Classification of blogs & opinion about the most appropriate classification approach

According to Martha (2011), blogs can be classified into 5 categories which are corporate blog, niche blog, personal blog, forum blogging and review blog.

Firstly, corporate blog are blogs that are used officially with organization purpose. In a corporate blog, company’s information and latest update are easily being found and most of the corporate blogs will provide a space for their customers to leave their comments about the goods and services that are provided by the organization.

Sources - "http://www.lenovoblogs.com/"

Niche blog refers to blogs that related to specific niche such as gaming, technology and music where bloggers only provide information on a particular topic.

Sources - "http://www.wired.com/gamelife/"

Besides that, personal blog are usually used by blogger to keep track of their life and also a place to express themselves. Therefore, personal blogs are commonly written in personal language and also includes the emotional attachment of the blogger in the blog. Some of the blogger choose to privatize their personal blog.

Sources - "http://willysr.blogspot.com/"

Forum blogging is a place where blogger can share their thoughts about blogging, express things and provide opinion on how to improve in blogging.

Review blog allows blogger to share their review about the product that they used. For example, mobile phones, computers or even foods.

Sources - "http://yourshoppingkaki.blogspot.com/"

However, Chang & Yeh (2008) proposed a different ways to classifications different blogs in 2 approach, which are the motive-based classifications which refers to the bloggers motive to create a blog such as idea exchange and emotional expression. The second approach is content-based approach which classifies blogs according to subject matter such as online diary or life experience.

I agree more on Chang & Yeh's perspective as it provides a wider ways to classify blogs.

Reference

Martha, 2011, “What is Blogging and Types of Blogs”, viewed 22th August 2011, < http://hellboundbloggers.com/2011/02/27/types-of-blogs/ >

Chang HC & Yeh K, 2008, "Clarifying the difficulties and management of blogging", viewed 14th November 2011, < http://jitas.im.cpu.edu.tw/2008-2/1.pdf >