The future of blogging in a video-obsessed world • Yoast

With the rise of TikTok, Instagram reels, and YouTube shorts, it looks like individuals need nothing however movies. Particularly brief movies. So the place does that go away running a blog? Is it nonetheless related, or has video taken over the world? 

Will blogs nonetheless exist?

It’s inconceivable to foretell the longer term, but it surely’s secure to say that running a blog isn’t going anyplace. You’ve in all probability heard that blogs are useless for years now. When YouTube first turned a factor, running a blog was supposedly accomplished. Nevertheless it’s not. It’s nonetheless right here and doubtless will likely be for some time.

However blogs have modified. Ten years in the past, blogs have been like journals. Clearly, they’re not anymore. In case you learn a enterprise weblog, you gained’t discover what the CEO ate for dinner final night time. These days, blogs are extra like digital newsletters. They’re polished, targeted, and seen as items of content material in a advertising technique. And that’s precisely what is going to occur this time round. Blogs will change. Once more.

How will running a blog change?

The brief reply: in a number of methods. Generative AI will develop into extra widespread, which implies storytelling will develop into extra necessary. Blogs will develop into a instrument for somebody’s private model, so it’ll be tougher to make a reputation for your self. And at last, blogs will in all probability rework into digital publishing companies. 

Let’s go over these in additional element.

Generative AI: Why write it your self?

Everybody’s speaking about it. Or everybody’s requested ChatGPT to speak about it. It’s changing into more and more tougher to inform whether or not AI or a human wrote content material. In fact, there are nonetheless tells, however that’s as a result of the know-how continues to be in its early phases. Who is aware of how shortly it’s going to evolve?

Positive, Google needs to crack down on AI content material. However the algorithm they need to construct is additionally nonetheless in its infancy, that means it’ll take awhile earlier than Google can prioritize human-made content material. However who’s to say {that a} put up written by AI and modified by individuals isn’t human-made? It’s a grey space. However one factor’s for certain: it’ll make it simpler for individuals to begin blogs.

AI can’t faux human expertise

As a response to extra generated content material, storytelling will develop into extra necessary. However wait, you would possibly suppose. Individuals don’t need to learn tales. They need to watch movies. Sure, however a part of why individuals favor video content material is as a result of it feels extra real and genuine. And that’s precisely what you must give attention to in your blogs.

By sharing private tales, experiences, and insights, you possibly can create that sense of authenticity readers crave. It’ll additionally will let you construct belief and finally a relationship together with your readers. The end result? A loyal viewers and a profitable weblog. 

Bonus: You’ll attraction to Google

Sharing private experiences isn’t simply nice on your readers. Google likes it too. That’s why they added an extra E to their previously E-A-T system. They stand for Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. 

These raters decide whether or not you present useful and related content material. If the reply is sure, then congrats. Your rankings would possibly improve, so individuals can extra simply discover you within the search outcomes. And since we established that folks need to watch movies, why not add a number of to your posts? In the event that they make your website extra related and useful, that’s a win-win. 

It is going to be tougher to make a reputation for your self

Making a weblog is straightforward, but it surely’s changing into more and more tougher to develop widespread. Simply take a look at the numbers. According to Web Tribunal, “there are greater than 600 million blogs out of 1.9 billion web sites on this planet. Their authors account for over 6 million weblog posts each day, or over 2.5 billion yearly.” Because of this round one-third of all present web sites are blogs, which is large!

Years in the past, you can write a collection of 10 to fifteen first rate weblog posts and rank for his or her goal key phrases in lots of niches. Now, you should discover your particular area of interest, then publish extra and higher content material. And you may’t neglect the visuals (photographs, photos, infographics, movies). That’s why changing into a profitable blogger is more and more tougher when it’s simply you. 

Blogs as digital companies

Most profitable blogs (that generate first rate revenue) are literally run by a small staff of individuals. Even when it’s only one particular person writing the content material, they in all probability work immediately and not directly with net hosts, e-mail advertising platforms, photographers, ad administration corporations, social media managers, graphic designers, and so on. As a result of doing all of the work by your self and producing quite a lot of nice high quality content material is sort of inconceivable. 

Moreover, it’s essential to go the place the individuals are to market your weblog. And the individuals are largely watching movies. That’s why most blogs even have YouTube channels, put up reels on Instagram, launch podcasts, and even produce on-line programs. Even when your ardour is writing, you possibly can’t escape video content material.

Is the rise of video such a nasty factor?

Not essentially. It even is smart, should you ask me. In case you’re a reader, think about how to decide on your subsequent learn. Likelihood is, you take a look at the quilt (visible), you learn the blurb (brief and engaging content material supposed to lure you in), and also you would possibly ask the bookseller if it’s any good (genuine content material). Or maybe you search for the little playing cards that say, “Alex recommends this e-book!” Once more, authenticity. Is that actually so completely different from watching a brief reel from a blogger earlier than studying their weblog? You inform me.