Google is offering some users of its Blogger website access to a new version of the blog-hosting service allowing user-definable templates, tagging of posts, multiple authors and faster publication of new posts, the company announced on its own blog. It will also integrate use of the blogging service more closely with other services through changes to the account log-in process.The new features bring Google’s Blogger service closer to that offered by competing blog-hosting services such as Six Apart’s TypePad and Automattic’s WordPress. Google Screenshot However, the new features will be available only to users who log in using a Google account, not their Blogger account, and only a small percentage of users will be invited to switch their accounts over initially, Google said: “If you’re one of them, you’ll see a blue box in the sidebar of your dashboard highlighting the new version of Blogger.”The account change doesn’t affect the contents of the blogs, or users’ Blogger profiles, and will make it easier to use Google services like AdWords, the company said. The two account systems will run in parallel for a while, but eventually Google will remove the option to log in with a Blogger account. Google Accounts are better protected against fraud, impersonation and abuse than Blogger accounts, the company said. Among the other changes to the service, Google will enable drag-and-drop creation of site layouts, add support for RSS 2.0 and Atom 1.0 feeds so that more readers can follow a blog without having to visit its website, and allow authors to restrict access to their blog to certain users. Google said it has also changed the terms of service, but the terms and conditions linked to on Thursday had not changed since the version archived in May by The Wayback Machine.-Peter Sayer, IDG News Service (Paris Bureau)Related Links: Google Blogger Frustrates Users Google Blogger Hobbled by Technical IssuesCheck out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content news Concerns remain even as the EU reaches a landmark deal to govern AI Experts believe the new regulation would add a significant compliance burden on businesses as some argue it could even stifle the growth of the rapidly developing technology. By Gagandeep Kaur Dec 11, 2023 7 mins Regulation Regulation Government feature CIOs grapple with the ethics of implementing AI With ethical considerations around AI use increasingly top of mind, IT leaders are developing governance frameworks, establishing review boards, and coming to terms with the difficult discussions and decisions ahead. By Esther Shein Dec 11, 2023 13 mins Generative AI Data Governance IT Governance feature Reed Smith turns to AI for lawyer staffing solution The legal firm’s Smart Resourcing tool helps balance workloads and ensure partners find associates with the right skills and experience, while empowering employees to make connections across the firm’s global footprint. By Sarah K. White Dec 11, 2023 8 mins CIO 100 Legal Digital Transformation news Emirates NBD drives sustainability goals with Microsoft partnership By Andrea Benito Dec 10, 2023 2 mins CIO Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe