Microsoft Azure stands as one of the most prominent players in the global cloud computing market. Its rapid growth and strong service portfolio have made it a preferred choice for enterprises, developers, and IT professionals worldwide. By 2022, Azure was firmly positioned among the top three cloud service providers, competing directly with Amazon Web Services and Google Cloud Platform. According to the Flexera 2022 State of the Cloud Report, Azure usage has even overtaken AWS in certain usage statistics, marking a significant milestone for the platform.
The ongoing competition between Azure and AWS has been a topic of interest in the technology sector for years. In a 67-page research report released in June, Credit Suisse analysts led by Phil Winslow highlighted Azure’s accelerated pace in achieving revenue milestones compared to AWS. They predicted that Azure would continue to close the revenue gap, driven largely by organizations with substantial investments in Microsoft technologies choosing Azure as their strategic cloud provider. This prediction aligns with industry observations that Azure’s integration with Microsoft’s enterprise ecosystem gives it a strong competitive edge.
For both newcomers and experienced professionals, the cloud industry can be a fast-moving and complex environment. Services evolve rapidly, new tools are released frequently, and best practices are continually updated. One of the most effective ways to stay informed and build expertise is by following blogs dedicated to Microsoft Azure. These blogs offer timely updates, practical tutorials, troubleshooting tips, and deep dives into specialized topics. They act as bridges between official documentation and real-world application, providing readers with the context they need to apply new knowledge effectively. We explored ten of the most valuable blogs to follow for Microsoft Azure insights. We will introduce the first three: Microsoft’s Azure Blog, Serverless360, and Thomas Maurer.
Microsoft’s Azure Blog
When it comes to getting the most accurate and timely information about Azure, the official Microsoft Azure Blog is an essential starting point. Maintained by the Azure product and engineering teams, it delivers announcements, feature updates, service previews, and deep dives into specific tools and capabilities. It serves as the platform where Microsoft communicates directly with its user base, ensuring readers receive information without any third-party interpretation.
The scope of the Microsoft Azure Blog is extensive. Topics range from developer tools and programming frameworks to big data analytics, databases, artificial intelligence, and Azure Virtual Machines. It is an ideal resource for those who want to stay current with Azure’s evolving feature set and for those who need to plan ahead for upcoming changes. The blog also provides early looks at services still in preview, allowing organizations to evaluate new features before they are officially released.
One of the unique strengths of this blog is its historical depth. With archives dating back to 2008, it offers a timeline of Azure’s transformation over more than a decade. This makes it not only a source of current information but also a reference point for understanding how Azure’s capabilities have expanded and shifted in response to technological trends and user demands.
However, it is worth noting that much of the content assumes a working familiarity with Azure. While beginners can still find value in exploring it, the articles often focus on explaining changes, enhancements, and advanced configurations rather than providing entry-level tutorials. For professionals already immersed in Azure’s ecosystem, it is an indispensable resource for strategic planning and technical awareness.
Serverless360
Serverless360 is an Azure management platform designed to simplify the complex landscape of serverless applications and resources. Its blog reflects this mission by focusing on clear, concise, and practical articles that break down complex topics into manageable, easy-to-understand segments. The content caters to readers looking for both conceptual clarity and practical implementation guidance.
Most articles on Serverless360 are intentionally short, often taking less than six minutes to read. This format is perfect for professionals who need quick answers or a rapid overview of a concept without spending time sifting through lengthy technical documents. Despite their brevity, these posts do not compromise on value. They often include explanations of Azure automation, integration patterns, and operational monitoring strategies.
The blog covers a wide range of Azure services, with particular attention to communication services, containerized applications, serverless SQL databases, and Azure Service Bus. It also includes retrospectives on Azure rollouts, offering insights into how new features and updates have been received in real-world scenarios. This balance of theory and practice makes it a useful companion for Azure developers, architects, and administrators.
For those at the beginning of their Azure journey, Serverless360 provides a good stepping stone toward more advanced learning. Many of its articles point readers toward structured educational paths, such as Azure Fundamentals training, that can help them build a comprehensive understanding of the platform. This makes it an especially useful resource for those aiming to establish a solid foundation before moving on to more complex Azure deployments.
Thomas Maurer
Thomas Maurer is a senior program manager for Azure Hybrid at Microsoft, and his personal blog is a testament to both his technical expertise and his commitment to community knowledge-sharing. The site offers a mixture of advanced technical tutorials, strategic insights, and interactive content such as live-streamed sessions.
Publishing roughly five posts each month, Thomas Maurer covers a broad spectrum of Azure-related topics. His tutorials frequently include detailed, step-by-step guidance, complete with screenshots that make it easier for readers to follow along. Common subjects include Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) deployments, Azure Stack management, hybrid cloud scenarios, and integration of on-premises systems with Azure resources.
One of the hallmarks of Maurer’s approach is his ability to make complex topics accessible without oversimplifying them. While much of his content is geared toward intermediate and advanced users, he also addresses foundational concepts during his “Learn Live” sessions, which are interactive video streams covering topics like Azure Arc and hybrid cloud administration. This multimedia approach ensures that readers and viewers alike have multiple ways to engage with the material.
In addition to technical guides, Maurer’s blog includes resources for those pursuing Microsoft certifications. His study guides provide structured paths for preparing for certification exams, making them valuable tools for IT professionals who want to formalize their Azure expertise. By combining instructional content with community engagement, his blog serves as both a learning resource and a hub for Azure enthusiasts.
Role of Blogs in the Azure Learning Journey
The landscape of Microsoft Azure is vast and continually expanding. New services are launched, existing features are updated, and best practices evolve as organizations experiment and innovate. For individuals and teams working with Azure, keeping up with these changes can be challenging. Blogs fill a critical gap by translating official updates into actionable insights and providing practical examples that can be adapted to different environments.
One of the main advantages of following Azure-focused blogs is the diversity of perspectives they offer. While official documentation is comprehensive, it is often presented in a neutral, standardized format. Blogs, on the other hand, bring in the personal experiences of developers, architects, and engineers who work with Azure daily. This real-world perspective helps bridge the gap between theoretical capability and practical application.
Another benefit is the community engagement aspect. Many blog authors are active on social media, host webinars, or participate in conferences, creating opportunities for readers to interact directly with them. This interaction can lead to faster problem-solving, new learning opportunities, and deeper connections within the Azure ecosystem.
For newcomers, blogs offer approachable explanations and learning pathways that can make the platform less intimidating. For experienced professionals, they provide advanced insights, troubleshooting guidance, and opportunities to explore niche areas of Azure in greater detail. Together, these resources form an ongoing support system that complements formal training and documentation.
Christiaan Brinkoff
Christiaan Brinkoff’s work is well-known among professionals working with virtualization and Azure Virtual Desktop. As a principal program manager on Microsoft’s Windows 365 Cloud PC engineering team, he brings insider knowledge and hands-on experience to his blog. He has also earned recognition as a “Global Black Belt” for Azure Virtual Desktop, underscoring his expertise in the field.
His blog is an excellent resource for anyone interested in mastering Azure Virtual Desktop deployment, configuration, and optimization. The content typically includes detailed step-by-step guides, illustrated with screenshots to make the instructions clear and actionable. Readers can expect to find coverage of new features as they roll out, performance tuning strategies, and explanations of integration with related Microsoft services such as Windows 365.
What makes Christiaan’s blog particularly engaging is his commitment to interactive learning. He regularly hosts livestream sessions in an “ask me anything” format, where participants can directly engage with him to discuss the latest developments in Azure Virtual Desktop. These sessions create a valuable opportunity to clarify doubts, explore advanced use cases, and gain insight into best practices from someone deeply involved in the technology’s evolution.
While Azure Virtual Desktop is the main focus, his content occasionally expands into adjacent areas such as Windows 10 features, cloud security considerations, and enterprise-level virtualization strategies. For organizations looking to implement or improve their virtual desktop infrastructure, following this blog can be an essential step toward ensuring a smooth and efficient deployment.
Robert Smit
Robert Smit’s blog stands out for its practical, hands-on approach to solving complex Azure problems. With more than two million visits, it has built a strong reputation among Azure administrators, architects, and engineers. Smit’s professional background as a Senior Technical Evangelist and Microsoft MVP in clustering gives him both the technical depth and the real-world experience to provide meaningful guidance.
One of the distinguishing features of Robert’s blog is his transparency in sharing not only successes but also the challenges and failures encountered during Azure deployments. This honesty is particularly valuable because it offers readers realistic scenarios and practical solutions. Many blog posts detail troubleshooting efforts, such as resolving Azure Stack Proof of Concept deployment issues or addressing cluster errors in Azure Active Directory.
The blog covers a broad spectrum of Azure topics, including file sharing services, backup and recovery strategies, virtual machine configuration, and hybrid cloud scenarios. Each post is supported by step-by-step instructions, often accompanied by screenshots or diagrams to illustrate the process. This makes even advanced procedures easier to follow for those attempting similar configurations.
Robert’s content is also highly searchable, allowing readers to quickly find solutions to specific issues. This feature makes the blog a practical tool for time-sensitive troubleshooting when project deadlines are tight. By combining clear instructions, real-world problem-solving, and a broad range of topics, Robert Smit’s blog serves as a comprehensive resource for intermediate to advanced Azure professionals.
Build5Nines
Build5Nines is a technology blog that began in 2015 under the name BuildAzure.com, with a strong focus on Microsoft Azure. In 2019, it rebranded as Build5Nines to reflect its expanded coverage of cloud and enterprise technologies, though Azure remains a central theme. The site has grown significantly, attracting over 100,000 monthly views and building a community of developers, administrators, and technology enthusiasts.
A defining feature of Build5Nines is its coverage of Azure CLI (Command-Line Interface) through its Az Kung Fu project. This initiative offers tips, tricks, and scripts to help users work more efficiently with Azure CLI, saving time and reducing the risk of errors. For professionals who write scripts daily—such as DevOps engineers, Azure administrators, and developers—these resources can significantly improve productivity.
The blog’s content spans a wide array of topics, including DevOps practices, cloud architecture, IoT solutions, and enterprise application development. Articles often include detailed walkthroughs of Azure services, cost optimization techniques, and security best practices. Many posts explore the interplay between Azure and other technologies, making the blog particularly useful for those managing multi-cloud or hybrid environments.
Build5Nines also regularly updates its content to reflect changes in Azure’s features and pricing models. This ensures that readers can rely on the information for accurate planning and implementation. Whether you are looking to sharpen your scripting skills, explore new Azure services, or keep pace with cloud technology trends, Build5Nines offers a well-rounded and practical knowledge base.
PixelRobots
PixelRobots is the creation of Richard Hooper, a Microsoft MVP for Azure and a Microsoft Certified Trainer. His professional role as an Azure architect is reflected in the content of his blog, which emphasizes practical solutions and clear explanations. Since its launch in 2016, PixelRobots has developed into a trusted source for Azure-related guidance, particularly in the area of Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS).
The blog’s style is concise, with most posts taking less than five minutes to read. Despite their brevity, the articles pack in substantial technical detail, making them suitable for both beginners and more experienced users. Topics often include step-by-step Kubernetes deployment guides, troubleshooting advice, and discussions of new Azure features as they are released.
PixelRobots is especially valuable for those interested in containerization and Kubernetes orchestration within Azure. The posts address both foundational concepts, such as understanding Kubernetes clusters, and advanced topics like scaling containerized applications or integrating AKS with Azure DevOps pipelines. By catering to a wide range of skill levels, the blog helps readers progress from basic familiarity to advanced proficiency in Kubernetes management.
Richard Hooper also uses the blog to share his thoughts on industry developments, conference highlights, and community events. This adds an element of professional networking to the learning experience, encouraging readers to connect with the broader Azure and Kubernetes communities.
How These Blogs Complement Each Other
One of the strengths of the Azure blog ecosystem is the way different authors focus on distinct areas while still contributing to a cohesive understanding of the platform. For example, Christiaan Brinkoff offers specialized insights into virtualization and virtual desktop infrastructure, while Robert Smit’s troubleshooting-heavy approach benefits those working with clustering and hybrid deployments. Build5Nines brings a scripting and DevOps focus, and PixelRobots delivers targeted guidance on Kubernetes and containerization.
Following these blogs together can give professionals a balanced mix of strategic planning advice, hands-on technical guidance, and automation skills. This variety is especially important in an environment like Azure, where skills in one area often overlap with or depend on knowledge in another. An administrator working on Kubernetes clusters may also need to understand CLI scripting, while a virtualization expert might benefit from learning about Azure’s security and cost management features.
Why Specialization Matters in Azure Learning
Azure is a vast platform, and trying to master it entirely is unrealistic for most individuals. Specialization allows professionals to focus on specific domains while still maintaining general awareness of related services. The blogs covered are prime examples of how specialization can create high-quality, deeply informative content.
By concentrating on particular topics, these authors are able to explore advanced features, document subtle configuration options, and address common pitfalls in ways that generalist resources might overlook. This level of detail can be critical when deploying or maintaining complex Azure solutions, where even small misconfigurations can have significant consequences.
Specialized blogs also tend to respond quickly to changes in their niche areas, offering updates and guidance soon after Microsoft releases new features or makes service adjustments. This timeliness is especially valuable for organizations that need to adapt quickly to maintain performance, security, or compliance standards.
Building a Personal Learning Network
Beyond simply reading blog posts, engaging with the authors and communities around these blogs can greatly enhance the learning experience. Many of these bloggers are active on social media platforms, contribute to online forums, or participate in industry events. By following their activities, joining webinars, or commenting on posts, readers can build connections that lead to further opportunities for learning and collaboration.
A personal learning network built around trusted Azure experts can provide ongoing support, early access to new ideas, and the chance to discuss challenges with peers who have faced similar situations. This kind of network is particularly beneficial in cloud computing, where rapid change is the norm and staying current requires continual engagement with the latest developments.
Daniel’s Tech Blog
Daniel’s Tech Blog is authored by Daniel Neumann, a well-regarded IT consultant and Microsoft MVP specializing in cloud computing and data center technologies. His blog reflects deep expertise in Azure infrastructure, with an emphasis on hybrid cloud solutions, infrastructure as code, and advanced automation techniques.
Daniel’s posts often focus on real-world scenarios, offering solutions to common challenges faced by organizations integrating Azure into their IT environments. His step-by-step tutorials cover complex topics such as configuring Azure Virtual WAN, implementing Azure Policy for compliance, and deploying multi-region architectures for high availability. The writing is technical yet approachable, making it suitable for both senior administrators and those with intermediate experience.
One of the strengths of Daniel’s content is its focus on integration between Azure and other tools. For instance, he frequently covers topics related to Azure DevOps, Terraform, and GitHub Actions, providing readers with a full picture of how these tools can work together to deliver automated, scalable solutions. His articles often include example code, diagrams, and architecture layouts, which help readers visualize and implement the solutions in their own environments.
Daniel also addresses operational best practices, including monitoring, security hardening, and cost control. These insights are particularly valuable for organizations that need to balance performance, compliance, and budget constraints while running workloads in the cloud.
Rebel Admin
Rebel Admin is maintained by Dishan Francis, a Microsoft MVP specializing in Azure Active Directory, identity management, and security. His blog is a must-read for anyone working with Azure identity solutions or hybrid directory configurations. Security is a central theme throughout his writing, and he consistently emphasizes the importance of protecting identities, controlling access, and ensuring compliance with industry standards.
Dishan’s content is especially strong in guiding readers through the setup and management of Azure Active Directory. This includes topics like configuring conditional access policies, enabling multi-factor authentication, and integrating on-premises Active Directory with Azure. He also covers related Microsoft 365 services where identity plays a critical role, such as Exchange Online and Teams.
A hallmark of Rebel Admin’s tutorials is their clarity. Even when discussing advanced concepts such as identity federation or role-based access control, the posts break down the process into clear, logical steps. Screenshots and command-line examples are frequently used to ensure readers can follow along without confusion.
In addition to identity and security, Rebel Admin addresses topics like Azure networking, resource governance, and backup strategies. However, its core value lies in helping IT professionals understand and implement identity solutions that are secure, scalable, and adaptable to changing organizational needs.
ExitCertified
ExitCertified is not an individual’s blog but rather a corporate training platform that also offers a rich library of articles, tutorials, and webinars focused on cloud technologies, including Azure. Its strength lies in providing structured, professionally developed content aimed at both beginners and experienced practitioners.
The Azure section of ExitCertified’s resources covers a wide range of topics, from introductory overviews of Azure services to deep dives into specific solutions like Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Machine Learning, and Azure Security Center. The writing style is straightforward, prioritizing clarity and practical application over technical jargon.
One of the most valuable aspects of ExitCertified’s content is its alignment with Microsoft certification paths. Articles often outline the skills needed for certifications such as Azure Administrator Associate, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, and Azure DevOps Engineer Expert. This makes it a particularly useful resource for professionals seeking to validate their skills through formal certification.
ExitCertified also offers comparisons between Azure and other cloud platforms, which can be helpful for organizations evaluating multi-cloud strategies. These comparisons are presented in an objective manner, highlighting the strengths and limitations of each platform to help readers make informed decisions.
Common Themes Across These Blogs
Although Daniel’s Tech Blog, Rebel Admin, and ExitCertified differ in their primary focus areas, they share certain characteristics that make them valuable learning resources. All three offer content that is deeply practical, providing readers with the tools and knowledge to implement solutions directly in their environments.
Each of these blogs also places a strong emphasis on keeping content current. In a platform as fast-evolving as Azure, outdated information can lead to errors or inefficiencies. The regular updates on these blogs ensure that the guidance reflects the latest features, security recommendations, and best practices.
Another commonality is the use of examples and demonstrations. Whether it’s Daniel Neumann showing Terraform scripts for automated deployments, Dishan Francis walking through a security configuration in Azure AD, or ExitCertified providing a sample architecture diagram, these examples bridge the gap between theory and practice.
The Value of Niche Expertise
Following blogs with specialized expertise can help professionals quickly build deep skills in specific areas of Azure. For instance, an administrator focused on identity management will benefit immensely from Rebel Admin’s identity-focused guidance. Similarly, someone working in hybrid cloud infrastructure could turn to Daniel’s Tech Blog for advanced deployment patterns and automation strategies.
ExitCertified, while less specialized in one narrow area, offers the advantage of breadth and formal structure. For learners who prefer a guided approach with clear milestones—especially those pursuing certifications—its resources provide a strong foundation that can be supplemented with more specialized content from other blogs.
Practical Use Cases for These Blogs
A practical approach to following these blogs is to align them with specific projects or career goals. For example:
- A company planning to migrate its identity services to Azure AD can rely on Rebel Admin for in-depth identity and security configurations.
- An IT team tasked with implementing infrastructure as code could follow Daniel’s tutorials to design and automate their Azure environments.
- Individuals preparing for Azure certification exams can use ExitCertified’s structured articles as part of their study plan, supplementing them with hands-on labs and official documentation.
By using the content in a targeted way, professionals can make the most of their time and accelerate their progress toward project completion or career advancement.
Engaging With the Authors and Communities
One of the advantages of following individual bloggers like Daniel Neumann and Dishan Francis is the ability to interact directly with the authors. Both maintain active presences on social media and respond to questions or feedback from their audiences. This creates opportunities for dialogue, clarification, and deeper learning.
Even in the case of corporate platforms like ExitCertified, there are often webinars, Q&A sessions, and discussion forums where learners can engage with instructors and peers. Participating in these interactions can lead to valuable networking opportunities and practical insights that are not always captured in written tutorials.
Balancing Learning With Practice
Reading blogs is a powerful way to learn, but the real value comes from applying that knowledge. The step-by-step guides, scripts, and configuration examples found in these blogs are best used in a hands-on lab or test environment before being applied to production systems. This approach minimizes risk while allowing learners to experiment and build confidence.
Azure offers a free tier and trial credits, making it easier for individuals and small teams to set up sandbox environments for testing. By following along with blog tutorials in such environments, learners can solidify their understanding and be better prepared for real-world implementations.
Expanding Your Resource List
While the blogs covered in this series represent some of the most reliable and informative sources of Azure knowledge, they are by no means the only ones worth following. The Azure ecosystem is vast, and many experts contribute to it through smaller blogs, YouTube channels, podcasts, and social media threads.
Professionals who want to stay at the forefront of Azure developments should periodically review and update their list of trusted resources. New voices emerge regularly, and established bloggers may expand their coverage into new areas of interest. Staying open to new sources ensures a continuous flow of fresh ideas and perspectives.
Conclusion
Exploring the top Microsoft Azure blogs reveals the depth and diversity of expertise available to anyone seeking to master cloud technologies. Across this series, we have seen how official Microsoft channels deliver timely feature announcements, independent experts share hands-on technical guidance, and corporate training platforms provide structured learning aligned with industry certifications.
Each blog brings its own strengths: some excel at breaking down complex deployment scenarios, others focus on identity security, while a few present comprehensive overviews for learners at all levels. Together, they form a balanced ecosystem of knowledge sources that can serve developers, administrators, architects, and business leaders alike.
One of the key lessons from this journey is that there is no single “best” resource—rather, the best approach is to curate a blend of blogs that match specific goals, projects, and learning styles. By combining high-level announcements with niche technical guides and structured training materials, professionals can stay ahead of rapid Azure developments while deepening expertise in the areas that matter most to their work.
The real power of following these blogs lies in turning information into action. Whether it’s implementing a security configuration, deploying infrastructure as code, or preparing for a certification exam, applying the insights from these experts in a lab or production environment cements learning and delivers tangible value.
In a platform as fast-moving as Azure, continuous learning is not optional—it’s essential. By engaging with these blogs, interacting with their authors and communities, and regularly updating one’s personal list of trusted sources, Azure practitioners can remain agile, informed, and ready to leverage the full potential of the cloud.