The Evolution of Social Media Share Buttons on Blogs
Gone are the days when bloggers were satisfied with a simple text link to share their blog posts on social media. With the rise of social media, social media sharing buttons became a common feature on most blogs.
However, with the rise of mobile and the shift in user behavior, it has led many to wonder if social media share buttons on blogs are becoming a thing of the past.
In this blog post, I will explore the evolution of social media share buttons on blogs and determine whether they are still relevant today.
Social Media Share Buttons On Blogs
The evolution of social media share buttons on blogs has been an interesting one. Initially, social media share buttons were seen as a cute little addition to blogs.
However, as social media started to grow, so did the importance of these buttons. Soon, they became a must-have feature on blogs.
Bloggers wanted to make it as easy as possible for their readers to share their content on social media.
Social media sharing buttons were everywhere — at the top of blog posts, at the bottom, on the side, and even floating around as readers scroll down.
Remember the social buttons floating alongside the blog posts a few years ago?
You had all different kinds of designs to choose from for your buttons.
Not only that you could show how many shared your posts on certain social media networks.
The Rise Of Mobile Phones
However, with the rise of mobile, the importance of social media share buttons on blogs started to decline.
Social media share buttons were not designed for mobile devices and were often difficult to use on a mobile screen.
In fact, in a world where over 55% of internet traffic comes from mobile devices, social media share buttons on blogs were starting to become more of a hindrance than a help.
You could not read the content of a blog post or a webpage with the share buttons covering half the content.
Minimizing the Social Media Share Buttons on Blogs
These days, the trend among bloggers is to minimize the use of social media share buttons on blogs.
Some bloggers have even gone so far as to remove them altogether like myself.
Instead, I am opting for a more simplistic approach and faster website speed without the social media share buttons.
Many bloggers are ensuring their blog posts are fully optimized for social media, including the use of Open Graph tags, social metadata, and Twitter cards.
This approach is designed to make it easier for readers to share blog posts on social media, without the need for social media share buttons.
Browser Extensions Include Sharing Options
Now, you have browser extensions and applications that can share blog posts easily onto any social media network.
I use them on my mobile device today to share posts quickly and easily. You don't have to worry about finding the “right” social media icon with these apps. I can share to alternative social networks as well.
The Decline of Social Buttons on Blogs
While the use of social media share buttons on blogs may be on the decline, it is important to note that they still have a place in the blogging world.
There are certain niches where social media share buttons are still highly relevant.
For example, lifestyle, beauty, and fashion blogs still rely heavily on social sharing, and social media share buttons can be a great way to encourage readers to share their content, especially on Pinterest.
Useful For Some
In addition, social media share buttons on blogs can still be useful for those who are not tech-savvy. The truth is, not everyone understands how to use Open Graph tags, social metadata, and Twitter cards.
Social media share buttons can be an easy way to ensure that those who are not tech-savvy can still share blog posts on social media.
Case Study — No Less Traffic
I eliminated my own share buttons about 6 weeks ago and I did not lose any traffic from social media.
Actually, my Twitter traffic increased by 48%! Even Facebook was up 7% followed by Pinterest up 5%.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the evolution of social media share buttons on blogs has been an interesting one. While they were once seen as a must-have feature, their importance has diminished over time.
That being said, social media share buttons still have a place in the blogging world, albeit a more limited one.
Ultimately, it is up to each blogger to determine whether they want to use social media share buttons on their blog or not.
However, it is important to ensure that your blog posts are fully optimized for social media, regardless of whether you choose to include social media share buttons or not.
Are you still using social media share buttons today on your blog? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
*Some of this content was written with the help of Jasper AI.
