Is Blogging Still Worth It? (7 Questions Answered)

Thinking about starting a blog? It’s a bit tricky, especially in 2024 with Google algorithms and AI like ChatGPT shaking up the blogging scene. Despite that, blogging remains a powerful way to connect with your audience, make money, and boost your online presence.

Personally, I’ve made millions through affiliate commissions and product sales thanks to blogging. Despite the rumors that blogging is dead, it’s still kicking. According to Semrush, 55% of content marketers prefer short-form articles and long-form blog posts.

Sure, blogging has changed as social media and search engines evolved, but it’s still a valuable format. If you’re worried about the challenges in 2024, keep reading, and I’ll address those concerns for aspiring bloggers.

The State of the Blogging Industry in 2024

Blogging is still popular in 2024! More people are into it, with the number of bloggers in the US going from 28.3 million to 31.7 million between 2015 and 2020. Moreover, over half of internet users read blogs every week!

Bloggers are similar to marketing influencers, working with companies to promote products. A survey in 2022 found that 28 percent of marketers collaborate with bloggers using affiliate marketing. That’s when a blogger recommends a product on their site and gets a commission from sales through their link.

Trust and authority matter a lot for bloggers. They can affect what people buy, with 60 percent of consumers saying blog posts help them decide. This influence leads to around 21.5 percent of bloggers making $50,000 to $75,000 a year, and 18.4 percent making $75,000 to $100,000. Popular blog topics include travel, health, fitness, and lifestyle.

So, blogging is still big, and many creators are earning good money. However, the stats hint that more bloggers will join in, making the competition even stronger.

Is Blogging Worth It?

Yes, blogging can be worth it, but it depends on your goals and efforts. There are tons of blogs out there, over 600 million actually. However, only a small number of people make money from it. To succeed, it’s important to target growing trends. For example, since the outbreak of Covid 19, there’s a rising interest in home cooking and wellness topics like self-care and veganism.

Starting a food or lifestyle blog in these areas could be a good idea. But keep in mind, competing with established bloggers is tough. They already dominate search results for popular topics.

On the bright side, starting a blog is relatively easy. WordPress, used by over 40% of websites, is a popular choice. Full Site Editing (FSE) has made creating a WordPress site even easier. The software is free, and you just need to pay for web hosting and a domain. Many hosts have affordable plans for beginners.

But, making money from your blog is a different story. It takes time and effort to beat competitors, gain authority, and generate income. So, while starting a blog is simple, turning it into a money-maker requires dedication. It can pay off in the end if you’re willing to put in the work!

Learn more: Pros and Cons of Blogging

Is Blogging Still Profitable?

In 2024 and beyond, making money through blogging depends on how much effort you put in. Many bloggers earn $500 to $2,500 monthly in their first year. With smart money-making plans, successful blogs can even make five figures or more.

But keep in mind, not everyone gets the same results. A ProBlogger survey found that 37% of bloggers make over $100 monthly, and only 13% make over $1,000 per month.

The good news is, those who consistently work on their blogs see amazing results. For example, Pat Flynn’s The Smart Passive Income Blog generates $250,000 a month.  

It’s about using the right money-making strategies for your niche and audience.

Is it Too Late to Start a Blog?

People often wonder if it’s too late to jump into blogging, fearing they’ve missed the boat. But guess what? That’s not true! When I started in 2017, folks were saying the same thing.

I ignored the naysayers, and now I’m a full-time blogger, making six figures by starting and selling successful blogs.

So, here’s the truth: it’s not too late! Now is actually the perfect time to begin. It’s much easier to create content using ChatGPT, and some niches such as travel, remote jobs, and investment are booming after we bid farewell to Covid-19.

Some new bloggers still manage to make $1,000 to $2,000 monthly after working hard for around a year. Just learn how to niche down, avoid direct competition with big brands, blog with passion, and market your content right. You get the best results when you write about what you love.

However, if you want to tackle broad niches you know nothing about, then yes, it’s too late. Setting up many “money” blogs for income’s sake is a fading trend. You can’t really fake it until you make it in blogging. Google’s E-E-A-T standard (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness)  is good at figuring out who actually has first-hand experience. For example, if you haven’t invested in bitcoin, don’t expect you can write bitcoin tutorials or software reviews out of the blue.

Is Blogging Saturated?

Absolutely! Blogging is like a busy marketplace with 1.7 billion websites, and a whopping 600 million of them are blogs.

But don’t hit the panic button just yet – there’s still a chance to shine. You just need to be savvy about it.

Here are two foolproof rules to find a profitable niche:

Rule #1: Dodge the YMYL Zones

YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) niches are a battleground. YMYL stands for “Your Money or Your Life” and refers to topics and pages that could have real-world effects on users. Examples include shopping, healthcare, supplements, life insurance, and banking.

Big names dominate here, making it a tough battleground for beginners. Moreover, Google’s got its magnifying glass out – you’ll need to prove you’re an expert just to enter these niches.

Let’s say you want to build a health blog and recommend wellness products, e.g., MindBodyGreen Supplements. Do you think you can really outrank Healthline and Medical News Today?

Don’t expect you can get traffic on the second page. The best place to hide a dead body is page 2 of Google search results. Academic research shows that 91% of searchers don’t go past page 1 of the search results, and over 50% won’t go past the first 3 results on page 1.

Rule #2: Master Your Niche

Forget about making money from multiple niches in blogging – Google isn’t fooled anymore since the Helpful Content Update in late 2022. I’ve seen hundreds of blogs without a niche drop over 90% in traffic.

So, showcase your skills by becoming a real pro in one niche. Choose something you’re genuinely passionate about and dig deep. Be the go-to expert with exclusive content that no one else has.

For instance, when you search for “best hiking gears,” the first two results are GearLab and Hiking Guy, with the former dedicated to outdoor gears and the latter focusing on hiking tips.

In short, blogging is a bustling city, but there are some low-competition niches waiting for you. Find your true passion, avoid the YMYL warzone, and become the ultimate guru in your niche.

Do People Still Read Blogs?

Yes, people still read blogs a lot these days and it’s likely to stay that way for a long time. Recent stats show that a whopping 77% of Internet users regularly check out blog posts.

People read blogs to:

• Find answers to their questions
• Learn new things
• Stay updated on trends, news, products, etc.
• Decide what to buy or whether to buy something
• Connect with others in a community
• Get advice from experts or trusted sources

But here’s the thing: even though more folks are reading blogs, how they read them is changing. Nowadays, the average reader spends just 37 seconds on a blog post. That means most folks are scanning for the info they need instead of reading everything word for word.

So, are blogs still relevant? Definitely! People are still into them, and bloggers are still making money. But it’s super important to make your content easy to scan. That way, readers can find what they’re looking for quickly and get on with their day.

How Long Does It Take to Make Money from Blogging?

Making money from blogging is like planting a seed and waiting for the tree to grow. It usually takes 1-2 years to start earning a decent income. Think of successful blogs as mighty oak trees – they’ve been around for 5-10 years, weathering storms and growing stronger.

Take, for instance, the blog “MoneySavingExpert,” started by Martin Lewis in 2003. It took years of consistent effort for it to become a go-to source for financial advice, and now it’s a multi-million dollar enterprise.

Recent research from Productive Blogging suggests that, on average, it takes about 20 months to start making money with a blog. However, this is just an average number.

The stats reveal that 27% of bloggers begin earning money within 6 months of starting their blog, and 38% manage to make a full-time income within the first 2 years.

So, while the average time is 20 months, many bloggers see success sooner.

In fact, many bloggers didn’t start their blogs with the goal of making money. Also, lots of bloggers had no idea how to make money when they first started, making the process take longer than it should have.

What’s encouraging is that, in the same study, 27% of bloggers start earning money within just 6 months, and 38% achieve a full-time income within 2 years of starting their blog.

Another positive sign is that bloggers who’ve been at it for 5-10 years make an average of $3,919.96 per month, and those blogging for over 10 years average $4,929.45 per month.

This suggests that, in the long run, blogging can be quite lucrative. Keep in mind, these are averages, meaning many bloggers in these groups earn even more than $4,929.45 per month!

Blogging is not a get-rich-quick scheme, and that’s where many new bloggers stumble. Consider “HuffPost,” formerly known as “The Huffington Post,” which was launched in 2005. It took years of dedicated work and strategic growth for it to become a major player in online media.

Starting a blog requires a commitment to the long game. It’s not about building a skyscraper in a day but laying one brick at a time. Most people are impatient, unable to see the forest for the trees.

Consistency is key in the blogging world. Google recognizes your blog as a valuable source after around 70-100 high-quality blog posts. 

Even if you write a stellar blog post, it’s like tossing a message in a bottle into the vast ocean. It may take 6-11 months or even years, especially for highly competitive keywords, to grab Google’s attention.

Should I Start a Blog in 2024? 

Absolutely, starting a blog in 2024 is a great idea! Many new bloggers are turning it into a full-time career, and with dedication and hard work, you can do the same.

Here’re 5 reasons why I think you should become a blogger:

1. Potential to Make Money from a Small Audience: You don’t need heaps of visitors to make money. Even a hundred readers a month can lead to a sale, boosting your income without a massive following. 

2. Low Startup Cost: Blogging doesn’t break the bank. You can start with just a website and domain name, and if you decide to upgrade later, it’s still cheaper than many other businesses.

3. Freedom to Write Anywhere: No office required! You can blog from anywhere – home, on the go, or chilling in the park. All you need is a device and internet, making it super flexible.

4. No Social Media Pressure: Unlike other platforms, you don’t have to deal with social media drama. Your blog content gets indexed by search engines, boosting visibility without the hassle of trolls.

5. Expert Status: Blogging helps you shine as an expert in your field. By consistently sharing quality content, you build credibility and become known as a go-to source in your niche.

Overall, starting a blog can still bring you lots of benefits. Remember to choose a niche you’re passionate about, not just something trendy or profitable. This helps you become more persistent despite some setbacks along the way.

If you need more guidance, sign up for my online business coaching.