If You Think Blogging is Dead, You’re Not Paying Attention

Many people believe that blogging is dead and isn't an effective marketing channel. But reading blogs remains popular and is still an effective lead generation, brand awareness, and SEO tool. Approximately 60% of people continue to read blogs daily because they often offer unique perspectives on trending topics, new products, and services or provide an entertaining read.

A good blog post can act as a catalyst to encourage further research and discovery. If readers find your post interesting, they may search for similar topics. They may also explore your site further if you use internal links appropriately. This is an excellent way to drive further engagement and generate leads around your brand.

Furthermore, Google prioritizes recently published, updated, and relevant content, making blogging an ideal way to stay top of mind for your readers. Although blogs are ideal for your content marketing strategy, do people read blogs anymore?

If Blogging Isn't Dead, Is It Still Relevant?

The short answer is yes. Not only can blogs be a place to express yourself, but they are beneficial for sales. 60% of consumers have reported buying something after reading an associated blog post. Blogs are still widely appreciated and have an impressive presence, considering that 23% of social media posts contain at least one link to a companion blog.

A typical incentive for reading blogs is the quality of knowledge you'll find in them. As many have observed, blogs by doctors and scientists are proving to be a valuable source of uncensored information. This demonstrates how essential blog posts can be; if an author provides up-to-date facts, it will secure its relevance for readers online.

What Determines Blog Relevance?

Relevance is determined by a combination of factors, including frequency of posts, quality of content, and subject matter. The more often you can post relevant content, the more engaged your readers will be. Additionally, the better quality and higher value of your content, the more likely your readers will trust and share it.

Think about your favorite blogs. To deliver the most accurate information to their users, Google strives to rank the most relevant results. So if your content is irrelevant, it won't make its way up on those search engine rankings.

What is Content Relevance?

‘Relevance' describes the accuracy of website content regarding search queries. Text, photos/videos, and meta elements such as titles, descriptions, and alt tags boost relevance. In contrast with topical relevance, which focuses on links between websites, content relevance pertains more directly to the meaning behind the words.

Google search engines measure which websites meet your needs. So, relevance is a way of assigning importance.

Read more on how to create powerful content: Top 10 Content Types Heading into 2023

Does Your Blog Post Mention the Search Query?

Google has identified a fundamental sign of relevance as if a search query contains comparable keywords in your content. This is the simplest way to ensure your blog relates to a keyword.

For example, you're creating content about social media marketing techniques. If your blog contains the keyword social media marketing, you may include related phrases such as marketing on social media or digital marketing. This creates a web of associations that notifies Google that the blog content is related to the keywords.

Does Your Post Mention Related Search Terms?

Beyond mere keyword matching, Google also evaluates if other pertinent keywords exist on the page. If related keywords aren't mentioned, there's a good chance your post won't rank.

For example, say you have an article about green tea, and though you have the keyword green tea, you should also consider including seemingly similar words like matcha. This will increase the relevance and alert Google that the blog is pertinent to users.

Do Readers Find Your Blog Useful?

Finally, relevance is about providing value. If your post is filled with fast facts but lacks any substance, people will be less likely to read it. Does your post answer questions people have about your topic? Is it providing unique information?

It's important to remember that relevance is based on the content's accuracy and what people want to read. If not, then it doesn't matter how pertinent your keywords are; no one will be interested in reading them.

If Blogging is Dead, Why are all these Readers Showing up?

Blogging isn't dead and is very much alive for the foreseeable future. People still read blogs to discover something new, especially regarding trending topics. With careful keyword research and content relevance, your blog posts will gain reader trust around the world.

The Growth of Blogging

In the past few years, blogging has shown immense growth. This tremendous progress brought about substantial changes to writing standards that are now considered excellent content quality. In addition, most bloggers can access sophisticated SEO tools for understanding user behavior.

To achieve exceptional results, you must dedicate time to the task. Over the past five years, developing a post requires more than before.

Key metric: Blog post production has increased from 2:24 hours to 3:28 hours.

Blog posts have grown in length, too, over this same time — growing from 808 words to 1151 words per piece.

According to recent surveys, Semrush puts 3000+ words articles as able to generate the most organic traffic and should take approximately 4.5 hours to complete. So, is writing longer content the key?

Let's discuss the current trends to find the answers.

Current Blogging Trends

With the wealth of success stories, authors are more motivated to put earnest effort into their content and make a living from it. Therefore, we must note the latest trends when someone asks, “Are blogs dead?“

Mobile devices feature better resolutions for photos and videos, so websites are an ideal platform for people to connect. This has enabled blogging on these platforms; over 12 million bloggers use social platforms to build trust.

We previously noted that it's common for blog posts to be around 3000+ words. In addition, they devote more time to their blogs during work hours than evenings and weekends– a clear indication of how writers view blogging as an occupation.

The Future of Blogging?

The blogosphere is becoming increasingly saturated. More aspiring bloggers want a slice of the pie. Consequently, one must now invest more time and effort to remain relevant. For maximum impact, compose evergreen content – those articles that remain pertinent and of use long-term.

All the best bloggers revisit their older work on their WordPress site to refresh the details it contains. This type of constant updating earns recognition from other writers as beneficial to SEO and creating website traffic.

Blogging should center around narrative rather than trying to waste more effort trying to appease the preferences of search algorithms.

What are the types of Blogging?

To better understand the different types of blogs, we should break down the purpose of blogging. More importantly, one must also provide value to their readers, not just discuss their own products.

Personal Blogging

Penning a personal blog can keep the nostalgia of classic blogging alive, enabling you to express your inner musings and beliefs freely. Personal bloggers have the platform to make their voices heard. The most successful personal bloggers often spark conversations with their readers, encouraging them to comment and further engage.

Personal blogging is also often called amateur blogging, with amateur blogging being the gateway to business blogging or money blogging.

Business Blogging

Business blogs draw in visitors and sharpen public awareness of big companies while creating a larger platform for generating revenue. These websites center around the corporation and its industry sector, providing content that pushes sales and expands email subscriptions.

To keep readers captivated and loyal, business bloggers should focus on creating highly informative content with a touch of entertainment.

Niche Blogging

Niche blogs are a lucrative blogging area, allowing authors to hone in on a single topic and provide insight. Writing about fashion, food, travel, lifestyle, music, fitness, or DIY can be profitable.

These blogs are often the most successful, as they appeal to people interested in a particular topic. The key is to remain current with trends and critical issues.

Micro-blogging

Microblogging necessitates you deliver your message concisely. Again, think of platforms like Twitter: whether it be a picture, blog link, or text-based post, the main objective is to be brief yet effective. Microblogging gets messages directly to your target readers.

What Kind of Blogs Make Money?

Blogging tactics that worked before don't always work today. With Google Adsense, most bloggers have limited success. However, blog networks, affiliate marketing, and email marketing are good ways to make money. Additionally, you can use your blog to sell guest posts and backlinks.

The most successful bloggers are the ones who operate like entrepreneurs. They know their target audience, have a solid marketing strategy, and understand that there isn't a “one size fits all” approach.

3 Blogging Tactics that Don't Work Anymore

Organic traffic is how most consumers find your blog. But with so many other organizations, you must avoid common blogging errors.

Writing About Ideas That Only Interest You

Although you may write about trending topics, you don't necessarily have the same perspective as an intended reader. Crafting a good blog post is inspirational; ideas will come when you least expect them.

The point is to ensure that your thoughts aren't random but have an intended purpose. Content that doesn't offer value to readers is a huge mistake.

People read blogs to find answers, remedies, or solutions to their problems. They want to learn something new but not be put to sleep.

When creating posts, write with your readers in mind instead of blasting one-way messages. Put yourself in their shoes – what content would you like to discover?

Your Writing Tone is too “Professional”

Crafting a blog post is significantly different from composing an academic paper. Nonetheless, when novice bloggers start, they often only have experience with the latter or none at all.

The issue? A professional tone does not captivate readers in the same manner as conversational blogs. If you wish to keep them intrigued, imbue your writing with a style that's enjoyable to read.

You Only Write Content About Trending News

Buzzworthy content can fade in relevance fast. That's why you should approach your strategy with caution and restraint regarding trending topics.

For instance, news of a petition concerning sponsored content could become dated if the law is nullified or enforced quickly. Instead, to generate lasting success, consider addressing “evergreen topics.”

How to Create Content to Get People to Read Blogs Daily

People seek greater convenience and access to information. Developing content that adds value to their lives is critical to encouraging frequent visits. Start a blog around topics your readers care about.

You can use metrics but build relationships with other bloggers or look at what your competitors are doing and do it better.

Become an Authority Site

Google recently unleashed one of its most game-changing updates yet, declaring that websites must be able to prove their competence in the industry. As valuable as it would be to explore this change more deeply, we'll keep things simple for now.

When you create content as a blogger, your goal should be to develop useful, trustworthy, and people-centered material. Google has coined the acronym E.E.A.T. to categorize its quality criteria.

E.E.A.T. stands for:

• Experience
• Expertise
• Authoritativeness
• Trustworthiness

You need to have original content based on reliable research so that readers can gain meaningful insights from it.

Google's content expectations are:

• Is it high-caliber content? – Does your content stand out from the competition and offer greater value than other pages in search results?
• Does it establish trust? – Does the content provide an atmosphere of trustworthiness, with reliable sourcing and verified expertise?
• Provide expertise and proficiency? – Does the content accurately reflect thorough topic knowledge?
• Have the solution they seek? – Is there enough knowledge for readers to leave with clarity and understanding about the topic?

Google's update proves that blogging is far from dead. People are still searching for content that can help them solve their problems.

Supplement Your Blog with Video Content

Perusing someone's blog or receiving one of their emails may not be enough to determine who they are and if your personalities can interact. This is why video provides a more transparent approach – there's no masking what someone says, thinks, or feels.

You put yourself out there, for better or worse, but your style might not click with everybody. However, it does with others.

Your style speaks to your faithful followers, builds a bond of trust, and offers them an additional way to consume content. Utilizing social media, a YouTube channel, or even self-hosted video content on your website will make content creation easier.

If you're looking to get into the habit of creating videos, vlogging is an ideal way to start – think Casey Neistat.

Embrace Another Platform

Due to various factors, people have shifted their time spent online elsewhere. These days, users can easily find content from their favorite bloggers on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. So, select at least one additional platform and commit full-time.

Some things to note:

• If you're looking at Instagram – They aren't a photo trend platform anymore; they are investing in video content, giving creators more reasons to post longer-form video content.
• Cross-Generic content isn't okay – A brand can no longer cross-post generic content across all its social media channels and expect it to produce results.
• Two words: user-generated content (U.G.C.) – User-generated content is a powerful tool for building a loyal following. It's also great for driving engagement and giving brands an insight into what their audience wants.

Did you know that Facebook video content can get as much as 135% more organic reach than images that are retweeted on Twitter?

Despite the ongoing debate concerning TikTok, it remains an excellent tool for businesses to reach their desired target audience. Brands can employ TikTok to show product tutorials, adverts, or other imaginative concepts.

Build an Email List

We can't deny it; the most efficient strategy for developing a successful business around a blog is through an email list. Emails increase revenue, offer value that will be recognized regularly, and cultivate trust amongst our readers.

In 2023, an aspiring blogger who wants to stand the test of time needs a robust and active email list.

Is Blogging Dead? No, It's Evolving

You can answer the “is blogging dead” question with a resounding “no,” but it is evolving. Today's bloggers use multimedia content such as podcasts, Reels, and YouTube videos to reach their audiences.

Blogging has also become more competitive in recent years, making it harder to gain traction. Despite the challenges of the digital age, there is still great potential for blog success.

Things to remember:

• Link building – If you're looking to boost your website's visibility in search engine rankings, earning backlinks is powerful. Search engines consider them as an indication that the content on your site is reliable. When other websites link to pages on yours, it’s like a peer review.
• Pay attention to video formatting – Social media video specs are constantly evolving to provide users with the most enjoyable viewing experience, making it a daunting task to keep up with. Creating video content in the wrong format could lead to poor playback or even prevent your post from appearing on some platforms.
• Use all tools at your disposal – This means using A.I. to write blog posts even as you leverage voice search to optimize your website. Artificial Intelligence is rapidly becoming the go-to aid in content creation.
  
  Google pulled a 180 by first stating it was against their guidelines and then stating it wasn't. And then they jumped into the pool by creating Bard. That is the first time in Google's history they have had to do something of this nature so you can see the power of AI.

The #1 Thing you can do to Make Your Blog Successful

Despite the rise of social media and other online communities, people still read blogs because there is more depth of knowledge on a subject than what is available through these different channels.

Some experts may say finding a supportive community helps or focusing on link-building is the way to go. While both are crucial, they reside under the umbrella of creating valuable content.

To stand out in a crowded digital space, you must offer unique insight that readers cannot find elsewhere. You can achieve this by staying true to your brand, keeping up with the latest industry trends, and following Google's E.E.A.T. algorithm.

Blogging is Dead Wrap-up

Blogging is evolving, and to keep up with internet users' needs, a blog can serve as much more than it did previously. Providing helpful, relevant content that provides advice is what a blog should be, but understand that this information doesn't have to be solely relegated to a blog.

Valuable information needs to reach the user in multiple ways to drive awareness for a blog and, ultimately, success. Don't disregard other mediums like social media to deliver your message, and leverage video and audio formats, as sometimes talking to your readers is better than writing to them.