How many sites do you need in a PBN?

[anush]

For real? is there any blog/article covering that study that shows PBN links helped pages rank well?

Nobody talks about it openly. And why should they?? Would you, honestly??

The thing is majority of the sites rank because of PBN links. These BS of PBN bad and all are a fuss that has been created by so called SEO experts who have know idea on how in reality things are.

If you get into closed circles of the real webmasters then you will know the truth.

[soleseriouss]

For real? is there any blog/article covering that study that shows PBN links helped pages rank well?

Nobody talks about it openly. And why should they?? Would you, honestly??

The thing is majority of the sites rank because of PBN links. These BS of PBN bad and all are a fuss that has been created by so called SEO experts who have know idea on how in reality things are.

If you get into closed circles of the real webmasters then you will know the truth.

Oh okay! Thanks for this Anush

[arcadiavacations]

SO if somebody has 10 PBN sites. Can he post the same post with slight variation in different sites? if so then what are the chances of content duplicity?

[lootmeup]

SO if somebody has 10 PBN sites. Can he post the same post with slight variation in different sites? if so then what are the chances of content duplicity?

If you are being serious about PBN links. Then you must not consider the same type of content, let alone duplicate content.

[Neha Pande]

In a network, 3-5 sites should be adequate.

[anush]

In a network, 3-5 sites should be adequate.

Can have more than that. You just have to maintain them properly.

[sydneyelectrician]

If your On Page SEO is sound, how much domain authority your money site already has, and how competitive your niche is, how many links you need to rank will vary. A medium competition keyword should rank easily with 10 PBN links. Build these many sites at least.

[Alex Jones]

Therefore, you'll need about ten sites linking back to your website. By linking each site only once, your link-building strategy will appear more organic and minimize the risk of being penalized by Google. Ideally, ten PBN links are enough to help you rank for an average competition keyword.

[andrewtackson]

After reading the discussion, I have a question? Do Pbn links works in 2025? As no one talks about it openey but under the curtain they are using this tactic for sure!

[imransheikh]

How Many Sites Do You Need in a PBN (Private Blog Network)? ??
A PBN (Private Blog Network) is a network of websites that you own or control, which are used to build backlinks to your main website in order to improve its search engine rankings. The number of sites in a PBN can vary based on several factors, such as your goals, niche, budget, and the level of risk you're willing to take. However, there are some general guidelines to help you understand how many sites you might need in a PBN.

Factors That Influence the Number of Sites in a PBN
Quality vs. Quantity ?

It's more important to focus on quality rather than the sheer quantity of sites in your PBN. A well-maintained, high-quality PBN can have a few sites and still be effective.
Aim for websites with strong domain authority, relevant content, and a natural link profile. Google values high-quality backlinks over a large number of low-quality ones.
Your SEO Goals ?

If you want to rank for highly competitive keywords or industries, you may need a larger PBN to generate enough link equity. In these cases, you might need anywhere from 10-30 websites.
For smaller, less competitive niches, you could potentially rank well with a smaller PBN of around 5-10 websites.
Level of Risk ⚖️

Smaller PBNs (around 5-10 sites) tend to be safer, as it’s easier to manage and less likely to raise flags with search engines.
Larger PBNs (30+ sites) increase the risk of detection by Google, as they are harder to manage and more likely to show patterns of unnatural linking.
If you're willing to take more risks for larger gains, you may aim for a larger PBN, but be mindful of Google's penalties for link schemes and unnatural link-building practices.
Budget ?

The more sites you need in your PBN, the more expensive it becomes to purchase domains, host websites, and maintain the network.
You may want to start with a small, manageable PBN and expand as you see success and can afford additional sites.
Maintenance and Management ?

A small PBN is much easier to maintain and less time-consuming than a large one. As the number of sites grows, you'll need to spend more time on content creation, updating old sites, and ensuring all links appear natural and relevant.
Managing 10-20 sites is typically considered manageable for most webmasters, while anything beyond that requires a more dedicated approach.
How Many Sites Do You Need?
Small PBN: 5-10 sites

Ideal for smaller projects or less competitive keywords.
Easier to manage and maintain with minimal risk of detection.
Can still produce decent results if done correctly.
Medium PBN: 10-30 sites

A bit more aggressive and scalable.
Useful for moderately competitive keywords or industries.
Requires good management and ongoing investment.
Large PBN: 30+ sites

Best for very competitive niches or industries where you need a significant amount of link juice.
High risk of detection by Google if not maintained properly.
Requires substantial time, effort, and budget to maintain effectively.
Important Notes:
Diversification: Make sure that the websites in your PBN look natural and unrelated. Use different hosting providers, IP addresses, and content styles for each site to avoid patterns that might get flagged by Google.

Quality Content: Don’t just build a PBN for the sake of having many sites. Each site should have original, high-quality content to appear natural and valuable to search engines.

Avoid Over-Optimization: When linking from your PBN sites to your money site, use varied anchor text and make the links look natural, as overly optimized anchor text can trigger Google’s penalties.

Key Takeaways:
A PBN doesn’t require a massive number of sites to be effective; it’s about quality and relevance.
For small to moderate goals, a PBN of 5-10 sites can be sufficient.
For highly competitive niches, a PBN of 30+ sites may be needed, but this comes with higher risks.
Start small, focus on high-quality sites, and expand carefully as you build and manage the network.
Would you like to know more about how to build or manage a PBN effectively?