Are Blogs Becoming Too Self-Obsessed?


I love blogs. I adore sitting down in the evening and catching up on all of my favourite bloggers' posts, learning about new beauty products and marvelling at how someone can put such an amazing outfit together. It's a bit of 'me time' at the end of the day, a chance to chill out and simply indulge myself in all of my favourite things through a screen. Blogs exist for many different purposes; to inform, to advise, to discuss, to showcase, to inspire. If you are a blogger reading this, you will know that we all start our blogs for so many varying reasons that are completely personal to us. That's the point of a blog- it's personal and personable. I read them because I can either relate to them ('found this amazing lipstick for a fiver!'), or because it gives them a glimpse into the luxury they aspire to (designer handbags and holidays in the Maldives). But recently, I've noticed that blogs are starting to defer from those origins, evolving into something which purely boosts the ego of the creator.




Of course, blogs evolve. People grow and our websites develop alongside these human changes of personality and interests. That's simply a natural fact. But seeing, for example, a website transform from a series of personable, relatable outfit posts into a constant stream of selfies, each one relentlessly selling clothes to you, is slightly disheartening. I'm not saying it's wrong to make money from your blog, I'm not saying it's wrong to take selfies (I'm 100% guilty too), I'm saying increasing numbers just don't seem to care so much about credibility any more. Fashion blogs have become less about showcasing pretty clothes and more about pushing the blogger's face. You can click on a beauty post about lipstick, only to find the majority of photos are selfies.


I'm not saying this is true for all blogs, but I have noticed this trend sneaking into the blogosphere lately. It's become less about the things we are passionate about, and more about us. We are passionate about ourselves. A post filled with photos of us. Constant Instagram selfies which probably, technically, constitute as soft porn. Blogs are a vehicle for our obsession with ourselves, a platform to express how amazing we are and look. Yes, blogs are a bit indulgent (that is the nature of some of them), and yes, fashion blogs kind of need photos of the model (isn't the whole point to show off an outfit?) but it can be done in a way which doesn't scream 'look at me' rather than 'look at the product'. Rather than drawing people into a discussion, providing tantalizing information on a new launch, or explaining how to take a skirt from day to evening wear, we are focusing more on selling and fishing for compliments.


Maybe it's the nature of the industry now; blogs are far more professional, and as a result attract the attention of brands from across the world. Photos are sleeker, words are meticulously selected, web design is snazzier than ever. Maybe it's simply a reflection of our selfie-obsessed society and is nothing to do with blogs at all. But, for me, it's so important for blogs to retain that essential credibility that keeps your readers coming back. Bloggers don't need to constantly get their tits out to bring in an audience. People will get tired of endless, self-indulgent posts filled with photos of yourself. Readers are savvy and know when they are always being sold to. It may be controversial, but I think that blogs need to re-focus on that reader relationship and producing great, authentic content, rather than wondering how many likes they will get on that latest swimwear selfie.


What do you think? Is this too harsh, or are you getting this impression too? I'd love to hear your thoughts.



Pretty and Polished


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9 comments

  1. I totally agree and don't think it's too harsh, I stop reading a lot of blogs because I become detached and can't relate to them when it becomes attention seeking and fishing for comments. I love a beautiful make-up look or outfit, but they are very egotistical these days xxx

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    1. So glad you agree! Thanks for your comment Jess xxx

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  2. I can totally see where you are coming from! I've been reading blogs for a good few years and over that time I've noticed slow but sure changes such as what you describe. It's a shame, but luckily there is still a wealth of genuine, more 'real' content out there for us to choose to focus on. X

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  3. I can totally see where you are coming from! I've been reading blogs for a good few years and over that time I've noticed slow but sure changes such as what you describe. It's a shame, but luckily there is still a wealth of genuine, more 'real' content out there for us to choose to focus on. X

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  4. I can think of a few examples of blogs exactly like this which I used to enjoy reading and following, and now have become vehicles for constant product promotion! I think bloggers have almost started taking themselves too seriously, we're fed all this advice about being "a brand" and at the end of the day it shouldn't really be about you! More about what you are offering the readers! I was nodding all the way through this post I've had that thought in my head for a while.

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    1. Thank you so much Fiona. Readers are the ones who allow you to gain success with your blog, so it's important to never forget that!

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  5. This is a well balanced piece, that questions and challenges, rather than rants. Big tick there! It is really good to see a blog doing an introspective because it is healthy to hold up the mirror every now and then and consider our actions vs intentions. There needs to be enough 'self', so that the reader knows enough about the personality to resonate with and as you say, it's important to be mindful it doesn't turn into a me-me-fest or a constant critique. In a group we all roll our eyes at the person who dominates every conversation with me-me stories. Ultimately, people will vote with their follows, IF they are confident enough to not feel left out, when it seems they are the only one not following the biggest bloggers. There is s cynicism creeping in from customers though; I am often asked by customers, if we have paid for product reviews and it behooves us all to work together and ensure that paid and unpaid is really well distinguished. Thank you for that post; it was an enjoyable and provocative read. Mx

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    1. Thanks Maleka, it's so interesting to get an insight into the issue from a brand perspective. I wasn't aware customer cynicism had become such a problem, which is such a shame as a healthy brand-blog relationship can be so beneficial to everyone involved. You hit the nail on the head with your comment about social groups; we do all doze off when people start talking about themselves in person, so why should it be any different on the internet? x

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