[Poll] Are Blogs Credible?

I've been having a bit of a debate on this subject lately. I have my own thoughts but for now I'd like to hear from you. I'll share what I have to say in an upcoming post...

Please, cast your vote. And if you have a thought to share beyond [Yes, No, or It Depends], drop it in the comments and reference any blogs (with a link) accordingly.

Thank you! I'll talk to you all soon...

Comments

[Mike Goad]

It depends on the blog and the credibility of the author. If the blog author is writing what he knows about or has done proper research, then the blog is likely to be credible, in some instances more credible that the news media.

On the other hand, there's a lot of crap on many of the blogs out there. That kind of blog either never makes it to my feed reader or doesn't stay there long.

[Bobbi Jo Woods]

I'm so tired of the kind of blogs that repost entire articles, or the ones that seem to say one thing, then another, can't stay on topic, etc. This makes me not trust them as much...not in the idealogical sense, but in the sense that they either aren't experts in that area or they weren't convincing enough.

But then again maybe my comment is total b.s. because it's late at night and I'm talkin' out tha side o' my neck!

Geez. G'nite!

[Jim Duncan]

It depends on the blog. Some have tremendous credibility while others are clearly nothing more than thinly veiled (if at all) ads for whatever product they are are shilling.

The keys for me are whether I trust the author(s) - and this is derived from their history, transparency, reputation and respect from their peers.

[Linsey]

I love blogs that have something new to say and have an opinion. And an opinion is nothing more than that - just an opinion. How much stock I put in their opinion is influenced by reputation, strength of the blog, and honestly - delivery.

[Ricardo Bueno]

@Mike: hiya there!

That's in line with what I think. Often times, some (if not a lot of authors) make the mistake of not properly researching the work that they're making/offering an opinion on. It's one thing to have an opinion, but to have an uninformed opinion works against your credibility as a resource. At least that's what I think.

[Ricardo Bueno]

@Bobbi: LoL. Don't worry, though it is late you're making perfect sense! Lack of direction, lack of originality, lack of ability to take in information and form your own opinion...well, that's just nothing more than regurgitated information. And chances are, I'm reading it somewhere else already don't you think?

[Ricardo Bueno]

@Jim: You know, I understand the negative stigma that's often associated with the word "blog." But then, as you reference in your comment, I think that the credibility in a site (whether it's a blog or any other type of press release) is often determined by the audience that it attracts.

If it has an audience that I recognize and have respect for, then that site is that much more credible to me.

[Ricardo Bueno]

@Linsey: Re: "How much stock I put in their opinion is influenced by reputation, strength of the blog, and honestly - delivery." I couldn't have said it any better Linsey!

I agree that an author should take an opinion when writing on an issue for his/her site. Often times however, and as I stated in my comment above, people go about and make uninformed opinions which is a mistake. They don't properly research an issue and make blanket assertions instead which ultimately hurts the credibility of the author.

[Ari Herzog]

Your blog is as credible to me as my blog is as credible to others. But some blogs are neither credible to me nor you but are relevant to a third.

In that vein, I clicked "it depends."

[Ricardo Bueno]

@Ari: I see your point and I agree!

[Lance]

Hi Ricardo,
I think a blog can be credible. Or it cannot. And part of that credibility is in the eye of the beholder. For blogs I visit regularly, I hold them all as credible. That's not to say I take everything they say as gospel truth. Yet, I still believe them to be credible. So, while not every blog is credible, I think a blog certainly can be credible, especially amongst it's audience. ...if that makes any sense...

[Cath Lawson]

Hi Ricardo - like Mike says- it depends if the blogger knows their topic, or has researched it well. You can usually tell.

When I come over here, I can tell that you know what you're talking about when it comes to social media and other stuff. It's how you write it - I can tell it's written from experience, not just regurgitated from someone elses posts.

[Ricardo Bueno]

@Lance: that does make perfect sense. While I was having this debate with others, they suggested that "blogs" are NOT credible period!

Ultimately, I think it comes down to the audience that that particular blog (site) attracts.

Besides, let's say your authoring a business blog. When the general public searches for something via Google, and they come across your site, they don't make the distinction between a "blog" or a "website.'

[Ricardo Bueno]

@cath Lawson: I hope it's fun to read/listen to when it's coming from here :-D

You can often tell when a topic is regurgitated. Which is why I say, I think it's best when you research a subject and write it from your own perspective...share your own opinion. And as long as it's an informed opinion, we're all good. Ya know?

[Tom Volkar / Delightful Work]

Yes blogs are credible. We all have the option to subscribe or not and to read or not. I look for real experience expressed in the self-development blogs that I read the most. That an authenticity. I can just tell in my gut if one knows of what he or she speaks.

[Cricket]

I guess this depends. My son comes across many blogs in his studies that are completely incorrect. It is hard for him to sometimes see the difference between a "FACT" site or "BLOG" site. As far as community blogs, I guess that is up to the reader to decided. We have a choice as to whether we return or not. Now, from a business standpoint, it is hard to determine whether it is a website or blog when coming across a business blog. If you "Google" the search...how is one to know.

Merry Christmas!

[meleah rebeccah]

I think it really depends on the blog.

[Ricardo Bueno]

@Tom Volkar: like you, I can tell for the most part whether someone has done his/her research in writing about a topic. I don't mind someone writing on a topic from their own perspective, sharing their own opinion. What I am looking for is a little credibility in what they have to say. Show me that you've done the research ya know?

@Cricket: hiya Tammy!!! Merry Christmas!

I know what you mean with respect to searching things via the web. When we search Google, it's not like "Blogs" and static websites are separated in the search results. I can see where it would be difficult to differentiate between the two.

@Meleah: but what's the part that makes all the difference? Is it the number of readers that blog has? Is it the way that the author writes (serious vs. casual)? Is is the type of community and conversation that the author attracts (via the comments)?

Don't get me wrong, I know what you mean...I just want to hear it from you I suppose... :-D