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A common misconception amongst blog readers is that a blog is not truly a blog unless they allow comments. In truth, a blog is simply an accounting of information in a chronological format. There are no requirements for it to provide a method of communication with the author or other readers. So do you need to have open comments to become a popular blogger?

A blog (an abridgment of the term web log) is a website, usually maintained by an individual, with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in reverse chronological order. “Blog” can also be used as a verb, meaning to maintain or add content to a blog.
-Wikepedia, Blog

Two A-List Bloggers that generally do not allow comments would be Seth Godin and Heather Armstrong. Now each of them have their own reasons for not including open comments on all their posts. These reasons should not be used to invalidate their respective blogs as being actual blogs because by definition, they still are.

Freedom of speech is an aspect of life in the United States that is passionately championed and defended. More importantly though, freedom of speech allows two way communication that can expedite progress on a variety of topics, both scientifically and socially. It is these very conversations that have propelled the evolution of blogs into what it is that we read today.

One of the biggest benefits of allowing comments on your personal blog is the ability to allow your readers to voice their own opinion and therefore empowering them with the freedom of speech and at the same building a sense of community amongst your readers. More importantly, it will help grow the relationship you have with your readers if you choose to interact with them in the comments section of your own post. While some bloggers do not believe in commenting in their own posts, doing so is not only an acknowledgement to the commentator by the blogger, but it is proof that you are willing to connect to your readers just as they have demonstrated a willingness to connect to you.

In the end, that’s really what personal blogging should be about. Making quality connections to each other as people on a level greater than hyper-linking.

Photo Credit: Free Speech=Reason=Progress by sjgibbs and used under a Creative Commons Attribution License