So what is a Blog anyway? I am asked every week via emails, conversation and Instant Messaging chats to define: ‘what is a blog’. If you’re reading this you may well be asking the same question.
There are a number of ways I could answer this question ranging from the broad to the highly technical.
Before I define the ‘what is a blog’ question – here are a few definitions from other much wiser people to get us started:
‘A weblog is a hierarchy of text, images, media objects and data, arranged chronologically, that can be viewed in an HTML browser.’ Source
‘A frequent, chronological publication of personal thoughts and Web links.’ Source
‘From “Web log.” A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is “blogging” and someone who keeps a blog is a “blogger.”‘ Source
‘A weblog is kind of a continual tour, with a human guide who you get to know. There are many guides to choose from, each develops an audience, and there’s also comraderie and politics between the people who run weblogs, they point to each other, in all kinds of structures, graphs, loops, etc.’ Source
‘A blog is basically a journal that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is “blogging” and someone who keeps a blog is a “blogger.” Blogs are typically updated daily using software that allows people with little or no technical background to update and maintain the blog. Postings on a blog are almost always arranged in cronological order with the most recent additions featured most prominantly.’ Source
‘A blog is a website in which items are posted on a regular basis and displayed in reverse chronological order. The term blog is a shortened form of weblog or web log. Authoring a blog, maintaining a blog or adding an article to an existing blog is called “blogging”. Individual articles on a blog are called “blog posts,” “posts” or “entries”. A person who posts these entries is called a “blogger”. A blog comprises text, hypertext, images, and links (to other web pages and to video, audio and other files). Blogs use a conversational style of documentation. Often blogs focus on a particular “area of interest”, such as Washington, D.C.’s political goings-on. Some blogs discuss personal experiences.’ Source.
So What is a Blog???
Confused yet? Don’t be – its really quite simple. To put it as simply as possible – a blog is a type of website that is usually arranged in chronological order from the most recent ‘post’ (or entry) at the top of the main page to the older entries towards the bottom.
Have a look at the main page of my blog at here for an example. for a different example you might like to look at this one (another of mine).
Ok – now you are a seasoned blog reader – you’ve seen two already at least.
Blogs are usually (but not always) written by one person and are updated pretty regularly. Blogs are often (but not always) written on a particular topic – there are blogs on virtually any topic you can think of. From photography, to spirituality, to recipes, to personal diaries to hobbies – blogging has as many applications and varieties as you can imagine. Whole blog communities have sprung up around some of these topics putting people into contact with each other in relationships where they can learn, share ideas, make friends with and even do business with people with similar interests from around the world.
Blogs usually have a few features that are useful to know about if you want to get the most out of them as a reader. Lets examine a couple briefly.
Archives – You might look at the front page of a blog and think that there is not much to them. A few recent entries, some links to other sites and not much else. However its worth knowing that there is a lot more going on under the surface that might initially meet the eye. For example in addition to the main page of this blog – at the time of writing this post there are over 520 other pages or posts below the surface that I’ve written over the past few months.
When I write a post like this one it goes to the top of the front page. As it gets older and as I add more current posts it begins its journey down the page until it disappears from it. This is not the end of its life however, because it goes into the ‘Archives’ of my blog. It sounds like a dusty dark place but its really just like a filing cabinet that is easily accessible in a couple of ways. You can read my ‘archives’ simply by looking on the ‘sidebar’ (over on the left of this blog) at the ‘archives’ or ‘categories’ section. There you will see links to all my old posts which you can access either by category. You’ll see a category for ‘Advertising’ – click that link and you’ll see all my old posts on the topic of Advertising with the most recent at the top and the oldest at the bottom.
Comments – Not all blogs use comments – but most do. This blog is not a monologue but a conversation. You can give me feedback on almost everything I write simply by clicking the ‘comments’ link at the bottom of each one of my posts. This will take you to a little form where you leave your name, email and a link to your own blog if you have one as well as your feedback, comment, critique, question, essay on why you love my blog, promise of money…. etc). Try it now. Scroll to the bottom of this page, click ‘comments’ and fill in the blanks with a little introduction to yourself.
A great way to learn about blogs is to read a few. Leave some comments, ask questions and bookmark your favourites. An even better way to learn about blogs is to start your own. Ok – you might be laughing at me now – you think you are not web savy enough to have your own site? You wouldn’t know where to start? You don’t know how?
My Secret
Let me share a secret with you – three years ago I knew nothing about blogs, I had never used the internet for anything more than email, surfing and chatting to friends and I could only barely do any of that! But one day I discovered a blog and after surfing from one to another (blogs tend to link up to other blogs a lot) for a few hours I was hooked and wanted to start my own. I found that there are free blog services that almost anyone could set up in a matter of minutes. Really it is that simple. Literally millions of people blog from around the world. Its not just something for young people, or geeks, or cool folk, or Westerners, or even for people with their own computers – instead its something virtually anyone with access to a computer and the internet once or twice a week can start up.
Are you still confused? Would you like more information? Below are a few helpful articles on the topic – there are many more on the web – just do a search on your favourite search engine. Otherwise shoot me an email using my ‘contact’ button with your question and I’ll do my best to get back to you.
Update: If you’d like to start a blog I’ve written a book – ProBlogger the Book – which is specifically written for new bloggers. I hope you find it helpful.
- Rebecca Blood has written a helpful history of blogging for those who are interested in learning more about the blogging evolution over the past few years.
- Harvard Law has a helpful article titled What makes a Weblog a Weblog
- Trudy Schuett writes a good article title What is a blog and why do we need one?
- WordPress: Introduction to Blogging
If you are new to blogging and want some hints on how to get started – keep an eye on my Blogging for Beginners Page for more ways to explore blogging.
One more post you might be interested in – What Is RSS?
Lastly – let me finish with a video that explores the question of what is a blog in a visual form that I’m sure many of you will find helpful.
So now you know WHAT a blog is – learn how to start one and use it to build an online income with ProBlogger the Book.
Also check out Become a Blogger Videos – a free series of videos that talks new bloggers through how to set up a blog.
About Darren Rowse
My name is Darren Rowse and I’m a full time Blogger making a living from blogs like 
Andy – when I started blogging I was only at the beginning of my journey with computers. I could email, use Word etc – but that’s about it. There are some good easy tools to get started with blogging. Check out the blogging for beginners series for a starting point.
Hey Darren! I saw your bit on the news and was most impressed by the possibilities… I am new to blogging but look forward to seeing what I can do. Do you have any ideas on particular topics for blogs ie. what would be a waste of time and is it clever to tune in to broad market appeal topics? I’m a great researcher and so can probably blog on about anything! Thankyou!
hey darren, i am new to all this i already work part time at home so this would be a great side thing for me to do. i saw the clip on channel ten and i was like why not ill have a look. i am not to good with the computers though and worried it may be to hard to do but ill do some research and see how i go. im going to check out some other blogs now so wish me luck lol. im also unsure you say you can get paid to do this but i dont get how that works?
i would like to learn more about blogs n blogging, and make money, all this is new to me but i m very interested if you can help me, thanks
As is the case with most of the comments on this page I’m just getting started and here I am. Thanks for the help.
Thanks for the description of various definitions about what a blog is. You brodened my horizon. That is like a phd thesis introduction.
Thanks for the info…do people understand the value of your information? I hope so as it is very educational.
Your ideas from the experience in blogging is informative on this subject, but for me how do i get started, i have just started my business in immigration & travel and would want a blog for marketing into the world.
God Bless!
This blog is very useful to me, after reading this blog i got an idea to start blogging.
thanks…..
Thanks for the info Darren; I totally understand Blogs now without any questions , so far(smile)
I recently purcheased this website a few months ago because I am very interested in making money at home
I havn’t had any comments or any action what so ever on
my website.I am beganning to get the blogging is very important in getting traffic to my site. I knew nothing about blogging until I found your site on blogging today.I still am somewhat confused. If you have a minute, would you please take look at my website to see if you could shine some light on what I need to do to get it moving.
Thanks
I do agreed with you that anyone now can start a blog to share their thoughts or news. It’s almost replace with the media role. The power of blogs is amazing. It’s can reach the world within a second once you published your blogs.
To your success
Bryan Hee
The great thing of setting up a blog is that it is very easy for people who don’t have the technical knowledge. My first blog was at a free blogging service, but now (years later) I have more knowledge about webdesign and programming codes, I’ve setup a blog on my own host. Blogging is a great inventure!
thanks for this info, you have no idea how much work i have avoided for reading these, and also how much money i can save. i’m going to use blogger.com service. i wonder if its anyway to track your traffic in blogs, maybe google analytics?
I am a new blogger, I am in awe of the information you have here… great going
I find your format enjoyable to read, easy to understand and encouraging. So many times reading instructions on how to do something is so intimidating and when you have dyslexia it is easy to get discouraged. Thank you for helping this newbie.
First time post, have wanted to get my head around the whole blogging thing for a while, this is really useful. Unlike most web-type people I’m not so good at diving in and seeing what happens, I always feel the need to read a text book first! This blog is helping to fill in the back knowledge that everyone else seems to already have; finally, I GET IT!!!
A blog is a website consisting of entries (also called posts) appearing in reverse chronological order with the most recent entry appearing first . Blogs typically include features such as comments and links to increase user interactivity. Blogs are also called as a weblog or web log. Blogs are similar in format to a daily journal.Blogs are created using specific publishing software.
I am beginner of blogging and I’m not familiar with it. Although I read about your definition of what you call blog, I am still confuse. Can you explain to me how can I begin blogging and what is it about.
hi,
Your blog is really helpful , reassuring and informative.
I am interested in getting a website, so that I can have my genealogy, family photos, etc. on it . I also want a blog.
Is it possible to have those things on a blog and not bother with a website?
thanks for your help.
June Brasgalla
Your blog is informative. For me blog is an personal diary on which you post or create article based on your needs or niche.
Great information on blogs for newbies and advanced users. I learned some new stuff. Thanks for sharing Darren.
i take blog as your shop. the gpood stuff u have, the more visitors you get. and then their is advertisers to get eyeballs too.
Every reader, if he has a strong mind, reads himself into the book, and amalgamates (join or mix ) his thoughts with those of the author.
According to me a blog is a web page that serves as a publicly accesible personal journey for an individual. Blog often reflects the personality of the author. Its reflection of something is believed in (or disbelieved in), not on its own direct account only , but through something else also. I don’t mind people expressing their thoughts and sharing stories in a cut paste way which is not easy too and sometime one cant express in more proper way as he/she feels. So BLOG is a REFLECTION of the authors personality.
I am from Solomon Islands. I am relatively new to a lot of internet jargons such as the term blog. As a result I did a live search on the question, What is a blog? I have seen this on several websites I have visited previously. So I was keen to know what it means. From the live search I ended up in your blog. Guess what! What you have posted in this site has really answered my question. Now I am literate to a certain degree with blogs. Thank you so much for creating such a site with a lot of useful information and links about blogs. Thank you for making me one step wiser today!
Thank you for the info you provided.I am completely computer dumb and i hope that with help i can get some of my idea’s and opinions out into the world.Your article has definetly pointed me in the right direction.Although i am not completely clear on what to do to start, i am motivated to research and find out .When i become a famous person I will make sure i give credit to your article for it part in my life.
hey im learning how to blog for my english 103 class. The class is very internet orientated, but the professor has a “walk you through it” attitude which is more than comforting as a new freshman at BSU. This has been assigned as one of our readings, so i figured id follow all the directions!
thanks bunches,
Asia
Hi Darren, Thanks for the million facts about blog. It is truly helpful.
More power & God bless.
i’m new to blogging and i do not know what are the tips and tricks of blogs. I am now starting to read all your blogsposts sir to find ways how you make money online. Hope you can be my mentor. You are now so rich because of blogging
hi there…im thinking of making my own blog.. i know nothing about blogging or programming.. but im eager to learn.. im thinking of making somewhat a social blog.. with coming up events… tips on how to…. etc.. do you have any tips you can give?
Great tips about blogging and its importance. A lot of people are discovering blogging right now and thanks to you, they will have it easier for them through the use of your given tips. God bless and continue the good work…
None of the prior comments mentioned that blogs have provide a publishing “gateway” to the web for people who lacked even the basic technical knowledge and sophistication that was previously required. The creation of blog technology eliminated this barrier to entry to the internet community.
For decades having enough intelligence to be able to access the internet acted as a filter which eliminated most of the totally clueless morons and knukledraggers that are the primary beneficiaries of the introduction of blog technology.
The internet had not seen such a huge influx of the intellectually challenged since the customers of AOL were allowed to go online unescorted.
The “bloggers” as they are called are responsible for the “dumbed down” internet we have today. It is utterly amazing that these deluded individuals honestly believe their blog entries are relevant. This fantasy and the content free nature of their postings provide solid, empirical evidence that these “bloggers” suffer from really serious, heavy duty brain damage.
Worse yet, professional news journalists, a heinous example of this lame new class of clueless, can now to pontificate on the web just as they had previously done using the traditional printed and electronic mass media.
The single best (or worst) example of being “content free” is the vapid “post-modern”, “deconstructed” blogs with the gibberish generated by the subculture of English Lit majors schooled in “literary criticism”.
No other group on the internet comes even close in their uncanny ability to peg the “bogosity meter” that is used extensively in the study of classical quantum bogodynamics.
Unfortunately the genie has been let out of the bottle and there is no viable means to eliminate this class of internet users or the larger blogger community.
Great Blog, you open my mind in a way that I will be forever thankful.
Just read your blog it was a requirement for a class I’m taking at Drake University here in Des Moines. Getting ready to create my own blog I’ll let you know how everything goes.
I wonder what class if was a requirement for?!?!
@ Melody McCollum
You serious? Link us to this course! and ugh email or twitter me when you respond please.
http://twitter.com/brynyoungblut
http://bryn.me
For me it is a freedom of expression.
I have just started searching on how I could network with people that are looking to build second homes on Lake Winnipasauke in New Hampshire. I am a builder and am looking to reach more people around the United States that have thought about building in New Hampshire. As I am searching I noticed that blogging is a big thing now. I know nothing about it and was wondering if I needed a web page in order to blog? Please let me know your thoughts.
Thanks
Tim
Its a great knowledge about blog. It will help me to start my new blog.
thanks
Thanks for this site. It’s helping me to establish my own blog.
Bob
what a wonderful write up you have, i have been interested in setting up a blog but i don’ t know how to do that, i will appreciate if you can guid me on how to do it and i want to know if i must have a website b/4 i can start blogging thanks.
I was introdroduced to blogging when I started a page on Myyahoo 360 but I was working two jobs and managing 4 kids from 1 to 14 yrs old. But the thought always stuck in my head. I am a nurse…an LPN (licensed practical nurse and love what I do!!!) But I am getting burnt out. I am totally interested in blogging and my husband is really encouraging me. I lost my job a month ago and wanted to use my skills in other ways and he and my former co-worker think I should give it a go. I have NO experience or idea how this works. I have began some research today. Could you send me in the right direction? I do not even have a name for my site. I would really appreciate it. Thanks Alot!!!!
i watch your video but still dont understand how to create a blog i am not computer literate but i am trying.
very nice definition of blog. thanks a bunch …
Blogs could be defined as ‘human journals’ with the emphasis on ‘human’. Whether individual, collective or commercial, blogs are a representation of human ideas, knowledge and mood in time and space. Too philosophical? :-)
Hi,
Thanks for sharing, I am computer semi literate but do not really have the handles on the urls…..links an and out and reciprocal etc that go with blogging properly. I am trying ebay and wordpress bloggs. but it is a bit overwhelming.
i never knew there were different types of blogs. I thought blogs were only online diaries, only describing the blogger and his experiences. so it could be about cameras, recipes, work, movies, etc..
i learned a lot. thanks.
I will check the article about blog chronological history. I suppose can find something, which can help me guess what is the future of blogging
Now i know! i think can use this as an electronic suggestion box for my retail outlet.
I am wanting to take a shot at making some money by blogging, and I am more than a little overwhelmed by all the alternatives from which to choose. Many of the choices were outlined in your Choosing a Blog Platform, but there are too many options and I have too little knowledge. I am about ready to just DO something, anything, even if it is wrong! I suppose that would be better than doing nothing.
Only time will tell if I have anything to say, and that will make more difference than any other variable. A leap into the unknown is always a little intimidating.
Banzai!