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The Hidden Value of Food Blogs: Why Those Lengthy Posts Are Worth Your Time

When searching for a recipe online, it’s common to encounter lengthy blog posts that seem to drag on forever. You might find yourself wondering, “Why can’t they just give me the recipe?” But the truth is, food blogging is a labor-intensive process that requires a significant amount of time, effort, and expertise.

Behind the Scenes of Food Blogging

Erin Clarkson, author of the popular baking blog Cloudy Kitchen, knows firsthand the amount of work that goes into creating a single blog post. With over 400,000 monthly views, Clarkson’s platform is no small feat. However, she reveals that a single post can take several days to create, involving multiple recipe tests, photo shoots, and research.

The Misconception of Easy Labor

Many readers assume that food bloggers simply whip out a recipe and publish it online. But in reality, the process is much more complex. Clarkson notes that her recipes are tested at least three or four times before they’re even considered ready for publication. And that’s not counting the time spent on research, writing, and photography.

The Importance of Keywords and Search Engine Visibility

So, why do food bloggers insist on writing lengthy posts? The answer lies in search engine visibility. Anne Murlowski, founder of Rocky Mountain Bliss, explains that longer blog posts demonstrate expertise and value to readers, which in turn drives traffic to the website. With hundreds of thousands of views per month required to generate a real income, search engine presence is crucial.

The Cost of Creating Quality Content

But it’s not just about the words. Food bloggers also incur significant costs when it comes to procuring ingredients, photography equipment, and software. Rebecca Swanner, founder of Let’s Eat Cake, notes that longer posts have a higher chance of ranking for related keywords, making them more visible to potential readers.

The Purpose of Recipe Headnotes

So, what’s the point of those lengthy headnotes that precede the recipe? April Blake, author of The April Blake, explains that bloggers try to provide useful information that pertains to the recipe, such as substitution suggestions or troubleshooting tips. This information contributes to the recipe’s execution and helps readers succeed.

The Value of Storytelling in Food Blogging

Some food bloggers also use anecdotes and storytelling in their work, sharing personal experiences and memories related to their recipes. Darien Gee, founder of Friendship Bread Kitchen, believes that these narratives help readers connect with the person behind the recipes, fostering a sense of community and loyalty.

The Mutually Beneficial Relationship Between Blogger and Reader

In the end, the labor that goes into creating a food blog is a labor of love, but it’s still labor. And readers benefit from that labor, gaining access to new techniques, recipes, and approaches to cooking. The relationship between blogger and reader is a mutually beneficial one, where everyone gets what they need from it.

The Consequences of Removing the Author’s Labor

The recent controversy surrounding Recipeasly, a company that promised to streamline food blogs by removing ads and life stories, highlights the importance of respecting the author’s labor. By erasing the author from the work, Recipeasly threatened to cause financial and career-related harm to real people. As Erin Clarkson notes, “Recipe bloggers don’t need someone to come in and take from them and remove them from their work.”