Tea Time Musings #2: The blogging phenomenon - What's the fuss all about?

Caught in a fog when it comes to blogs? Fret not!

Technorati (2008) estimates 130 million blogs were formed since 2002, as depicted in Figure 1. That’s almost five times the Malaysian population!

Figure 1

Source: Technorati 2008

Referring to Figure 2, Technorati (2008) purports that North America dominates 46% of the blogosphere, followed by Europe at 27% and Asia at 13%.

Figure 2

Source: Technorati 2008

In Malaysia, the blogging phenomenon is in full swing. Utusan Malaysia (cited in the Star Online 2008) reports that Malaysia stands among the highest amount of active bloggers with 500,000 active Malaysian bloggers in 2008.

As for blog trends, a survey of 1290 respondents by Technorati (2008) found blogs in Asia fueled by money-making motives with 24% of Asian respondents admitting to posting product reviews for financial gains. Simons (2008) regards this type of blogs as “The Advertisement” in which corporations pay a significant sum to bloggers for product reviews.

On the contrary, blog trends in Europe are less profit-driven, spotting 60% of European respondents blogging for fun instead with topics like music and computers (Technorati 2008). Simons (2008) classifies this as “The Popular Mechanics” whereby various enthusiasts share their expertise in their niche field (such as music and computers).

Undeniably, blogging trends in Malaysia revolve around politics with political blogs like CheDet.co.cc garnering an estimated 19 million hits (Ahmad 2009). Simons (2008) calls this “The Pamphleteering Blogs” where individuals argue for a cause.

As such, blogging benefits the Malaysian community by raising political awareness. University Malaya Professor Abu Hassan Hasbullah (cited in Kaufman 2008) asserts this, stating that “…70 percent of the (March 2008) election results were influenced by information in the blogs.”

Additionally, advertisements are communicated more effectively through blogs. Through blog advertising networks like Advertlets, advertisements are designated to specific Malaysian blogs to reach the desired target audience (Advertlets n.d.). As prescribed earlier, bloggers themselves gain financial rewards too!

In conclusion, the blogging phenomenon has indeed revolutionized the way we live. However, bloggers must be aware of its pitfalls by selecting what is consumed and produced.


References:

Advertlets n.d., Benefits, viewed 13 June 2009, <http://www.advertlets.com/benefits>.

Ahmad, NJ 2009, Dr M’s chedet is no 1 in hits, Malay Mail Sdn Bhd, viewed 13 June 2009, <http://www.mmail.com.my/category/tags/che-det>.

Kaufman, S 2008, Malaysia’s alternative mediabecome decisive political factor, America.gov, viewed 13 June 2009, <http://www.america.gov/st/democracy-english/2008/April/20080403175441esnamfuak0.1705591.html>.

Simons, M 2008, Towards a taxonomy of blogs, Creative Economy Online viewed 13 June 2009, <http://www.creative.org.au/webboard/results.chtml?filename_num=229836>.

Technorati 2008, State of the blogosphere – day 1: who are the bloggers?, viewed 13 June 2009, <http://technorati.com/blogging/state-of-the-blogosphere/who-are-the-bloggers/>.

The Star Online 2008, Blogging in Malaysia ranks among highest in the world, viewed 13 June 2009, <http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/4/3/nation/20827588&sec=nation>.