Know the difference between a blog vs article.
Blog vs article: which one do you need?
Like the terms ‘copywriting’ and ‘content writing’, ‘blog’ and ‘article’ are often used interchangeably.
And it’s not really surprising. As more publications shift from print to digital channels, and with a growing number of brands creating high-quality content, the distinction between the two becomes quite blurry.
But does it really matter which word you use? It does if you plan to hire a content writer.
Here’s why:
- We use different writing styles for articles vs blogs.
- Best practices differ.
- Article writing normally costs more.
We’ll explore both content types in greater detail below, so you can be confident that what you’re asking for (and what you’ll get) is what you really need.
The difference between a blog post and an article
About blog posts
What is a blog? A blog can be a standalone website or a section on a website that contains self-published content called posts.
What is a blog post? Blog posts can be articles (a blog article), tips, lessons, guides, opinion pieces or even news pieces.
Here’s an overview what you need to know:
- Blogs are updated regularly.
- Posts can be casual or formal – it’s up to you!
- It can be as short as 300 words or as long as desired. When it is 1000 words and up, this is called long-form content.
- SEO is an important part of blog writing because your content should be discoverable on search engines.
- What you write can include personal opinions and, therefore, even certain biases.
About articles
What is an article? An article is a formal piece of writing meant to inform. These can be found in print publications like magazines and journals as well as on digital channels like their websites.
Here’s an overview of what you need to know:
- Articles are factual, meaning they are based on research and / or interviews. That is, your writing can be supported with ‘evidence’.
- Article writing includes explanations or analyses; they reference studies and / or statistics.
- They don’t include personal opinion.
- The writing style tends to be more proper (“sophisticated”) and spelling as well as grammar rules are followed.
- Articles go through a review process that involves editing and proofreading.