Blogs are quickly becoming an information source that people choose over the newspaper. They are often ranked high in Google searches and could be more entertaining than something from the local paper. So what are the key differences between blogs and newspaper articles?
It is often hard to tell the difference between a blog post and an article from a newspaper. However, the two have similarities and could force a person to choose a blog post that is purely opinion over an article with backed-up facts. So what are the key differences between a blog post and a newspaper article?
Key Differences Between Blog Posts and Newspaper Articles
For writers, it can be hard to discern between them. As a layperson, it can be even harder to understand what goes into each and how they should be structured.
The good news is that the two share differences that, once revealed, will stick out like a sore thumb.
Blogging Populates the Web and Services Clients
Blogs were some of the first fads on the internet that people flocked to.
Their ability to let people know what they think or how they enjoyed an experience they had given heart to the internet, and people were all about it. 
Once blogs began to make money, people moved away from newspapers and leaned on the web for its news.
A few differences in a blog post are:
- Opinion – One of the main things that discern a blog from a newspaper article is opinion. Blogging is often the home ground of a person’s thoughts and is often devoid of facts. They thrive on building a voice that connects with people and will not be tied to realities other than their feelings about the subject.
- Length – A blog post is often much shorter than an article in the newspaper. Blogs are written short to keep people’s attention and make them easier to read on tablets and phones.
- SEO – Search Engine Optimization is what makes blogs appear higher in Google searches and will have an impact on the structure of the blog. SEO is a combination of Math and English that energizes blogs and influences how much traffic they get.
- Self-Published – Blogs are often published by the person that writes them. It could be full of spelling errors and punctuation that would make your 3rd-grade teacher rips their hair out by the roots.
- Freelancers – Blogs are often written by freelance writers who are paid to research a job and then move on to the next one. The authority could suffer, and some readers will know an expert’s opinion over a freelance blogger or ghost blogger.
- Authority – There are also times when a blog can be an authority over a newspaper. The blog has a much more niche feel and can cover topics that newspapers would never touch, which makes some blogs an authority on a subject that could never surface in a newspaper.
Using a computer and platform, anyone can write blogs. They don’t always rely on facts or follow grammatical rules.
Instead, they are entertainment that is often closely based on what their readers want. Good blogs will be written like newspaper articles but have the author’s personality woven into the mix.
Newspaper Articles Thrive on Accurate Reporting and Correctness
Newspapers have brought facts to people in cities across the country since before the Revolutionary War.
The patriots used printing presses to alert the population about the misdeeds of King George and stoke the fires of war.
Today, newspapers are still rooted in fact but have moved to a different medium.
A few key differences in newspapers are:
- Fact Based – Newspapers are bound by law, and ethics, to give the public the truth with their reporting; if they print lies or cause harm to people with false information, they can be held liable in court for damages or worse. Reporters base their careers on journalistic integrity and always search for the truth.
- Interviews – You can discern a newspaper article by their interviews. Papers can get quotes from people related to the story much easier than a blog. In addition, the newspaper’s authority will get tons of info that smaller unheard-of blogs could not.
- Much Longer – Articles will be much longer than a blog posts. Blogs work on short topics and don’t often go over 2k words unless they do a deep dive on a subject. Newspaper articles will often take stories from beginning to end and will cover a few columns in the paper.
- Pay Rates – The pay difference between journalists and bloggers is steep. Bloggers can make as low as around a penny per word for their articles. Journalists can demand fees that will dwarf what a blogger makes in a year. Blogs can generate lots of money, but they have nothing on journalists who are masters of their craft with all the certifications to go with it.
- Editor – The backbone of any good newspaper is the Editor. They work with writers and journalists to tighten up stories and grammatical errors in the article. Editors also help to fact-check articles, so there are no loose ends and nothing to keep the company liable.
- Writing Style – Newspaper journalists write in different styles. They have interview tricks and pacing know-how that will make bloggers’ heads spin. The tone could be harsh for younger adults, who are shown to favor the blog-style article.
Newspapers are dying, but their content is headed to the web. The recession in the 00s sent many newspapers across the country into the waste bin of history, but they still contribute articles on their web pages to subscribed users.
Conclusion
There are some glaring differences between blogs and newspaper articles. Blogs are often written by freelancers who do good work but could be underpaid and post things without the aid of an editor or support.
Newspapers are steeped in tradition and are funded by billion-dollar companies. Their articles are for the general public and could be hard to read for people using mobile devices. They could also be lacking in areas that blogs cover with ease.
