Asian Blogosphere Expands

A recent research for Windows Live Spaces revealed that blogging is a very important activity for Asians online. Nearly half of the Asians online have a blog of their own, out of which, 41percent spend more than three hours a week blogging.

The survey also showed that Indian men were more active bloggers, as opposed to the rest of Asia, where youngsters and women take the lead. While more than 50 percent Asian bloggers believe blog content to be as trustworthy as traditional media, 74 percent of Asians online, find blogs by friends and family to be most interesting.

Alex Stewart, Director of Microsoft’s Online Services Business, Asia Pacific “User created content and community based online services are really propelling the Internet in Asia right now. With the introduction of easy to use services such as Windows Live Spaces, blogging has moved into the mainstream and become a popular way for people to stay in touch with family and friends. Today, instead of sending out mass emails or holiday letters, people are using their blogs to express themselves”.

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Blogs are also gaining popularity as a means for obtaining updated news on the Net. While websites take time to catch on, news blogs are the first to provide up-to-date information, even though it may not always be accurate.

The research shows that blogging is a social phenomenon with Asians and that blogging is seen a means to maintain and build social connections and self expression. Blogging as a corporate or business tool is still at a nascent stage in the Asian market, with little interest from consumers in blogs from business or political leaders.