During one of my presentations on blog content strategies, the question of whether to date-stamp blog content was raised.
One person said that she did not include the date on her articles so that readers wouldn’t realize how infrequently she posted. Now, that raises the question of how many readers you’re likely to have (or more likely not have) if you aren’t blogging regularly – but I digress.
As a reader, I like to know when a blog was written, especially if it contains statistics or addresses time-sensitive issues. If I can’t find a date, I’m reluctant to rely on the information.
I also don’t always click on older articles when I’m searching, even if they come up high in the search results. I can understand why content providers would look for a way around that common reader habit.
One way to handle this is to routinely update your content and include both dates (originally posted and updated on). Remember, blogs are digital, not paper and ink; they’re easy to change. And when you make an update, letting your audience know about it is a valid reason to touch your readers through social media and email alerts.
Should you change the content or leave the original and add new? That’s a judgment call you should make based on the subject and your audience. Will your readers want to see how the material evolved or will they just want the most current information?
For an interesting (and date-stamped) article on this subject, read Jonathan Crossfield’s “Should You Date-Stamp Your Blog Content?”
Jacquelyn's latest book is Christian Business Almanac: The Ultimate Daily Guide for Kingdom-Driven Entrepreneurs and Leaders.
She is the author of the nonfiction books Simple Facts About Self-Publishing (Second Edition), Words to Work By: 31 devotions for the workplace based on the Book of Proverbs and Finding Joy in the Morning: You can make it through the night as well as the novel Choices (A Joyful Cup Story). With her husband, she is the co-creator of several coloring books for adults and the novelty My Book About series.
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