Another Backlink Platform Bites the dust. Ning no longer free

[Mike Anthony]

Thought I'd post this since people seem to be unaware that Ning (Used by some to build backlinks) - has decided to close the doors on all of its free social networks

Ning: No More Free Networks - PCWorld

IF your links are on a site that decides not to pay and migrate (and indications are thats a huge amount). Those links stand to be wiped out.

[duia]

There are many free sites that allow us to build backlinks easily and quickly.
Even if Ning has decided to close the doors on all of its free social networks, I don't think it will lead to some serious side effects to our online marketers, SEOers, bloggers, etc.
Just don't pay attention to this news. It is nothing.

[Tom Goodwin]

Originally Posted by Mike Anthony

Thought I'd post this since people seem to be unaware that Ning (Used by some to build backlinks) - has decided to close the doors on all of its free social networks

Ning: No More Free Networks - PCWorld

IF your links are on a site that decides not to pay and migrate (and indications are thats a huge amount). Those links stand to be wiped out.

Interesting. On a side note, who uses Ning for links?!?

[jasonmorgan]

Interesting. On a side note, who uses Ning for links?!?

I've used them from time to time. Ning sites could be tricky due to one having to lay low and keep under the radar else being caught but some of the Ning powered sites made decent backlinks.

BTW, the Interscope records sites (Lady GaGa, Snoop Dogg etc..) all went down the drain as well. At least I can't get links into them anymore. They were becoming a spammers paradise so I'm not surprised to see it happen.

Bottom line for me is I like diversity and I like sites that allow blogs and large chunks of text so losing both of those, despite the lack of IP diversity, kinda suck.

[Mike Anthony]

Originally Posted by Tom Goodwin

Interesting. On a side note, who uses Ning for links?!?

Tom If I didn't know that people used them for links as Jason has revealed to you I wouldn't have wasted the post space. I'm surprised you are in the dark that earlier packets did have Ning sites and people seem to have had some links from those times as well .

[Mike Anthony]

Originally Posted by jasonmorgan

BTW, the Interscope records sites (Lady GaGa, Snoop Dogg etc..) all went down the drain as well. At least I can't get links into them anymore. They were becoming a spammers paradise so I'm not surprised to see it happen.

Yep. Those sites didn't seem to care until it got really abusive. I was not aware of that though.

[Tom Goodwin]

Originally Posted by Mike Anthony

Tom If I didn't know that people used them for links as Jason has revealed to you I wouldn't have wasted the post space. I'm surprised you are in the dark that earlier packets did have Ning sites and people seem to have had some links from those times as well .

There was a tint of sarcasm in my post, sorry if that didn't come through.

Considering the lack of IP diversity, I just never considered it for any of my backlinking. Unless, of course, I could put it on complete autopilot, in which case of course I would be happy to get the links :-)

[Mike Anthony]

Originally Posted by Tom Goodwin

Considering the lack of IP diversity, I just never considered it for any of my backlinking.

Same here.

[Gary Becks]

So does this mean that Ning users will have to pay Ning for hosting now, or that they will have to host their Ning sites themselves? If the latter than this could actually be good.

[paulgl]

Ask yourself this, what if facebook, twitter, squidoo, etc.
all went to pay-only.

Would you pay?

If a service is valuable to you, you will pay.

If you let a service that you have no control over be a big
part of your presence, you have to be willing to either
start doing other things, or do what they want you to do,
even if that means paying.

Would you pay to be a member of the warrior forum?
Why not? I used it to the fullest, then decided I'd better pay
something.

Paying for something is not the end of the world. In fact, it
is the very thing we are trying to get people to do.

So, as far as ning, if it is a big, valuable part of your internet
presence, it should be worth paying.

paul

[Mike Anthony]

Originally Posted by paulgl

So, as far as ning, if it is a big, valuable part of your internet
presence, it should be worth paying.

paul

Not really the point. A good number of Ning's sites were non-profits, individuals who weren't looking to make money or who chose them because it was free. Many of them are jumping ship and if you have links there and its not your site its their call. Thats why its posted in the SEO section but I get your drift.

[Dimitris]

Interesting. On a side note, who uses Ning for links?!?

I found many good communities for leaving good backlinks and getting targeted traffic!!!

So does this mean that Ning users will have to pay Ning for hosting now, or that they will have to host their Ning sites themselves? If the latter than this could actually be good.

it depends from Ning to Ning, some Nings are about to accept and pay for, some are already asking for donation and on the and some will become pay-only...
paulgl, I like your explanation

personally, I have a few communities that I really like to visit, share my opinion and of course some links

[Groovystar]

I would never join a social network I had to pay for. Talk about a waste of money.

[Dimitris]

Originally Posted by Groovystar

I would never join a social network I had to pay for. Talk about a waste of money.

your answer talks about your interests...for example, I would always pay for forum that is related to my hobbies and have good community that provides me great informations...