Selected answers from the Dumb SEO Questions Facebook & G+ community.
Steven Ciccantelli: What is pinging why should we ping and how often should we do this?
Mark Gilvey: I think you are referring to a blog software feature that asks you if you want to allow ping backs, is that correct. I'd like to know this to if that is what you are referring to.
Steven Ciccantelli: +Mark Gilvey the tool Google ping.Thought I could use that to ping my website but was just curious what it was or did.
Dave Elliott: Not aware of a google one but pinging is used as a test to see if a website is up and running. There are a few services around such as pingdom that will email or text you when your site goes down. And yes it can affect your SEO....or it could be the blog thing.
Steven Ciccantelli: +Dave Elliott thanks as always.I believe I saw something about a Google ping tool but I could be mistaken. Can over pinging hurt?
Dave Elliott: Just had a look. Its a new type of ping! Looks like google had a beta tool 5 years ago to ask people to submit their blogs. Seems a few other services are still using the name. It's a get indexed by google more quickly type thing. If you are indexed, it won't help. If you aren't there are probably better ways than using one of these. I'd file it under "rain makers" and forget about it.
Martino Mosna: Essentially, pinging Google is useful for quick indexing. It's very good for all that "query deserves freshness" thing, less fundamental but still useful for the other queries
Steven Ciccantelli: +Martino Mosna I am indexed just trying to keep current and ahead of the competition.Thank you seems it will not help me at all.