In my article Updated: Why subscribe to blogs? 8 Things to consider, I outlined the characteristics of a blog which would induce me to subscribe to it - or not. I invited readers to take part in a small survey asking the question "Why do you subscribe to blogs?".

I've analysed the results and placed them in rank order. Here they are (below). I also asked an AI app to give me a more general answer. I’ve included the answer at the end.

Characteristic

%

Rank

Informative

21%

1

Well-written

19%

2

Consistent quality

14%

3

Easy to subscribe to

10%

4

Updated regularly

9%

5

Provocative

9%

5

Other

8%

7

Humorous

5%

8

Newsworthy

3%

9

Why subscribe to a blog?

I have to say that to some extent these results surprised me. Of course, most of us suffer from the delusion that everyone thinks like ourselves, but I should have thought 'Updated regularly' would have attracted a greater percentage of the 'vote', whilst whether a blog is easy to subscribe to seems not to worry too many people.

What really is strange though is the low ranking of 'Newsworthy', because several people said that they subscribe to blogs which they believe will help them keep up-to-date in technology and education. Perhaps the word 'Newsworthy' was ill-chosen when I framed the survey. Perhaps the word 'Informative' is sufficient in this context.

I was pleased to see that 'Well-written' and 'Consistent quality' came in at positions 2 and 3 respectively. However, I was disappointed to discover that 'humorous' ranks almost bottom.

Other reasons for subscribing to a blog, or for not unsubscribing, included supporting people who are friends or who are within one's personal learning network. One person said that the content of a blog should not be too personal or embarrassing.

Unfortunately, because I forgot to include a note on the blog stating that respondents may be quoted unless they requested otherwise, I don't feel able to credit individual people for their comments, but should like to thank everyone who took part.

This was hardly a scientific survey, but hopefully it has provided food for thought and a starting point for discussion. Perhaps a similar kind of survey could be undertaken by a school in relation to what its parents look for in a school website. It strikes me that we make all sorts of assumptions about what people like or dislike, and one way (not the only way) to find out if such assumptions are justified is to ask our target readership.

I asked Perplexity.ai why people in education subscribe to blogs or similar, and here’s what it said:

People subscribe to blogs primarily for direct access to valuable, in-depth content delivered straight to their inbox, bypassing social media algorithms and ensuring they stay updated on new posts, trends, or niche insights.emailoctopus+2

Key Reasons

Subscribers seek regular notifications about fresh content, promotions, or industry news that might otherwise be missed during casual visits. Many value problem-solving guides, expert advice, and practical steps tailored to their interests, such as learning skills or making purchase decisions. Niche-focused material on topics like music, writing, or tech appeals especially to dedicated readers wanting specialized knowledge.pollycloverwrites+2

Relationship Building

Email subscriptions foster trust through consistent communication, positioning the blog as an authority and enabling personal connections via feedback or stories. Readers appreciate the mental toolbox of thoughtful perspectives they can reference later, enhancing their work or hobbies. This direct line also builds loyalty, as subscribers feel prioritized over fleeting social media interactions.kajabi+1

Added Incentives

Social proof from visible subscriber counts or testimonials encourages sign-ups by signaling credibility. Exclusive perks like limited-time offers or curated updates further motivate engagement, turning casual visitors into repeat readers. For creators like newsletter publishers, this supports monetization through affiliates or sponsors, indirectly benefiting subscribers with quality content.shoutmeloud+2