Is blogging dead in 2024?

For some people, this is an honest concern. For others, it’s just an excuse to never actually get started on that blog they’ve always wanted to start.

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, the question "Is blogging dead in 2024?" is one of the most searched phrases.

As social media platforms continue to dominate online interactions, marketing and sales, some might assume that traditional blogging has lost its relevance.

However, I can tell you from first hand experience, blogging is far from dead; it's simply changing. With new internet algorithm updates, the advancement & integration of AI, eruption of short form video content, blogs are seemingly old news.

Here’s an exciting fun fact: 77% of internet users still read blogs!

Here's why blogging isn't a relic of the past, how updates to Google's ranking algorithm have shaped its future, and why it's still a viable way to make money.

BLOGGING IS A HIGHLY PROFITABLE INCOME SOURCE

Here are a few examples of blogs generating a years salary in a month:

Dollar Sprout made $347k in two months.

Fat Stacks generated at least $93k in April 2023 from its portfolio of niche sites, putting them among the most successful bloggers.

A Self Guru made $78,000 in a single month. The owner of the site is a former lawyer (she quit to blog). Right off the bat, she made $67,375 from selling legal templates and services. Read her entire blog income report here.

Blogging remains a viable revenue stream, with multiple monetization strategies available:

Affiliate Marketing: Partnering with brands to promote their products or services can generate income through affiliate links. Successful bloggers often integrate these links naturally within their content.
Sponsored Posts: Brands pay bloggers to write posts featuring their products or services. These collaborations can be lucrative, especially for bloggers with a substantial following.
Ad Revenue: Displaying ads through networks like Google AdSense or Mediavine can provide a steady income stream based on site traffic and user engagement.
Digital Products and Services: Bloggers can sell e-books, online courses, consulting services, and other digital products. This not only generates income but also positions the blogger as an authority in their niche.
Membership and Subscription Models: Offering premium content or exclusive access through a membership or subscription model can create a loyal, paying audience.

If I haven’t yet inspired you to start your own blog, let me share a few things you should keep in mind if you are looking to blog for profit.

The Evolution of Blogging

Blogging has transformed significantly since its early days. Initially, blogs were personal diaries shared with a small audience. Today, they are sophisticated platforms that drive business strategies, share expert knowledge, and engage vast communities.

Here are some of the major blogging changes you need to know:

#1 : Adopt Multimedia Integration

Gone are the days of just posting a few photos for your friends, family and readers. Modern blogs incorporate various forms of content, including videos, podcasts, infographics, and interactive elements.

This multimedia approach keeps content engaging and caters to diverse audience preferences. Because of the vast amount of blogs on the internet, your blog will need to be engaging, informational and enjoyable.

#2: Stand out with a Niche Focus

Successful blogs often target specific niches, providing in-depth information on particular topics. This specialization helps attract a dedicated audience looking for expertise and detailed insights.

I’ve seen several blogs quickly rise to stardom by picking a topic that is so specific and focused. I personally have a very broad lifestyle blog, covering a variety of topics but if I was to start a new blog, I would zone in on a very specific niche to target a very specific audience.

Your goal should be to become THE GO TO BLOG for your topic. You might want to read my blog post that goes over 10 of the most profitable blog niche ideas.

#3: Content Marketing is key

Blogs are integral to search engine optimization (SEO) and content marketing strategies. High-quality, keyword-optimized blog posts can significantly improve a website's visibility on search engines. You want to be sure that your blog posts have at least 1,000-1,500 words and contain highly ranked keywords related to the topic of the blog post (this helps during search querys).

#4: Google is less reliable but Pinterest is king

You may have noticed Google’s AI snippet that comes up when you search for something now. This can be problematic to bloggers because it causes users to not click into content anymore and rather just stay on the search page to find what they need.

However, more and more online readers are heading to new ways of searching for what they need. The most popular being, Pinterest.

Pinterest is a powerful tool for bloggers, providing a unique platform to drive traffic and increase readership. Unlike other social media platforms, Pinterest operates as a visual search engine, where users actively seek inspiration and ideas, making it an ideal space for bloggers to showcase their content.

According to recent statistics, Pinterest boasts over 450 million monthly active users, with a significant portion of these users actively engaging with content through pins and repins. Additionally, 85% of Pinners say they use Pinterest to plan new projects, and 98% of Pinners have tried something they discovered on Pinterest.

This high level of engagement and the platform's ability to drive significant referral traffic to blogs make Pinterest an indispensable tool for bloggers looking to expand their reach and connect with a highly engaged audience.

You might be thinking, What if it’s just too late and I’m doomed from the start?

It’s not too late!

It can be incredibly difficult to take a leap of faith and trust that you will be able to create a successful blog, but it will be 100% worth it! The only thing standing between you and a successful blog is to just finally get started and to push through even when changes in the industry happen!

If you want to learn more about blogging, I sent out newsletters every Tuesday with blogging tips, information and helpful updates to the industry, you can sign up for those here. And if you are looking for a supportive online community, sign up for my Mastermind, Shine Online Society!