Are fewer people blogging?
This is something I’ve noticed slowly over the last year or so, but I wasn’t sure if it was becuase I’ve changed or becuase the world of blogging has. As we become more accustomed to the quick fix of Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat, are we no longer inspired to read several hundred or thousands of words in a blog? When I started typing “Are blogs…” into Google, one of the top results was “dead.” There’s a A LOT of conversation around this on the internet, so I’d guess my hunch is true, although it doesn’t mean we should stop blogging.
I’ve always blogged because I love to write and I enjoy the experience of sharing with others. I’ve met countless friends through this blog and it has connected me to countless opportunities that I would not otherwise had. I won’t stop blogging becuase I truly enjoy it. However, as of late I’ve noticed that my desire to read other people’s blogs has gone down and I often forget to even log into BlogLovin’ for a week (if someone posts a link on social media I’m more likely to read!), particularly because many of my favorite bloggers stopped blogging and I haven’t picked up a lot of new favorite blogs to replace them. My daily stats have also decreased a bit, which is likely because I blog AND comment on blogs less often, but it could also be becuase fewer people are tuning in to blogs in general.
I’ve also noticed that people are writing a lot more on Instagram and Facebook these days and using it as almost a mini blog of its own. I’ve grown to know people at a more intimate level via simply reading the caption on their Instagram posts. People are digging deeper in social media now instead of simply posting a photo and saying “Great run!” They’re engaging their followers in conversations and connection with them.
Another reason I read fewer blogs is that I found a lot of bloggers were posting a lot of sponsored content, and I don’t really enjoy reading a blog if the majority of it is sponsored. An occasional post is fine, but constant marketing is not fun to read.
However, I still enjoy reading blogs because I love getting to know someone and following their story. I am rarely hooked on a blog after reading one or two posts. I need time to develop a relationship. So for those blogs that I’ve already created that relationship, I’m going to keep reading. But for those I haven’t, I just don’t have the spare time right now to develop it.
If you are reading this, you read blogs. What are your thoughts? Do you read fewer than you used to? Why do you like reading blogs? Do you think blogging is becoming less popular? Is blogging “so 2010”?!
P.S. Thanks for reading!
I still read! But I know what you mean – people are using IG and FB like a blog. I LOVE blogs for how you can refer back to them, send them to a friend, link to them, etc. They are more permanent 🙂 But, I’ve only ever blogged occasionally at best – it’s a lot of work! I agree that links posted on Facebook or IG are my main way of checking in on people’s blogs. 🙂
I don’t follow as many anymore because it seems like I have less time to develop that “relationship.” Also, when I had less knowledge about fitness, it was wonderful to seek out others but a lot of the blogs that I run across now are mainly for new runners. When one blog that I followed, suddenly stopped, I felt like it was a breakup. Lol. I mainly follow about 5 and you are one of them! I certainly love reading the marathon training posts and then I look forward to race day with them. It’s fun to think that you have people rooting for you that you probably don’t even know that they are rooting for you. I also enjoy the family element of blogs because then we get connected on more then a fitness level. My random thoughts at 4:11 AM.
Well said Holly!
Glad you still read Holly!!! 🙂
I do think blogs are slowly going away and micro blogs are taking their place. But I prefer blogs. I like the longer text, reading a story, not just a snapshot.
I read less & less blogs now, but it isn’t a conscious decision. I think I’m way more into Instagram and other social channels because to your point, there are daily stories there & intriguing photos! I personally use Instagram way more than I blog now. It’ll be interesting to see the shift over the years. A lot of people Vlog but I haven’t gotten into that.
I love blogging, and still try to write when I can. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to blog very often because of time and motherhood. Having a baby completely changed my world and ability to blog on a consistent basis. I tried and failed several times. I still read a handful of my favorite blogs (including yours), and write for my own blog on occasion, but I find myself commenting less on blogs because of time. I can take 5 minutes and read a blog, but it takes me a lot longer to comment or write my own post. When I find some downtown and am in the right mood, blogging is one of my favorite ways to decompress and relax. 🙂
As a run blogger, this caught my eye. All your points are valid (folks moving towards more visual social networks like Instagram and Snapchat.) I (like you) continue to write as it’s a passion of mine. I also post to Instagram, but simply don’t have the time to also get on the Snapchat wagon (I probably should,) but like many bloggers, I do it for fun (vs. monetary gain) and the rare comment “I really enjoyed your post” keeps me typing.
Those comments really do motivate me to keep going! Thanks for sharing Ty!
I still read blogs, and have been following the same bloggers for years. I am not on social media as often, and every time I try and get into Instagram or Facebook it just seems like so much work (and time I don’t have being a working mom of 2 young kiddos). I started my blog back in September, and am sad to hear that blogs might be on their way out. I find writing to be extremely therapeutic, and I love sharing healthy living tips! I also enjoy posting about my family so we will have somewhat of a “digital scrapbook” to look back on one day.
I do find that I am struggling to gain regular readers. And it seems that people don’t comment like they used to (so I’m not really connecting with my readers yet). It’s hard to post all the time and not get feedback from anyone (except my husband and mom :-). But I do it because I love it, and will continue to blog until it no longer brings me joy.
Totally agree on the “digital scrapbook!” I am going to print all of the “Dear Siena” posts for her but it’ll also be nice to have them digitally (assuming I back the blog up!). And I agree, blogging brings me joy so I”ll keep doing it.
I totally agree, I think they are dying. I love reading peoples blogs but I read them less than I used to. I also have my own (tiny) blog but I don’t post that consistently and don’t try to get followers. I will keep blogging because it has made some nice connections for me and I like that I have it to look back on, especially now that I have a little one.
I am completely in the same boat as Taryn (comment above) where I enjoy the journaling and digital memory part of blogging but have few comments or interested readers. I guess I needed to look at my purpose and I am not a Facebook, Instagram person who checks those social media accounts regularly through the day? It is just not my interest. Scrolling through my favourite blogs a couple times a week is more my thing. So do what makes you happy.
Unfortunately, I think blogs are dying. I rarely write on my mine. (not that I had a whole lot of followers anyway) but I can’t seem to give it up. Most of the ones I read the person has stopped posting. I don’t really like the popular blogs because there are ads everywhere and it is so annoying to try and read the actual content!! I try and find new ones but the ones I find they haven’t been written on in months/years.
I also don’t comment as much as I used to, I still like to read them, but I only ever started to comment because I had my own blog.
I think you are spot on regarding every thought you shared. I’ve noticed all of the things you mentioned. I too have had less time to read all the blogs I like and have started posting one post less per week due to all the other things on my plate. My traffic is lower this year as well lately and I’ve also found the world of monetization has lowered the quality and authenticity of many blogs. Since my blog is a passion I do on the side, I write simply because I love to connect with others about running, and like you have gotten so much out of it. I hope long form content is not dead, and I’ll keep chronicling my journey and connecting with those who care. Thanks for raising the discussion. xoxo