What Are the 10 Commandments of Blogging and How Do You Apply Them Today?

Essential Concepts

• The “10 commandments of blogging” are ten practical rules that protect clarity, trust, and long-term usefulness.
• A blog post should earn attention by answering a real question or completing a real task for a reader.
• Consistency matters more than intensity; a sustainable publishing rhythm beats bursts followed by silence.
• Editing is not cosmetic; it is where accuracy, structure, and reader comprehension are secured.
• Your claims should be proportioned to your evidence; when something can vary, say so plainly.
• Transparency is a baseline, not a style choice; disclose material relationships when they could affect how readers judge your words. (Federal Trade Commission)
• Respect intellectual property; “original” means created without copying, not merely rearranged. (U.S. Copyright Office)
• Accessibility is part of basic publishing quality; provide text alternatives and clear structure so more people can use your work. (W3C)
• If you collect reader data, handle it with restraint and explain what you collect and why; privacy obligations can be law-based and location-dependent. (privacy.ca.gov)
• Discovery features (search, sharing, newsletters) work best when the page is technically coherent and not duplicative. (Google for Developers)
• Measurement is for decisions, not validation; track only what changes what you do next.
• Maintenance is part of publishing; update posts when facts, norms, or tools change.

Background or Introduction

People use “the 10 commandments of blogging” as shorthand for the few rules that make blogging work over time. The phrase is not about doctrine. It is about discipline: the habits that keep your writing readable, trustworthy, and findable without turning your blog into a performance for metrics.

Blogging has changed. Publishing is easier, competition is louder, and reader patience is thinner. At the same time, expectations are higher. Readers now assume basic transparency, functional accessibility, and a minimum standard of accuracy. They also assume you will respect privacy and avoid careless reuse of others’ work.

This article clarifies a modern set of ten commandments that match how blogs are read, searched, and judged today. Each commandment starts with a direct answer, then expands into practical detail you can apply without relying on hacks, hype, or personality-driven shortcuts.

What does “the 10 commandments of blogging” mean in modern blogging?

It means choosing ten nonnegotiables that keep your blog useful and credible even when tools, platforms, and trends change. The “commandments” are best understood as constraints that prevent predictable failures: unclear purpose, inflated claims, thin editing, hidden conflicts, inaccessible pages, and neglected maintenance.

A blog is not only a stream of posts. It is also an archive. Readers often arrive through search results, links, and saved references. That makes structure and clarity as important as voice. It also means old posts keep representing you long after you stop thinking about them.

Modern blogging also sits inside legal and ethical boundaries that earlier “rules of blogging” sometimes ignored. Disclosures, privacy notices, copyright, and accessibility are not decorative extras. They are part of the conditions under which readers can trust what you publish and, in some cases, part of the conditions under which you can publish at all.

Commandment 1: Do you have a clear purpose for every post?

Yes. Every post should have one primary job, stated in plain language and supported throughout the piece.

A post without a purpose forces readers to guess what you are doing and why they should stay. Purpose is not a slogan. It is a concrete commitment: to answer a question, explain a concept, compare options in a bounded way, or guide a reader through a decision.

What counts as a “purpose” that readers can recognize?

A reader-recognizable purpose has three traits.

First, it matches a real query or need. This is not about chasing trends. It is about writing to an intelligible demand: a question someone could plausibly ask without already agreeing with you.

Second, it sets boundaries. A purpose is clearer when it states what the post will and will not do. Boundaries prevent a post from becoming a loose bundle of adjacent thoughts.

Third, it implies a finish line. Readers should be able to tell when the purpose has been met.

How do you keep purpose from drifting during drafting?

Purpose drifts when you keep adding new subtopics because they feel related. The solution is to treat purpose like a thesis in a short essay.

Use one sentence, written early, that answers: “What will the reader be able to do or understand after reading this?” Then test each section against it. If a section does not directly support the purpose, it belongs elsewhere.

What should the first paragraph do?

The first paragraph should state the point and the scope. Not the backstory. Not the stakes. Not a generalized claim about “the internet today.” If the post is informational, the first paragraph should explain what the topic is and what you will clarify. If the post is procedural, it should state the outcome a reader can expect.

Purpose is also the foundation of trust. A reader who understands your aim is better able to judge whether you meet it.

Commandment 2: Are you writing for readers, not for yourself?

Yes. Blogging is reader-facing writing, and reader-facing writing must respect time, attention, and cognitive load.

This does not require you to erase your perspective. It requires you to make your perspective legible and useful. The standard is not self-expression. The standard is comprehension.

What does “people-first” mean in practice?

“People-first” means you prioritize human understanding over every other incentive, including performance signals.

That shows up in choices that are easy to overlook:

• You define terms the first time you use them.
• You avoid padding paragraphs with repeated points.
• You state limitations when a claim depends on variables.
• You separate what you know from what you suspect.
• You write headings that reflect actual questions.

People-first writing is not sentimental. It is disciplined. It treats the reader’s attention as finite and valuable.

How do you align content with real questions?

You align by listening to the kinds of questions that produce confusion and hesitation.

A strong blogging question usually has one of these forms:

• “What does this term mean in plain language?”
• “How do I do this without making a common mistake?”
• “How do I choose among options with tradeoffs?”
• “What should I watch for when the answer varies by situation?”

The best headings mirror those shapes. They do not hide the topic behind cleverness.

What is the role of tone?

Tone should be steady and unforced. A subtle, educated tone does not require complex syntax. It requires precision, restraint, and respect for nuance. It also requires you to avoid emotional overstatement. If something is uncertain, say it is uncertain. If something depends on context, name the context.

A consistent tone also protects readability. Readers should not have to adjust to sudden shifts in voice or intensity.

Commandment 3: Do you publish consistently, at a pace you can sustain?

Yes. You should publish on a schedule that you can maintain without lowering your standards or exhausting your attention.

Consistency does not mean posting as frequently as possible. It means reducing long gaps and chaotic bursts so readers can rely on you.

What does a sustainable publishing pace depend on?

It depends on variables that are often ignored:

• The complexity of your subject matter
• The time you need for verification and editing
• Your capacity to maintain older posts
• The expectations of your readership
• The risk of harm from errors in your topic area

A sustainable pace is the one that leaves room for revision and maintenance. If you publish faster than you can correct, you create a growing backlog of weak posts that keep circulating.

How do you keep consistency without forcing output?

Consistency is mostly a process problem.

Set a minimum standard for what “publishable” means on your blog. Then choose a cadence that reliably reaches that standard. If you cannot meet your own minimum, the cadence is too aggressive.

And keep a distinction between writing and publishing. You can write more than you publish. That reduces pressure and makes it easier to protect quality.

What should you do when you miss a cadence?

You should treat it as a signal, not a failure. Either the cadence is unrealistic or your process is fragile. Adjust the cadence or strengthen the process. Do not compensate with rushed posts. Rushed posts are expensive later because they require repair.

Consistency is also an archive strategy. A blog that is regularly updated signals that older content is more likely to be maintained, which can affect how readers and discovery systems treat the archive.

Commandment 4: Is your structure easy to scan and still rigorous?

Yes. A blog post should be skimmable without becoming shallow.

Scanning is how most people decide whether to read. They look at the title, the first paragraphs, the headings, and sometimes the first sentences under each heading. If that scaffolding is unclear, they leave.

What makes structure “scannable” without being simplistic?

Scannable structure has visible logic:

• Headings that state the question or claim
• Short-to-medium paragraphs with natural variation
• Lists used when they reduce confusion, not when they pad length
• Clear transitions that show why the next point follows

Rigor comes from coherence and accuracy, not from density. A readable post can still be intellectually serious.

How do headings do real work?

Headings are not decoration. They are promises. They tell readers what you will answer next.

A useful heading is specific enough to be answered. “Tips and tricks” is not answerable. “How do you verify a claim before publishing?” is answerable.

Headings also support accessibility because they help readers orient themselves, including readers using assistive technology. Descriptive headings and labels are a recognized part of accessible navigation. (W3C)

What should the first sentence under a heading do?

It should answer the heading directly. Not indirectly. Not with a rhetorical question. Not with a broad claim about why the topic matters.

Answer first. Then justify, qualify, and expand.

When are lists appropriate?

Lists are appropriate when the reader needs to see discrete items that are easy to confuse or forget. Lists are not appropriate when the content is continuous reasoning.

A list should also be parallel. If one bullet is a full paragraph and another is three words, the reader cannot scan effectively.

Structure is how you respect readers. It gives them control over how deeply they engage.

Commandment 5: Do you treat accuracy as a publishing requirement, not a preference?

Yes. A blog post should not ask for trust it has not earned.

Accuracy is not the same as certainty. Some topics are probabilistic or context-dependent. In those cases, accuracy means stating what is known, what is variable, and what is unknown.

What does “accurate” mean when the topic varies?

It means you identify the variables that change the outcome. “It depends” is not enough. State what it depends on.

Variables in blogging topics often include:

• Jurisdiction and legal definitions
• Device and browser behavior
• The reader’s accessibility needs
• The age of a tool or standard
• Changes in policy and enforcement

When a claim depends on variables, you can still be helpful. You just need to be explicit about scope.

How do you avoid accidental overstatement?

Use proportional language.

If you have strong evidence, say so plainly. If you have partial evidence, avoid universal claims. Replace “always” and “never” with more accurate phrasing unless the rule truly has no exceptions.

Overstatement is often a symptom of writing too quickly. A slower draft and a firmer edit pass usually solve it.

What should you do with claims you cannot verify?

Either remove them or clearly label them as uncertain. It is better to write less than to fill space with claims that cannot be defended.

If your blog covers health, finance, law, or safety-related topics, the standard should be even stricter. Errors can mislead readers into decisions with real consequences.

Accuracy is also long-term. A true statement today can become misleading later. That is why maintenance is part of accuracy.

Commandment 6: Are you transparent about incentives, relationships, and persuasion?

Yes. If something could influence your judgment or a reader’s evaluation of your words, it should be disclosed clearly.

Transparency is not a confession. It is a reader’s tool. It helps readers interpret your claims with the right context.

In the United States, rules and guidance around endorsements and material connections emphasize disclosure when a relationship is not reasonably expected and could affect how people evaluate an endorsement. (Federal Trade Commission)

What counts as a “material connection”?

A material connection is a relationship, benefit, or incentive that could affect credibility in the eyes of a reasonable reader.

The exact boundary can be fact-specific. When in doubt, disclose in plain language. The cost of disclosure is usually small. The cost of concealment is usually large.

Where should disclosures appear?

They should appear where readers will see them before they rely on the related claim.

A disclosure that is buried after the main claim, or placed where readers rarely look, fails its purpose. The goal is not technical compliance alone. The goal is reader comprehension.

What does “clear and conspicuous” look like in writing?

It means readable language, normal font size, and placement near the relevant content. It also means avoiding vague phrasing. Say what the relationship is in straightforward terms.

How does transparency affect authority?

It strengthens it. Authority is not the appearance of neutrality. Authority is reliable reasoning presented without hidden conditions. A transparent writer is easier to trust because the reader can see the frame.

Transparency also applies to your own certainty. If you are offering an interpretation, label it as interpretation. If you are stating a fact, state it as a fact and be prepared to support it.

Commandment 7: Do you respect ownership, originality, and the boundaries of reuse?

Yes. You should treat original work as a standard, not an aspiration.

Copyright protects original works fixed in a tangible form, including blog posts. “Original” in this context is tied to independent creation, meaning you created it without copying. (U.S. Copyright Office)

This does not mean you cannot reference others. It means you must not substitute other people’s work for your own.

What is the difference between research and copying?

Research is learning and synthesizing. Copying is reproducing expression.

You can research ideas broadly and still write an original post. But you should not reuse distinctive phrasing, structure, or creative expression from a source. If you rely too closely on another text’s sequence of points, you are not writing independently.

How should you handle quotations?

Use quotations sparingly and purposefully. A quote should serve a specific function: to preserve precise wording that matters. Otherwise, paraphrase in your own language.

Also keep quotations short. Long quotations shift the burden of your post onto the source.

What about fair use?

Fair use in U.S. law is a multi-factor analysis, not a blanket permission. The statutory framework calls for considering four factors, including the purpose of the use and the effect on the market for the original. (U.S. Copyright Office)

Because fair use is context-dependent, a safe publishing habit is to minimize copying and maximize original explanation. If you are unsure about a particular use, treat that uncertainty seriously and consider professional advice.

How do you respect ownership of images and media?

You should confirm that you have the rights to use any media you publish, including images, illustrations, and charts. Rights can come from creating the media yourself, using media that is licensed for your intended use, or using media that is truly in the public domain.

Licenses vary, and the details matter. If you rely on licensed media, keep records of the license terms. If a license requires attribution, follow the license.

Why does originality matter beyond law?

Because readers can tell when a post is assembled rather than written. Originality shows up as clarity, judgment, and synthesis. It is also how you develop a voice that is not a patchwork of other voices.

Commandment 8: Is your blog accessible to more people by design, not by accident?

Yes. Accessibility should be part of your publishing process, not a retrofit.

Accessibility means people with different abilities can perceive, understand, navigate, and interact with your content. It also improves usability for everyone, including readers using mobile devices, readers with temporary impairments, and readers in distracting environments.

Widely adopted accessibility guidance emphasizes text alternatives for non-text content and the use of descriptive headings and labels to help users orient themselves. (W3C)

What are the minimum accessibility habits bloggers can control?

Even without deep technical control, bloggers can usually control these basics:

• Write descriptive headings that reflect the section’s purpose.
• Use heading levels in logical order rather than styling text to “look like” a heading.
• Provide meaningful alternative text for images that carry information.
• Avoid conveying meaning only through color or visual placement.
• Keep link text descriptive so readers know where a link goes.
• Use readable font sizes and reasonable contrast, if your theme allows it.

Not every blog platform gives you full control. If your platform limits what you can change, do what you can in the content itself. Content choices still matter.

What is alternative text, in simple language?

Alternative text is a short description attached to an image so readers who cannot see the image can still understand its function or information. Text alternatives are a core accessibility expectation. (W3C)

The right alternative text depends on context. If the image is decorative, it may not need descriptive text. If it conveys information, the description should convey that information in concise language.

Why do headings matter so much?

Headings help readers scan and help assistive technologies map the page. Descriptive headings and labels are specifically recognized as important for orientation and navigation. (W3C)

A page with vague headings forces extra effort. A page with clear headings gives readers control.

How does accessibility intersect with writing style?

Accessible writing favors clarity: defined terms, predictable structure, and direct statements. That does not mean you must write in a simplified tone. It means you must write with a coherent path through the ideas.

Accessibility is also a maintenance issue. A blog that changes its theme or layout should be rechecked for readability, contrast, and heading structure.

Commandment 9: Do you make your posts discoverable without distorting what you write?

Yes. You can support discovery while still writing honestly.

Discovery is not only search. It includes internal navigation, related posts, external links, and newsletters. The common requirement is coherence: clear titles, clean structure, and stable pages.

What does ethical “search-aware” writing look like?

It looks like this:

• You use a title that states what the post delivers.
• You answer the main question early.
• You use headings that match the reader’s likely queries.
• You keep the page focused so it aligns with a single intent.
• You avoid baiting readers with promises the post does not keep.

Search-aware writing is aligned writing. The post’s surface signals should match its substance.

How do you handle duplicate content and competing URLs?

Duplicate or near-duplicate pages can confuse discovery systems and split attention. A common technical approach is to indicate a preferred version of a page, often called a canonical URL. Guidance on consolidating duplicate URLs notes that when duplicates exist, a search system may choose a canonical URL, and site owners can signal preference using standard methods. (Google for Developers)

You do not need to implement technical fixes personally to understand the principle: one primary page for one primary topic. If your platform generates multiple versions of the same content, it is worth learning what controls exist to reduce duplication.

Should you chase keywords?

You should chase clarity, not a list of phrases.

A primary query can help you stay focused. But if you contort sentences to fit awkward phrasing, readability suffers and trust erodes. Prefer natural language that matches how readers actually ask questions.

What about internal linking?

Internal linking should help readers continue a line of thought. It should not be a forced maze.

A useful internal link:

• Adds context the current post cannot hold without losing focus
• Supports a next step
• Uses descriptive anchor text that signals what the reader will get

Internal links also help keep your archive usable. They turn isolated posts into a connected reference system.

Why does this commandment belong with the others?

Because discovery is not separate from writing. It is part of serving readers. If people cannot find your best work, the work cannot help them.

At the same time, discovery incentives can distort writing. The commandment is a constraint: support discovery, but do not let it override purpose, accuracy, or ethics.

Commandment 10: Do you maintain and improve your archive as part of publishing?

Yes. Publishing is not finished when you hit “post.”

A blog is an evolving body of work. Older posts keep being read. They also keep shaping how readers judge the reliability of your newer posts.

What does “maintenance” include?

Maintenance includes:

• Updating facts when they change
• Clarifying statements that readers commonly misread
• Repairing broken links when possible
• Adjusting language when a term becomes outdated or ambiguous
• Correcting formatting that harms readability
• Revising posts that no longer match current norms or legal expectations

Maintenance is especially important when you write about topics affected by changing standards, policies, or enforcement priorities.

How do you decide what to update first?

Prioritize by risk and reach.

Risk includes the likelihood of harm from outdated guidance. Reach includes the number of readers a post still attracts. Some analytics tools can show which older posts still get attention, but the specific metrics available depend on your setup.

If you do not have analytics, you can still use a rational triage:

• Posts that make factual claims likely to change
• Posts that advise decisions with consequences
• Posts that represent your core topics and values

How do you correct errors without undermining trust?

Correct clearly and calmly.

If an error is substantial, acknowledge the correction in a straightforward note. If it is minor, correct it without dramatizing it. Readers do not expect perfection. They do expect honesty.

Why is maintenance a credibility signal?

Because it shows you treat writing as responsibility, not output. It also prevents the common failure where a blog becomes a museum of outdated claims. A maintained archive remains useful.

Maintenance also strengthens your internal structure. When you update a post, you can also improve its headings, clarify definitions, and add links to newer related work.

How do the commandments work together?

They work because they constrain different failure modes that often appear together.

A post with unclear purpose often has weak structure. Weak structure invites skimming without understanding. Skimming amplifies the cost of overstatement because readers catch the bold claim but miss the nuance. Overstatement becomes worse when disclosures are hidden, because the reader cannot evaluate credibility. And an inaccessible page makes even a well-structured post unusable for some readers.

The commandments form a system:

• Purpose and reader-first framing protect relevance.
• Consistency and structure protect usability.
• Accuracy and transparency protect trust.
• Ownership and accessibility protect legitimacy.
• Discovery and maintenance protect longevity.

If you try to optimize one area while ignoring the others, the whole system weakens. A highly discoverable post that is inaccurate is not an asset. It is a problem that travels.

How can you audit your blog against the 10 commandments?

You can audit by asking ten yes-or-no questions that map to the commandments. The goal is not self-criticism. The goal is to identify the one or two constraints that would improve the entire archive if you applied them consistently.

A practical audit checklist

1. Purpose: Does each post have one primary job stated early?
2. Reader-first: Are terms defined and scope made explicit?
3. Consistency: Is your publishing rhythm sustainable and predictable?
4. Structure: Do headings and first sentences answer questions directly?
5. Accuracy: Are claims proportioned to evidence and variables named?
6. Transparency: Are relationships and incentives disclosed clearly when relevant? (Federal Trade Commission)
7. Originality: Is the writing independently created, not rearranged copying? (U.S. Copyright Office)
8. Accessibility: Are headings descriptive and images given appropriate text alternatives? (W3C)
9. Discoverability: Is there one clear page per topic, with duplication minimized? (Google for Developers)
10. Maintenance: Are high-risk and high-reach posts reviewed and updated?

What should you do with audit results?

Choose one commandment to strengthen first. Then create a small, repeatable habit that expresses it.

If you try to fix everything at once, you will likely do nothing consistently. Blogging improves through steady constraints, not bursts of reform.

What do bloggers often misunderstand about “commandments” as a framework?

They often treat commandments as performance rules rather than quality rules.

Performance rules focus on outcomes you do not fully control: traffic, shares, followers, or external amplification. Quality rules focus on inputs you control: clarity, structure, accuracy, disclosure, and accessibility.

A commandments framework is useful only if it anchors you to controlled inputs. That is why the commandments in this article avoid hype and avoid platform-specific tactics. They are meant to remain valid even when the environment changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the 10 commandments of blogging the same for every niche?

No. The principles are stable, but how you apply them depends on topic risk, reader expectations, and the rate of change in your subject area. A blog that covers rapidly changing topics will need stronger maintenance habits than a blog focused on stable concepts. A blog that offers decision-related guidance should use more cautious language and clearer scope than a blog that is primarily reflective or analytical.

Do I need to post every day for blogging to “work”?

No. Frequency is not a universal requirement. Consistency is the requirement. The right cadence is the one you can sustain while meeting your own accuracy and editing standards. If posting more often reduces quality or prevents maintenance, it is likely too frequent.

How long should a blog post be?

Length should match purpose. A post should be as long as it needs to be to answer the question with clarity and appropriate nuance, and no longer. Some topics require careful definitions and scoped tradeoffs. Others do not. If you add length without adding meaning, readers notice.

What is the most common reason readers stop trusting a blog?

Overstatement. Readers tolerate uncertainty. They do not tolerate certainty that turns out to be careless. Trust is built when claims are proportioned, variables are named, and corrections are handled honestly.

What disclosures are most important for bloggers?

Disclose relationships or benefits that could affect credibility when a reasonable reader would not expect them. Guidance on endorsements and material connections emphasizes clear disclosure when such a connection could affect how consumers evaluate an endorsement. (Federal Trade Commission) The exact details can be fact-specific, but the publishing habit is simple: if it could matter to a reader’s judgment, make it visible.

Can I rewrite information I find elsewhere if I change the wording?

Changing wording is not the same as independent creation. Copyright protection is tied to originality and independent creation, meaning you create the work without copying. (U.S. Copyright Office) The safest standard is to research broadly, then write from your own outline and your own reasoning. If you need to quote, quote briefly and purposefully.

What does accessibility require if I do not control my site’s code?

You can still control content-level accessibility. Use descriptive headings, keep structure logical, and provide text alternatives for non-text content when it conveys information. (W3C) If your platform limits technical changes, focus on what you can do reliably in writing and formatting.

Do I need a privacy policy if I only collect email addresses?

Many bloggers do, but requirements depend on where you operate, where readers are located, and what data you collect. Privacy rules can be law-based and location-dependent, and some regimes grant consumers rights related to personal information. (privacy.ca.gov) A practical baseline is to collect as little as you can, explain what you collect and why, and provide a clear way for readers to stop receiving messages where applicable. If you use email for commercial messages, U.S. law sets rules and recipient rights that you should understand. (Federal Trade Commission)

How do I handle old posts that no longer reflect my views or updated information?

Update them. If the change is substantial, add a brief note that indicates the post has been revised. If the change is minor, correct quietly. The important part is not theatrical transparency. It is ensuring the archive does not mislead readers.

Which commandment should I start with if my blog feels unfocused?

Start with Commandment 1: purpose. A clear purpose simplifies every other decision. It makes structure easier, editing sharper, and maintenance more rational. If you can state the job of a post in one sentence and keep that sentence true, the rest of the work becomes more straightforward.