What's Changed in Blogging in 2024?

 

What's Changed in Blogging in 2024?

Back in 2021, I wrote this blog post highlighting the changes that were happening at the time with blogging trends. In it, I surmised that one of the major changes was mainly driven by people wanting more long-form, in-depth posts, amongst other things. However, things have changed drastically in the blogging realm since then, so I thought it was about time for an update.

As technology has advanced, and audience preferences have shifted, the way we write blogs for our businesses needs to adapt in order to stay relevant. Let’s go through some of the biggest changes I’ve noticed, and what we as bloggers need to do to make sure we’re ahead of the curve.

AI Integration and Automation

Oh artificial intelligence, how we love to hate thee! I’ve spoken about my personal thoughts on the whole AI movement before, but like it or not, it’s fast becoming ingrained in all of our online content creation, from planning and writing, SEO optimisation, and audience engagement.

While I don’t think that it’s quite there (and perhaps never will be?) with writing good content without help from us as humans, I have experienced that it can be useful in ideation, basic structure, and helping to re-word paragraphs when I’ve been totally stuck in a hole with my writing. What you’re reading now comes as a result of me asking AI to suggest some topics to talk about – which is a useful starting point, I find.

I also find it useful to employ automation tools for things like spelling and grammar (Grammarly), and the read-aloud tool which has been integrated with Word. These have proved invaluable in improving my writing overall.

Multimedia Content

Have you noticed the addition of multimedia content in the blogs you read, as I have, in 2024? For quite a while, we’ve seen things like videos and podcasts become popular, but now they are becoming part and parcel of blog posts, too.

Having media like these embedded in blog posts make for a much more diverse and interesting read. Gone are the text-heavy swathes of writing, and we are seeing more and more image and audio-led content to go along with that.

Also, interactive elements such as quizzes, polls, and dynamic charts enhance user engagement. These features not only make content more engaging but also provide valuable insights into audience preferences. And that can only be a good thing, right?

SEO and Search Algorithm Changes

The rules around SEO are always changing. In 2024, we’re seeing search algorithms prioritise user experience, particularly the quality of content. If you take note of what kinds of content appear on the first page of Google, you’ll find that Google is working towards giving its users a higher-quality experience, and giving less favour to poorly researched and badly written blog posts.

Voice search is another significant trend impacting SEO. With the increasing use of voice-activated devices, optimizing content for voice search has become essential. This means focusing on natural language and long-tail keywords. Structured data and rich snippets also play a crucial role in improving search visibility and click-through rates.

Emphasis on Authenticity and Community

There has been a huge shift over the past few years in community building, and that translates through not just social media anymore, but across all of our other content too. The phrase “people buy from people” has never been truer, and readers are looking to genuinely engage with the brands that they use, meaning those bloggers who can build and foster a sense of community will thrive above all others.

The comments section, your social media, and your newsletter should work together seamlessly to give followers that personal experience that encourages reader loyalty and active participation.

Blogging in 2024 is a dynamic blend of technology, creativity, and community. The integration of AI, multimedia content, and evolving SEO practices, reflects the changing landscape. Successful bloggers adapt to these changes, embracing new tools and techniques while staying true to their authentic voices. As the blogging world continues to evolve, those who innovate and engage with their audience will influence everyone else who follows.

How about you? Have your blogging practices changed over the past year? What adaptations have you found most useful?