Is blogging dead?

Is Blogging Really Dead and Do We Even Care?
In December 2010, the Pew Research Center reported that teen blogging is down and, to a lesser degree, blogging among Millennials (ages 18 to 33) has dropped as well. Concurrently, blogging among older adults increased from 2008 to 2010. Apparently only half as many teens work on their own online blog as did in 2006, which Pew links to the growing popularity of social network sites and alternate tools for engaging in "blog like" substitute activities.

That’s from an American Marketing Association release. I think it’s probably true that casual blogging is down due to a fascination with Facebook. I know I tend to pay more attention to Facebook these days, if only to occasionally get some communication from my daughters [yes, daughters, that’s a hint!]

For keeping up with family and friends, a blog isn’t all that great.

For spouting off long personal opinions, a social site isn’t all that great. I can post them here, and people can just ignore them, which is usually what happens. I really don’t like reading long political arguments on Facebook, even though I read articles and blogs on those topics.  I don’t think any IQ above 90 is necessary or maybe even appropriate for Facebook.

There’s a big middle ground, of course. The middle ground stuff – sharing funny videos, for example – is increasingly easier to do on social sites rather than blogs, so that’s where it goes.