Google Search Volatility Heats Up and These Sites are Winning

Welcome back to another episode of the Niche Pursuits Podcast!

Today Spencer Haws and guest host Thomas Smith discuss the latest in SEO volatility, YouTube growth strategies, and niche website opportunities. 

They delve into the possibility of a March Google core update, WordPress’ new 100-year domain registration, and YouTube’s new Shorts boosting feature. 

They also share updates on their side hustles, including Amazon Influencer earnings and YouTube monetization strategies before exploring a few unique niche sites.

Watch the Full Episode

They kick things off talking about how the SEO community is buzzing about the increasing volatility in search rankings. 

Spencer and Thomas talk about recent data from various tools such as SEMrush and Accuranker, which show significant fluctuations.

Barry Schwartz and Glenn Gabe have both noted these ranking shifts, suggesting that Google may be testing changes ahead of a potential March core update.

They discuss core updates historically, and Thomas suggests Google might be pivoting back toward rewarding original content over AI-generated material, as evidenced by shifts in ranking trends for niche sites.

They also discuss Reddit, Quora, and even old platforms like HubPages, which are gaining visibility again, possibly due to Google favoring older, non-AI-generated content.

Will Google start to penalize AI content? And what does this mean for today’s content creators?

Moving along, they talk about how WordPress is now allowing users to register domains for 100 years, a significant jump from the standard annual renewal model.

They discuss changes in the model and whether this makes sense today for website owners, given the uncertain future of domain registrations.

Then they talk about how YouTube has introduced an option to boost Shorts directly from the platform without using Google Ads.

This feature allows creators to quickly increase their Shorts’ visibility without needing complex ad campaigns. They discuss the implications and whether or not this is good news for creators. 

Tune in to hear the full discussion!

Moving on to their Side Hustle Shenanigans, Spencer gives an update on his Amazon Influencer side hustle, which he hasn’t touched in 14 months.

He shares the number of review videos, how much he earned in 2024, and whether this is a viable passive income stream. Check out the episode to get all the details!

He also offers advice for anyone who’s thinking about starting a side hustle using the Amazon Influencer program.

When it’s Thomas’ turn, he talks about growing his YouTube channel dedicated to reviewing kids’ products.

He shares how many videos he’s created, how he’s increasing visibility, the automation tools he’s using, and his current goals.

Last, but certainly not least, it’s time for some Weird Niche Sites.

Spencer goes first with Infinite Craft, a niche website that capitalizes on the popularity of the game. He talks about organic growth, monetization techniques, and how much he thinks it’s making.

The main takeaway is that jumping on new trends early can result in a profitable niche website.

Thomas shares Film Types, a well-designed website dedicated to cataloging and reviewing analog film types and vintage cameras.

Thomas discusses its monetization techniques and highlights the growing popularity of retro and analog photography, particularly among younger generations.

And that concludes another episode of the Niche Pursuits News Podcast!

From Google’s algorithm changes to YouTube strategies and side hustles, we hope you’re feeling inspired and informed by this episode, as always.

Tune in next week for more insights and updates on niche website strategies and online business trends!

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