Weblog

Weblog, short for web log, is a type of online publication that presents discrete entries, typically posted in reverse chronological order. A weblog often combines personal commentary with links, media, and references, functioning as a diary-like resource as well as a topical hub.

The term weblog was coined by Jorn Barger in 1997 to describe his log of extended web surfing. The shorter, more memorable word blog emerged after Peter Merholz jokingly split “weblog” into “we blog” in 1999, and the practice gained popularity with the rise of simple publishing tools in the early 2000s.

A weblog typically consists of individual posts with timestamps and author information, arranged from newest to oldest. Posts may be organized by categories or tags, and many blogs include archives, search functions, and comment sections. Feeds in RSS or Atom format allow readers to subscribe and receive updates. Popular blogging platforms and software include Blogger, WordPress, Movable Type, and Tumblr, which provide templates, hosting, and management features.

Uses of weblogs vary widely. They can serve as personal diaries, professional commentaries, niche-topic hubs, or corporate communications tools. Some are single-author; others are multi-author or company blogs used for marketing, customer engagement, or knowledge sharing. Content may be primarily text, but images, audio, and video are commonly embedded.

Impact and evolution: weblogs helped popularize user-generated content, online communities, and citizen journalism. They influenced the development of later social media, microblogging, and content strategies for organizations. Preservation and governance concerns include copyright, licensing, privacy, and archival practices, with many platforms offering export options and web-archiving support.