The Top 10 Blogging Trends In 2021

Writers Write shares blogging tips and blogging resources. It’s nearly the end of 2020 and it’s time to look at the top 10 blogging trends for 2021.

Blogging is the pulse of the internet.

Writers (and their readers) can benefit from great blogs. Current news events, the hottest movies this year, interior decorating tips, or information on lost Delta Blues songs… The answer to these questions are all covered on blogs. 

For any writer or internet influencer, blogging is a powerful tool to carry information across.

Blogging is also one of the most rapidly evolving forms of writing out there.

Websites, search engines, and readers are changing all the time. If you’re a blogger, these changes matter. 

Here’s how to be prepared for the top 10 blogging trends for 2021.

Why Blog?

Blogs are a great way of getting information out there.

Writing a blog tells readers things. What you tell readers about is up to you, but with the power to blog, comes great responsibility.

Among other things, blogs can be used for:

1. Promotion
2. News
3. Current Events
4. Opinion Pieces
5. Reviews (movies, products, and more)
6. Information

Unfortunately, blogs can also spread disinformation, fake news, myths, or just bad writing.

It’s up to the writer to ensure their blog is current, accurate, and worth reading. 

Blogging & Trends

The internet changes every day.

Websites change their Terms of Service agreements, and search engines update their algorithms. Trends aren’t the same from one week to the next, and readers are different in how, what, and why they read as time passes.

Blogging platforms change on a regular basis, too.

As a blogger, it can mean adapting to these changes, or seeing your blog die a slow death.

The Top 10 Blogging Trends For 2021

Let’s talk about blogs, trends, and what writers can expect from the top blogging trends for 2021.

1. Publications Online

COVID-19 has changed the face of the publishing industry. A large number of publications have shut down in the face of financial difficulties. Others have adapted and moved online instead. 

Writers can expect to pitch more online markets, see more blogs, and interact with their favourite publications online rather than in print. 

It also means there will be more online for readers to choose from. Blogs now have to compete with mainstream publications online to be noticed.

2. New Needs (Images & Tagging)

Blogs are likely to have more focus on background features that stretch beyond its written text.

These are things bloggers can find in their chosen platform’s dashboard.

For example, images have specific requirements:

1. Image tags identify the image for search engines.
2. Image descriptions identify the image for text-to-voice software.
3. Image text appears with the image, like a description.
4. Detailed image descriptions appear when the image is shared (for example, on Facebook or Twitter).

That’s a lot of image descriptions, right?

A blogger has to remember to fill in all the image descriptions and tags in their blogging dashboard.

If you skip this step, your blog won’t be as effective as it could.

3. Multi-Platform Promotion

Deciding to blog means you’re getting ready to wear several different hats.

Welcome to being a website administrator, writer, and social media manager all-in-one.

A blogger has to promote their blog. In 2021, this will mean multi-platform promotion if you would like to achieve maximum reach.

Social media share buttons on your blog has to include several social media channels, because the lives of readers will. Want to see your work shared? Give readers the option.

Promotion also has to reach across several sites (like Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for as much as possible reach. As a blogger, this can mean a little more work to promote your writing.

4. Changing Trends In SEO Keywords

Search Engine Optimization means creating content that search engines like to see.

Online content should be written with top-ranking keywords. These keywords should be relevant to the content, and should prefer popular keywords over less-searched ones.

Blogs can expect which keywords are popular to change in 2021.

Websites like Google Trends help bloggers to establish how popular certain keywords are right now. Use them!

5. Terms Of Service Updates

A website’s Terms of Service agreement tells visitors how the website works. This is often incorporated in a Privacy Policy.

It includes crucial information on what the website allows (and doesn’t) from its visitors. It also tells users, writers, and readers what are expected from them in return.

Why is this important?

For bloggers, the Terms of Service agreements of companies like Facebook, Google, Instagram, and others can affect your blog.

How shares, likes, and things like tags are handled by websites will appear in their terms. Pay attention and check regularly.

6. The Device Battle

The devices people use to view your blog will matter.

If you’re trying to reach a demographic of readers that can afford cheap phones with an article about great washing powder, it won’t be useful to them if your site isn’t compatible with their devices.

A good blog is friendly for multiple devices.

Keep this in mind when adding widgets, images, graphics, videos, Javascript, or other elements that can affect your device-friendliness. The bottom line is to make sure your blog works.

Blog platforms (including WordPress) allow bloggers to test their blog from a mobile perspective.

7. More Critical Readers

Tags and terms aren’t the only things subject to regular changes.

Readers change, too.

Terms like “fake news” are everywhere. Fake news itself is everywhere. Bad writing is a dime-a-dozen in the internet world, and overly tag-driven copy (or just click bait) is around every corner.

It’s made readers more critical.

Readers don’t have time to waste on writing that doesn’t make the cut. Today’s reader has to be convinced why they should keep reading. As a writer, you’re trading in their time.

Focus on reader engagement, accuracy, fairness, and facts.

8. Media Responsibility (For Blogs)

New regulations in South African publishing means that online content is considered regulated press. (Check what the status of this is in your own country.)

Blogs have a new level of media responsibility. What’s said on the internet is subject to the Press Council, especially when the blog reports on current events or news.

The blog writer’s responsibility is to provide accurate, unbiased, fair content to readers.

If you don’t, then you could face the law.

TIP: Even if you don’t have this restriction in your country, it is a good habit to develop.

9. Domains & Power For Writers

Domains are powerful for any blog.

This means that readers in 2021 don’t want to navigate to a professional writer or blogger’s website to see a .wordpress or .wix domain. They want to see writersname.co.za, or something quirky.

Domains matter, and now domains are set to matter even more.

Consider registering your own domain if you haven’t.

Yes, it’s worth it (and guarantees your writing will be easier for people and search engines to find).

10. (More) Other Writers Out There

Writers can expect to have more international and local competition for the eyes of their readers.

There are an increasing amount of blogs out there today.

Tomorrow, there could be thousands more. All are indexed by search engines, and most will be shared by social media.

What will make yours stand out?

The Last Word

If you want to have a successful blog in 2021, well-written content will matter more.

We hope these top 10 blogging trends for 2021 help you become a better blogger.

Top Tip: If you want to learn how to blog, sign up for The Complete Blogging Course.

 By Alex J. Coyne. Alex is a writer, proofreader, and regular card player. His features about cards, bridge, and card playing have appeared in Great Bridge Links, Gifts for Card Players, Bridge Canada Magazine, and Caribbean Compass. Get in touch at alexcoyneofficial.com.

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3. Forewords, Prefaces, Prologues, & Introductions – What’s The Difference?
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5. The Definitive Plain Language Writing Guide (& 10 Sentences Decoded)
6. 10 Essential Tips For Eliminating Distractions From Your Writing
7. 10 Editing Errors Writers Should Avoid At All Costs
8. 10 Bits Of Writing Advice From Stephen King
9. The Essential Copywriting Crash Course

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