Traditionally, researchers "found" each other through academic publications. They would then meet up at a conference, pat each other on the back, talk about collaborating, etc. As a graduate student, I don't have a very strong publication record, nor do I have money to travel to conferences. I am essentially locked out of the traditional academic model. However, Google drives a ton of traffic to my blog; in that traffic are researchers who are conducting background and primary research. I can't tell you how many interesting researchers have contacted me, left comments, or tracked back to my blog; I've made many valuable contacts this way. I've also many many valuable international contacts this way - people I probably wouldn't have met otherwise.I agree with Fred, and would add a few other benefits to academic blogging, such as being able to comment in casual, short-form entries on areas pertaining to research interests (for example, see "Watershed event: Amateur riot video circulates in China")
However, Fred points to a column from the Chronicle of Higher Education entitled "Bloggers need not apply", which describes several cases of academic job seekers being turned away because of information contained in their blogs. It's unfortunate that this happens, but the reality is blog entries, old websites, and news accounts mentioning you can come back to haunt you, if the information is indexed by Google or other search engines.
Do these issues outweigh the benefits of blogging? I don't think so, or I would stop doing it. But I am careful about what I post online. I stay focused, avoid hyperbole and flamefests, and try not to reveal details about my personal life and preferences beyond how they relate to my studies and blogging.
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