Although recently I’ve translated a number of surveys that promised more than they delivered, this time I feel this one, the fourth survey by MyVoice into blogging has a number of interesting revelations.
Demographics
Over the first five days of May 2009 14,823 members of the MyVoice internet community successfully completed a private online questionnaire. 54% of the sample were female, 2% in their teens, 14% in their twenties, 35% in their thirties, 30% in their forties, and 19% aged fifty or older.
In Q4, it’s interesting that politics isn’t a selectable theme, but given that just 5% blogged about news in general, I wonder how small that would have been.
Regarding Q5, in Japan they are called blog parts, but in the West they are usually widgets or scriptlets. Looking through the above-linked web site I came across this entertaining one:
For Q6, I’ve been to a cake-related blogger event! I’ve also sadly had to turn down two invites to Danny Choo-organised and corporately-sponsored Tokyo CGM Night, although I did see his Dad’s shoe shop right beside the free cake venue, if that counts for anything.
For Q7, I’d have to immodestly answer “somewhere to use my knowledge, information to contribute to society”, although I do have a letting off steam blog hiding in the shadows… What is blogging to you?
Research results
Q1: Have you ever created a blog? (Sample size=14,823)
| Created one, currently updating |
22.3% |
| Created one but not updating it, closed it |
14.2% |
| Not created one |
63.4% |
Q2: About how often do you update your blogs? (Sample size=active bloggers)
| Twice a day or more |
4.0% |
| Once a day |
13.6% |
| Four to six times a week |
11.6% |
| Twice or thrice a week |
17.7% |
| Once a week |
14.1% |
| Twice or thrice a month |
18.7% |
| Once a month or less |
20.0% |
| No answer |
0.2% |
Q3: Which blog services do you use? (Sample size=active bloggers, multiple answer)
| FC2 |
21.8% |
| Ameba |
18.9% |
| Rakuten |
15.2% |
| Yahoo! |
10.1% |
| livedoor |
6.9% |
| goo |
6.3% |
| Cocolog |
6.1% |
| Seesaa |
5.9% |
| BIGLOBE |
4.7% |
| So-net |
4.0% |
| JUGEM |
3.7% |
| Yaplog! |
3.1% |
| excite |
2.7% |
| Ninja |
2.3% |
| Hatena diary |
1.9% |
| OCN |
1.4% |
| Movable Type |
0.8% |
| Doblog |
0.7% |
| Drecom |
0.5% |
| Other |
20.3% |
| Don’t remember |
0.6% |
| No answer |
0.1% |
Q4: What themes do you often blog about? (Sample size=active bloggers, multiple answer)
| Diary |
67.8% |
| Hobby |
29.8% |
| Eating out, sweets, cooking |
16.5% |
| Entertainment |
14.7% |
| Introducing products, services |
14.6% |
| Leisure |
12.0% |
| Pet |
10.6% |
| Competitions, free gifts |
9.3% |
| Art, articles, novels, photographs |
7.8% |
| Beauty |
7.5% |
| Sports |
7.2% |
| Internet, computer |
7.1% |
| Health, medical, mental health |
6.9% |
| Maternity, child-rearing, education |
6.3% |
| News |
5.3% |
| Homes, interior |
4.8% |
| Local information |
4.7% |
| Investments |
4.1% |
| Business |
4.1% |
| Home electricals, audio-visual |
3.9% |
| Love, marriage |
3.5% |
| None of the above |
2.5% |
| No answer |
0.3% |
Q5: Which of the following kinds of blog parts (widgets, gadgets) have you used on your blog? (Sample size=active bloggers, multiple answer)
| Visitor analysis |
22.1% |
| Counter |
20.4% |
| Movie, photo, animation |
19.2% |
| Avatar |
14.4% |
| Calendar |
13.6% |
| Blog pet, character |
12.0% |
| Clock |
9.9% |
| Weather forecast |
9.0% |
| Bookmark |
5.9% |
| Fortune-telling |
5.8% |
| Game, quiz |
5.0% |
| Book review |
4.3% |
| News headlines |
4.2% |
| Search engine tools (search, Page Rank, etc) |
4.0% |
| Maps |
3.6% |
| Audio |
2.8% |
| Temperature |
1.2% |
| Other |
7.4% |
| Never used blog parts |
30.3% |
| Don’t know what blog parts are |
7.7% |
| No answer |
0.2% |
Q6: Have you ever participated in a corporate-sponsored blogger event? (Sample size=active bloggers)
| Been invited to and attended a corporate event |
2.3% |
| Not been invited, but have attented events |
2.2% |
| Never attended |
56.7% |
| Don’t know what that kind of event would be |
37.9% |
| No answer |
0.8% |
Q7: What is blogging to you? If you don’t have a blog, what image does it have for you? (Sample size=14,823)
| Somewhere for writing about feelings, opinions, and what’s happening around me |
29.9% |
| Somewhere to express myself |
24.0% |
| Somewhere to enjoy communicating |
12.4% |
| Somewhere to record, organise my information |
6.7% |
| Somewhere to make money through affiliates, advertising |
3.8% |
| Somewhere to let off steam |
3.2% |
| Somewhere to use my knowledge, information to contribute to society |
2.0% |
| Somewhere to try out my programming skills |
0.3% |
| Other |
12.5% |
| No answer |
5.3% |
Although recently I’ve translated a number of surveys that promised more than they delivered, this time I feel this one, the fourth survey by MyVoice into blogging has a number of interesting revelations.
6 Comments
Shane · May 30, 2009 at 06:04
What an interesting survey Ken. I have read that the Japanese have a whole different view of blogging from those in other countries and this survey proves it. Thank you for taking the time to translate and share it.
Jeshii · May 31, 2009 at 00:16
It reminds me of the line from “Across the Sea” by Weezer:
“You wanted to know all about me and my hobbies, my favorite food and my birthday.”
And when you think about it, otaku culture is all about hobbies, and Japan has such high quality food, it all seems to make sense!
auberginefleur · June 26, 2009 at 11:37
This (Japan) is the blogging I know, what is the “different view of blogging from those in other countries”?
Billy · September 17, 2009 at 12:16
crazy that wordpress isn’t even listed in: Q3: Which blog services do you use?
Kawaii Store · March 10, 2011 at 09:38
Love this! Great article, love your blog!
Standby blog topics in Japan | 世論 What Japan Thinks · January 5, 2011 at 01:16
[…] a bit of a short survey, but after posting a detailed look at blogging habits I did comment about politics not featuring in the list of subjects, but here politics makes an […]