Do People Still Read Blogs? Trends & Truths in 2025

The internet moves so fast, it’s easy to think that blogs might just be a relic next to TikTok or YouTube. But if you look closer, the story isn’t that simple. Scroll through your social feeds, and you’ll spot blog links everywhere—news stories, personal essays, in-depth tutorials, and more. People love to announce the blog’s “death,” but every year, there’s a fresh wave of evidence showing readers still crave blogs for answers, opinions, and real-life stories. Crazy, right? Especially when every second person swears nobody reads anything longer than a Tweet.

Why Blogging Still Matters in a Video-First World

Let’s get this out of the way: video is huge. Short-form clips dominate our screens and attention spans. But guess what? According to a 2024 Semrush survey, 68% of marketers said blogs still drive traffic and leads—more than podcasting or video series. Why do blogs still hold power? It’s because they offer depth. If you want a recipe, a detailed how-to, or an honest take on a complex topic, video can feel rushed or too shallow. Blogs have become the go-to for nuance and details you just can’t fit in a 60-second clip.

Tablets, laptops, even smartphones—people are still Googling, still clicking on search results, still reading. A 2023 Statista report found that over 409 million people viewed more than 20 billion blog pages each month. That’s not exactly tumbleweeds. And it isn’t just tech geeks or marketers. Parents hunting for homework advice, students looking for guides, travelers hunting travelogues—they’re all reading blog posts.

So, if you’re thinking about starting a blog in 2025, don’t sweat the naysayers. The trick isn’t whether blogs work; it’s how you write them. Offer genuine value and people will notice. That’s never changed.

How Reading Habits Shape Blog Success

Here’s the reality: attention spans are short, but curiosity hasn’t gone anywhere. People do read, but only what feels worth their time. A blog that drones on, stuffed with fluff, loses readers fast—even if it’s sitting right atop search results. According to a HubSpot survey in early 2024, posts between 1,500 and 2,500 words got the highest engagement. Why? They offer enough information to solve a problem but don’t overwhelm. The era of 5,000-word marathons is mostly over unless your niche is hyper-technical or ultra-passionate.

Readers are also skimming more than ever. In fact, Nielsen Norman Group’s classic eyetracking studies remind us that only 16% of people read web pages word by word; most scan for headlines, lists, and bold bits. That’s why formatting matters. Use clear subheadings, lists, callouts, and relevant images to keep people moving through your content.

Distraction is real. You have competition from every other notification, video, and meme online. To win, your blog has to hook readers early (a spicy opinion, a bold stat, a weird anecdote) and pay it off quickly. Don’t make your visitors dig for the answers they came for. Take inspiration from sites like Wirecutter or NerdWallet—they break down info into digestible, bite-sized chunks so readers get what they need, fast.

Here’s a quick tip if you’re writing: put yourself in your reader’s shoes. What do THEY want to learn or experience? Kill the intro fluff, deliver insights up front, and use real-life examples. When readers feel like you’re talking to them (not at them), they’ll stick around.

Data, Trends, and What They Mean for Bloggers and Readers

Okay, let’s get into some numbers. Take a look at the following do people read blogs stats from 2024, just to see what’s actually happening:

These stats make one thing obvious—blogs are not fading away. Instead, the way people consume them is changing. More people are finding blogs through search (SEO) or niche communities (think Reddit, Discords, or Facebook groups). Email newsletters are another big driver; bloggers love to deliver their best posts directly to fans, sidestepping algorithm changes.

Podcast and video integration is also on the rise. About 44% of top-performing blogs now embed audio or video, creating a richer, more layered experience. Readers can skim or settle in for a deep-dive.

If you’re creating content, it helps to focus on evergreen topics—stuff that solves problems or entertains, and stays relevant year-round. Examples? How-tos, buying guides, product reviews, or personal stories with a takeaway. If readers get a clear benefit, they’ll come back. That’s how bloggers quietly build loyal audiences even when the whole world seems glued to social media.

How To Make Your Blog Stand Out in 2025

Let’s be honest, starting a blog in 2025 can feel intimidating. With millions out there, getting noticed sounds impossible. Not true, as long as you’re willing to put in the work. Here are some proven, practical tips to get real eyes on your posts:

• Be authentic. Nobody likes reading the same generic stuff repeated everywhere. Share your own insights, stories, and opinions—even if they’re weird or unpopular.
• Use data and examples. Back up what you say with stats, screenshots, or step-by-step proof. Readers trust you more when you show your homework.
• Pick a clear niche. Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Drilling down keeps your content focused and your audience loyal.
• Optimize for skimmers. Subheadings, bullet points, images, and bolded phrases break up big walls of text and help readers find what matters fast.
• Update consistently. A dead blog isn’t going to get readers. Set a pace you can keep—even if it’s just twice a month—and stick to it.
• Engage in your comments. Even if it’s just a handful of readers, answer back. People love return visits when they feel seen.
• Promote posts wisely. Share your writing in the right spaces—niche forums, email lists, or on social. Don’t rely only on Google.
• Test long and short posts. See what hits for your people, then double down on what works.
• Make your site fast and readable. Slow-loading pages send people running. A clean, easy-to-navigate site is half the battle won.

Feel like you have nothing new to say? That’s almost always wrong. Nobody has your voice, your angle, or your life experiences. In a world full of noisy content, honest, well-written blogs still have power. And if you’re a reader, don’t sleep on blogs; you’ll often find perspectives and details social media just skips over.