Before addressing how to evaluate content on blogs and wikis, let’s consider how to tell them apart. At times, it can be difficult to determine if you are viewing a blog or a wiki.

To determine which is which, consider the following:

• Blog content is organized around “news” postings about which readers can comment. Wiki content is organized around topic‐based Web pages that are usually edited by groups.


• A blog usually features date‐based postings on its main page, organized in reverse chronological order. A wiki looks like a typical Web site, and usually includes a link for logging in to the site for editors who wish to or are authorized to contribute.


• A blog usually allows readers to comment on its individual postings. Wikis offer comments or “talk” pages for discussion of the content on individual wiki pages.


• Blogs often focus on personal insight, anecdote, or opinion. Wiki content is usually less personal.


• A blog is typically maintained by a single individual, while wikis tend to have numerous contributors. However, this is not a hard‐and‐fast rule.


• Blog postings are written by the administrator(s) of the blog, and not by the general public. Wikis can be edited by anyone, or by the invitation/authorization of the wiki administrator(s).


• Visible “edit” links are often available to anyone visiting the wiki. Blogs do not allow for public editing.


• The history of wiki page edits can be viewed by visitors. Blogs do not have this feature.


• It is generally easier to identify the name of the individual maintaining a blog. On wikis, the identity of authors/editors may be more difficult to determine as nicknames may be used.

A blog is a Web‐based journal entry platform that can accept reader comments. Entries are usually presented in reverse chronological order.

Examples: The Innovative Educator

To evaluate the content on a blog, look for these clues:

• Most blog postings focus on a discussion of issues rather than day‐to‐day personal or recreational activities.


• Blog postings are signed by an identifiable author.


• The author has expertise on the topic of the blog.


• Comments on blog postings emphasize substantive discussion of the issues.


• Blog postings are cited on other blogs. A blog search engine can help to determine this, and general search engines are also useful.


• Links to the blog or its individual postings are saved on social bookmarking sites.


• New blog postings appear fairly regularly – though archived blogs can contain useful material.

A wiki is a publishing platform on which many people can contribute new content and revise existing content. The content benefits from the collective knowledge base and the dynamic nature of the contributions.

Examples: Wikipedia, wikiHow, Wikimedia Commons

To evaluate the content on a wiki, look for these clues:

• The sponsorship of the wiki. This may be explained on an “About” or similar page.


• The wiki, whether academic or popular, suits your needs.


• The identity of those who are able to edit or add content. If it is a select group, try to determine if they have expertise in the wiki’s topic.


• Changes to the page appear reasonable.


• The material you are interested in cites sources that you can use to double‐check the information.


• There are guidelines for contributors to follow.


• There is monitoring of content by those responsible for the wiki, and you can determine who these authors are (often you can’t).


• The currency of the edits. Some wiki platforms offer a “History” or similar tab that allows you to view a sequential list of changes.