How Do You Define 'Authority Blogger'?

A couple of days ago, one of my email contacts referred to me as an "authority blogger". I had no idea what that really meant, so I decided to do some research via Google Blog Search. Apparently, Chris Garrett of Chris Garrett on New Media coined the term when defining the different types of bloggers. In his own words:

Authority Blogger - Of course I am going to put this one first! Authority Bloggers blog to build a profile, credibility, loyalty, demonstrate and share expertise.

Is this the only definition of "authority blogger" there is?

Yuga at YugaTech has this to say about bringing your blog to the next level:

Case #3. You are an authority blogger and an influencer. You are regularly covered by main stream media and have always been asked to be a resource person in your niche. You have that social currency at your disposal.

Jeremiah at Web Strategy by Jeremiah, when writing about what characteristics define an A-Lister versus a B-Lister, wrote this:

An A-lister (in my mind) is an authority blogger, and has 1000s of readers a day, and is actually an influencer and reference in online conversations. That's very, very powerful, just wait till the next presidential election to see.

I don't consider myself an "authority blogger", even if I do think I fall within the framework of the first definition. I'm not covered by mainstream media and from where I sit, I probably never will be. I'm not a resource person in a niche because I don't have a niche. I don't have thousands of readers per day and I'm not an influencer or a reference for online conversations.

Now it's your turn to talk.

What's your definition of an "authority blogger"? Is the term defined by attitude and actions, or is it defined by measurable success?

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August 5th, 2007 By RT Cunningham | Untwisted Vortex | Philippines | Categories: Writing | Tags: authority | Respond | Trackback URL

2. Tavi Nemet on 2007-08-05 at 5:28 pm (Reply)

   You could define an authority blogger by the numbers of subscribers, comments, Alexa rating and such other means of classification.

   Of course the higher the number the higher the authority.

   2. RT Cunningham | Untwisted Vortex | Philippines on 2007-08-05 at 5:40 pm (Reply)

      I think that would more of a "ranking authority" as opposed to the general term of "authority".

3. hari on 2007-08-05 at 5:36 pm (Reply)

   Quite frankly, I think it's one of those terms that mean absolutely nothing and yet people think it means something.

   Using the word "authority" in such contexts is confusing and misleading. What they really mean is "well-established" and "popular" and even that is subjective depending on which part of the world you belong to and who your audience is.

   There are so many "popular" bloggers in a certain circle/community who might be nonentities in other communities. The internet is a larger network than what people realize.

4. RT Cunningham | Untwisted Vortex | Philippines on 2007-08-05 at 5:42 pm (Reply)

   I think the key word here is "subjective". Perhaps it's a matter of perception — new bloggers as opposed to established bloggers.

5. Jim on 2007-08-05 at 11:29 pm (Reply)

   Even as I write this comment I'm not sure exactly what I want to say. I've been thinking of writing a post about this for some time - just not sure how I want to phrase it. But I will say this - when I look at some "authority bloggers" and "established, popular bloggers" I often wonder about the difference between bloggers who are just getting going. I know it's hard to really put this into context without naming names - but that's not what I'm about - I've no desire to appear as someone who attacks others without provocation.

   Still there are top ranked blogs that appear to do nothing more than point to other posts ( and yet they ridicule new bloggers who do the same ), incredibly popular blogs that are really nothing more than personal diaries that document the daily, trivial things that anyone could write about ( and yet new bloggers are criticized for doing this ), and authority bloggers that even I would question the authority of from time to time.

   Sometimes I believe that common wisdom suggests authority is equal to popularity by virtue of the fact that the more people who read your blog validates the words written on it. Additionally, the more popularity you have prior to starting your blog gives you an upper hand.

   I guess the bottom line is that "authority" is still a pretty fuzzy concept when it comes to blogging - at least to me. Popularity is easy to measure.

   2. RT Cunningham | Untwisted Vortex | Philippines on 2007-08-05 at 11:35 pm (Reply)

      Great thoughts, Jim! You wrote what I chose not to. There are some popular bloggers out there who shouldn't be as popular as they are, based on what I've seen. To call them an authority on anything is just plain wrong.

      2. MrCorey on 2007-08-06 at 1:40 am (Reply)

         Perhaps this is the reason why you are not keen on having the term reference you.

      3. RT Cunningham | Untwisted Vortex | Philippines on 2007-08-06 at 1:45 am (Reply)

         Yeah, I don't want to be included in the same company as them.

6. pearl on 2007-08-06 at 12:00 am (Reply)

   well, I agree with you on that perception thing RT, it depends on which rung of the ladder in the Hierarchy you are on … so the term probably is different for every one!

   and I agree with the first definition to a large extent, so I would think of anyone falling in that category the authority blogger!

7. Comedy Plus on 2007-08-06 at 9:04 am (Reply)

   Well, to me it's a person that questions things like you do. You come to a conclusion about things. Sometimes you are wrong the first time around, but are willing to take another look. You have credibility. I listen to what you have to say about things. You do your research. You do not follow the John Chow's (I think that's his name) of the world. You are a unique individual that stands on your own two feet. You are a leader not a follower. Those are a few of the things I think about you and that is why I would call you an authority blogger. Have a great day RT.

8. Claire on 2007-08-06 at 7:46 pm (Reply)

   I think an authority blogger is someone who impresses you with their style of writing, layout of blog and how their personality comes across to their audience.
   It should be like the cool kid in school who you want to be friends with

   Well to me thats what it is

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