batman porn…
I’m agree with you, i think… Gay batman porn ……
#35 - Dr.Brown @ 9:39 pm
#36 - Jizz hut.com @ 2:20 am
Jizz hut.com…
I’m agree with you, i think… Jizz hut.com ……
#37 - Tonya com free harding nude @ 2:05 pm
Tonya com free harding nude…
I’m agree with you, i think… Tonya com free harding nude ……
#38 - Erotic massage kitchener canada ont @ 12:02 am
Erotic massage kitchener canada ont…
I’m agree with you, i think… Erotic massage kitchener canada ont ……
#39 - Poontang @ 2:43 am
Poontang…
I’m agree with you, i think… Poontang ……
#40 - Bbw schoolgirls @ 8:30 am
Bbw schoolgirls…
I’m agree with you, i think… Bbw schoolgirls ……
#41 - Kiss kiss holly valance @ 6:05 pm
Kiss kiss holly valance…
I’m agree with you, i think… Kiss kiss holly valance ……
#42 - Uk nudism @ 6:07 pm
Uk nudism…
I’m agree with you, i think… Uk nudism ……
#43 - Bloodhound gang lyric mammal @ 6:11 am
Bloodhound gang lyric mammal…
I’m agree with you, i think… Bloodhound gang lyric mammal ……
#44 - Wet t shit @ 11:29 pm
Wet t shit…
shit Wet t shit ……
#45 - [BLOCKED BY STBV] Basically Geeky @ 9:40 pm
Using Trackbacks…
I’ve often been told that using trackbacks is a good thing. This is because not only does the blog you’re linking to get a link from you, but because in their comments, usually a trackback is shown, allowing the site that’s generate…
#46 - The Pond @ 9:45 pm
Learning to Send Trackbacks…
I’ve been going over the post at 5 Minutes for Mom in order to learn how to use the trackbacks feature. This is my practice post. I wrote my post and obtained the link to 5 Minutes for Mom from the permalink at the bottom of 5 Min’s post. I…
#47 - WebExDesign.com/blog » Blog Archive » How to Use Trackbacks to Promote your Blog @ 3:21 pm
[…] was about to write a how-to post on trackbacks when I remembered that Susan of 5MinutesforMom.com had written a great post a while back. What is a trackback? A Trackback is like a remote […]
#48 - The Homeschool Blog Awards » Better Blogging: Increasing Your Blog Traffic @ 9:57 am
[…] trackbacks. If you don’t know what a trackback is, or why you should use them, Susan from fiveminutesformom.com has written a great tutorial on the subject. There is also another great tutorial at […]
#49 - Welcome To BestJoanne.Info » Blog Archive » » How To Use Trackbacks To Promote Your Blog @ 7:24 pm
[…] blog written for Mums that describes how to use trackbacks to promote your blog.The blog is called “5 Minutes For Mum.”and it is a good way to promote your blog to others.The only drawback though,is it might encourage […]
#50 - Use TrackBack links by CIAO9to5 @ 7:55 pm
[…] Using trackback links […]
#51 - How To Use Trackbacks, I Finally Know :) « Musings on Life and Everything Tech @ 6:05 pm
[…] them here. (was the best resource I could find […]
#52 - Tackbacks | WORKED the comic! @ 11:33 pm
[…] very good explanation can be found at http://www.5minutesformom.com […]
#53 - How To Use Trackbacks | Welcome to SimpleDynamicLiving.com @ 4:34 am
[…] Earlier today, it was starting to annoy me - so I did a quick search and found this little gem: “How to use Trackbacks to Promote Your Blog” […]