Are Blogs Still a Thing? The Truth about Blogging Today

2023-05-04

Note: This article was updated on April 1, 2025

Over the past twenty years, the world of blogging has changed massively. What started as a way to share personal stories online has grown into a major tool for businesses, marketers, and creators.

But with social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter dominating our attention spans, it’s fair to ask: are blogs still a thing?

The short answer? Absolutely. No matter how many people claim “blogging is dead,” No matter how many people claim “blogging is dead,” blogs are still one of the best ways to show your expertise, reach the right people, and give your audience something they can come back to. You just have to approach it with the right strategy.

Let’s take a closer look at how blogging has evolved and why it’s still worth your time.

How Blogging Has Evolved

In the early 2000s, blogging was mostly personal. People basically used it as an online journal to share updates with friends, post travel stories, or write about their day-to-day lives. There wasn’t much strategy behind it; it was mostly about self-expression. 

But as the internet matured, so did the purpose of blogging. Businesses began to see the potential. Blogs became a way to get in front of new audiences, answer customer questions, and show expertise in a specific field. Over time, it shifted from personal storytelling to one of the most effective marketing tools for businesses of all sizes.

That shift from personal journaling to strategic content brought a wave of changes. And more recently, blogging has had to adapt again; this time in response to tighter competition, changing search behavior, and the rise of AI. 

Here’s a glimpse into how modern blogging looks today:

  • More competition: With over 500 million blogs out there, it’s much harder to stand out than it once was. High-quality content that’s useful, honest, and well-written matters more than ever.
  • Search-driven strategy: One of the main reasons people blog today is to show up in search results. That means writing with both readers and search engines in mind: using keywords naturally, organizing content clearly, and answering the questions people are searching for.
  • Richer content formats: Today’s blogs often include images, videos, infographics, or even audio to make the content more engaging. Different formats help connect with different types of learners and hold attention longer.
  • Shorter attention spans: People are busier, more distracted, and quicker to move on. Today’s blogs need to get to the point fast and be easy to skim, while still offering real value.
  • Rapidly changing SEO: The old method of stuffing in keywords and hoping to rank doesn’t work anymore. With AI influencing search engine results and users asking more complex questions, blogs need to be genuinely helpful and well-structured. 

All of these shifts mean that blogging isn’t just about writing something and hitting publish. It’s about adapting to the way people search, think, and consume information online. That being said, if you’re willing to update your approach, blogging is still one of the most powerful ways to reach and connect with your audience.

So… Are Blogs Still a Thing?

Even with social media dominating attention spans, blogging hasn’t lost its relevance; it’s just taken on a new role. Blogs offer something those platforms can’t: a space you control, where your content lives on your own website, not at the mercy of an algorithm.

That matters more than most people realize. When you post on social media, you’re building on borrowed land. Algorithms change, reach drops, and your content can disappear from people’s feeds overnight. But a blog gives you a home base, a place to host your ideas, share your expertise, and build up a library of helpful content that works for your business long-term. And once it’s there, you can repurpose it into social media posts, email newsletters, video scripts, and more.

A blog is also one of the clearest ways to establish credibility. When someone visits your website and sees thoughtful, useful posts that answer their questions or explain your approach, they’re much more likely to trust you. It’s your opportunity to show that you know what you’re doing, and that you understand your customers’ needs.

And maybe just as importantly, a blog gives your business a voice. It’s a space to connect, educate, and build relationships with the people you’re trying to reach. That kind of connection is what builds trust and loyalty.

How to Make Blogging Work for Your Business

Blogging is about building something useful for your audience and valuable for your business. And with so much content already out there, doing it well takes a bit of strategy. Here are some ways to make sure your blog actually moves the needle.

Know Who You’re Talking To

You can’t write something helpful if you don’t know who you’re helping. The first step of blogging is taking the time to understand your ideal customer. What do they need to know before they’re ready to buy? What questions do they ask most often? What kind of problems are they trying to solve? Your blog is a chance to meet them where they are and give them something useful.

You don’t need complex tools to figure this out. Check your email inbox. Revisit questions that come up in sales conversations. Ask your current customers what they wish they knew earlier. Even a short list of common questions can spark a dozen blog post ideas.

The goal isn’t to speak to everyone; it’s to make your ideal customer feel like you wrote it just for them.

Write for People First, Search Engines Second

SEO still matters, but not the way it used to. You can’t just sprinkle in a few keywords and expect your blog post to rank. Search engines have gotten smarter. They prioritize content that’s genuinely helpful, well-written, and easy to understand.

That’s why your first priority should always be the reader. Are you answering a real question? Are you making the information easy to follow? Does it sound like a human wrote it? These things matter more than cramming in exact keyword matches or chasing trends.

That said, it’s still smart to structure your blog post in a way that makes it easy to find. Use clear headings. Include relevant keywords naturally. Add meta descriptions that reflect what your post is actually about. But none of that should come at the cost of clarity or tone.

Create Content That Can Be Reused

One blog post doesn’t have to stay a blog post. In fact, some of the best content strategies are built around repurposing: taking a single piece of content and turning it into multiple formats.

Let’s say you write a post answering a common customer question. That same content could be turned into a short video for social media, a few email tips for your newsletter, a downloadable guide, or even talking points for a sales call. This way, you’re getting more mileage out of what you already have.

This approach saves time, keeps your messaging consistent, and helps you show up in more places without constantly starting from scratch. It also reinforces your authority across platforms. When someone sees your brand offering helpful advice in different formats, it builds recognition and trust.

If you’re going to spend the time writing a solid blog post, make sure it keeps working for you long after you hit publish.

Stick to a Realistic Schedule

One of the biggest mistakes small business owners make is setting an unrealistic publishing schedule and then abandoning it when things get busy. What matters more than frequency is consistency. Whether it’s once a month or once a quarter, pick a schedule that you can stick to. 

Blogging is a long game. It’s not about instant traffic. It’s about building a resource over time that shows your expertise, supports your customers, and helps your business grow. When you treat it like part of your strategy (not just something to do when you have extra time), you’ll start to see the return.

Don’t Forget to Promote It

Publishing a blog post is just the beginning. If you want people to read it, you have to put it in front of them.

Share it across your social media channels. Link to it in your email newsletter. Reference it in conversations with customers or prospects. Add internal links to it from other pages on your website. The more places your blog shows up, the more value you get out of it.

Promotion doesn’t have to be complicated; it just needs to be intentional. Think about where your audience spends time and how they typically engage with your brand. If they follow you on Instagram, post a few insights from the blog and direct them to your site. If you send regular emails, include a short teaser and a link to read more.

You worked hard on the content. Make sure it gets seen.

Final Thoughts: Blogging Isn’t Dead

So, are blogs still a thing? Yes, absolutely – just not in the same way they used to be. Blogging has grown up. It’s no longer about posting random updates or chasing clicks. It’s about creating useful, trustworthy content that meets your audience where they are and helps your business show up in the right places.

For small business owners, a blog can be one of the most valuable tools in their marketing toolkit. But it only works if it’s done consistently and strategically.

If blogging always ends up at the bottom of your to-do list, that’s where we come in. At Vervology, we take the pressure off by creating thoughtful, well-written blog content tailored to your business and your audience. You don’t have to do it all yourself.

Set up a call with our team to learn more about how our content writing services can help you stay visible, build trust, and grow online (without adding more to your plate.)