With the rise of personal finance and investing content online, there are now thousands of investing and trading blogs. For those looking to educate themselves, researching which blogs to follow can be overwhelming. When evaluating investment blogs, it’s important to consider factors like the author’s credentials, transparency around any affiliate marketing, regularity of posting, depth/uniqueness of insights, and your own personal interests. This article provides tips on analyzing investment blogs to determine which are worth subscribing to.
Check author credentials and ‘about me’ info
A blog’s investment advice is only as good as the expertise behind it. Checking credentials like an author’s education, professional certifications (e.g. CFA), and investing track record helps gauge their knowledge. An easily accessible author bio builds credibility by demonstrating transparency.
Assess if affiliate links or ads could skew objectivity
Many blogs generate revenue via affiliate marketing, meaning the blogger gets paid if readers purchase products they recommend. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this, but it can unconsciously bias recommendations. See if authors disclose any affiliate relationships upfront.
Evaluate consistency and depth of posting
The best investing blogs publish in-depth, insightful content on a consistent schedule, like weekly or monthly. Sporadic or overly sales-focused posts may indicate lower quality. Check the blog’s archive to assess depth/consistency of useful investing perspectives.
Make sure the blog aligns with your interests
Even if a blog checks all other boxes for quality, everyone has unique priorities and preferences when investing. Assess if the blog’s general philosophy and typical topics match your personal financial situation, goals, interests etc.
The best investment blogs combine author expertise with transparency, valuable investing perspectives published regularly, and content tailored to your needs. Checking for these qualities when researching options will ensure you choose blogs worthy of your continued attention.