Someone told me the other day that Instagram is doing to blogging what the internet did to newspapers.
What an interesting analogy I thought. Not completely accurate, but pretty close.
My traffic is just about the same as it usually is. Which is better than being down, however it’s not as good as being up. In case you’re wondering I get about 50k hits a day. Make sure to go tell everyone that. Thanks.
Anyway.
So this is the trend right now, huh? We’d rather see more pretty photos and less ugly words. “Great!” -says the fashion bloggers. “Oh shit.” -says me. Do you know how hard it is to fake a cool life on Instagram these days? It’s exhausting. All the flowers and pineapples and shoes and coffee and hashtags… It’s a damn jungle trying to keep up in this business. Sometimes I just want to throw the towel in and say YOU WIN. I give up. I’ll just stick to my isolated little life of words and cynical thoughts.
But this is my job. I don’t have the novelty of giving up. I don’t want to give up.
And so we go back to the trends. It’s not a surprise it’s moved this way, we’ve seen this coming for months. Probably even years if I would have been paying more attention. But when have I ever been paying attention? I tend to ignore things I don’t want to see.
I have my moments when I freak out. When I think about blogging hitting the dust (people have been saying it’s dead for years, yet here we still are) and I get angry and jealous and throw a fit like a toddler.
They’re just clothes! They’re not even writing. It’s not fair. They just started yesterday. I’ve been doing this for yearsssssss.
And then I hate myself when I realize all of my fits are about other people. Perhaps if I spent a little less time (feeding the bad wolf) worrying about the pretty pictures and a little more time on writing better posts, well then I wouldn’t be throwing a fit in the first place.
The reason for this random post at the moment is that I’m currently sitting in the salon chair spending way too much time with my thoughts so I don’t have to make small talk with my stylist.
So I want to know, are you still reading? You’re obviously here right now. But what about other blogs? Or other days?
And since I’m asking questions does anyone else have hate-follows on Instagram? People that drive them absolutely crazy with their LOOK HOW GREAT I AM lives that you know you would absolutely loathe in person but you continue to look anyway because …. because I’m not sure why?
Or does that make me a terrible person? … Get back to me. I’m going to be sitting in this chair for the next three hours.
I still read! I love instagram, but I just view them as two separate things. There are some blogs I used to read who have either shut down or don't post much anymore who I'm happy still post on instagram, but I miss their blogs. I have followed some people on instagram (mostly due to giveaways and mostly style bloggers) who I mostly end up unfollowing because I know nothing about them. I like to have some "words" to fill in who they are and why I should care at all about their pictures. I'm also incredibly sick of some of the standard "blogging" instagram pictures. I want to unfollow every picture that has half a computer keyboard with a white desk (or faked desk) and random thing like painted fingernails or coffee or a planner. So so boring. So I much prefer keeping both blogs and instagram. I think they compliment each other. I can understand how style bloggers maybe don't need to do much writing so instagram does enough for them, but I only follow a few style bloggers anyway. So yes, I'm still reading! (and looking at instagram. :))
I still follow and regularly read about 10 blogs. It used to be A LOT more than that. But, they stopped posting or got boring. Most of the 10 are those that post to FB, so it's an easy click through. I love reading an actual blog. Insta is just not as strong to connect with the blogger, which sounds stalker-ish, now that I read it…
I still read! I actually upped my reading since I started my own blog recently. I've always been a reader. When I see an article that looks interesting, if I click it and it goes to a video instead of an article to read, I immediately close it. Reading is where it's at. And yeah I suck at Instagram. Sorry I don't know how to make the yogurt I eat every morning look pretty, everyone.
I agree with Betsy that Instagram & blogging are two different things. Although, I do go to some blogs (fashion, home decor, etc) to look at pretty pictures only. Others, like yours, I enjoy reading as much as seeing the pictures!
Hey Taylor – as a PR person, I absolutely love writing and I love reading blogs. I have noticed though, that many of my favorite bloggers no longer blog.. There seems to be some consistency with bloggers getting into their 30s, having children, etc. and then dropping off.. Maybe the younger generation behind just isn't into blogging and isn't picking up where the 30 somethings have left off? I'm not sure. People today are just so lazy in regards to reading and attention spans are so short. I'm not sure what will happen. However I hope the written word makes a come back, soon.
I'm still a very active and dedicated blog reader! Blog reading IS my morning newspaper. While Insta is an unfortunate obsession of mine, I still love reading "those ugly words" as well as the pictures that will accompany them on a blog post. Keep doin what you're doin girl! You're my comic section of my morning "newspaper" if you will… š
chatclinkrepeat.blogspot.com
I have significantly decreased the amount of blogs that I keep up with due to the over abundance of sponsored posts. I get it. I understand why the bloggers do it, but as a reader it sucks. And when the same blogger has a week of sponsored posts, and there is no "meat" in between, it all just feels forced and fake. Most of the time the text in the sponsored posts just sounds like complete BS. And after that, I'm out…I think you're a phony. So many bloggers have used the same canned line about "i want to tell my story", but when all you're posts provide 10% off my next purchase of some handmade sign with a lame quote or some ridiculously priced diaper bag, it's like where's the story?
I will continue to read blogs with good content. And I love instagram! The style bloggers, blah, whatever. But, I do love seeing your shots of delicious food/bloodys and things happening in Chicago!
Yep, still reading. Much, much, much prefer reading words on a page to scrolling through endless pictures. But a mix is also great. Swear to god if I see one more 'white marble' top with a white rug on instagram I'm going to blow my lid. When I first saw it done I thought it looked so clean and elegant and I remember saving the picture to my inspiration folder because I thought it looked so good. Now every other post is an aerial view of make up. And I KNOW it's not even a real marble top…it's a cut out bought off line! GAH. Very irritating and I usually unfollow people who seem to follow the crowd because why do I want to see a million pictures of the same thing..!? Blogging world has lost a lot of individuality. In terms of beauty blogs there is only ONE type that gets you noticed (clean/white/aerial/MARBLE GODAMNIT). They've all morphed into one for me. Yawn.
So keep writing. Please. That would be swell.
xx lacoconoire.com
I'm definitely still reading! I get that some people connect with pictures, but remember that some people connect with the words you're saying as well. I sometimes get caught up in the instagram life as well, but then I remember that everyone is human. Their lives may look perfect on social media, but everyone has their struggles, it would be impossible not to!
Katelyn // The Suitcase Blonde
Absolutely still read! You and many other blogs. Instagram is such a snapshot – often posed – that reading seems so much more real…
You know how everybody predicted books would be over as eReaders came along? It never happened. People will always love stories, and they will always like to read. I have no doubt in my mind that blogs will never be dead.
I love Instagram as much as the next girl, but I agree with Betsy, to me it's separate to blog reading.
The staged pics with a white background really get on my nerves. Why are they so popular? Everybody seems to be doing them, and it's driving me nuts. Next, please!
I get bored with Instagram. I mean I like it, but I get tired of just looking at picture after picture after awhile. I come to blogs to read awesome funny stories like yours and keep updated on my fav bloggers and what's going on with them, I feel more connected to the people who's blogs I read, not so much to people I follow on Insta.
I love drinking a cup of coffee and reading blogs first thing in the morning! And I'm toying with starting my own. I've written a coupe posts, but nothing consistent. So I hope it's not dead!!!!
I still read quite a few blogs but have just dropped the ones I don't love. I just don't have the time frankly and it takes time to be an engaged reader. The ones that look too perfect make me feel worse about my shitshow of a life lol. And as for IG I have this couple that I follow and kind of think are really cool but I also want to see them break up cause I hate them a little too… you get that don't you? I know… weird:)
I don't think Instagram will every replace blogging. Instagram is too shallow for me, in a way. I'd rather read people's words and thoughts than just see a picture of their outfit any day. Photos don't always tell much of a story, or tell you much about the person you're following. I'm following hundreds of people on Instagram, and don't know much about any of them. The personality is what I come to blogs for.
I still read – & I think snapchat will be the new IG for bloggers. You don't have to worry about "over posting" on snapchat, you can give more unfiltered views into the bloggers life, and you can choose whose "story" you want to view and when.
I feel you so hard on this. And honestly, I WANT to keep reading blogs but everyone keeps quitting! I don't think readers are making it die, it's the looming armageddon that's making people who like to WRITE give up too early and allow it to die a slow and painful death. Eventually it'll cycle back, right? We're the ones who used Xanga and LiveJournal back in the day. Eventually people will get sick of seeing the same damn lilies in the same damn totes and they'll want to read some shit, right? Maybe? *fingers crossed* Keep fighting the good fight!
ugh. you know how i feel about this. i still don't get it and i probably never will. i think writing and blogging are way more important but i can't help ut feel like people are gravitating toward the silliness of instagram.
I still read all my favorite blogs plus some I don't really care about since they are in my feed. Although I'll say I haven't followed a new blog in many many months. I've looked at a few but they haven't got my attention.
I love Instagram but want the whole background story to go along with the picture. Plus on Instagram I only follow people I know in real life or whose blogs I love so you need to blog for me to follow you in insta š
My only question: Where do people find other non-judgy people to take such good pics of them? My BF will make a snarky face and then proceed to a take a half decent, not post-worthy one…but that's about as far as I get. Do they pay people to take them? I love pineapples, like really love them…but IG is playing them out! IG is fun and instant gratification, blogging takes time and dedication (even with apps and tech that make it easy to follow blogs). I love both, and spend way too much time dedicated to both! But I feel like IG cycles through topics/pics, but like bloggers do. Rant over…sorry! HAHA, have a great weekend! xoxo, ganeeban
I read every post and I read a handful of others. I don't think blogging is dead, blogs exist for a number of reasons–most of which can't be satisfied by Instagram. But I'm not anywhere close to your page views so what do I know š
I still read, at times I feel a bit silly answering these kind of questions as I do not have a blog of my own but I do still read quite a lot of blogs actually, there is a handful of which I LOVE to read as they are real life, I can relate to them, they are the ones that talk about general life, about the struggles about their family and all the good and bad in between, then there are those that if i am honest i read but really am thinking wtf are you serious!! but i still read them! I guess more for a laugh really, which is sad thing!! what I am saying is i love your blog and a handful of others!! so please keep it going, not too many sponsored posts, not too many giveaways (as i never ever win those) !!!! and just the real life, that i can relate to:) xx oh and instagram, I have not got a cluexxxxxxhugs from Irelandxxx
Hang in there. I'd rather read a well written blog post than see a quick snapshot. I blog, but I don't even have an Instagram account… makes me wonder if I'm missing out on something, though.
I read because you CRACK me up, you try to save all the dogs and you keep it real. You don't try to pretend that your life is perfect. I think your readers know you don't sugar coat life. Yours is one of the few I actually consistently read not only because it's emailed to me daily but I enjoy it too!!
I much prefer blogging and words to pictures and Instagrams. I started my blog on July 31, 2011, and though I had references to my photos on Facebook, my first post with any pictures whatsoever wasn't until Passover of the next year (April 2012).
When I read blogs, I want to read!
I still read, but I have noticed a major drop in blogging and a major rise in instagram
I am totally with you, though I love instagram..I just cannot keep up with all the trendy pictures that everyone posts. I can't keep a donut around the house long enough to take a cute picture of it anyway š
I think it will come back bigger and better than before, it's just hitting a phase right now. Blogging and sharing stories/reading stories will always be at the top of my lists. Though pictures are easy on the eyes and instant gratification. It's not a great way to connect with your readers/followers in that deep sense that blogging brings.
I hate when people say that IG is the new blogging. They offer such different things. Things that can be complementary but definitely not take the place of the other. The answer to your question is YES, I am still reading blogs. Every single day.
I've been reading you everyday for a couple of years, except for the guest blogger days. I think you are hilarious and often share your posts with friends. Hang in there
Perhaps you'll be encouraged by the fact that your blog is one of the few in which I read every single word. Not because I hate reading– I love it in fact– but because so little writing I see on the internet is inspired or worth my time. Thanks to images, bloggers have become lazy with their words, and it makes me sad. I've relegated myself to reading the New Yorker for sheer consistency of quality.
As for instagram, just ugh. I follow more dogs than people. I think that says enough on that subject.
I love Instagram but I do love to read me some blogs because a picture can say a million words but they may not be the right words that the "author" is trying to convey.
Mandie ~ http://badbrewpack.blogspot.com/
I read blogs all the time! I just can't stop. As for Instagram….I only make my way over there when I'm bored and then look at a few pictures and I'm over it. Blogging is better.
I like scrolling through Insta but I spend WAY more time reading blogs for sure. Plus, seeing the same white background with random objects in photos gets boring to me fast.
I love this post. Seriously.
I've been reading/writing blogs for a long time. I remember reading Dooce's first few entries back when they were her first few entries. Yes. That does qualify me for badass status. I'll take my badge please.
So anyhow, a couple years ago I just stopped. I dropped it all for tv, facebook, and wine. It was a rougher patch in life, but I was also super tired of reading the same stuff. I mean absolutely everyone was blogging. Plus, 3/4s of them had turned into a "mommy blogger" and I was bored out of my mind. Sorry not sorry.
Cut to pretty recently. My non-internet life has calmed down a bit, I'm obviously WAY wiser and cooler than ever because I'm in my late 30s (duh), and I realized I was missing the blogosphere. So I cleaned up my Feedly feeds, revamped my own online life, and started over. I've discovered a lot of people have stopped blogging and it feels like we're in a little bit of a quality over quantity moment now. So yes, I'm reading. In fact I'm probably reading more than ever and it's some really good stuff (like you, Tay. Im so glad I found you!)
As far as Instagram is concerned: I'm a photographer and I do love the medium, but yawn city. I find myself going "bullshit. bullshit. bullshit. ooh yum! bullshit. bullshit. who yogas on a beach in real life?" as every photo passes by. I've considered starting a "this is what a real house looks like" account. We can all show pictures of our dust bunnies and dull lives.
Sorry for blogging on your blog post… but I really appreciate this prompt. Thanks again for the super piece! You're a gem.
-rypepper.com
Keep on writing girl! Its helps to break up the work day to read something funny or interesting or a tear jerker (rescue stories). š Instagram I tend to speed browse much like channel surfing not really taking anything in… blogs I actually remember.
Newish reader weighing in on this but you asked for thoughts so here they are!
I do enjoy scrolling through Instagram as the bf could probably attest that perhaps a little too much! The pretty pictures are fun to look through and gather ideas. However, I do believe that it can foster a poor mentality about my own little world. I don't have all the pretty clothes or house goods. I'm not participating in the cool events or posting about my latest hike. Which in turn makes me feel as though I am not living enough or pretty enough. In reality that isn't true! Simply because I don't try to take the perfect picture of a dessert or mountain view doesn't mean I enjoyed it any less. So while I love the gram it may not always be a wise choice.
Blogging on the other hand, I get to understand people's thoughts or hear about their triumphs, jokes, insights, failures. As another blogger mentioned there are a number of mommy blogs out there which are well written and kept up but I don't necessarily relate to so for me it can be difficult to shift through all the blogs or uncover a gem (like yours which took me years to find!) but they can certainly be worth the time to read them. I have 4 blogs I check on a nearly daily basis just to hear more. (if you have suggestions for more to add I'd love it!) I still enjoy the outfit posts but it's nice to have something deeper.
Well I rambled more than I thought I would….. Basically keep doing what you do, I for one love it. I am one of those 50k almost daily that intentionally comes back to here more. The pics on instagram are great but they are never as good as coming here to read the full story!
I'm here! To be honest, you are one of the few I actively look forward to reading every day. Instagram is such a melting pot… Peoney this, hands in pockets looking down that. What keeps me coming back here is that you're so genuine and funny. To sum… Yes, we're reading.
Still reading! I am always expanding the amount of bloggers I follow and posts I read. I am actually unfollowing loads of insagramers who post nothing but their clothes, coffee, pineapples, and the generic stuff, they all seem to be the same to me and it gets boring to look at (also I get jealous). Whereas I enjoy reading blogs because they open a person up to the good and the bad that someone else is facing, it feels personal, it feels like a friendship of some sort.
I kind of agree with the thought about instragram ruining blogging…for the big bloggers (sorry I know you're a big blogger but I mean BIG bloggers). Take Love, Taza for instance, and Oh Joy! and I can't even think who else right now because I haven't "read their blog" for so long due to just following on insta and seeing their pretty pictures. Same with fashion bloggers, why look at the blog when I can see what they're wearing on insta? And the fashion bloggers are usually my hate-follows anyway.
I still love to read blogs. And I actually get sad when my favorites quit blogging! I don't even "know" these people, but yep – I'm sad when they stop blogging. (Looking at you Molly from 'These Little Moments':) So keep on writing as long as you enjoy it! I'm still reading!!!
As said before, I also see Instagram and blogs as two different things. If a blog is just about pretty pictures, I follow them on Instagram so when I sit down and relax and go to my bloglovin account, I now I will be reading some nice blogs. Looking at pretty pictures, that just a way to spend my commute :-).
Definitely still reading, and here's how I see it, a person's blog is a DVD to me, whereas their instagram feed is the bonus features. I don't buy a DVD just for the bonus features, I want the actual movie as well, same goes for blogging and IG. Does that make any sense?
I much prefer blogs to Instagram! I honestly goes days without going on Instagram. Pictures just can't do what a blog post WITH pictures can!
I will be the first to admit that I despise Instagram as a "microblogging" platform. I'm going there to look at pictures of food and dogs, not to read a three-paragraph caption about what's new in someone's life! That's why I still read a dozen specific blogs – because I'm genuinely interested in the words on the screen and the person behind them. The food and dog photos are just a bonus!
i still read, and i really really really really don't want blogging to ever end. it's such a nice way to relax and unwind. i feel like when i'm on instragram i'm just quickly scrolling through everything so i can get caught up. when it comes to blogs, i pay way more attention to all of it. i just love them.
and no, i don't hate-follow. i end up letting it get me all upset and that just makes me upset with myself and i never want to be upset with myself, hah! i'm constantly going through and unfollowing people that i don't personally know or little online shops, unless they inspire me. c;
Those hate-follows. Absolutely. Ugh.
I love this post!
I definitely still read… Hate-follow is an interesting description – but yes, I do follow a few people but mine is more Envy-follow?? x
I sound old, but I just can't keep up with the times these days so I still actively read blogs more than anything else. I don't have time to stage photos and I still enjoy writing my blog. Photos have always been my weakest link. That being said, I do love my Instagram, but I have noticed a drop in readership on my blog.
Blogging before Instagram! Looking at pictures is nice, but I would rather read the words that someone took time to write out and publish online. Ever since I switched to a new blog, I don't get anywhere near as much traffic as I used to, and that sucks! But I'm going to keep blogging in the hopes that people will keep reading!
I follow around 200 blogs and actually read and comment on most of them. And not one of them is a fashion blog. There are still plenty of readers. I think the problem is not that blogging is dying, but that readers are become lazier and less engaged.
I love reading blogs, though I don't always comment on them. Some are fashion bloggers who write (like Hallie of coralsandcognacs.com) and others are lifestyle bloggers like you. I find Instagram alone to be tough because it's not easy to bookmark something to go back to it – plus, I like to read what others write! I read recently that the world is going back to "OG Blogging" which excited me.
Alyssa
http://www.feathersandstripes.com
I still read… sometimes. For me the time just isn't there anymore. And when I do find the time to sit down & read some blogs I'm selective of which ones I read. Hoping to slim down my reading log soon & get back to stuff I really want to read/see – declutter. Instagram is a good way to stay somewhat in the loop though when I'm not reading as much! & Don't worry, I still love to read your blog – not nixing it off my list. Because I know you were worried about that! š Baby is waking… gotta go! LOL!
Instagram pictures may be pretty, but three word captions don't make me laugh out loud in my cubicle the way your long blog posts do. Carry on!!!
I agree with others that I consider Instagram and Blogging two separate things. I like to look at pictures and glimpses of a person's life but I really love reading blogs!
heck yes. yours is one of the few I still read regularly. #youalreadyknow
I'm a reader! I like fashion bloggers instagrams because they are pretty, but when it comes to my own blog, I can't just post pictures of me in an outfit. I'm out doing things, living life, and I want to share that with my followers. As a newbie it is definitely hard to convert instagram into blog traffic, and I find that not a lot of people want to read things as much as I do. But that doesn't stop me from writing 500 word essays (basically) on my posts everyday! I love that you are a writer and an inspire-er by words! Keep it up!
Cynthia
http://www.darlingdownsouth.com
Oh my goodness I just wrote a comment and I think it disappeared. Point was: just happened upon your blog and I'm super stoked. I'm a reader, I still look for actual lifestyle blogs. I do love me some instagram too, especially when people put long captions on their posts. But I'm a reader at heart. Just like there will always be people that prefer real books to kindles, there will always be people out there excited to read these blogs. Keep writing, we'll show up!
I like instagram. I do. But, I'd TOTALLY rather read than see "pretty pictures". Actually, I'm not a fan of the "staged" pictures. It's just my personal opinion and perspective, nothing against those that do it.
I am totally still reading. I mean, I also love instagram, and check it religiously. But I am still a blog fan at heart. I may not check them everyday (hello commenting on a post from last week), but I still check in, enjoy reading, and getting to know bloggers. And I agree, I am way more into spending my time coming up with witty blog posts, than trying to stage a flawless instagram picture. I am just not put together enough for that shit! Keep writing, I'll keep reading and laughing!
-Nadine
almosthealthyblog.com
I still read and your page views are testament to the fact that people do in fact want to still read. I could never rely on Instagram only. I dont have the effin patience (or time) to stage pics all day long.
I like Instagram for the instagramification (like instant gratification, but for instagram…get it, get it??? hahaha) but it doesn't even compare to reading a blog. Honestly, any bloggers that I follow on Insta I feel more connected to BECAUSE I read their blogs. Without having the words, I wouldn't even know that you're this crazy talented comedy person that will probably most-likely be famous someday and I'll be able to say "I read her blog back in the day you young'uns!!"
Seriously though, I still read and I actually think I enjoy blogs a little bit more than I do Instagram. It's about the connection…and a picture – even though it can speak a thousand words – will never actually replace a thousand words.