Just like the Web itself, blogs — more than 70 million by one count — have moved from their pioneer days to a more mature phase where they command respect and huge mainstream followings.

Gillin argues that, rather than adding up to a vast wasteland, the addition of each new blogger improves the quality of discourse.

No longer will 30-second TV ads reach the right audiences. "Word of blog" is the new word of mouth.
—Dean Takahashi, "For new breed, word of blog becomes new word of mouth," The Seattle Times, May 21, 2007

As 'word of mouth' loses opinion-forming power to 'word of blog,' companies are faced with a revolution in how their brands and corporate image will be shaped in the future.
—Patrick J. McGovern, "'The New Influencers," PR Newswire, May 7, 2007

Montreal-based Arcade Fire rose to prominence thanks to heavy support from internet music sites and word of blog.
—Mark Edwards, "Hot, hot, hot," Sunday Times, November 20, 2005