Rather than supersede the blogosphere, has the Twitter social messaging system actually improved it?
On our daily review of blogs we read, we’ve seen the average number of posts per blog reduce but the quality improve tremendously. What seems to have happened is that Twitter has taken many of the personal updates (e.g.: I’m on a plane, at a conference, thinking this, falling over there) off the blogs. Therefore, while we’ve noticed ‘diarist’ bloggers switch platforms, the ’subject-matter’ bloggers seem to have been able to remove their random social commentary from their blogs and left them clearer, cleaner and more useful.
An observation. What do you think?
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Agreed. I’m seeing more co-created posts too using Twitter as a polling mechanism, ideas gatherer or feedback/quote generator.
May 7th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Great observation. Twitter has been a good resource for me in finding blogs I wouldn’t have come across otherwise. Also, I get the social off topic stuff on twitter that I’m not seeing on individual’s blogs as much. I think they complement each other.
May 7th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
I couldn’t agree more. I personally have a Twitter account for social updates, a tumblelog for cool things I find on the web, and a standard blog for longer, more insightful posts. I find it’s a great way organize all the things I write about.
May 7th, 2008 at 9:24 pm
Piers- you’re right on with this one. I prefer the more substantive blogs on a less frequent basis and use Twitter for more quick, immediate news from contacts / interesting people.
May 8th, 2008 at 12:12 am
agreed. it’s also interesting seeing how facebook status and twitter are used in different ways by different groups.
in any case, i’ve been following zappos ceo (an interesting case for twitter use) and just started following MC hammer this morning. fascinating…
May 8th, 2008 at 10:25 am
I think your observations are correct. Many purely personal diary type blogs often peter out and the life streaming and immediacy aspects of twitter has absorbed a lot of that diarist type content, leaving blogging perhaps for more considered content. For many Twitter is just a more appropriate platform especially when used with mobile phones and other devices.
May 8th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Hello Piers,
First, thanks for your update emails about the PSFK conference. I’m glad things are going well for you.
Second, I’m one of the people who have tried Twitter, but not found it necessary to use all that often. I notice some others become obsessed with constant updates about very random aspects of their lives. That said, I’ve also gained a more unique insight into a few blogger friends that I wouldn’t have otherwise.
As for your point about the blog post quality improving, I think this would happen regardless of whether Twitter was here. I’m sure I’m not the only one who took up writing (blogging) with the launch of my WordPress site, and I’m confident my communication has shown steady improvement over the past 18 months.
You ask a good question though.
May 8th, 2008 at 3:19 pm