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Writing Blogs vs. Writing Articles: What’s the Difference?
Award-winning writer Kathy Widenhouse has helped hundreds of nonprofits and writers produce successful content , with 750K+ views for her writing tutorials. She is the author of 9 books. See more of Kathy’s content here.
Updated 8.30.24
Writing blogs and writing articles – is there a difference?
I didn’t give much thought to the question until I had been writing for more than a decade.
Blogs (“web logs”) first emerged in the 1990s as online public journals. They have since grown to include informational web pages. A blog can be a standalone website or part of a larger one. (Mine is. Here’s the page with my blog feed.) Blogs may be written by an individual or a team.
Articles have a longer history. They stretch back to 1605 in Germany with the first printed newspapers, which were filled with articles on politics, current events, and social issues, marking the start of article writing as a form of journalism. Then magazines like The Spectator (England, beginning in 1711) arose, offering a platform for longer, more detailed articles on a variety of topics.
Writing articles became commonplace as society’s need for information, education, and entertainment grew, and as technology evolved to meet that demand. Today, articles are a fundamental part of both traditional and digital media, shaping public discourse and informing millions of people worldwide.
Writing blogs and writing articles: two different kinds
of content
I learned to write by taking a course on writing articles. Blogs were just catching on and my focus was on getting articles published in established magazines.
Things have changed a bit.
It took me awhile to catch on to the fact that a blog post and an article are two different animals. In fact, for a long time I used the terms “articles” and “blog posts” interchangeably.
The truth is this: writing blogs and writing articles are distinct forms of content. Each has a purpose in the content landscape. Learn to write one and you can transfer those skills to the other to make your work-for-hire skills more marketable.
12 differences between writing blogs and writing articles
Lest you fall into the same trap that I did, know the key differences between writing blogs and writing articles.
1. Purpose
- Blogs are usually written to spark discussion, share insights, or provide updates. They spotlight a narrow aspect of a single topic, written from a personal point of view, like “My Cancer Journey” or “Law School Survival.” Your blog engages the reader through storytelling, personal experiences, or by addressing current trends and issues. While the first blogs were written as online journals, blogs call upon facts and research, too.
- Articles deliver in-depth information, analysis, or research on a specific topic. The purpose of an article is often to educate, inform, or persuade the reader through factual and well-researched content.
2. Length
- Blog posts range from 500 to 1,500 words, though longer posts are becoming more common as content marketing evolves.
- Articles often exceed 1,500 words and can be as long as 5,000 words or more, depending on the subject matter.
3. Depth
- Blogs are meant to be consumed quickly. They tackle a single idea or question, making them more digestible.
- Articles explore topics more comprehensively, often incorporating multiple viewpoints, data, and references.
4. Medium
- Blogs are published online. They can be standalone websites or included within a larger website in a section labeled "Blog." Your blog may also appear on content platforms like Medium or LinkedIn.
- Articles are commonly found in magazines, newspapers, academic journals, or online media outlets (think Forbes, The New York Times, or specialized industry publications like Fly Fishing in the Carolinas).
5. Style
- Blogs are written in an informal, conversational, and engaging style. Bloggers usually use a first-person perspective, direct language, and rhetorical questions to involve the reader. The tone is relaxed. It can include humor, personal anecdotes, or opinions.
- Articles are presented in an objective tone, particularly when they are published in academic or professional settings. Third person point of view is common. An article’s language is precise and polished, aiming to maintain credibility and authority.
6. Structure
- A blog post’s structure is flexible. It’s not unusual for a blog post to open with a personal hook or a direct question to capture the reader’s interest. Subsequently, a blog post’s content explains the point with anecdotes, experiences, ideas, and thoughts. Today’s blog posts also include facts, research, and quotes – all methods bloggers use to help persuade readers to embrace their viewpoint.
- An article follows a time-tested structure – introduction, body, and conclusion. And you back up your article’s premise with plenty of evidence and cited sources. Article content emphasizes accuracy and depth.
7. Engagement
- Blogs are part of the social media landscape, designed to encourage reader interaction. They often include comment sections, social media sharing buttons, and calls to action (CTAs) that invite the reader to engage further with your content or the brand.
- Articles, historically, have been interactive only when readers respond in “Letters to the Editor.” As standalone pieces they provide value through information and analysis rather than direct engagement. However, articles are now published online. Many now include “Comment” sections at the bottom of the page as a way to generate reader response.
8. Frequency
- Blogs are updated frequently – sometimes even daily or weekly – with new content. The consistent update cycle helps keep readers interested in the topic and improves that blog’s rankings. Conversely, when bloggers neglect posting for weeks or months, then reader engagement drops off. Frequency is part of a content strategy aimed at building a relationship with readers over time.
- Articles, especially those in print or academic journals, are less frequently updated – if ever. An academic article may be revised or republished when new data comes to light. But articles are intended to have a long shelf life, often billed as “evergreen content.” They are usually one-off pieces, though they may be part of a series.
9. Visuals
- Blogs today are synonymous with graphics including images, infographics, videos – even GIFs – to make content more engaging. Plus, visuals break up text and enhance readability. Large businesses may even employ a design team dedicating to creating visual content for their blog posts. Individual bloggers mine graphics or create their own, rather than using a designer.
- Articles use visuals to support the text, rather than as a primary engagement tool. For articles, written content is king.
10. SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
- Blog content prioritizes search engine optimization – the process of writing and formatting a post for the web to return strong results in web searches and drive more organic traffic to a website. Keywords and meta descriptions attract search engine traffic.
- Articles emphasize quality and authority over keyword optimization.
11. Monetization
- Blogs – particularly those operated by solopreneurs or small businesses – are frequently monetized through ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and product placements.
- Articles are less focused on direct monetization through ads. They’re part of a broader content strategy that drives brand awareness or thought leadership.
12. Publication process
- Blogs are typically self-published, either by individuals or by companies on their websites, with minimal gatekeeping. Self-publishing allows quick turnaround time and creative freedom.
- Articles, especially those in traditional media or academic journals, undergo a rigorous editorial process. You’ll submit a query and first draft. Then your article may face peer review, fact-checking, and multiple rounds of editing before publication.
What blog posts and articles have in common
An Online Audience
While blogs have long been published exclusively online, articles are now published digitally as well.
Conversation
The first blogs launched as a way to create online conversation by including a “Comments” section. Today that capability extends to online articles, too.
Self-publishing
In the past, articles were printed via an editorial process; to get your work in print, you needed to work with a publisher. Technology now allows anyone to be a publisher, both online and in print – and not just through blogs, websites, and articles but books, too.
But beyond these clear commonalities, the lines between blogs and articles are blurring. For instance, consider SEO and keywords – originally solely a blogger’s domain. Today, article publishers understand the value on online traffic. Digital articles increasingly target keywords and SEO for more traffic.
Which should you learn to write first?
I’m biased. I learned to write articles first. But to be fair, blogging was in its infancy.
Conventional wisdom today? If you’re a new writer, start with a blog post – on your own blog. And another. And another. A blog an accessible starting point because …
- Blog posts have a less formal structure. Their casual, conversational tone is easier for new writers to adopt. Plus, a blog post structure is a free-for-all. Sure, you want to make your point at the top, support it in at least three ways, and wrap up with a clever takeaway. But writing blog post allows you to focus on your message without getting bogged down in formalities.
In contrast, articles require a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. You may also need to adhere to specific article writing guidelines depending on the publication, which can be challenging for beginners. - Blog posts are shorter. That’s less intimidating. You can practice getting your thoughts across concisely rather than fiddling with a lengthier word count.
- Blogs offer immediate engagement. Activate your blog’s comment sections or social sharing features, and you can get immediate feedback from readers.
- Blogs are personal. You’ll write your blog in a conversational style, as if you’re having a cup of coffee with your reader and talking with him. Blog posts allow you to express your personality and opinions freely (and avoid all those annoying citations.) Meanwhile, articles often require research and credible sources – an extra layer of complexity for a new writer. And if you write articles for the traditional media, you must pay attention to all those bothersome editorial standards regarding grammar.
Writing blogs can lead to writing articles – and more
Among the successful writers who started with blogging? Tim Ferriss. He blogged about The 4-Hour Workweek, where he shared experiments in lifestyle design, productivity hacks, and personal development. Tim leveraged his blog's success to not just write articles. He also published the bestselling book The 4-Hour Workweek, followed by The 4-Hour Body and Tools of Titans. He’s also become a popular podcaster and public speaker.
Start with a blog and you’ll build confidence. You get comfortable with expressing your ideas and interacting with readers.
And that opens the door to bigger projects and a lifetime of writing well.
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