Stop Comparing Facebook, Twitter, and Blogging

Alright, I've kinda had enough with seeing post after post about this topic. Some people seem to believe that up and coming sites like Twitter and Facebook are somewhat a threat to blogging (and in that case, WordPress).

It seems every day I'm seeing people in my Twitter feed update with tweets about how they're reading a post called "Is Facebook and Twitter the New Way to Blog?". Let me answer that question with a single word - no.

Let me give any of you that are confused a quick lesson. Twitter is a small social networking site where you can ~~stalk~~ keep updated with anyone that you want. Think of it as a giant chatroom where everyone is invited.

Facebook is another social networking site where people can catch up with old and current friends and family alike. Normal things to do here consist of commenting on eachothers pictures and posting funny videos of yourself and your friends.

Blogging, on the other had, is the act of owning your own website that you update frequently with posts that are normally quite lengthy. Even ForTheLose.org is a blog. A few months ago, if you asked me what a blog is, I'd say it was basically an online diary. Now, I've broadened that definition to even include sites that are dedicated to a certain topic which is authored by one or two people. ForTheLose.org now falled under the category of a "blog" in my head.

Anyway, look over these three definitions of the terms Twitter, Facebook, and blogging. How does anyone get off comparing them? It's like comparing apples and oranges - you just can't do it.

They may all be a form of "social networking", but that's about it.

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Post Tags: facebook, twitter, wordpress

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There are 45 comments to this post.

DannyIsOnFire had this to say, Jul 13, 2009 @ 5:33 am.

Completely agree! While these technologies share several similarities all have different purposes entirely. I'd liken Facebook to MySpace as sites for anyone, people who want to stay in touch with friends current and past, as well as meet possible new ones.

Twitter and blogging are nothing like that, although I do think they go well together. A blog is a way of informing people about a subject, whether that be WordPress themes or the author themselves. Like you said, the posts are of a decent length and are informative. Twitter serves the purpose of allowing followers to keep up with more trivial matters in the authors life. In my eyes, the blog is for the important stuff that everyone needs to know, and Twitter keeps the die-hard fans up to date with everything, big or small.

Eternal had this to say, Jul 13, 2009 @ 11:30 am.

STICK IT TO THE MAN, RALPH
.-= Eternal´s last blog ..Some Cool Stuff =-.

Paul D'Amora had this to say, Jul 13, 2009 @ 4:06 pm.

compaing....yeah, not a word.

bajki dla dzieci had this to say, Jul 15, 2009 @ 2:55 am.

In one point You are right - blogging independently and blogging on big social networking sites (or small like You said ) are two different things. That is because of the purposses that are the main reasons of blogging. But on the other way, people that are not in possession of common knowledge of having own blog are just using some help of social sites.
.-= bajki dla dzieci ´s last blog ..Bolek I Lolek – Król Puszczy =-.

JSB Web Design had this to say, Jul 16, 2009 @ 10:37 am.

Good post Ralph. Perhaps those asking "Is Facebook and Twitter the New Way to Blog?" don't know much about Facebook, Twitter or Blogging
.-= JSB Web Design´s last blog ..5 Smart Ways to Market Your Product on Twitter =-.

Sean had this to say, Jul 17, 2009 @ 2:28 am.

I agree with you ralph, I hate when people say to me "hey, why do you own a blog when twitter is free?"

It really annoys me.
.-= Sean´s last blog ..Disco Bowling?! =-.

fandy had this to say, Jul 19, 2009 @ 9:25 am.

Agree, Twitter and Facebook not for blogging but can be a media for promoting the blog...
Twitter - Facebook - Blogging are different thing but related.
at the end... do the best thing on those socialmedia

Tausif had this to say, Jul 20, 2009 @ 2:56 pm.

You're on MSN practically all the time, why don't you just make a blog post? lol
.-= Tausif´s last blog ..RustyCracker is Going Green =-.

Joey Logano Fan had this to say, Jul 23, 2009 @ 2:41 pm.

lol the whole ‘blogging about twitter’ thing is getting a little old. Haha I think the “stalking” is still Majorly left up to facebook. That’s what people do on facebook, stalk others lol. You are absolutely right though the three are very very different. They have their similarities, yes, but they are on different levels.
.-= Joey Logano Fan´s last blog ..Allstate 400 at the Brickyard Preview =-.

Payroll Service Florida had this to say, Aug 3, 2009 @ 2:59 am.

Fully agree with your post as all know all sites has different goal and services. but still people some how compares for personal neediness, don't found that much similarities with all three that internet world can easily compare.....

Management Training had this to say, Aug 4, 2009 @ 7:39 am.

Yes, i also read these types of threads in some forums. You are absolutely correct do not compare facebook, twitter and blogging.

Paul D'Amora had this to say, Aug 4, 2009 @ 3:15 pm.

@Tausif
When I asked him he gave me some crap about how he's building a video game.

Tausif had this to say, Aug 6, 2009 @ 1:27 am.

Him and Rid are trying to make a flash game and entering a contest with it something like that.
.-= Tausif´s last blog ..Dead? Nah. =-.

Luis Lopez had this to say, Aug 7, 2009 @ 7:48 am.

I totally agree with you on the base that each one has a different objective. Twitter and facebook are social media sites, you use it to promote your product/article what ever but not for blogging, a blog is totally different.
.-= Luis Lopez´s last blog ..50+ Awesome Photos You Have Never Seen From Bogota – Colombia =-.

Tausif had this to say, Aug 13, 2009 @ 3:58 pm.

RALPH, YOU HAVE NOT MADE A POST IN A MONTH.
.-= Tausif´s last blog ..Dead? Nah. =-.

Tipsy had this to say, Aug 21, 2009 @ 7:12 am.

I agree with you of course. You have right that blogging and using Twitter or Facebook is not the same thing. But there is also a thing that makes those social networking sites making people resigning from blogging and concentrate on e.g. "Twitting". That is just some easier way of making people follow. But there is also a thing that makes people use Facebook and Twitter to make their blogs more popular. There is no secret that Twitter could help increase traffic on a website.
.-= Tipsy´s last blog ..Pazurki od Eweliny =-.

tiffany had this to say, Aug 26, 2009 @ 1:09 am.

I agree with your idea of course. That’s what people do on facebook or myspace, stalk others lol. absolutely right though the three are very very different. They have their similarities , but they are on different levels...

Catering had this to say, Sep 3, 2009 @ 2:33 am.

Aim of all three Facebook, Twitter and Blogging are clearly different , users are much different, usage and purpose quite dissimilar but still people only for promoting their business compares all three at regular time so need to treat different because all Three are doing Great at their place and in community.

Generic had this to say, Sep 4, 2009 @ 11:43 am.

I too like to read these types of threads in some forums. You are absolutely correct do not compare facebook, twitter and blogging.

Metal Briefcase had this to say, Sep 9, 2009 @ 6:35 pm.

I agree that all of these platforms are separate and will not replace one another. In time there may emerge a better platform that does take over, but we have yet to see that beast.

tiffany had this to say, Sep 21, 2009 @ 2:19 am.

I agree that all of these platforms are separate and will not replace one another. In time there may emerge a better platform that does take over, but we have yet to see that beast.
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oes tsetnoc had this to say, Sep 23, 2009 @ 5:47 am.

yes i agree, twitter, facebook and blogging are different. they have different ideas on communicating and as media tool
.-= oes tsetnoc´s last blog ..Oes Tsetnoc – Kanye West Interrupts Busby Seo Contest =-.

used tires had this to say, Sep 27, 2009 @ 12:27 pm.

Yeah you are right, I don't understand why people can say that you can use Twitter as a blogging platform... they are just crazy to think that!!

Till then,

Jean

Briefcases had this to say, Oct 2, 2009 @ 6:07 pm.

I don't think it is so bad to compare these media platforms. They are all unique, but they have a lot of similarities too. Each site has carved out it's own niche, but we are seeing them merged together more and more. As marketers we have to think of the best way to utilize each platform.

ATV Auction had this to say, Oct 13, 2009 @ 7:18 pm.

Each of these platforms have carved out their own niche. They all thrive because they offer something unique. If they offered the same features, they would be competing against one another and suffer.

belajar saham online had this to say, Oct 26, 2009 @ 9:02 pm.

We have to choice ones that suit for us, thanks.

ATV had this to say, Nov 5, 2009 @ 7:11 pm.

The people who compare them don't really appreciate the distinct features that each platform offers. They have their similarities but they are all very different beasts.

Briefcases had this to say, Nov 5, 2009 @ 7:13 pm.

It is only natural to compare these somewhat similar platforms. They are all different ways of getting your voice heard. In the end they all accomplish the same thing, but with varying amounts of text.

Denim Leggings had this to say, Dec 14, 2009 @ 4:39 am.

Well, comparing Twitter, Facebok and Blogging I must say that... Ok, just kidding But seriously I'm not surprised that many people are thinking about those things like something similar. First two are social networking sites and blogging is something that can be promoted using those two. That is obvious to me.

Guildford had this to say, Dec 19, 2009 @ 6:21 pm.

these are all different stuff.

Label Printers had this to say, Dec 21, 2009 @ 5:49 am.

There are many social networking sites, so we can't compare to eachother. You choose which one you like.

Dizi İzle had this to say, Jan 1, 2010 @ 9:17 am.

Waterfront Condos had this to say, Jan 7, 2010 @ 5:57 am.

Only aim might same, its connecting social media but all three are very dissimilar than each other but can't compare in real terms, all working on social media in different manner.

Metal Briefcases had this to say, Jan 7, 2010 @ 7:09 pm.

I think blogging is here for a long time to come. While other platforms may offer some similarities, blogs are a great medium on their own. The people who think these new platforms will replace blogging likely are not bloggers themselves. So they don't truly understand blogs.

Waterfront Condos had this to say, Jan 8, 2010 @ 1:37 am.

Yes agree with Metal Briefcases, Blogging is long term and durable medium on internet no other media can replace blogging.

Generic had this to say, Jan 15, 2010 @ 4:43 pm.

I can totally agree with you on the base that each one has a different objective. Twitter and facebook are social media sites, you use it to promote your product/article what ever but not for blogging, a blog is totally different.

Waterfront Condos had this to say, Jan 21, 2010 @ 2:10 am.

Yes but now a days people using blogging for same like product promotion, product launches or etc...

rental book had this to say, Jan 21, 2010 @ 8:38 pm.

Social media will probably be the blog platform of 2009. Google loved blogs and now they love twitter.... lets see how that works out.

rental book had this to say, Jan 23, 2010 @ 4:07 am.

We have to choice ones that suit for us, thanks.

Megan Fox had this to say, Jan 27, 2010 @ 4:42 pm.

They are definitely designed with different purposes all together, nothing to fear people.
.-= Megan Fox´s last blog ..Emma Roberts =-.

used tires had this to say, Feb 3, 2010 @ 10:08 am.

Today, I got angry at some colleagues for making this same mistake of confusing Twitter/FB and blogging. I thought atleast by now everyone would've learned..

Till then,

Jean

orjin krem had this to say, Mar 9, 2010 @ 12:55 pm.

I think blogging is here for a long time to come. While other platforms may offer some similarities, blogs are a great medium on their own.

They are definitely designed with different purposes all together, nothing to fear people.

hotel had this to say, Mar 9, 2010 @ 12:58 pm.

I agree with your idea of course. That’s what people do on facebook or myspace, stalk others lol. absolutely right though the three are very very different.

Billing Software had this to say, Mar 25, 2010 @ 7:49 am.

Yes, Facebook and Twitter are social networking site but we can't compare to each other.

popping pimples had this to say, Jun 26, 2010 @ 9:15 pm.

Facebook and Twitter is probably my favorite platforms simply because the amount of users on theses platforms is huge. However, I cannot compare them because they each have their own unique good and bad sides