Do you know the difference between a blog post and an article? They may appear to be the same at first glance, but there are differences between them.
As a freelance writer, it’s important to be clear on your clients’ expectations before you start a project – especially if they use the two words interchangeably. Ideally, their expectations are clearly set in a content brief. If not, it’s best to check that you’re on the same page. Otherwise, you may need to spend extra time revising the content later on.
In this blog post, we define what blogs and articles are and point out five key differences between the two.
What Is a Blog Post?
The word blog is a portmanteau of the words web and log, which was condensed over time into the more recognizable blog. As the name suggests, it is typically published on an individual or company’s website.
Blogs are one of the most popular forms of online content, with more than 6 million new posts being published worldwide every day. They can serve many purposes. There are personal blogs (where individuals share updates, experiences, and opinions), educational blogs, and corporate blogs used to market products or services – and these are just a few examples!
Blog posts can vary in length (anywhere from 300 to 2,000 words) but are usually on the shorter side and focus on one key idea. They tend to be more informal and conversational in style, making them a great tool for connecting with a target audience and building a community. Learning how to write and structure compelling blog posts can massively help you to connect with your readers and convert them into clients.
What Is an Article?
Articles, on the other hand, are longer (usually over 2,500 words) pieces with a more formal tone. They tend to focus on the more technical aspects of a product, business, or industry, exploring a topic in depth. While blog posts usually stick to one key idea, an article may address several different points.
The intent of articles is also to inform readers about a topic, but the audience is more specific (e.g., readers with specific academic or technical knowledge). As such, the way an article is written is different from the way you write a piece for the mass market.
Articles tend to follow a logical rather than narrative structure. They begin with a set of hypotheses, use evidence to build an argument, and conclude. The writer uses external opinions and quotes to back up their argument, citing their sources using references. Articles may be published on a website, but more often, they feature in technical/academic journals, magazines, and periodicals.
Blog vs. Article: 5 Important Differences
Now that we’ve discussed blogs and articles individually, let’s compare some of the most important differences between the two.
1. Purpose
Individuals and companies write blogs to:
- Attract new readers to their website (and convert them into clients)
- Educate, inform, or entertain their audience
- Update readers on their products and services
- Provide simplified descriptions of complex products/services/topics
They write articles to:
- Educate and inform their audience
- Explore a topic in depth, offering facts, evidence, and expert opinions
- Establish the author’s credibility as an expert in that field
2. Audience
Blogs target a general audience or professionals who want to gain quick insights into a topic. Articles target a more specific audience (e.g., academic or technical) who are looking to dive deeper into a topic.
For instance, BirdBonica is a blog for members of the public to learn about birdwatching. The Journal of Ornithology, in contrast, writes about the science of birds for ornithologists.
3. Length
The ideal length of a blog post is hotly debated, but the general consensus is that blogs are shorter pieces of content that start at around 300 words and rarely go beyond 2,000 words. Articles, however, can be 5,000 words or more because they require more words to fully explore the topic.
4. Language and Style
Because blogs are written for a general audience, they tend to adopt a more informal, conversational writing style. Articles, which are often written for a technical or academic audience, are more formal and often use technical jargon.
For instance, let’s compare Healthline’s and The Lancet’s pieces on the accuracy of rapid COVID-19 tests. Healthline provides information to the mass market, while The Lancet is a medical journal whose audience is medical professionals. The language and style of these pieces reflect the audience they are targeting.
5. Research
Some people will tell you that the difference between blogs and articles is that articles are researched and blogs aren’t. This isn’t entirely true. Many people research the topics of their blogs; it’s just not the same level of research that goes into writing articles. Articles are extensively researched and use referencing systems to cite the author’s research.
Want To Learn How To Write Blogs?
Do you want to write blogs but don’t know where to start? Our Becoming A Freelance Writer course takes you through the process of writing a blog post or an article from start to finish.
Plus, if you pass the final assignment with a score of 80% or more, you’ll be offered the opportunity to build your portfolio by writing three blog posts for Knowadays!
If you’re still not sure, you can try it out for free.
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What Is a Content Brief? (And Why You Need One)How to Write a Blog Title That Gets Clicks9 Ways to Become a Better WriterWhat’s the Difference between B2B and B2C Writing?
