Blogging Predictions for 2007

January 2nd, 2007 | Categories: blogs, trends

In response to a post by Tony over at the CompSci.ca Blog, I am going to make some specific predictions about the blogosphere for 2007.

Perception shift: Historically, a blog has been stereotyped as a ‘personal journal’ or ‘diary’ to the non-techie. In other words, it is categorized as a log of someone’s daily happenings. This is often true. However, a large number of blogs are NOT personal sites, but rather sites that cater to specific topics or report news. I think that we will see a shift in the perception of the term toward this mentality.

Bridging the gap: Up until recently, the gap between A-list bloggers and the rest of the pack has been enormous. But the line is being blurred. More and more so called B and C-listers are making their way up the ladder. The days of the blogging elite are numbered.

Deeper niches: As the number of blogs continues to increase at an astonishing rate, we will witness the further proliferation of tighter and tighter niches. In other words, instead of a new blog about dogs, someone may choose to blog about poodles or pugs in particular. This general trend will continue to occur as long as the blogosphere expands. The more blogs, the deeper the niches.

More full-timers: As the blogosphere matures and more and more readers become accustomed to this new media outlet, the opportunity for a career in blogging has become more and more real for many people. The combination of good content, a carved-out niche, and a solid ad system (i.e. maybe Google AdSense, Text Link Ads, or direct sales) can potentially lead to a full-time job in the field. In addition, blog networks are further facilitating this transition by streamlining the process.

Increase in blogging tools: More and more start-ups are popping up with tools that cater to bloggers. Furthermore, widgets and web apps are making the lives of bloggers much easier, while providing maximum exposure and distribution for the given company.

I could have said blah, blah, blah… blogs are the new media… blah, blah, blah… they are replacing newspapers and old media… but this is obvious and inherent. Nonetheless, the trends listed above are just a few I see surfacing in the year to come…

17 Comments

  1. Tony Says:

    Thx for the response!

    Everything sounds pretty reasonable. I’m especially looking forward to the ‘Perception shift’.. maybe to better explain what I do to my non-techie friends? Hopefully after 2007 I wouldn’t have to ;)

  2. Aidan Says:

    No problem Tony.

    I hope that the perception shift occurs as well. When I tell my friends and family I have a blog, they ask why the hell anyone would want to read about my daily life. Fair enough.

    Little do they know…

  3. Tony Says:

    Similarly when I first told my girlfriend about my blog, she couldn’t understand why I would want to have it “publically accessable” (as oppose to friends-only Livejournal entries). At least she gets some of the online privacy issues :)

  4. Aidan Says:

    Very true.

  5. andrew wee Says:

    interesting observations.

    the bottomline seems to sound like blogging is going to step up a notch this year?

  6. Aidan Says:

    Andrew,

    Blogging is definitely going to step it up a notch this year - in a big way. Though blogging seems prolific and mainstream already, we haven’t even seen the tip of the iceberg yet.

    Cheers,
    Aidan

  7. andrew wee Says:

    good observations.

    i think the biggest thing people will notice in 2007 as ‘blog’ becomes part of everyone’s language and is used both as a noun and a verb is that people won’t have to explain what a ‘blog’ is anymore…

    in short, it’ll go mass market or sell out (depending on your perspective).

  8. Aidan Says:

    Andrew,

    Once again, I couldn’t agree with you more. The term ‘blog’, in all its forms, will become part of the language and natural speech.

    In addition, blogging will definitely go ‘mass market’, or mainstream. However, I’m not convinced ’selling out’ is a term we can use to describe a form media that will forever change the way communication and discussions are conducted around the world.

    The notion of blogging going mainstream isn’t a question of if, but when. And that time is very near.

    Cheers,
    Aidan

  9. Tony Says:

    Andrew - ‘blog’ becoming part of the language? Technically “The term “blog” has been chosen as the top word of 2004 by a US dictionary publisher.”

    Though considering that the majority of internet using population is still not familiar with it (and thus your original point), I’d have to think this was a rushed/bias decision. Maybe we can pick ‘blog’ again this year ;)

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  11. andrew wee Says:

    hey Tony,
    i think one dicitionary publisher or even if Encylopedia Brittanica inducts blogging into its books may not mean there is wide societal acceptance.

    the term ‘krunk’ has been accepted into several dictionaries, but i bet there’re still bunches of people who have no idea what it is (to be honest, i’d probably have to wiki it to give a fair definition).

    i think there’s still scope for a ’social/sociological/cultral anthropological dictionary’ of sorts.

    i think nicholas necroponte suffers the same fate.

    just because he says everyone will eventually become a cyborg, doesn’t make it so…

  12. Random Mumblings Says:

    20 lists of trends for 2007

    A collection of predictions for 2007 in no particular order. HipMojo.com: Top 10 Media Trend Predictions for 2007 The Luon Blog: 10 key predictions for 2007 - as read on eMarketer Greg Sterling: Predictions for 2007: Evolution and Acceleration David…

  13. Richard Ball Says:

    Related to your “perception shift” idea, I think more companies are going to shift from thinking a blog is an option to an essential part of the marketing mix. As for blogging tools, I’d like to see a new blogging search engine. Yes, I know there are plenty. But, Technorati’s too slow, Google’s good at “static” search but not “real-time” search. I actually like BlogsNow. Not a search engine but more like a TailRank or a TechMeme. Maybe BlogsNow is to Technorati what Google is to Yahoo. Simpler. Clean.

  14. EastVanEsica Says:

    Blogging has been added as an actual job one can write down as their form of employment for yearly taxes now. Odd perhaps but I found the announcment exciting :)

  15. Aidan Says:

    Richard -

    I definitely agree. A new blog search engine is needed. We make due with the current default, Technorati, but a new entrant needs to push the boundaries and force innovation.

    Jessica -

    Wow, I didn’t know that. Maybe one day I’ll be a big shot like you and I can classify my blogging as a job as well, hehe ;)

    Cheers,
    Aidan

  16. EastVanEsica Says:

    This announcement was on the evening news here in Vancouver one evening. I had found it interesting that it is a legally binding job description in Canada now.

    Nice to meet you Aidan :)

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