Blog Networks lost a lot of steam in last few months, but with the recent funding to some of the big networks like b5media, Popsugar etc., blog networks are again showing to have trust and faith of not only readers and bloggers but with VCs too. VCs are showing great interest, hopes and faith in the intensifying popularity of the blogs under a single umbrella.
The old players in the blog network arena including Weblogsinc headed by Jason Calcanics, Gawker headed by Nick Denton have already established themselves and paved a path for other blog networks to follow the path.
Many other old blog networks like Creative-weblogging although were able to make some good partnerships like the Washington Post’s sponsored blogroll, but couldn’t exploit the fact of being an early adopter as the Weblogsinc and the Gawker blog network did successfully.
Last year, the news of $25m AOL deal led to the mushroom growth of the blog networks. Many blog networks were started with a spark but only a few of them managed to complete one year while other died or are on the brink of extinction. Let’s briefly analyze these.
Blog networks which have managed to carve a niche for themselves:
Popsugar – With a $5 million funding received recently from Sequoia Capital, Popsugar is a strong community with a limited number of blogs that primarily focus on celebrity news and gossip. The network that started as a caper enjoys around 1.5 million visitors a month. Boasting 13M page views in a month, Popsugar is indeed on a roll.
9rules – 9rules has been accused of having no business plans by many, but still it’s one of the premium networks out there. And with guys like Mike Rundle on board, the future is indeed bright. Recently when 9rules made Round 5 to welcome blog submissions, it startlingly received requests from 1190 blogs. Though I personally believe the biggest advantage of being with 9rules was they were able to send traffic to their network blogs, which other blog networks aren’t able to do so successfully, but with ever increasing number of blogs in their bag, they might lose this advantage.
9rules has one more big advantage from other blog networks, with a great team of designers they are able to integrate many cool features like 9rules Notes, featured, search etc that too put icing on the cake.
b5media—Working on the concept of turning bloggers’ passion into business, b5media is certainly moving on the right track. It was recently in news for receiving $2 million in VC funding, though many were not convinced, including Mike Rundle, and Nick Douglas. The b5media is a network of 150 blogs with most of the blogs focusing on celebrity gossip, hobbies, and unconventional subjects. They have recently updated their homepage to move more into a portal direction.
Instablogs - I might be a bit biased, since I am part of Instablogs, but Instablogs is made of 100+ blogs covering vast number of topics, focused on consumer oriented news, and a new version with a vision of “bringing bloggers and readers closer” due soon, which I am sure is going to change the blog networks overall concept of “network of bloggers”.
Knowmoremedia— Primarily, a business blog network that is heading on the right path. It recently welcomed its 2-millionth visitor to its network. The growing network offers a continuum of business knowledge and has successfully managed to create ties with people in the industry. A must read for people interested in business readings.
Metroblogging – The celebrated blog network with its more than 700 bloggers focuses on city-specific blogs contributing to over 50 metros globally, especially in North America, Europe, and South East Asia. The interesting part is that even Jason Calacanics tried to clone them but could not make it. The blog network is moving in the very right direction.
Blog networks that failed:
1938media – Except for the core blog run by Loren Feldman, no other blog is doing anything to create a sensation. Well, Loren might be thinking of the blog network as a video podcast network but at the moment, there is nothing much in the network.
Wurk.net – Another blog network that showed a lot of hopes and promises in the beginning but failed to fulfill them. Though it has beautiful designs, many of the blogs on the network are not being updated regularly. The network has lost the spark and is close to being extinct.
Finefools – A much hyped blog network started by Paul Scrivens that is non existent now. Finefools was last seen caught in trouble with its own bloggers, and then an auction on the Sitepoint. The network failed miserably and the worst or the funny part is that you will find its homepage redirected to a porn site. Are we seeing some business plan here?
Blogmedia – The privately owned BlogMedia network is made of divergent weblogs focused on various topics. Though prominent weblogs such as blognetworkwatch and blogherald are a part of blogmedia network but most other blogs in the network seem to be at the brink of extinction. It’s better safe to say that it is dead except to the only blog “Blog herald” which they purchased for a sum of around $75K last year. They are auctioning their remaining blogs.
Pajamas’s media: With good fundings, and high profile bloggers on board, it was difficult from the day one to feed an army of elephants. With issues like trademark violations Pajama’s media was always in the press but for all wrong reasons.
Blog networks showing good hopes:
451 press – The swiftly growing network boasts more than 100 blogs on distinct topics along with good-looking page designs. Though it’s an old network but is donning the new avatar lately. It has recently announced to open applications for new bloggers. Though running under the radar I won’t be surprised to see it getting more press in coming days.
Bloggertalks — A new blog network that will be launched soon by experienced Thord Daniel Hedengren. We can expect a lot from the network as Thord seems to be pretty clear in focusing the new network. He is at an advantageous position owing to his familiarity with the old blog networks.
Business 2.0 — A recently announced business blog network that will comprise 16 blogs focused on business related topics such as venture capital, media industry, and real estates. They might too have the same issue of feeding the elephants like Pajamas’s media but at the moment my money is on them.
We have left many blog networks, like Shiny Media, Mink Media, Blogspire etc but will try to cover more of them in some other post.
