In a nutshell, TrackBack was designed to provide a method of notification between websites: it is a method of person A saying to person B, “This is something you may be interested in.” To do that, person A sends a TrackBack ping to person B. TrackBack ping: a ping in this context means a small message sent from one webserver to another. A Beginner’s Guide to TrackBack is an introduction to TrackBack from a non-technical perspective. The goal is to illustrate how the system can be used to enhance cross-site conversations and build community. Also see How TrackBack Works.