In the world of content marketing, it’s no secret that blogs can be extremely successful. Every month, over 409 million individuals read blogs, increasing brand visibility, consumer trust, and the possibility of positive results. Furthermore, blogging increases the number of indexed pages by 434 percent and the number of indexed links by 93 percent.

For your business, this means increased inbound traffic and repeat consumers. What’s not to appreciate about that? However, each month, 8.2 million blog entries are published around the world, and the talent pool is only rising. To be competitive, you must stay current with the latest blogging trends and content marketing tactics. Here are some of the most important blog trends to watch this year, as well as quick and easy ways to incorporate them into your blog strategy.

What is blogging?

Blogging is a collection of abilities required to run and manage a blog. This comprises providing a web page with tools and software to facilitate the process of writing, posting, linking, and sharing content on the internet. Writing, photography, and other forms of media that are self-published online are referred to as blogging. Blogging began as a way for individuals to post diary-style entries, but it has already been incorporated into many businesses’ websites, nowadays ranging from travel to product reviews, and anything you can think of. Blogging distinguishes itself with regular updates, informal language, and possibilities for readers to engage and create a conversation.

What is a blog?

The term “blog” is a shortened version of the term “weblog,” which allowed early internet users to “record” the contents of their day in diary-style posts. Because blogs frequently allow users to comment, as they got more popular, communities sprang up around prominent blogs. As with most internet-based breakthroughs, many entrepreneurs saw marketing possibilities in having a blog, and the adoption of blogging among the business sector helped to enhance the medium’s appeal. A blog can not only be used to market a business but it can also be utilized to start a home business in its own right.

Who are bloggers?

A blogger is someone who manages and runs a blog. He or she expresses his or her viewpoint and knowledge on various themes for a certain audience. Bloggers have recently become well-known for a variety of reasons. For many people, blogging has become an alternative career or a side hustle. As a result of this, an increasing number of people are opting to join the ranks of bloggers. So, who exactly are bloggers? Bloggers are people who enjoy sharing aspects of their lives with you. They provide articles on a variety of themes, including arts, home design, woodworking, and money. Bloggers are mobile and do not need to be in one spot all of the time. They exist solely on the internet.

Average Blog Post and Blog Post Length

Although the length of an average blog post will vary based on your topic and readership, it is usually preferable to aim for 1,500 to 2,000 words for articles or posts. Longer pieces appear to do better in terms of ranking on SERPs. While some swear by blogging every day, there is a definite sweet spot for posting frequency. Most experts agree that writing an average blog post two to four times a week is the most effective way to increase the reach of your content.

What Constitutes Decent Blogging Traffic Stats/Statistics?

Blog entries with 1,500 to 2,000 words are recommended by experts (Databox, 2020). These key blogging traffic stats can help you plan your content. Over the last seven years, the average blog post length has increased, rising from 800 words to over 1,200 words.

Interesting Blogging Statistics

By further reading some blog statistics, you may gain inspiration for why do blogging this year. To gain wider insights and perspectives about blogging, you may want to check cool and interesting general blogging statistics here.

Million Blog Posts

Blogging is one of the most uncommon and lucrative ways to make money. There is no doubting that achieving this level of success in blogging requires hard effort, yet the right person with the right concept can earn millions of dollars while writing. There are a few things you need to do to become a wealthy blogger through crafting perfect million blog posts.

Visual Content is the first blogging trend.

Without mentioning the importance of visual content, no list of blog trends would be complete. There’s no denying that this is becoming increasingly popular. According to studies, even three days later, readers can recall 65 percent of the visual post they’ve seen. That’s a significant boost to your brand’s visibility and loyalty. Design and interactivity become more important as blogs become longer and more informative. Readers can skim text without having to read it all the way through by using visual posts. Only 16% of web readers read information word for word. The rest are scanning for information that is both rapid and efficient. If you want your readers to stay on your page, be engaged, and share your material on other platforms, you need to keep them there. Simply adding graphics, will make your material easy to skim and recall.

Trend #1: Including images in blog posts.

Adding images and videos to your content breaks up long blocks of text and gives your readers a fresh, responsive method to interact with it. Although it is usually preferred to include original content in your blogs, stock photography can be handy when creating an entertaining blog. An infographic, for example, allows users to quickly ingest information without having to read the full text. Similarly, video content is another of this year’s top blog trends, as it allows readers to connect with your pieces more engagingly. People view an average of 2.5 hours of video material every day, according to Wyzowl surveys, so including video content in your blog is a wonderful way to maximize the time spent on your sites.

Trend #2: Affiliate Marketing is the second most popular blogging trend.

The use of affiliate marketing links in your blog material is another key aspect of today’s blog trends. Outside of your website, it allows you to create an ongoing sales funnel. If you own a B2C firm, for example, you might engage a blogger to publish a review post about your product. You may then give their followers a discount if they purchase it through that post. This not only expands your profit reach but also exposes you to new audiences. In the United States, blogs account for more than 40% of all revenue, earning marketers an average of $65,800 each year. It’s no surprise that this is one of the year’s most popular blog trends due to the revenue some get from it. So, how can you use this approach to your advantage?

Trend #3: Consider affiliate marketing methods when you’re developing your blog.

Whether you’re mentioning a product or service, investigate if the company has any affiliation programs. You may accomplish this by searching for a product + “affiliate program” on Google. It’s always preferable to go with a product you’re familiar with and enjoy selling because your success will be determined by how well you sell it. A sales pitch, on the other hand, is something no one wants to read. A successful affiliated blog should be instructive and helpful, with additional blogging methods such as SEO and visual material thrown in for good measure. It is also worth noting that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires you to declare any affiliate programs you participate in, which you may do with a simple byline in your post.

Trend #4: Critical Readers

Because the public impression of online material is evolving, one of the more relevant blog trends nowadays is to include critical readers in your audience pool. Readers are less ready to believe anything that isn’t trustworthy, thanks to words like “fake news” and more competition for content. Today’s reader wants confirmation that your information is truthful and balanced. and not just a by-product of content marketing. They want you to publish and back up your arguments with citations, references, and figures. You should also keep in mind the vast amount of content available on the internet. Every year, more people and businesses join the blogging world. You must write and publish content that is both validated and well-sourced to stay competitive and maximize your SEO.

It’s critical to publish and provide information that is logical, truthful, and of high quality, with reputable sources and consistent citations. Making unsubstantiated claims is a surefire way to lose readers. Furthermore, bad sources might have a detrimental impact on your SEO and overall page authority. When writing for critical readers, here are a few pointers to keep in mind:

Create truthful content that is backed up by credible sources.
Cite sources with backlinks or include them as footnotes.
Don’t make any statements that you can’t back up.
Never make a promise you can’t keep.

The most important thing to remember is to avoid writing anything that isn’t true or can’t be verified using reliable sources. Your business could suffer a significant setback if you lose your credibility. Stay informed and improve your brand integrity by providing honest blog content.

Trend #5: Writing in a Mobile-First Format

Blog trends often come and go, but mobile-first formatting is here to stay. Everyone nowadays reads the internet on their phone. From news articles in your Facebook feed to swipe-up blogs on Instagram, your consumers are constantly surfing the web from their phones. It is crucial that a website, blog, and any other digital content created is optimized for mobile and no one wants to click on an article only to have it pixelated or cut off on their screen. If you don’t have mobile optimization set up, you risk readers logging off before they have a chance to read your content. A study from Small Biz Genius shows that 88% of consumers won’t return to a website if they’ve had a bad experience.

When creating mobile-friendly blog content, it’s important to consider how your content will look on a mobile screen. One sentence on a desktop screen can look like a paragraph on mobile. Therefore, breaking up your paragraphs, using short sentences, and ensuring your website is optimized for mobile are very important. Here are a few other points to consider:

Make navigation as easy as possible.
Make your content easy to scan.
Ensure the on-page loading time is fast.
Use a mobile responsive web theme.
Do not use text wrapping for images.

As always, writing content that is simple, accurate, and concise can improve your overall mobile accessibility.

Trend #6: Estimated Reading Time

Another recurring theme in modern blog trends is estimated reading times. Estimated reading time can improve reader engagement by setting up their expectations from the start. If you know a blog takes 15 minutes to read, but you only have 10 minutes before your next meeting, you might save that blog for another day. Likewise, if a blog takes two minutes to read, you may get excited about the convenient length of the article and open it right away. Tempesta found that readers were 40 percent more engaged with blogs that included an estimated reading time, especially for longer blog posts. What’s more, search engines factor in estimated reading times when determining your rank. The longer your users dwell on your page, the better your chances are of looking authoritative to search engines

The average reading speed of most adults is 200-250 words per minute. To estimate your blog’s reading time, divide the number of words in your article by 200 or 250. Always round up your number when estimating reading times. For example, if your blog takes 1.7 minutes to read, estimate 2 minutes. This ensures your reader’s expectations are met and increases the likelihood that they read your entire blog. You can also use online calculators, such as Read-O-Meter or Decimal to Time Calculator, to help you. Some web hosting platforms, such as WordPress, have plugins available to estimate the reading time for you.

Trend #7: TL;DR Summary

One of the latest blog trends you shouldn’t miss is the “too long; didn’t read” summary. Commonly referred to as TL;DR, these summaries act as an abstract of your blog, giving readers the most important information without making them skim, scan, or read through the entire piece. This point is important in blog trends as we continue to see global attention spans drop. A study by Microsoft found that global attention spans have been declining since 2000, with the average person’s attention span now resting at a mere eight seconds according to them.

By including a TL;DR summary at the start of your blog, you can appeal to the new generation of online readers. TL;DR summaries can also have a positive impact on your SEO, as they answer questions for readers clearly and distinctly. For example, if a customer is looking for a consulting service, they don’t want to read an entire post just to get to the recommendations at the bottom. If you include your TL;DR at the top of your post, search engines can use that as the summary in search results as well (but there’s no guarantee that they will). Answering user questions right off the bat can improve your ranking and get you more clicks.

Adding TL;DR to Your Blog Posts

Your TL;DR should be the first thing your users see. You can include this as a bulleted list or a paragraphed summary at the top of your blog post. Always have a catchy headline in your TL;DR to engage your reader and draw attention to your piece. Similarly, your points should be succinct, clear, and short. Don’t write an entire essay in this space. If you find a TL;DR formula that works for you, keep using it. Having a standardized format throughout your blogs will make your content consistent and reliable. There are also online tools now offering TL;DR services.

FAQs on Blogging Trends

Is blogging a dying trend?

Although consumer preferences are leaning towards visual posts, blogging is still a perfectly valid content marketing strategy. Using images, videos, graphics, and infographics in your blog post will help you engage your audience, increase retention times, and meet all audience tastes.

Are blogs still popular in 2022?

Blogs are incredibly popular and are a great tool for many writers and marketers who want to position themselves as industry experts. Right now, there are around 600 million blogs live on the internet.

How is blogging used in marketing?

Blogging when combined with SEO optimization can help websites increase their traffic. This leads to more brand exposure and allows content marketers to control brand perceptions. To this end, blogging has become a key part of many sales funnels – and efficient CTAs can engage and motivate audiences to sign up to mailing lists or even buy products.

Need Blogging Trends Advice and Idea?

Now that you know some of the latest and greatest blog trends, how will you implement them? If your goal is to create a better content marketing strategy, you should be including most, if not all, of these trends. If your goal is to improve your SEO, you may want to focus on mobile-first formats or content. Ultimately, tapping into each of these trends can open up opportunities for new success.

If you want help setting up your blog, utilizing these new trends, or producing blog content, let us know, email us at [email protected] or call (469) 536-8478 tel:(469) 536-8478.