Carter F. S
Educator, Consultant, Coauthor The Emergence of The Relationship Economy
Do Regular People Really Read Blogs? Which ones? How often?
Josh Catone with the RWW Network (http://tinyurl.com/5u95md) asked this question, and I've been wondering the same thing. Many prolific writers spend hours per day writing on a variety of topics . . . for what? Lot's of folks say that blogs are the new news source.
What do you think?
Do you read a blog daily? weekly, monthly? Do you subscribe or go find it? Tell me, please!
Good Answers (11)
Patience W
Writer, business owner (NoirDame Productions); freelance communications
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Something else to consider - not only that many, many more people "lurk", or observe the web without active or regular participation ... but also that many online users may be visiting blogs irregularly, without thinking of themselves as "blog readers".
For example, perhaps you're running a search - you're looking for an obscure item, trying to find a long lost friend, have a question about a short news story, or are curious about some historical topic.
When you punch in your search keywords in Google, or some other engine, if the search is specific enough, the top links may be in blogs - for example, my business blog http://NoirDame.com/blog has gained readers who were interested in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life," as well as fans of actress Joan Crawford, or of audio drama. When you do a targeted search like that, you may read a blog once and never again; nonetheless, you are using blogs as part of your experience online.
Do blogs replace regular news sources? Probably not. Many political bloggers would have nothing to write about, if there was no access to news websites like the Washington Post, New York Times, or the BBC. While everyone may have an opinion on various world issues, few of us have a "hotline to the White House" or to "Downing Street", "the Kremlin", etc. We will always need to rely on wire services and major news organizations. However...
Until about 1985, 1990, when you watched TV news, you watched John Chancellor (NBC), Charles Collingwood (CBS) or Howard K. Smith (ABC), and they analyzed the stories - helped you make sense of world events and change. Only the "McNeil-Lehrer News Hour" really continues in that tradition, though many cable news shows are really all-analysis, all the time. Those analysts are no longer the only game in town; professional pundits like Michelle Malkin and Keith Olbermann now compete with average Americans, many of whom are more thoroughly versed on specific topics. For example, CNN's Miles O'Brien knows an awful lot about the space program -- but I'd take it with a grain of salt. If O'Brien claimed that the Orion program was headed south, I'd never take it at face value. I'd want to follow up by reading NASAWatch.org and SpacePolitics.com, two excellent blogs that cover the space industry in depth - and go beyond the shallow explanations and sound bites that hold the day on the average newscast.
I think you'd find that many regular readers of blogs are seeking more in-depth discussion and coverage, which doesn't insult their intelligence, and gives them jumping off points for learning more. Jakob Nielsen has discussed this interactive relationship in depth here: http://www.useit.com/alertbox/print-vs-online-content.html.
There are generational differences; not simply that if you are a boomer you relate on-line this way, if you're older you relate that way, yada yada -- in different periods of our lives, we may be seeking a different experience online. Statistically speaking, one of the largest areas of growth in blogging is by teenage girls and young women, who use it as a tool to keep in touch with friends. They may limit the access of their blog to "friends only", or they may make new friends through blogging.
The LiveJournal site and platform is used by thousands of teenagers and adults under 40. LiveJournal users track each other's comings and goings; the blogging experience there is not simply posting your own thoughts, but also reading your "Friends page", in which a list of the most recent posts of your friends will be congregated in order of posting. LiveJournal has also become a central meeting place for "fans" of all kind - whether it's those users who love a particular band, enjoy a favorite show like "Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares," or who want to write fiction about the "Star Wars" universe.
I'd be happy to talk with you further, as well as learn the results of your question!
Links:
I read multiple blogs a day, and I have found them through random jaunts through the internet, referrals from friends, links from other blogs / websites I frequent, as well as links from traditional media sources (e.g. magazines, TV, etc).
Professional bloggers (with proper ethics) are certainly getting more respect in the media world, with their own press passes, exclusive stories / interviews, etc. However, it's really the internet in general that's the new source of news. Classic media interaction only occurs in certain locations. Namely, wherever a TV, radio, or newsstand is. This news is also usually delayed. It has to be reported in, go through an editor, be approved (does the audience care?), etc. Classic media is big business.
The internet is so much more pervasive now. You can check the news on the net from your cell phone at any location and at any time. Conversely, you can instantly report the news from anywhere, at any time. No editor or approval system is needed. Anyone and everyone can have a blog for no cost, and report on what they are truly interested in. Now does this bias their opinion? Perhaps, but chances are they're also more knowledgeable on the subject.
As to why they blog? Sociology 101. People like to talk about themselves and what interests them.
Jitesh M
Director - Global Marketing & Strategy at Quadra Solutions (jitesh@quadrasolutions.com)
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Hi Carter,
Interesting question.
I do read blogs but only when they pop up in search results or are referenced in something I am reading. This, i must say, is happening more and more often now.
I do not subscribe to any blog feeds or regularly check specific blogs as a matter of routine.
All the best!
Jitesh
www.QuadraSolutions.com
Links:
Laura B
Sr. Instructional Technologist at Bryn Mawr College
Best Answers in: Education and Schools (1)
I read hundreds of blogs. I no longer get my news from tv or the newspaper. I will read a newspaper online, but usually only when prompted to do so by a blogger. The Pew Internet and American Life Project (http://pewinternet.org) estimated that something like 9% of internet users read blogs as a news source.
Most of the blogs I read are blogs written by academics or instructional technologists. The writing on these blogs is usually excellent and the information I get from them is quite valuable and comes out faster than print information. Honestly, I think there are certain industries where, if you're not reading blogs, you're missing out: technology and education come to mind most immediately.
Many people read blogs without realising. How many people read for example the Guardian online and do not realise that the majority of that content is made up from blogs? The point is that many newspapers are turning into blogs, people prefer interaction with the writer rather than just be spoken to..I bet if regular people knew what blogs were, they would admit to reading them ;)
Ed C
Sr. Consultant at Moore Stephens Business Solutions
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I skim a lot of blogs. I don't believe everything that I read there but then again I don't believe the spin that most "news" entertainers put on their stories either.
I had to crack up at the one post talking about "proper" news outlets. What is a "proper" news outlet? Perhaps it is different in other coutries but in the U.S. I don't remember the last time a saw or read an article that didn't have a lot of editorial commentary in it. It is always very easy to see which candidate they favor or what their position is on the issue they are "reporting." To my eyes and ears very near 100% are glorified blogs or video blogs (TV) but just aren't as honest about it. Can you imagine Walter Cronkite having to participate in the inane banter that is the norm now as they all try to be entertainers?
Dawud M
Business Growth, Relationship Business, Social Media Guide, Web-Business Developer
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As I browse through the answers I didn't see a couple of key points...
1. How many people are reading blog posts without knowing they're blog posts? I'm guessing far more than we'd expect.
2. Fact: by their nature, search engines LOVE blogs. The posts are often keyword heavy, highly topic-focused and concise. Further, you'll often find lots of links to blogs and individual posts that you usually don't see in traditional websites. This is all good food for search engines. What this means is that whenever you search a topic, you're going to often get results that are blog posts. Just a fact. So that means, you have an even better chance of reading a blog post today than ever - whether you know you are or not.
I currently subscribe to 632 blogs. I read (or scan) hundreds of posts daily.
Ridiculous isn't it?
But I get virtually ALL of my news that way. And it can be a wealth of ideas.
As a real estate broker, my blog is responsible for generating 95% of my business, so apparently other people are reading my blog as well.
I also know for a fact that many mainstream media (TV, newspapers) also read blogs. I've been contacted numerous times by reporters about a blog post. And two local TV reporters have told me that they have people in their news departments who's primary purpose in life is to scour blogs looking for news stories.
Links:
Kathie M. T
Author, Blogger, Founder of Virtual Assistant Industry in Australia, Speaker, VA Coach
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I subscribe to over 30 blogs and use Google Reader to read them. I scan through them every day to see if there are posts I should be responding to, or taking notice of, but if not, then do more leisurely reading over the weekend.
Some of the blogs I read are business related and connected to what I do - it's always good to be kept informed on things. Others are personal interest blogs.
On the other side of things - I write several blogs and have thousands of readers - so there are some interested in what I write about!
Dr. Shaun J
Law Professor, Coach, Speaker
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Carter,
I like reading several entries at a time when I find a blog. I like them because they give you more of a feel for someone's personality than a glitzy website. For subscriptions, I prefer monthly ezines.
I blog as well. I use one blog to communcate with fellow Toastmasters and help prospective members evaluate the club.
I have had prospective clients say that they read through the majority of my blog posts for my business site.
Shaun
Links:
Carter,
Every single one of the people who have taken time to answer your question read blogs. Even the ones who make a point of saying that they do not. This, after all, is a blog (of sorts.)
A blog isn't necessarily a lone wolf with a megaphone. No -- a blog, done right, is a space where those with a common interest gather to express opinions, argue, seek support, vindication, and answers. Many blogs are done well. Others aren't. An incredible number of people prove themselves wonderful writers, more than capable of taking a thought through to a conclusion. Others -- well, they try.
I do read blogs -- mostly those related to my work interests. I also blog -- as does my wife. We blog both personally and professionally, as ghostbloggers.
With mainstream media tripping over themselves in a race to turn the news into a sort of sickly sweet variety show featuring none other than themselves, the bloggers are a breath of fresh air. They give you what you expect -- opinionated commentary -- no more, no less.
More Answers (27)
well It is interesting that this question has came up. for many of reasons,but I will only mention the more important issues, First off over half of the news media in the big corporate world is force feeding negativity through a portal called the television. every time that you turn on the news you are always see the world through a negative stand point. I am not saying that their isent no positive values that don't get aired , just merely suggesting that the negative influence out weighs the positive. so have this as a option allot of people are resorting to their own blogs or reviewing others. their is many blogs and forums for different things. but their is only one form of media news. we are entering into a era of personal reflections as well as speaking out through via the internet, censorship is not establish as much online as it is in the mass media companies. I personally like to have the choice on where i am going to inform my self of the worldly news.
Clarification added 4 months ago:
as well as to add I am a internet guru. I hae ovber 21 years experiance in computing. I use a forum or blog every day to help organize my work and brainstorm with other employees, I figure I spend about 4-7 hours a day on the internet or the computer in general, and over half of that time is in blogs or forums. I don't feel in liberty to disclose my blogs and forums. but i hope my feed back has gave some insight.
Larry G
Founder & CEO Larstan Publishing Inc, Publisher Blogger & Podcaster Magazine - I accept invitations - Toplinked.com
eMarketer did a major research project on this, this past May. They determined 50% of US Internet users (94,100,000) have read at least 1 blog in the past month. This is expected to increase to 67% (145,300,000) in 2012.
I subscribe to a number of blogs - 20 or so - and I skim the headlines every few days and read the ones that appeal to me. The majority of the blogs I follow are about marketing which is my business.
Sometimes I go looking for information, sometimes I find it by accident, sometimes a friend recommends them.
I have a friend who regularly reads blogs by women struggling with infertility.
The great thing about blogs is you can indulge in whatever is your passion and get as much information as you might want.
John H
Career Search Counselor
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I have only just started to experiment with blogs. I was a contributing author to a career search related blog for awhile, and a few weeks ago started my own "Career Accelerator" blog. I'm taking it on faith that as the word gets out via my Career Tips newsletter and other sources, people will read and respond to it.
John
_________________________________
John West Hadley
Career Search Counselor
(908) 725-2437
"Unlock The Hidden Job Market"
Get Career Tips at www.JHACareers.com
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Of course people read blogs. This question is out of context–or, rather, needs a more specific context.
What blogs are people reading?
This is no different then asking; Do people read the paper? Sure people *still* read the paper. But why? And what types of papers?
To suggest there are 700,000 ( exaggerated ) blogs read everyday doesn't say very much. 400,000 could be entertainment/socially based versus a reader subscribing to industry related blogs. People read blogs on a regular daily, weekly and monthly.
You ask, "for what,"–well, to be heard. And frankly, because they can.
The internet *is* a social network. Its just not as ubiquitous or synchronized as a specific type of quasi-closed social network.
A thousand voices without a single shout.
I am part of that young Gen Y demographic, I'm 23. I have close to 1000 RSS feeds that I follow, some only having 1 post a week, some having dozens of post a day, most having around 5-10. I don't shy away from blogs, I can't say for sure that they're the 'ultimate' news source, I think the new social aggregators like Friendfeed would have to get that distinction, having hundreds of people to filter through the information and share the goods. However, amongst my rabid consumption of data, there is not one political blog that I subscribe to. I see lots of political news and talk come through Twitter, but I don't look for it.
I see blogs continuing to gain traction, especially as the general public catches on without realizing it. I know lots of people who read blogs, but don't realize it, they just think it's another web site, with a different kind of layout.
I read blogs regularly and subscribe to about 15... but then again, I also blog myself and work in the web marketing field. Obviously, Internet-savvy audiences will read blogs more often and are more likely to subscribe.
I've seen very successful blogs on a wide variety of topics, though, and I know people in their 40s who read blogs regularly and use RSS readers to manage them all -- and don't work in IT or related fields. So yes, there are plenty of regular people reading blogs out there.
I read my own blog. :)
I usually note down details and technical references that I usually will need to refer to again few weeks/months down the road.
it's handy to leave such things online and accessible on the internet, at times it's faster than googling. :)
I don't read blogs, except when I get URL from a friend or when some major news site has something like top blogs this month and some title does catch my eye.
In result I read like 1-10 blogs per month, while I'm not looking for them at all.
I use Bloglines (http://bloglines.com) to subscribe to a number of blogs. I read the headlines daily and explore the most interesting ones further. I also mark the ones I might want to get back to.
Some of the blogs I read have to do with my profession, some are just people I like reading.
Honestly, I wish I had more time to read and explore in depth and I wonder at the people who do have the time to blog--what are they not doing so they can maintain their blog?
Rajat M
Country Manager : Remote Client Solutions at Hewlett Packard Sales India Pvt. Limited
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Hi Carter,
Yes I do of few friends blogs and mostly when I have some time to kill. I take Blog as self destressing and expressing medium rather then sharing medium. It like puching a bag when you are angry :oPPP.
Regards
Regards
David H
Conversational systems, power electronics, classical music composition
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I don't read blogs. Monkeys and typewriters.
Chris W
(Freelance) Information Security/Risk Consultant: chris@innocent.co.uk
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Sorry but I find that most blogs are regurgitations of proper news sites, with the addition of limited fluff.
I'm sorry but I don't really want to read the ramblings of Joe Blogs that thinks that he's thoughts are so enlightend.
The only thing positive I can say about the average blog, is that at least it is not a podcast or webcast.
I try to stick with a variation of legitimate news/interest sites so that I can get a rounded picture of current thinking.
Clarification added 4 months ago:
Hi,
This should help clarify my view on the average blog.
Sorry to pick on Laura Blankenship but from her responce she is in favour of blogging. If people would like to check out her personal blog, that she freely advertises on her profile you will be taken to http://geekymom.blogspot.com/
I'm sorry but after skimming this site it is there is no news on either educational issues or technology but verbilises her personal/emotional experiances in the work place.
If someone feels compeled to put this type of information on the www then feel free to go ahead but to say that blogs are an invaluable source, I can't agree with.
The current fashion for blogs reminds me of the mid 90s when everyone had to have a personal website dedicated to their cat or family, with lots of animated gif's and badly designed tables.
Christopher M
Director of Business Development at Property Stampede LLC
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I am not regular... I promise you. But I do read blogs. But I use Google Reader to populate my reading, then just skim for what interests me. I have roughly 40 or so blogs or feeds in their. Some of them are news aggregations like news.ycombinator.com and some are multi author blogs like techchrunch.com.
I read almost daily.
I read The Total Package by Clayton Makepeace (www.makepeacetotalpackage.com) at least five days a week.
Links:
Jeff P
Retired MD police officer; experienced public safety technology professional
I have never read a blog and I really don't have a desire to. It's great that some people have the time to read and write these but everybody has an opinion and, good or bad, I really don't care what other people's views are on most subjects.