Why I Still Run My Own Blog
– and Why Relying Only on Social Media Is a MistakeRunning Your Own Blog is still the way to Go
I started blogging long before Instagram stories, TikTok trends, and disappearing posts became the norm. Back then, if you wanted to write about travel, culture, or life on the road, you built a website and published your work there. Simple.
These days, many people skip that step entirely. They put everything on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or whatever platform is popular this year, and assume that is enough. For a while, it might be. But relying solely on social media is one of the biggest mistakes a creator, traveller, or small business can make.
I use social media. I share content there. But I do not depend on it. My blog remains the centre of everything I do online, and there are good reasons for that.
Your Blog Is the Only Place You Truly Control
The most important difference between a self-hosted blog and social media is control.
Silverbackpacker.com exists because I pay for the domain and hosting. No algorithm decides who can see my posts. No platform can suddenly limit my reach, suspend my account, or remove years of work because of an automated decision.
Social media platforms are not neutral tools. They are businesses. Your content is valuable to them only if it keeps people scrolling and clicking on adverts. The moment your posts stop fitting their priorities, your visibility drops.
If Facebook disappeared tomorrow, my blog would still be there. If Instagram changed its rules again, my archive would remain untouched. That peace of mind alone is worth the effort of running a self-hosted site.
Algorithms Do Not Care About Your Work
Anyone who has used social media long enough has seen it happen. One month your posts perform well, the next they barely reach anyone. Nothing changed except the algorithm.
This is not accidental. Organic reach is reduced to push paid promotion. New formats are prioritised, old ones ignored. If you do not adapt quickly, your work is buried.
A blog does not work like that. Articles I wrote years ago still bring readers today. Some posts get more attention now than when they were first published. That is because blogs reward consistency and substance, not trends.
Social media posts are disposable. Blog posts are assets.
Long-Form Writing Still Matters
Travel is not always suited to short captions and vertical video clips. Some journeys need explanation. Some places deserve context. Some experiences cannot be reduced to fifteen seconds of footage.
A traditional blog allows space to write properly. You can explain why a place matters, how to get there, what changed, and what people should know before they go. Readers who arrive at a blog are usually there for a reason. They want information, not entertainment alone.
That difference shows in engagement. A reader who spends ten minutes on a blog post is far more invested than someone who taps a heart icon and scrolls on. Yet another reason Why I Still Run My Own Blog.
Search Engines Are Still One of the Best Sources of Readers
One of the biggest advantages of running your own blog is search visibility.
People still search for information. They look for travel routes, border updates, transport options, and personal experiences. A well-written blog post can answer those questions years after it is published.
Social media content does not work like this. Once it drops out of the feed, it might as well not exist. Even finding your own old posts can be difficult.
A blog builds value over time. Each article adds another entry point for new readers. That slow, steady growth suits long-term travel writing far better than chasing constant attention.
Monetisation Works Better on Your Own Site
Social media platforms decide how and when you can earn money. Rules change, eligibility requirements shift, and payouts are never guaranteed.
With your own blog, you choose how to monetise:
- Affiliate links
- Display adverts
- Sponsored posts
- Digital products
- Email newsletters
More importantly, you can do this without fighting a platform’s restrictions. There is no sudden demonetisation because a post does not meet vague guidelines.
Even if income is not the main goal, having options matters. A blog gives flexibility. Social media limits it.
A Blog Is a Record, Not Just a Feed
One thing social media does badly is organisation. Everything is presented as a never-ending stream. Older posts are buried, even if they are still relevant.
Why I Still Run My Own Blog. A blog is different. It is structured. Content can be grouped, updated, linked, and revisited. For travel writing, this is essential. Routes change, visa rules update, borders open and close. On a blog, you can revise posts instead of watching outdated information circulate endlessly.
Over time, your blog becomes a record of where you have been and what you have learned. That has value beyond likes and shares.
Platforms Come and Go, Websites Last
The internet has already shown us that platforms are temporary. Entire communities have vanished overnight when services shut down or changed direction.
A domain name is far more stable. As long as you renew it, it remains yours. Hosting can be changed. Designs can be updated. Content can move with you.
When everything lives on social media, you are always one policy change away from losing your work. A self-hosted blog avoids that risk.
Photo by Mariia Shalabaieva on Unsplash
Social Media Should Point to Your Blog, Not Replace It
Social media is useful. It helps people discover your work. It allows quick updates and interaction. But it should support your blog, not replace it.
I treat social media as a signpost. Short posts lead people to longer articles. Updates link back to detailed guides. The blog is where the real work lives.
That approach keeps everything grounded. If a platform changes, I adapt. The foundation remains the same.
Why I Still Recommend Running Your Own Blog
Running a self-hosted blog takes effort. There is no denying that. But the payoff is independence.
You write on your own terms. You build something that lasts. You are not constantly reacting to platform changes or chasing the next trend. For travellers, writers, and anyone documenting real experiences, that matters.
Social media will always have a place. But it should never be the only place your work exists.
Your blog is your home online. Everything else is just a doorway.
And that’s Why I Still Run My Own Blog
Why I Still Run My Own Blog
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