Software and equipment testing
The Tools Desk evaluates creator software and equipment against published criteria. We do not accept payment for placement and we flag any affiliate links.
Bylines on Blogg Magazine are desk bylines: each piece is the work of our editorial team, not a single named individual. We use desk bylines rather than invented personas. Contact the desk at [email protected].
Buyer's guideWhen a dedicated camera genuinely improves creator content, the differences between compacts, mirrorless cameras and action cameras, and which features matter for video and photography.
AccessibilityWhy captions and transcripts matter, the difference between auto-captions and edited captions, tools for creators and a workflow for accurate, accessible subtitles.
Buyer's guideHow to use Google Search Console, Bing Webmaster Tools, PageSpeed Insights, free crawlers, browser extensions and search features for keyword research and technical SEO without paid subscriptions.
SecurityHow creators can protect their social, email and domain accounts with password managers, passkeys and two-factor authentication, and how to spot common takeover scams.
Editorial picksThe categories of free software every new creator needs, with widely used options in each, what the free tiers usually limit and when upgrading starts to make sense.
Buyer's guideHow popular design tools differ for thumbnails, carousels, pins, media kits and branding, with guidance on templates, brand kits, licensing and file formats.
Buyer's guideThe criteria that matter when choosing between newsletter platforms such as Substack, Ghost, beehiiv, Kit, Buttondown and Mailchimp, including fees, export, deliverability and growth tools.
Buyer's guideWhen creators need a scheduling tool, what native platform schedulers already offer, how popular third-party tools differ and how to choose without overpaying.
Buyer's guideHow to choose tripods, overhead rigs, phone gimbals and clamps for creator content, what specifications matter and common set-ups for tutorials, vlogging and outfit photos.
WorkflowHow creators can protect photos, videos, writing and platform content with the 3-2-1 backup rule, practical storage options, automated backups and archiving.
Buyer's guideWhat privacy-friendly analytics tools measure, how they differ from Google Analytics 4, cookie-consent implications, hosting options and how to choose.
Buyer's guideHow link-in-bio tools work, their pros and cons, when a self-hosted landing page on your own domain is better, and how to design a profile link page that converts.
Buyer's guideHow the main types of web hosting differ, which suits which kind of blog, what to look for in a host and the hidden costs and pitfalls to avoid.
Buyer's guideHow the main microphone types differ, which suits podcasts, talking-head video, vlogging and tutorials, and what specifications actually matter when you buy.
Editorial picksImage libraries creators commonly use, how their licences differ, what attribution they ask for and the checks to run before you publish any image you did not make.
Buyer's guideA criteria-led comparison of popular video editors for short-form and long-form creators, covering platforms, pricing models, learning curve, features and workflow fit.