Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about joining the PlatPhorm News Network.
[?]General
What is the PlatPhorm News Network?[+]
The PlatPhorm News Network is a collection of 84+ creator-powered websites sharing infrastructure, SEO optimization, and audience. Each site gets a subdomain on platphormnews.com with automatic deployment, analytics, and cross-promotion across the network.
Is it really free?[+]
Yes, completely free. No ads, no premium tiers, no hidden costs. The network is funded by the creator community and designed to help everyone succeed together. We believe in open access and sustainable technology.
Do I need technical skills to join?[+]
No coding required! Our onboarding process handles everything automatically - from creating your GitHub repository to deploying on Vercel. You just fill out a form and your site goes live within minutes.
Who created PlatPhorm News?[+]
PlatPhorm News was created by Michael Barbine. Contact: michael@barbineworldwide.com, GitHub: @mbarbine, Twitter: @BigNerdLoLz. The community hub is at PH3AR.com.
[+]Onboarding
How do I get a subdomain?[+]
Visit onboard.platphormnews.com, enter your existing website URL, email, and preferred subdomain name. Our system validates availability, creates your site infrastructure, and deploys automatically. You'll receive a tracking link to monitor progress.
How long does onboarding take?[+]
Most sites go live within 2-5 minutes. The automated pipeline creates your GitHub repository, configures Vercel deployment, sets up DNS, and triggers the initial build. You'll see real-time progress on your tracking page.
Can I use my own domain?[+]
Currently, all sites receive a subdomain on platphormnews.com (e.g., yoursite.platphormnews.com). Custom domain support is on our roadmap. The subdomain provides immediate SEO benefits from network authority.
What if my preferred subdomain is taken?[+]
Our system suggests available alternatives when your first choice is unavailable. You can also try variations like adding a year (yoursite2026) or descriptive suffix (yoursite-news, yoursite-hub).
[/]Technical
What technology stack is used?[+]
Sites are built with Next.js 16, React 19, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS. Deployed on Vercel's edge network with DynamoDB for data persistence. We support the latest web standards including MCP (Model Context Protocol) for AI integration.
Can I customize my site?[+]
Absolutely! After onboarding, you get full access to your GitHub repository. Customize the design, add features, or completely rebuild - it's your code. Just push changes and Vercel deploys automatically.
What about SEO?[+]
Every site comes pre-configured with comprehensive SEO: sitemap.xml, robots.txt, JSON-LD structured data, OpenGraph tags, Twitter Cards, llms.txt for AI discovery, and RSS feeds. You also benefit from network backlinks and cross-promotion.
Is there an API?[+]
Yes! All sites have access to the network API at api.platphormnews.com. Your site receives an API key for authentication. Endpoints include content management, analytics, events, and more. Full documentation at docs.platphormnews.com.
What is MCP support?[+]
MCP (Model Context Protocol) allows AI assistants to interact with your site programmatically. The network MCP server at mcp.platphormnews.com exposes tools for content creation, data retrieval, and site management. Perfect for AI-powered workflows.
[*]Network
How many sites are in the network?[+]
Currently 84+ active sites spanning categories like gaming (GTA, Quake), technology (BioCyber, ThreatRelay), media (News, Radio, Blog), commerce (Shop, Finance), and productivity (Sheets, Calendar, Kanban). New sites join regularly.
How does cross-promotion work?[+]
Network sites share audience through internal links, featured content sections, and the network directory. When you publish content, it can appear across related sites, multiplying your reach. All done automatically based on content relevance.
Can I collaborate with other creators?[+]
Yes! The PH3AR community hub connects creators for collaboration. Share resources, cross-post content, or build features together. Join the Discord and participate in community events.
[$]Billing
Are there any paid features?[+]
No. Everything is free - hosting, deployment, analytics, API access, all of it. We're committed to keeping the network accessible to all creators regardless of budget.
How is this sustainable?[+]
The network runs on efficient, serverless infrastructure with minimal costs. Vercel's generous free tier covers most sites. Community contributions and Michael Barbine's ongoing support keep everything running.
Can I donate or contribute?[+]
Contributions are welcome! Coinbase: 0x30589F2e1B8E9a48BBb2c66Ac012FE7ED2A7eB85. You can also contribute code via GitHub (github.com/PlatPhormNews) or help other creators in the community.
Still have questions?
Can't find what you're looking for? Reach out to us directly.