Blogging. Remember that? It used to be the internet’s version of a diary, with a bit of glitter and a comment box. Fast forward to today and it looks a bit different, doesn’t it? So let’s have a little wander down memory lane and ask the question. Has blogging really changed, or are we just seeing it through grown-up eyes?
Back When Blogs Were Just… Blogs
Once upon a time, blogging was simple. You’d sit down at your computer, spill your thoughts about your day, your dog, or that weird thing that happened on the bus, and hit publish. There were no rules, no analytics, and definitely no pressure to rank on page one of Google.
Photos were blurry, fonts were questionable, and posts had titles like “So… this happened lol”. It was charmingly chaotic. If your post had a point, that was a bonus. If it did not, well, that was fine too. It was real and raw and felt a bit like chatting with a mate over a cup of tea.
Enter the Era of “Content”
Somewhere along the line, blogging turned professional. Suddenly, it became all about content strategies, email lists, sponsored posts and something called “engagement metrics” (whatever those are). Blogs now often look more like online magazines — sleek, structured, and often monetised.
Let’s be honest, the rise of Instagram, YouTube and TikTok has pushed blogging to step up its game. People expect beautiful layouts, valuable information, fast-loading pages, and links to everything under the sun. And hey, there’s nothing wrong with that. Some bloggers have built empires. Fair play to them.
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What We’ve Gained
Blogging today is powerful. It helps people share knowledge, grow businesses and even create communities around shared passions. Want to learn how to crochet a dinosaur? There’s a blog for that. Need advice on dealing with burnout? There’s a blog for that too.
The quality of writing and information has gone up, and there is a blog for pretty much every niche you can imagine. Whether you are into vintage teapots, minimalist living, or conspiracy theories about birds (seriously, look it up), there is something out there for you.
But What Have We Lost?
With all that polish and professionalism, we might have lost a little bit of the heart. The messy, silly, too-honest posts that made you feel like you were not the only one who had no idea what they were doing in life. These days, blogs can feel a bit too curated, like everything has been through five rounds of editing and a brand approval process.
Sometimes, I miss the oversharing. I miss the unfiltered ramblings and the blurry brunch photos. I miss reading a blog and feeling like I was peeking into someone’s real life rather than a perfectly managed online persona.
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So… Has Blogging Changed?
Yes. Blogging has changed a lot. But it is not dead. It is just different. Some of us have gone professional, others are still keeping it personal. Some write to make a living, others just want to share their thoughts with the world. And that is the beauty of it — it is still ours to shape.
What do you think? Do you miss the messy charm of old-school blogs or do you prefer the sleek style of blogging today? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear your take.
olivialucieblake.com 
I totally miss the blogging that existed before Facebook.
But you can never go back, right? So now I just blog how I want and let the chips fall where they may. 🙂
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I also feel like blogging has changed alot since Covid too. Covid really paved a way for blogging, as thats all alot of people had going on. The community seemed closer and more vibrant. And I feel like we have let go of that since then.
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I look back at some of my older posts and they feel a lot less polished than they are now. I still like to keep mine chatty in style and if someone reads, likes and comments, it still makes my day. I feel like readers more and more want something short form but that’s not me. I do sometimes wonder why I bother, but I love to write and it keeps my brain going!
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Yeah I agree Laura. Short form is where it’s gone (or where it’s already gone!) It’s a shame, but I think there will always be space for those who like to write long form content. There has to be!
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I desperately miss the blogs of yesteryear and the LiveJournal-style approach that used to dominate it. These days everything feels so cold and impersonal. But like blogging, I guess I’ve changed a lot too. I used to love writing long form blog posts but these days I’m more into microblogging on my website. No matter the length, it’s still me being authentic and just writing for the love of writing. Maybe I should get a little more messy with it. Hopefully the internet and blogging itself can take a step back from all this monetization mess and get back to being a more personal web.
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I think blogging is changing and adapting to our lifestyles. Like you mentioned you used to write long form, but now prefer short form. It’s going that way with video content too. Alot less people like YouTube videos but will sit and scroll through 100 short Tik Toks instead. Its the same thing.
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This is so true!
When I first started in 2019, it felt like a safe place on the internet where I could just pour out MY thoughts and people genuinely seemed interested to listen but now it’s feels like I have to be strategic and all that just to get people to read my posts. It’s frustrating sometimes
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Thats exactly how it feels. The authenticity isn’t there anymore. It’s like we have to put on a persona and be something we’re not. I’m glad I’m not alone in feeling like this.
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I think blogging is making a come back. Substack is bringing back that conversational, diary style writing; I think this, plus a desire to own things again will cause a blogging renaissance.
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I love to hear that. I’ve never looked into Substack, I’ll take a look!
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I miss the oversharing. I miss the unfiltered ramblings and the blurry brunch photos. I miss reading a blog and feeling like I was peeking into someone’s real life rather than a perfectly managed online persona – this is what I truly miss. I loved the chaos, the heart poured in a post that did not have a fancy title and smart content. I miss the truth in every word
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Perfectly summed up in one comment. You’re so right. I miss all of those things too.
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Your reflection on the nostalgic charm of early blogging resonates deeply with many who have witnessed this shift. The unfiltered nature of past blogs allowed for an authentic exchange of ideas and experiences that often feels lacking in today’s meticulously curated content. It raises an important question about the balance between professionalism and personal expression in digital writing.
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