The Future of Blogging (9 predictions + how I’m preparing)
Blogging — the OG in online content creation — is going through some growing pains (again…).
Technology and creativity never stay still for long. We’ve experienced tectonic shifts before, but this time hits different. We have AI, changes in how people search online, social media, video-first strategies and so much more.
So this begs the question, what does the future of blogging look like?
I don’t have all the answers, but I do have some predictions — many of which are already happening right now.
I own four main blogs and this is the stuff I’m paying attention to. And here’s the takeaway: I’m not worried.
I’m more curious and excited than anything. Because disruption always creates opportunity.
So let’s do this!
9 Trends I See Shaping the Future of Blogging
1. AI (obviously)
It’s impossible to talk about the future of blogging without talking about AI.
But will AI replace blogging? I don’t think so.
If it’s fluff or generic informational content we’re talking about, then probably. But for deep dive content that requires that human touch, no way.
For example, if I’m trying to find the best keyword research tool, I want to see real human reviews and content that shows actual experience using the platform. AI doesn’t provide this level of trust (not yet at least).
Here are some ways I see AI being used in blogging:
Site UX
Outlining
Analytics
For research
Article drafting
Process optimization
For content repurposing
2. Blogging Will be More Social
“Blogging is exploring new directions and expanding in exciting ways. A big part of this change is social.”
I think blogging will become increasingly ‘hybrid’ — i.e., more social.
This has been a long time coming.
First came blogs. Then vlogs. Then social media and podcasts…and now everything is converging and becoming increasingly hybrid.
Everything is becoming more social. For example:
Social blogging and microblogging
Text-based IG carousel posts
X and Threads
YouTube community posts
More people are using social over search
Social SEO is a thing
More social media elements in blogging
In-post commenting
Options to share parts of a post (Medium already does this)
Search results could become more like curated feeds, with social stats and blue checkmarks
More ways to consume a blog
Readers can choose to read, listen, watch or engage with a post
Blogs that include video and audio already do better
3. Less WordPress
WordPress (WP) has been the go-to CMS (content management system) platform for decades. But SEO and blogging have matured and it’s no longer the only option.
It’s been this way for a while.
So I’m predicting that WP will continue to lose its footing as the “best” blogging tool — especially with recent drama unfolding.
For example, I use Squarespace for blogging and I get awesome results with them (something I help other creators do as well).
I’ve also worked with dozens of businesses and even multi-million dollar clients who use everything from HubSpot and Shopify to their own custom in-house systems. And they all work.
So here’s the point. WordPress is great, but it’s not the only option.
4. Google Loses its Stronghold
Google has been getting a lot of negative press lately — from small bloggers and publishers unfairly losing traffic to general users simply highlighting how Google has just gotten worse.
Not to mention the company is also caught up in an anti-trust lawsuit for being a search engine monopoly.
But perhaps the final nail(s) in the coffin are the new AI-driven search engines that provide a way better experience (less/no ads with quick and relevant answers).
Perplexity was the first to start making moves. But recently, ChatGPT Search has been making new waves.
It seems that Google may not be the only search engine bloggers are optimizing for in the future. Personally, I see this as a good thing — new opportunities for traffic beyond a singular source.
Since this is all still pretty new, I’m just keeping an eye on things for now. But I do think we’ll have at least a few new blogging strategies to think about in the future.
5. Super-Dynamic Search / Content
Imagine if the search results were curated to suit each user differently?
And how about the actual blog posts themselves — what if there were multiple versions of a single article? For example, different posts could show different writing tones, formatting, CTAs and more.
This would be an interested (super dynamic) future for blogging. AI would likely play a big role in this development. Rawuser (in beta) may be one company heading in that direction.
Blogs could have multiple versions, each based on the reader’s preferences, relationship to the website or search history.
Websites are already optimized differently for mobile and we have dynamic email campaigns and ads — so shouldn’t this trend continue?
Maybe I’m up in the clouds on this one, but it’s fun to think about…
6. Experience-Driven Content
“Participate in your niche. Actually do the stuff you write about. Tell your story and share your experiences. This is modern blogging.”
Anyone can easily prompt an AI to spit out a 1,000-word article on whatever topic they’d like.
So personal experience is the new gold standard in blogging. Google’s own E-E-A-T guidelines tell us this is important.
As we move into an AI-driven, knowledge-at-scale world, the thing that will separate your blog from others is your unique spin and voice.
Because anyone can create a general article on “blogging best practices” (for example). But only you can create an article on “my blogging best practices as a ___ living in ___ with a ___”.
Ultra-specific, experience-based blogs will be the move.
(this is already the case)
7. Personal Blogs Make a Comeback
Personal brand is all the rage. And the main way you do this is through content creation (like blogging).
So personal blogging may have a comeback moment.
I see niche blogs adopting a more personal touch with their content, design and branding. For example:
Adding more personal story
A stronger focus on relationship-building
Using your real name
Writing more for the reader and less for SEO
This is a (somewhat subtle) shift away from just owning niche affiliate sites to owning personal sites that represent your core personal brand niche(s).
For example, I own three personal niche sites (a travel lifestyle site, a music site and this one here). But these are all personal brand blogs — not just faceless niche sites.
I’m taking a more holistic multibranding approach — each of my sites fully represent me.
A personal brand blog hits differently than just a faceless niche blog. So I’m predicting that the personal blog makes a strong comeback (just with more brand and business intention).
Explore more:
➤ Personal Blogging 101
8. Writing —> Curation
Writing won’t go away, but curation might increase. We already see this with Perplexity Pages.
Blog curation is pulling together different authors, websites and sources of content and packaging everything into a new multi-sourced asset. It’s sort of what AI is doing already, but human-led.
I’m not sure what this will look like completely or if Pages will catch on even, but I’m keeping an eye on this for sure!
9. More Traffic Diversity
“If the 2024 March update and HCU taught me anything, it’s this: don’t put all your traffic eggs into one basket.”
Algorithm updates are normal and industry changes are frequent.
I lost half my website traffic almost overnight, and I had no backup — no email, no active social media and no plan.
With so much disruption, more updates can be expected. I don’t believe Google-led SEO will completely die, but I do think there will be more competition cutting into their market share.
Future blogs won’t pursue a Google-only approach — traffic diversification will be the norm.
Leveraging popular social platforms can boost your authority and reach, such as:
YouTube
Pinterest
X
Instagram
If this seems like a lot of extra work, remember that AI can streamline a lot of it. We can turn blogs into videos or X posts, automate content cycles, use winning templates and so much more.
You just need the right blogging tools.
Authority Hacker News just put out an interesting video on this very topic.
Explore more:
➤ Blogging vs. Vlogging vs. Social Media
How I’m Future-Proofing My Blog (7 tips)
Build Personal Brand
Building my personal brand is my main focus. And blogging is one main way I’m doing this.
So here are some things I’m focusing on:
Using personal keywords
Choosing niches that represent me
Writing on topics I have real direct experience with
Being authentic (brand colors, tone of voice, story, etc.)
I’m also starting to work on more video assets, so I can expand my reach on other platforms while also improving the quality of my blog posts. A hybrid strategy that leverages both video and written posts may be the future of blogging.
Explore more:
➤ Personal Branding for Creators
Leverage Experience
“Unique experiences, hot takes and authenticity will be what makes epic blog content in the future.”
Experience is going to drive the future of blogging and content creation.
Everything I write about comes from genuine experience. I never give advice on something I haven’t tested myself. And when I don’t know something, I always make that clear and use credible sources.
This is experience-based blogging.
Your unique experiences create the most authentic content. For example:
Share your journey
Use your expertise
Actually test and use the products you recommend
Share your struggles, pain points and solutions
However limited, awkward or chaotic they may feel, lean into your uniqueness and authentic experiences.
That’s what’s working right now.
More Traffic Diversification
I’m no longer focusing on just Google and SEO alone. I’m adding more social media to my blogging strategy.
For this site, I’m using X. For my travel site, I’m using Instagram and YouTube. And for my music site, I’m using Instagram and TikTok.
This is my structure for now at least (subject to change as data is gathered! lol).
I’m still testing things out (while trying to not to spread myself too thin either), but I’ve definitely accepted the fact that having other traffic sources is essential if I want to be a relevant content creator in the future.
Luckily, creating content is fun and super creative for me — mindset is everything!
Use AI (don’t run from it)
Bloggers who embrace and leverage AI will get ahead. Bloggers who run from it will struggle.
That’s my prediction at least.
AI doesn’t need to replace the parts about blogging that you enjoy most. Some processes should stay human. But AI can make you more efficient.
Here are some ways I’m using AI in my blogging workflow:
Topic clustering
Brainstorming and topic ideation
Content publishing automation
Article outlining
Editing for grammar and clarity
Play the Long Game
“Think in years, not in months.”
Your personal blog is an asset that compounds over time.
Like investing in the stock market, results aren’t immediate (unless you’re a day trader or you struck luck).
So think about where your blog will be in a few years, or in 5 years — even in 10+ years!
SEO takes time and blogging is a long game.
So I always like to manage my expectations and stay patient. If you do things right, continue to adapt and stay the course, juicy results like traffic and money will come.
Stay Informed
The best way to future-proof your blog is to stay informed and adapt to new tech and key changes.
Here’s how:
Research your niche
Follow SEO industry leaders
Subscribe to newsletters
Stay adaptable
Build Relationships
“Building a genuine relationship is more important than a perfectly-optimized blog post.”
AI can’t replace human relationships.
There’s a reason reviews, social proof and word-of-mouth marketing work so well. Because they create unshakable trust and security (that who you’re buying from is legit).
So I’m focusing more of my blogging efforts on relationship-building.
For example:
Build a newsletter
Try user-generated content
Respond and engage quickly
Seek feedback
Regularly ask readers what they want or don’t want
Later ✌️
The future of blogging is happening right now. Trends in technology, audience preferences and algorithm updates are all directing this new tide.
But stress not — blogging is far from dead. Great disruptions create great opportunities (if you know where to look and you’re willing to adapt).
So I’m future-proofing my blog by building personal brand, focusing on experience-driven content, heeding the trends and leveraging AI (not running from it).
Blogging will always go through changes and this will hardly be the last one. So above all, be flexible and stay in the know with trends and news.
Oh, and have fun too. It’s all a creative project!
