A blog (short for weblog) can be defined in general terms as a website that uses a dated log format and contains links to other web sites along with commentary about those sites. Blog entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order, updated frequently and sometimes groups links by specific subjects, such as politics, news, pop culture, or computer issues. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic.
The rise and popularity of blogs in the general public has changed the content of web logs. While there are many link-driven sites offering alternative viewpoints or factual information on news and other subjects, many web logs are also used as a form of personal online journal. That is, blogger-style tools allowed links and commentary to quickly grow into longer essays and diaries on the Web.
There are various types of blogs, and each differs in the way content is delivered or written.
A blog comprising videos is called a vlog, one comprising links is called a linklog, a site containing a portfolio of sketches is called a sketchblog or one comprising photos is called a photoblog.1) Blogs with shorter posts and mixed media types are called tumblelogs.
An Artlog is a form of art sharing and publishing in the format of a blog, but differentiated by the predominant use of and focus on Art work rather than text.
A rare type of blog hosted on the Gopher Protocol is known as a Phlog
Blogs can also be defined by which type of device is used to compose it. A blog written by a mobile device like a mobile phone or PDA is called a moblog.
Some blogs focus on a particular subject, such as political blogs, travel blogs, fashion blogs, project blogs, niche blogs, legal blogs (often referred to as a blawgs) or dreamlogs. While not a legitimate type of blog, one used for the sole purpose of spamming is known as a Splog. A Slog (Site or website log) is a section or ‘slice’ of a regular business website, which is seamlessly integrated within the regular website structure but is produced with blogging software.
A blog can be private, as in most cases, or it can be for business purposes. Blogs, either used internally to enhance the communication and culture in a corporation or externally for marketing, branding or PR purposes are called corporate blogs.
Several blog search engines are used to search blog contents (also known as the blogosphere), such as blogdigger, Feedster, and Technorati. Technorati provides current information on both popular searches and tags used to categorize blog postings.
Several online communities exist that connect people to blogs and bloggers to other bloggers, including Blog Catalogue and MyBlogLog. A collection of local blogs is sometimes referred to as a Bloghood.