Blogs

Blogs are regularly updated online platforms that function as journals or information hubs. A typical blog presents posts in reverse chronological order, with the latest entries at the top, and often includes an about page, a comment section, and navigation by categories or tags. Posts may mix text with images, audio, or video, and may be archived by date or topic. Many blogs offer RSS or Atom feeds so readers can subscribe automatically.

History: The term weblog was coined in the 1990s to describe personal online diaries, and the term blog emerged later as a clipped form. Early milestones include Jorn Barger’s use of the term in 1997 and Peter Merholz’s playful rearrangement of "weblog" into "blog" in 1999. The rise of hosted platforms such as Blogger (1999) and WordPress (2003) accelerated blogging’s growth, enabling a wide range of individuals and organizations to publish content without extensive technical knowledge.

Types and formats vary. Personal blogs focus on the author’s life or opinions; professional or corporate blogs discuss industry topics, product updates, or thought leadership; niche blogs cover specific fields like technology, travel, food, or politics. Vlogs and photoblogs accompany posts with video or image-centric content.

Platforms and monetization: common platforms include WordPress, Blogger, Tumblr, and Medium. Blogs can be monetized through advertising, sponsored posts, affiliate links, memberships, or selling products. Impact: blogs have influenced journalism, marketing, and public discourse, while also facing concerns around misinformation, copyright, and moderation.

See also: list of blogging platforms, RSS, microblogging.