Do Micro Niche Sites Still Work?

[JimR]

Not something I would focus on. Times of finding one specific long tail keyword with no competition and trying to rank for just that one keyword are gone. Regardless of what kind of long tail version of keyword you put in, top 10 results will be pretty much same. Google ranks sites with more "niche" approach nowadays. You rank the same for a specific keyword and pretty much any longtail and any variation and synonym of that keyword so sniping approach with small niche sites, that was common in the past, it's not so viable nowadays. Might still work, but you are starting with considerable handicap.

I just tested this across a whole bunch of keywords and this isn't necessarily true.. I got anywhere from 4-8 different SERP results (sometimes same domains just different pages) pretty consistently when checking slight variations and long tail versions of the same core KWs.

Even changing "*** **** company" vs "*** **** companies" would give like 5 different SERP results including the top 3 spots.

I'm not saying this is definitive in any way and to go make a site targeting long tails and you'll rank BUT I'm not completely convinced google has gone completely over to ranking the same pages for KW variations.

 

[Nargil]

I just tested this across a whole bunch of keywords and this isn't necessarily true.. I got anywhere from 4-8 different SERP results (sometimes same domains just different pages) pretty consistently when checking slight variations and long tail versions of the same core KWs.

Even changing "*** **** company" vs "*** **** companies" would give like 5 different SERP results including the top 3 spots.

I'm not saying this is definitive in any way and to go make a site targeting long tails and you'll rank BUT I'm not completely convinced google has gone completely over to ranking the same pages for KW variations.

Competition is the same, ranking sites are still the same. They merely get reshuffled. Sniping approach might work, but I do not see a point trying to swim against the current.

I also do not understand why people tend to choose the harder approach as compared to something that definitely works.

 

[safex]

I even got auto blog working in 2018. It all depends how you do . All methods work always.

 

[JimR]

Competition is the same, ranking sites are still the same. They merely get reshuffled. Sniping approach might work, but I do not see a point trying to swim against the current.

I also do not understand why people tend to choose the harder approach as compared to something that definitely works.

Because it's easier to set up lol. I'm also slightly guilty of that a lot of times, can't lie

 

[Nargil]

Because it's easier to set up lol. I'm also slightly guilty of that a lot of times, can't lie

Very good point.

 

[Poker Rakeback Mafia]

Why is it easier to set up?

 

[JimR]

Why is it easier to set up?

Setting up a website with just a few pages specifically targeting long tail KW's vs an entire niche website with a lot of pages

 

[Poker Rakeback Mafia]

And you are saying that a lack of pages isn't a hindrance to ranking with that approach?
I'm guessing the backlinking is laser targeted as well?

 

[JimR]

And you are saying that a lack of pages isn't a hindrance to ranking with that approach?
I'm guessing the backlinking is laser targeted as well?

I wasn't saying exactly that.. moreso that I'm not entirely convinced that google ranks the same pages for related KWs (or KW's with added long tails and variations). I haven't tested this myself (fewer vs many page sites) but now I'm motivated to do so so I can find some answers but I think @Nargil has it right that you are probably swimming against the current as Google is most likely moving towards using the same pages if the KW intent is the same, even if the KW's are slightly varied.

The backlinking to fewer pages is definitely a good point though and if you have a small budget, then a smaller website is probably the better option IMO so you can consolidate those links

 

[sudarshannus]

Yes you can rank but you have to build on that, freshness is one of the signals of Google algorithm.

 

[RankBoss]

you can rank if you have no competitors for the page you published

 

[Xalion]

One of my client website automatically ranked in first page even though he didn't do any backlinks.Main reason is keyword

I understand you want to promote your service, but don't sell bullshit. Not a keyword in the world with some decent searches will appear on page 1 immediately after indexing.

 

[tummyslimbelt]

Basically, a one-page website has very little chance to rank, and a micro-niche site will struggle to get anywhere except in exceptional cases. ... So niche sites DO work, and they work great, because you're focused on one thing and Google likes that.

 

[AnastasiaAff]

Most people think of niche sites as a way to “game” the system. They think they can put up a tiny website using magical SEO criteria and it doesn’t matter what’s on that site… those magical criteria are going to help them make tons of money and ride into the sunset. When you think of niche sites as a quick pump-n-dump scam, then you have one big enemy who you’re trying to outsmart - Google.