Blogging is Dying.
There I said it.
I’ve actually had a document on my computer titled: “blogging is dying” for a couple of months now. Past that, I haven’t continued the post. Maybe I was waiting for the best moment to post it, maybe not. Either way, blogging is slowly dying.
I’ve contemplated writing this post for a while now, but I don’t know where to begin. It’s probably a mismatched bunch of words that don’t flow together but when is that anything new?
So here we go:
I started blogging in 2010 when blogging was beginning to grow. Everyone was blogging!
It was the new thing to do instead of writing a Facebook update that was 10 pages long. I think in 2010, I followed close to 20 blogs. I was captivated by their writing, and it ranged from runners, to triathletes, to even a chocolate blog (you know).
I followed people with similar interests. Most people were posting at least a few times a week, if not more. To be honest, I think most blogs posted daily, which I did too!
2012-2014, continued the trend and blogging continued to grow. As the years went by, new social media was created.
There were so many new platforms:
Instagram: To take photos of everything you did!
Twitter: To write short burbs and updates about life!
Facebook pages: When one facebook isn’t enough, get two!
Pinterest and more (to save blogs, recipes, and whatever else you’ll read or follow up on!
I remember kicking my feet at getting twitter…ugh another thing, I couldn’t keep up. I ultimately got most of them, except for Pinterest, because I just pin cat memes.
Then 2013 was a big year for me. I moved four times: New York to Virginia to Texas to New Jersey. I ran my first marathon, and moved in with a boyfriend at the time who put a ring on it (yes Tim). It was the year where I had no idea what I wanted to do. I lived off of savings, made some money blogging, and just job searched like any early 20 year old.
In 2014, life settled down a little bit (not much, but enough). My husband and I got engaged, settled in NJ, and I finally set a half marathon PR. 2014 for blogging was probably my “biggest year”.
What does biggest in blogging even mean?
Most page views? Most engagement? Most money made?
All three!
Then in 2014, a lot of things on the internet changed. Social media channels began to grow, and many runners turned to Instagram to document and give running advice. I tried to go that route with long blog post captions but quickly realized I liked Instagram for taking photos of pretty places. It isn’t my personal preference to write a novel caption about how inspired I was to get out there.
I run and come home. I don’t have an inspiring story about every run, I just get out there and do it. I’m just a woman in the Garden State trying to make it look cool. I don’t like to post half-naked photos and don’t like to give advice about running. I don’t want my account to be running only and don’t want to create a separate Instagram account for my personal life either.
My Instagram is my life whether I have a blog or not. It isn’t limited to running, because my life isn’t limited to running. Maybe I’ll never have a niche, but that is fine. My blog talks more about my training and life, while Instagram is just photos and short captions. A couple of weeks ago, my husband I celebrated our anniversary. Not running, but part of my life.
Anyway, with the growth of Instagram and other social media, came the slow fall of blogging.
It isn’t just blogging that has fallen, and many running publications have ceased too. For instance, Competitor magazine only exists online. Runners World was acquired by Hearst.
This post isn’t too bash anything or anyone. It’s just to briefly explain what I’ve observed in the last several years. It’s not the only view, and for some their blog has gotten bigger, which is great!
In summary, social media such as Instagram has grown. People would prefer free advice versus paying, and to be honest, people don’t want or have the time and interest to read blogs anymore.
So How do You Support Blogs?
The easiest way to support any blogger or let them know you’re reading is occasionally comment (and no I’m not begging for comments). Commenting or sharing posts/articles are two big ways to support bloggers without doing much.
Many people have told me in person, “love your blog” and to be honest I’m shocked they read. Sure, right now I average about 500 page views a day, but I rarely get more than 1-2 comments per post, so I have no clue who reads, if anyone! No one is a mind reader. I don’t expect anyone to read, but it’s always nice to hear from people who are.
I will still blog because I like too. I’ve stopped blogging every day, but I’ll continue to blog. This post is not meant to be negative, or put anyone down. It’s just the trend i’ve noticed throughout several years of blogging (which of course different people notice different things).
Questions for you:
How long have you been blogging? Is blogging dying? Discuss?
Definitely glad to hear you’re still going to blog! 🙂
Funny – I have a post about this subject sitting in my draft folder. I’ve been blogging off and on since 2006 so I’ve seen the industry change a lot over the years. I am still hopeful that the pendulum will swing back to how it was in the good ol’ days. Now people are worried about branding themselves accordingly and how they can use their little slice of the internet to make money. There are very few authentic writers left in the game. And worst of all? Most of the ‘big’ blogs look and feel the same…there is very little individuality, which is just absolutely depressing as hell.
Funny you say that Karen and I completely agree. Many big bloggers all promote the same products, etc. If that is how they make their income, great but I personally don’t find it relatable. Like you, I like blogging and I hope one day the pendulum swings in the other direction. I don’t see myself microblogging on instagram, or facebook pages but whatever works for others.
Love your blog! I read it everyday!! 🙂
I still follow your blog regularly! I agree that the format is ending which makes me sad, but I’ll enjoy it until then. I ran a race with you or adjacent at some point and started following you after that. It helped motivate me to start posting and consider blogging as well. Blogging never stuck for me, but I use Instagram pretty regularly thanks to individuals like you. I’m at DoughnutStopRunning 🙂
Awe I appreciate that! Which race was it?
I still follow your blog regularly! I agree that the format is ending which makes me sad, but I’ll enjoy it until then. I ran a race with you or adjacent at some point and started following you after that. It helped motivate me to start posting and consider blogging as well. Blogging never stuck for me, but I use Instagram pretty regularly thanks to individuals like you. I’m at DoughnutStopRunning 🙂
I really appreciate that. I always think you have to do what makes you feel the happiest.
Great post! I have wondered this myself. I blog because I love to write and it gives me a creative outlet. Sure I hope somebody will read it, but I largely write for myself. I will continue into the futre for now. I am also active on Instagram, twitter, and Facebok. Cheers!
Happy you are still going to blog!! Love your posts, they have helped me a lot with my running, motivating and inspiring!!
I never blogged for anything other than to document things for myself, so the rise and fall of blogging isn’t really something I look at but I guess everything goes through phases and maybe blogging has had its ‘hey day’. Actually I think Facebook is dying too, there will always be some new way to create content but I think I’ll continue, even if its just me that reads it!
I’ve been blogging on and off since 2007!
We talked about this a little on Twitter. I love blogging but recently I feel like I’m repeating myself. I’m not getting the page views I did before and I just feel like I’m recapping my instagram. It’s sad, but I think it is dying…
I appreciated your comments too Steffany because I know you understand. I don’t think blogging will ever disappear 100% but I do believe it’s evolving and changing towards other social media. I think most bloggers don’t receive the same amount of page views but what so I know. 😂
My blogging has come full circle. I’m back to blogging for myself, about whatever I’m excited about, dealing with, or pushing through. LOL on “I run and come home.” I barely remember my runs after my shower — unless I’m traveling or caught a great sunrise. IG just doesn’t do it for me. I’m trying to like it but …
Ugh. All the social medias. There’s too much to keep up with and I think it’s unnecessary. I enjoy blogging to get my thoughts out. I’ve never really built a strong following or made much money. That would take planning and effort lol the times I have earned a little extra cash was when I would spend hours and days on a post only to earn like 0.47. 😆
Those pay per click type of ads always seemed pointless to me too.
I think of blogging as my impression of Doogie Howser at the end of every episode (I hope you know who that is or it will make NO sense haha). I get my feelings out and I like doing it. If nobody reads, that’s ok with me. People have mentioned specific things that they’ve read in my posts and how it may have entertained or helped them and it makes me feel GREAT.
My weekly torn Achilles rehab posts are probably tiresome to most people, but a guy that tore his reached out to me on Twitter about it and thanked me for inspiring him and giving him hope. We still talk about his progress. That has made all of the posting worth the effort to me.
Sorry for the long comment. I enjoy reading your blog and am glad you keep it up. You are an experienced runner with great advice and I like the way you describe your races. You also know shoes! 🙂
I think blogging through injury is so important Ralph. I hate when I read a blog, they get injured, and all of a sudden they drop off the face of the Earth. It makes the person a lot less relatable to me (but maybe I’m just too injury prone LOL)
I agree! Running (and life) isn’t all PRs and medals. Let’s hear some bad stuff too. We all have it. It’s best to know we aren’t alone. I don’t consider myself injury prone, but I get hurt I go big.
I do not read all your posts, but I love the perspective you provide. I am glad you plan to continue blogging and I will make an effort to comment more. Happy Wednesday!
I blogged in 2010-2012 but stopped. I just pick d it up again in 2017. I blog for me, it’s more about journaling and I GI back and reference my own blog 🙂
I don’t know if I think blogging is dying but it is evolving. I’ve been blogging for almost 5 years–when I first started blogging, my posts were really personal but now they’ve become more informational mixed with race and training recaps. I kind of like where things are at right now. But yes, we need to support others’ blogs!!!
I started my first blog in 2000 when they were called “online journals.” Yeah, I was part of that crew. But my latest iteration started up in 2008 or so. I definitely think it’s dying a bit, which is to be expected as things change. I’m super bummed about the transition to YouTube because I have zero desire to watch a bunch of vlogs. There are a few vloggers I do watch on occasion, but it’s fewer than 5. I don’t have time to watch a bunch of videos. Writing is so much easier to consume (for me, anyway).
I know I have very few readers, and I kind of don’t care. I like having this log to look back on. I like the interaction I get from readers and from reading other blogs. So I’m not going anywhere.
I know that feeling Megan. I have zero desire to do YouTube or podcasts either. I hope it does make a small comeback too.
I love reading your blogs! I get them in my email 🙂 but yes, definitely can see how blogging has changed. I used to get several emailed daily, and now it is only yours and Hungry Runner Girl’s!
Funny you say that Tori, HRG is one of the few blogs I get in my email too.
I’m so glad you’re still going to blog! I’ve read your blog every day since early 2015. I’ve always loved reading about your training and the diner posts as well, even though we don’t really have many where I live haha. I love Instagram but I personally do not like to read a huge novel on there. It does seem like more people use Instagram instead of blogging these days but I really hope blogging makes a comeback.
I appreciate you stopping by Megan! Where do you live? Maybe I’ll do one research and attempt to find the closest diner LOL
I don’t read every single post but I enjoy your blog 🙂
I appreciate you stopping by and reading.
I read all your blogs and I am glad you will continue blogging. I don’t blog. I have all these words and ideas in my head but they never make it to paper or the computer screen.
I feel like there’s still a place for blogging, but it has certainly changed. I have a blog, but probably only post once or twice a month (though I wish I could at least post weekly). Part of the reason I’ve stopped blogging so much is because I choose to write only when I have something to say, instead of just recapping what’s already been shared 4839685823727583 times or using it as a detailed training log. I see so many people putting out sub-par content just for the sake of “creating content” and that’s not actually engaging anyone. In this culture of clickbait and “viral” everything, I work really hard to filter out the clutter and sadly that has included a lot of blogs where people are posting just to post.
I love your perspective on this, particularly about breaking out of a niche. A lot of my friends have running blogs but I never felt like that was my jam, because while I am a runner, I am SO much more than a runner, and that’s what I want the world to see about me.
(Also, full disclosure: This was the first time I’ve read your blog! Another blogger friend – Steffany Rubel – shared this post on her page. I’m excited to dig through your other posts! :-D)
I appreciate you stopping by Lauren, and Steffany is great! I tried “just blogging about running” but I realized that just isn’t me either. Admittedly, I used to “post just to post” too but realized it was just too time consuming and what was even the point.
I love reading & following your blog! I didn’t start blogging until 2014 (the year I noticed blogs getting big), but I didn’t really update my blog again regularity until the end of last year. That’s also when I made an Instagram for my blog. I still put some personal pictures/updates on my blog Instagram do msybe I don’t have niche either. It is frustrating and confusing to grow a following on all platforms… And not many people read my blog (maybe 1,000 or so) or look at my Instagram, but they are more for myself then anything. And if something I wrote or took a picture about resonates with someone else, great! I’m not sure yet if blogging is dying, but it sure is changing.
I’m still reading :). I don’t always comment, because let’s be honest… you blog every day and I just don’t always have time to write out a comment. If I can’t comment but read I try to at least “like” the post so the blogger sees I was there.
I feel like Instagram is where it’s at with connecting with PEOPLE. BLOGGERS still read blogs, and most people who comment and engage with blogs are other bloggers. I was an ambassador for the Savannah Women’s Half Marathon/5K a few weeks ago, and the race gave me a personalized discount code to share. I’ve been busy with work and just don’t feel like blogging, so this year I mostly just shared the image on instagram, used hashtags, etc. That race was the same day as the Bridge Run and I did not want to take runners from that, so I did not promote among Charleston runners.
Over 120 people signed up using that code. I did maybe 7 Instagram posts, over 5 months, but with hashtags so that they’d display in people’s feeds. Last year, I wrote a long post about the race, full of reasons why you should do it, etc, and didn’t get nearly that many code uses.
I still have to write them a race recap blog. It’s been three weeks since the race, too. Blogging just takes up a lot more time. Instagram is easier for so many, same with Facebook pages.
I always appreciate your insight too Amy because you’ve been blogging just as long. That is interesting about Instagram and I agree. It’s a lot easier to connect with people via Instagram.
I still think there’s a place for blogging. Unless I stop blogging, I plan to keep writing race recaps. Those seem to do well in SEO and because people tend to Google a race’s name rather than try to use hashtags to find posts about it.
I also plan to blog about treating my current injury, because as someone who has been through injuries, it is good to read what someone else has gone through. I’m not sure how many people will read that or care right now, but it helps me to get it on paper and maybe it’ll help someone out there.
I used to blog for a bit but I read a lot of blogs for a long time. But social media especially Instagram had replaced that for me. I get all my content in one place instead of clocking to different sites. I will still read posts when driven there from an Instagram link
I do agree that instagram is easier. I don’t always remember to add a link from IG but I’m trying to be better!
Before I started posting on IG a lot, I was planning on starting a blog about my running. However, I haven’t made the time to sit down and do it yet. I like blogging, as it seems like you can elaborate on stories and ideas beyond what you would normally post on Facebook or Instagram. I generally keep my Instagram and Facebook post fairly short, but I feel like if I had a blog I could elaborate and I had many more details. I don’t know if people would be interested in hearing about and every day mom who likes to run, but some people seem slightly interested.
I read your blog! Sometimes I click through on blog posts via my phone and hate typing on my phone or I’ve already commented on FB or something so I’m not a huge commenter anymore. I still enjoy blogging and can’t really bring myself to write a book on Instagram-I’m always trying to shorten it or wish I could keep it to like 1-2 sentence captions but people do like getting info, thoughts there. I don’t have a huge following anywhere but get the sponsored campaign or cool swag every now and then. I also can’t just like do what everyone else is doing or post a stupid watch photo or post-run selfie everyday. I LOVED what you said about your Instagram because I have mine as my life-personal plus running plus some bloggy/influencer things. I thought about separating it but I’m lazy and like having a mix of everything.
Also before Boston I went back and read some of my 2016 Chicago training recaps and loved reading what I was doing as well as being reminded how STRONG I had been running/training. It’s nice to have a little place in the internet that has snippets or big chunks of my life (despite being public).
I know the feeling and I do feel like commenting via mobile anywhere can be difficult! I like to go back and read my training recaps before races too. I always feel better about goal races that way.
I’ve commented on a number of your posts but never received a reply. I enjoy your posts. I left Instagram as to me it’s superficial whereas Bloggers seem more interested in genuine conversations as opposed to how many likes or followers they get. I started blogging almost a year ago and it has grown steadily since.
I wonder why the responses haven’t gone through! I do try and respond to most comments. I would agree that blogging is generally more genuine comments whereas sometimes Instagram doesn’t always feel that way.
I only blog a few times a year. I use it more as an online journal to vent with when I feel strongly about an issue or event. I enjoy reading your blogs because you write from a personal level that makes your writing more interesting.
I appreciate your support. I used to write more informative posts but I feel as though I like to read more from a personal aspect.
Your blog is an awesome read! There’s really tow reasons I say that:
1) There’s some great insight into what a very speedy runner thinks. I’m just Joe average runner, but you can (and do) win a lot of races. It’s wonderful to get your thoughts on performance, and the issues that go along with the high performance expectations.
2) Your diner reviews are the bomb! If I’m ever in New Jersey, I will look up your reviews first. They are fascinating.
I like the no nonsense way you tell it like it is (for both 1 and 2 above). Please keep it coming..
I appreciate that Joe! If you’re ever I’m NJ let me know!
I am happy that you are continuing to blog! I see that blogging is slowly dying, and I’m really sad about that! Like you, I like Instagram for pretty pictures, and I find the longer captions kind of a pain to read, especially when they are really long captions all the time! And while I love Insta-stories, sometimes it takes too long to watch my favorite bloggers “talk” their blogs. My favorite thing about blogs is that I can read them on my own time, fairly quickly, and usually learn something new/find something new to make for dinner, and/or connect with the blogger I love 😀 i wish commenting from my phone wasn’t so difficult!
I’ve been blogging for about 4 years. I switched to a hosted site and lost most of my casual followers on my WordPress. Com site.
I blog for my web site where I’m trying to sell medals for first time 5k runners
It’s a challenge. People say they read but still few likes or comments.
I read and enjoy following along with your racing. Keep it up!
Thank you so much.
Of course you write this as I’m considering putting my own together 😅 (not that this would discourage me, just amused at the timing)
It depends— there are certain types of blog subjects that lend themselves better for a platform like Instagram while others benefit hugely from blogs like family, faith, diy, gardening, etc. Those blogs are still hugely popular. When it comes to fitness and especially running, it is very “nichie” so unless you’re into it, you won’t read them.
I still read even though I’m not a runner 🙂been here since the beginning
Yes, you too! It’s crazy how far and much has changed since we both started blogging.
I just started blogging, but have used google+, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest intensively in the past.
Each media has it’s appeal.
I think blog is more suited to readers, and more focused to specific interests.
In my case I blog and follow runners.
Facebook is all about sharing experiences with friends and some quick thoughts
Instagram is sharing images
Google+ was great to share ideas, but is dead
Pinterest is a way to organize your thoughts and share
The problem with blogging is that people are getting lazy to read.
But there are still a lot of loyal followers like me who follow your blog
I love reading blogs & I love reading yours! If a blog is ‘Swipe-uppable’ on instagram, it’s if something I’m interested in & said blogger does not spam my email with things they are peddling-I will read. I rarely comment. It’s hard to comment because you have to find the comment box, full out a form & then if you want to receive notifications you get emailed. Or never know what the response was if there was one. When I had Bloglovin’ on my phone & read blogs daily—you had to open a web browser, scroll through a ton of content & ads to the very bottom and then could comment. Instagram is much easier to engage.
I appreciate that Jess. I agree and I don’t mind sponsored posts, but if that is all the blogger does, I cannot relate!
I’ve been reading for years but never commented! Please keep writing!
I appreciate you stopping by and reading Alyssa! That means a lot!
Hi from Australia! I love reading your blog, you inspire me with your running and always enjoy the little “peek” into life in the US when reading your diner recaps 🙂
I feel the same. Blogging is dying, but I love going back and using my blog as a training tool or a scrapbook. I will continue to blog, but definitely will be mostly to post race recaps or big life moments. I don’t have time in my day anymore to post weekly or even read the blogs I usually keep up with. Still love your blog and it’s one of the few I still read–but I don’t usually have time to comment!
The quick, easy and free..I have been in the blogging community about 8 years, and on my second site. Social media, is the driver to my page, and I believe the SEO changes have held down us smaller destinations. If you have excellent content (which u do) and adjust to the changing landscape, blogging still can be a successful and FUN journey.
Completely agree and I feel the same way about you Paul. At the end of the day, if blogging continues to be fun, I’ll continue to do it.
OMG I feel exactly the same way…and judging by the number of comments, I’m going to guess I’m in the majority – WOW! I usually only blog once a week now and definitely don’t see as much traffic. It has changed so much since I started in 2014 (?) but, like you, I continue to do it b/c I don’t want to jam up my Instagram and I enjoy it. I will ALWAYS read and comment on your blog for as long as it’s fun for you 🙂
I really hope blogging isn’t dying. I love reading your blog and many others. While podcasting seems to be the new rage, I cannot listen to podcasts while at work during lunch (when i read blogs) so I would hate to see blogging stop.
SO true Hollie
I’ve been blogging since 2006 but never with a ton of posts. But I’ve also seen a decline in my page views starting around 2012. I basically use Twitter in the ways I used to blog, sharing links and ideas. I feel so much pressure to put out “good” posts on my blog, so I rarely post anything!
I also wonder if another part of the downfall was when Google Reader stopped. That’s how I kept track of all the blogs I read.
I also noticed a lot of blogs just turned into attempts to make money, and that was never my goal (I write about personal finance but I wasn’t monetizing anything!) and so that became a bit of a turn-off when so many blogs were just nonstop sponsored posts and generic advice.
Hope you keep writing!