本ブログは2012年に開設された。当時、「はてなダイアリー」というサービスが存在し、「はてなブログ」はまだベータ版であったと記憶している。新しいプラットフォームの登場という物珍しさから登録に至ったのであろう。以来、中断期間を挟みつつも、今日まで約13年にわたり利用を続けていることになる。
進化を続けるプラットフォーム、その意図は
はてなブログは、国内でナンバーワンのブログサービスというわけではない。しかし、最近でも記事を有料販売するサービス「codoc」との連携を行うなど、機能拡張が比較的最近まで継続的に実施されている。これは、後発のブログサービス「note」の人気機能を取り込み、ライバルと伍するサービスでありたいという運営側の意思の表れであると推察できる。
スマホアプリの機能向上とコミュニティ活性化への期待
しかしながら、特にスマートフォンアプリの機能向上がほとんど見られない点は懸念材料である。PCのウェブ編集画面には多機能が搭載されている一方で、スマホアプリではその多くが利用できない状況だ。例えば、Amazonだけでなく楽天の商品リンクも簡単に挿入できる機能や、URLを編集欄にペーストした際に自動で整理されたリンク表示を行う機能など、スマートフォンでの利便性向上は喫緊の課題である。
（※と言いつつも、アプリの機能を増やすと、管理やメンテも大変になるだろうし、はてな側にもやれない事情もあるのだろうけど）
また、スマホアプリ以外では、ユーザー間の交流を促進する仕組みの導入も一考の価値があるかもしれない。「はてなスター」や「グループ」といった機能は既に存在するが、これらがブログコミュニティの盛り上げに大きく寄与しているとは言い難い。そもそもブログがSNSのような交流を主目的としたサービスではないのかもしれないが、現代のウェブサービスにおいてユーザー間のインタラクションは不可欠な要素となりつつある。
以下はAI翻訳
English Translation
13 Years with Hatena Blog: A Longtime User Reflects on Its Evolution and Challenges
This blog was launched in 2012. At that time, a service called "Hatena Diary" was still active, and I recall that "Hatena Blog" was in its beta phase. I was likely drawn to register out of curiosity about this new platform. Since then, with some periods of inactivity, I have continued using it for nearly 13 years.
A Continuously Evolving Platform and Its Underlying Intent
Hatena Blog is not the number one blogging service in Japan. However, even in recent years, it has continued to expand its features—for instance, by integrating with "codoc," a service that enables paid content distribution. This seems to reflect the operator's intention to remain competitive by adopting popular features from newer platforms like "note."
The Need for Mobile App Improvements and a Revitalized Community
That said, the lack of improvement in the smartphone app is a major concern. While the web-based editor on PC is feature-rich, many of those functions are not available in the mobile app. Features such as easily inserting product links from not only Amazon but also Rakuten, or automatically formatting pasted URLs into tidy links, would greatly enhance usability on smartphones—something that should be prioritized.
Aside from mobile usability, introducing mechanisms to encourage user interaction could also be worthwhile. While features like “Hatena Star” and “Groups” do exist, it's hard to say they significantly contribute to fostering a vibrant blogging community. Perhaps blogging was never intended to be an interaction-first service like social networking sites, but in the modern web ecosystem, user interaction is becoming an essential component.
English Expression Explanation
1. "Hatena Blog is not the number one blogging service in Japan."
A straightforward way to state a comparative position. “Number one” is commonly used in casual and formal speech to denote market leadership.
2. "It has continued to expand its features"
"Expand its features" is an idiomatic phrase for a service improving or increasing functionality.
3. "This seems to reflect the operator's intention to remain competitive"
“Reflect the intention” is a typical formal phrasing that implies something demonstrates a motive or strategic goal.
“To remain competitive” is common in business contexts, meaning to keep up with or rival others in the field.
4. "Usability on smartphones—something that should be prioritized"
“Usability” refers to ease of use, and the dash structure emphasizes what follows.
“Should be prioritized” is a polite and formal way of suggesting urgency or importance.
5. "Mechanisms to encourage user interaction"
A formal way of saying “tools or systems that help users communicate or engage with each other.”
6. "Fostering a vibrant blogging community"
“Foster” means to nurture or support growth. “Vibrant” is often used to describe an active, energetic group.
7. "User interaction is becoming an essential component"
“Essential component” = a necessary part. This phrase often appears in technical or analytical writing.
