Trackbacks were originally developed for the blogging softwareMoveable Type and implemented for the first time in 2002. In subsequent years, the method has been made available for other blogging software. Their function is best explained using an example. Essentially, trackbacks enable Blogger A to inform Blogger B whenever they’ve referenced one of B’s articles. To this end, Blogger A inserts a notice in the comments section of the original blog entry indicating that they’ve also produced some interesting content on the topic. As a part of this process, Blogger A also attaches their trackback URL, which can then be read under Blogger B’s entry. Generally, Blogger A will have also included a link to Blogger B’s weblog in the text he’s produced for his own blog. In order for a trackback to be placed, both parties have to support and activate the function.
Pingbacks are a newer, automated version of trackbacks, and they’re placed via blogging software whenever a blogger makes a reference to external content in one of their articles. The author of the original, linked content also automatically receives a generated notice of the link placed in the comments section. In order for this procedure to work, both blog systems need to support and allow pingbacks; some popular names that support this feature are SilverStripe, Drupal, and WordPress. What’s more, internal blog entries are also linked with pingbacks. These so-called ‘self-pings’ can be deactivated at any time if they’re no longer desired.