This is my usual post to signify a new year of blogging. But could this be the last?
2025 has been a mixed bag, where I hit big milestones but underperformed in others. But the main question is: Is blogging dead in 2026?
First of all, let’s celebrate those positives, of which there were many.
The Positives
Guitar Geordie hit 1K Subscribers.
The YouTube Partner Programme was an obsession of mine, and entry into that club became a reality in 2025. Please support the channel by subscribing here.
I achieved my 10-year Blogging Goals.
From day 1, I tracked everything, starting at 0 views, and hoping to gain 150 extra views each month. Well, in 2025, 10 years on, that red actual line has stayed above the blue predicted line. My number one objective had been met!
2025: My most successful year so far for revenue.
All being taken into account, and after the disappointment of 2024, 2025 was my turnaround for revenue, with YouTube monetisation welcomingly pushing me over the finishing line close to the end of the year. But a big BUT is looming…
The Negatives
Blogging and/or my Blog is struggling
There are many factors at play here. Firstly, I prioritised Guitar Geordie, which meant a dip in blogging output. But more worryingly, although I did manage to maintain blog traffic (unlike 2024), RPM was down on 2025, meaning my most stable revenue stream was once again under threat, with Google, and it appears viewers, moving more towards video.
Vlogging is easier than Blogging
More worryingly still. As my confidence in Vlogging grew, it became easier, less time-consuming and more enjoyable. Blogging, against the headwinds of Generative AI content creation, feels increasingly like an uphill battle. Once Google dangled the carrot of attractive revenue for my efforts, but now that’s almost all chewed up and rotten away! So is it still worth the effort?
Onwards to 2026
The answer is YES. The YouTube Partner Programme grind is over. Yes, Vlogging is easier, but I love writing more, and I’m sorry that the Blogging Musician is not what it used to be. Content is king, and admittedly, I fell short in 2025. I got complacent and was punished for it, which is the truth.
Thanks for staying with me. I feel I have a huge monkey off my back and can achieve a better Blogging / Vlogging balance in 2026!
All the best to you and your families.
I was interested to read this post because I have realised that almost all of the blogs that I was subscribed to and read have stopped producing blog posts. Some of the bloggers have explained why they stopped writing blog posts (usually because they were too busy), but the rest just have not produced anything for months or years.
Is vlogging easier than blogging? Do you need different skills, such as editing and presenting, to do it?
Congratulations on Guitar Geordie and accomplishing your goals.
I was interested to read this post because I have recently realised that almost all the blogs I was subscribed to and read have stopped producing blog posts. Some of the bloggers have stated why they were no longer writing blog posts (usually because they were more busy than before), but usually they have just not produced anything for months or years.
Congratulations on the success of the Guitar Geordie and for accomplishing your goals.
Thanks a lot. I’ll definitely keep going!
Wow, Adam, congratulations on meeting the YouTube partner program! I remember when we got there and it was thrilling!
And congrats on your former blog success.
To answer your question; I don’t think blogging is dead, but you’re right, it IS harder and AI is eating into our results.
Here’s a heads up for you, because we hadn’t uploaded a video in 9 months, we are in danger of losing our YouTube partner program status in the next 30 days, so don’t let that lapse…. —It’s been a weird season for us, where I am prioritizing Bruce’s recovery, but it doesn’t matter, if we don’t get 4k viewing hours this month, we are out of the program.
Thanks for sharing valuable insights.
Thank you! No point in giving up is there. Best of luck to you both for 2026. Adam