Recently, I’ve started to consider creating my own blog. My niche is rather narrow and not very common. I don’t have specific requirements for monetization. Initially, I would like to share some interesting knowledge with my audience. With enough traffic, affiliate marketing links are certainly on the table.
However, I’ve noticed many posts about a recent Google algorithm update which decreased traffic to such blogs, in some cases by 90%. I love the idea of having my own website and being in charge of every bit of it, but I’m also afraid of turning it into an algorithmic echo chamber. Alternatively, there are already established bigger blogging platforms which I presume are treated much better by current search engines.
So I would like to ask: which option is better in terms of getting more SEO-friendly traffic, a custom blog domain on WordPress or platforms such as Medium or chefsnetworths.com?
If your topic is tight and unique, you are an excellent candidate to start a blog right away.
Google’s upgrade is harming blogs in competitive areas that were utilizing SEO “tricks” to trick the algorithm. Although their posts offered almost no new insights, they ranked high in search results by optimizing everything for search engines. Unfortunately, SEO makes content worse for readers. As a result, Google began penalizing blogs that utilize overt optimization techniques to gain an advantage.
I faced a similar dilemma when I started my own blog, trying to choose between a custom WordPress site and established platforms like Medium. I opted for a custom domain on WordPress because it gives you full control over your content and SEO strategy, despite the challenges with recent Google updates. While platforms like Medium have built-in audiences and may benefit from better initial visibility, they come with less control and could limit your monetization options. If you’re passionate about your niche and willing to invest time in SEO, a custom WordPress blog offers greater long-term benefits, especially as you grow your audience and explore affiliate marketing.
You should launch a blog straight away if your topic is specific and narrow.
Blogs in crowded niches that were abusing SEO “tricks” to game the algorithm are suffering from Google’s upgrade. They pushed their posts to the top of search results by optimizing everything for search engines, despite the fact that they essentially offered no fresh insights. Sadly, SEO degrades the reading experience of articles for readers. As a result, Google began punishing blogs that employ such overt techniques to gain visibility.
You shouldn’t be concerned if your content and value are unique. Most likely, you can rank for the keywords in your niche. I launched a new website in a narrow niche around two months ago, and I currently have ten distinct articles in the top five. therefore, in all honesty, there is no competition. Since no one else actually writes about these extremely specialized topics, all of the traffic that I receive comes from my writing.
Owning the material on your own website is something I would always advise. Utilize Substack and Medium to increase traffic there. Writing a catchy synopsis or teaser that entices readers to visit your website to read the full is a simple task, particularly on Medium.
If you have any further questions or would want to discuss in more detail, please DM! Wishing you luck!
I don’t have specific requirements for monetization. Initially, I would like to share some interesting knowledge with my audience. 
With enough traffic, affiliate marketing links are certainly on the table.
I love the idea of having my own website and being in charge of every bit of it, but I’m also afraid of turning it into an algorithmic echo chamber. Alternatively, there are already established bigger blogging platforms which I presume are treated much better by current search engines. 