I have set up my Wordpress blog and now when I make an entry, what is the best way to inform the blog search engines of the presence of a new entry? Is that what is called pinging? And if so, does Wordpress has a default entry that pings? Thanks, Jon
Your WP blog has by default the pinging already setup. Look at OPTIONS / WRITING / Update service section in your admin console. There you should be able to edit / add new services as you wish. Normally the pinging is done by WP automatically about 15-20 after your last update (not sure about the exact timing). For more comprehensive coverage how to do this correctly you may have a look at Update Services. On top of that I think some of the services like Technorati (once you register) provide you with a link / site where you can ping your blog manually right aways.
pinging informs all updating sites like technorati that u have a new post and their visitors would come to see if they like the post. http://rpc.pingomatic.com http://www.blogpeople.net/servlet/weblogUpdates http://bulkfeeds.net/rpc http://ping.myblog.jp http://ping.bitacoras.com http://ping.bloggers.jp/rpc/ http://bblog.com/ping.php This covers pinging to all of them because pingomatic it self pings many others and if use pingomatic and all others then they may ban u for multiple pinging so use short list above to ping all.
You are right. Ping is the best way to update search engines, blog engines and your readers. Though I would suggest to generate links back to that particular article. Instead of using those auto pings. You won't need to invite them, they will follow you instead.