My First Affiliate Journey

[Dark Hat 007]

@Dark Hat 007 first of all great job brother! I've been half assed trying to make some money through an affiliate blog for a couple of months now but with no luck. especially coz of shiny object syndrome.

I purchased a blog and spent a considerable amount of my money into it but earned nothing so far.

I want to know, i hear many people discussing info keywords, is that something that you consider worth it or are you just sticking to commercial kgr articles? and what tool do you use to measure the volume?

Funny enough, my site is 100% affiliate.

I believe the KW research strategy I use on my Affiliate site can be replicated in any niche and it'll work well.

I do a very deep KW research, I don't really trust the tools.

Every tool has a different way they calculate Keywords difficulty, read on the one you are using to understand.

I stopped using KGR almost a year ago.

What I do now is, I target KWs with SV of 50 - 300 and most times more.

Thing is, the KW tools aren't always right with their Search Volume, however, I stick to low, very low SV.

Now, when I get a KW I search on Google and understand what is there and how I believe Google understands that KW.

I copy the "other Queries there" these are my secondary keywords, I sprinkle em in the article.

I get KW suggestions, emphasis on Suggestions from different places, forums, e-commerce websites, bigger sites etc...

I believe the key to KW research is seeing how the contents are on Google and deciding if they should be targeted or not.

Recently the big G's seem to have deranked so so many of my kws, thanks to the core updates... Well, I'm not bothered per say, I'll keep writing.. Like I've said here, my site is seasonal, and that season is yet to come.... But prior to this 80% of articles I've pushed out since my content push make it to 2nd page AT LEAST.

So, in summary just understand what is on the first SERP, if the contents are poor or aren't giving the correct answer, if it lacks a featured content too, if it has forums, now listen, the forums part is tricky, because a KW has forums ranking on its first page it doesn't mean it is easy, study the forum contents, are the answers well curated? Etc etc..

Just spend more time studying the SERP than depending on what the KW tools say, you are the best Keyword research tool.

Think like your visitors.

I hope this helps.

About the shiny syndrome, come on, you have recognized you have a problem, how about you solve it?

I mean technically we are in IM to solve problems, try solving yours.

- > Discipline, is #1.
-> Find people with similar journeys, esp on this forum.
-> Study the "JOURNEY" of those you call competition, use a tool like Semrush and see their growth over time.
-> Picture what you are doing paying you handsomely.
- > Set some hour for that particular project and ensure you stick to it.
- > Avoid the triggers, I mean those "forums" or "places" that introduces those "shinny syndrome" that is, if a forum on BHW would introduce you to a "shiny syndrome" avoid it.

These are the little I know.

 

[noobguy]

Funny enough, my site is 100% affiliate.

I believe the KW research strategy I use on my Affiliate site can be replicated in any niche and it'll work well.

I do a very deep KW research, I don't really trust the tools.

Every tool has a different way they calculate Keywords difficulty, read on the one you are using to understand.

I stopped using KGR almost a year ago.

What I do now is, I target KWs with SV of 50 - 300 and most times more.

Thing is, the KW tools aren't always right with their Search Volume, however, I stick to low, very low SV.

Now, when I get a KW I search on Google and understand what is there and how I believe Google understands that KW.

I copy the "other Queries there" these are my secondary keywords, I sprinkle em in the article.

I get KW suggestions, emphasis on Suggestions from different places, forums, e-commerce websites, bigger sites etc...

I believe the key to KW research is seeing how the contents are on Google and deciding if they should be targeted or not.

Recently the big G's seem to have deranked so so many of my kws, thanks to the core updates... Well, I'm not bothered per say, I'll keep writing.. Like I've said here, my site is seasonal, and that season is yet to come.... But prior to this 80% of articles I've pushed out since my content push make it to 2nd page AT LEAST.

So, in summary just understand what is on the first SERP, if the contents are poor or aren't giving the correct answer, if it lacks a featured content too, if it has forums, now listen, the forums part is tricky, because a KW has forums ranking on its first page it doesn't mean it is easy, study the forum contents, are the answers well curated? Etc etc..

Just spend more time studying the SERP than depending on what the KW tools say, you are the best Keyword research tool.

Think like your visitors.

I hope this helps.

About the shiny syndrome, come on, you have recognized you have a problem, how about you solve it?

I mean technically we are in IM to solve problems, try solving yours.

- > Discipline, is #1.
-> Find people with similar journeys, esp on this forum.
-> Study the "JOURNEY" of those you call competition, use a tool like Semrush and see their growth over time.
-> Picture what you are doing paying you handsomely.
- > Set some hour for that particular project and ensure you stick to it.
- > Avoid the triggers, I mean those "forums" or "places" that introduces those "shinny syndrome" that is, if a forum on BHW would introduce you to a "shiny syndrome" avoid it.

These are the little I know.

thanks, great advice and insightful details on kw research. will definitely start to keep myself accountable on these things if i seriously want to start making some money.

 

[Aniqu]

Nice job!

 

[Misterpossible]

Good luck bro happy you back to working on your website
What part of the country are you from ( please don't say Lagos ) I would like to meet a BHW member IRL.

 

[Dark Hat 007]

Update -> July 16th - August 8th, 2022​

A lot has happened since the last time I updated this thread; on July 17th, The Big Gs, aka Google, slashed my traffic by 95%, yes, 95%.

I watched on my Ahref how almost every of my keyword dropped. I complained here. I was considering buying a new domain and transferring all my articles.

Well, about 4 - 5 days ago, my traffic seems to have returned to normal; it seems to have increased a bit.

Let the screenshots do the talking below... The crazy part of all this, my earnings from Amazon didn't appear to drop crazy!! I still made almost $100 in July. That is a miracle from God!!!

Screenshots!​

G. Analytics (Look closely; you'll see the drop)



-> GSC


-> Word Count

I summoned courage and added at least 8+ more posts after that slash... It took me the grace of God, mehn!
I've removed about 8 or 9 posts for a new niche I floated out so as not to put all my eggs in one basket... More on this below.



-> Amz




Well, things seem to have returned to normal; I pray and hope it remains this way... In my country, people would say, "My God, big pass them (google)."

For this month, I might not post any new articles here since I have another project at hand, and I can only focus on one project at a time.

New Project (Almost similar Niche)​

Well, while almost sinking into depression, I decided to go Niche haunting, and low and behold, I found a site with just about 50 posts and drags in 10k+ PV per month; it is monetized with Adsense, Ezoic, and Outbrain.

Now, Outbrain demands their publishers to have over 10 million Monthly views; I find that difficult to believe, this site has barely 10k, yet they are on it. I don't think just 50 posts can give you up to 10m PV/M, or can it?

Well, I'll find out.

Thhe Niche this site focuses on, I have about eight articles already on my other affiliate site that fits that Niche, so I've transferred my articles there.

I first deindexed them on Google, changed the topic, and gradually moved them there.

I have about 40 keywords to fight for and have published two articles.

Let's see how this goes!!!

God is the Greatest!

 

[PimpMyGrowth]

Funny enough, my site is 100% affiliate.

I believe the KW research strategy I use on my Affiliate site can be replicated in any niche and it'll work well.

I do a very deep KW research, I don't really trust the tools.

Every tool has a different way they calculate Keywords difficulty, read on the one you are using to understand.

I stopped using KGR almost a year ago.

What I do now is, I target KWs with SV of 50 - 300 and most times more.

Thing is, the KW tools aren't always right with their Search Volume, however, I stick to low, very low SV.

Now, when I get a KW I search on Google and understand what is there and how I believe Google understands that KW.

I copy the "other Queries there" these are my secondary keywords, I sprinkle em in the article.

I get KW suggestions, emphasis on Suggestions from different places, forums, e-commerce websites, bigger sites etc...

I believe the key to KW research is seeing how the contents are on Google and deciding if they should be targeted or not.

Recently the big G's seem to have deranked so so many of my kws, thanks to the core updates... Well, I'm not bothered per say, I'll keep writing.. Like I've said here, my site is seasonal, and that season is yet to come.... But prior to this 80% of articles I've pushed out since my content push make it to 2nd page AT LEAST.

So, in summary just understand what is on the first SERP, if the contents are poor or aren't giving the correct answer, if it lacks a featured content too, if it has forums, now listen, the forums part is tricky, because a KW has forums ranking on its first page it doesn't mean it is easy, study the forum contents, are the answers well curated? Etc etc..

Just spend more time studying the SERP than depending on what the KW tools say, you are the best Keyword research tool.

Think like your visitors.

I hope this helps.

About the shiny syndrome, come on, you have recognized you have a problem, how about you solve it?

I mean technically we are in IM to solve problems, try solving yours.

- > Discipline, is #1.
-> Find people with similar journeys, esp on this forum.
-> Study the "JOURNEY" of those you call competition, use a tool like Semrush and see their growth over time.
-> Picture what you are doing paying you handsomely.
- > Set some hour for that particular project and ensure you stick to it.
- > Avoid the triggers, I mean those "forums" or "places" that introduces those "shinny syndrome" that is, if a forum on BHW would introduce you to a "shiny syndrome" avoid it.

These are the little I know.

You seem to have everything planned. Follow your guidelines and everything should be fine.

 

[Matta28]

Now, Outbrain demands their publishers to have over 10 million Monthly views; I find that difficult to believe, this site has barely 10k, yet they are on it. I don't think just 50 posts can give you up to 10m PV/M, or can it?

Maybe they have an other site on Outbrain and therefore its easier to get their smaller sites in it?

Anyway, great update, very sad with the drop of traffic etc. But I'm looking forward for more updates

 

[megstar]

Good luck with your new site. Hopefully the other one picks up for you too.

 

[Dark Hat 007]

Good luck with your new site. Hopefully the other one picks up for you too.

Yeaaah... Thank you very much.

Maybe they have an other site on Outbrain and therefore its easier to get their smaller sites in it?

Anyway, great update, very sad with the drop of traffic etc. But I'm looking forward for more updates

Does that mean the requirement is actually 10m M/PV? Wow.. That's much as hell!

You seem to have everything planned. Follow your guidelines and everything should be fine.

Yeah yeah.. Thank you very much.

 

[Matta28]

Does that mean the requirement is actually 10m M/PV? Wow.. That's much as hell!

I have no clue But I know some networks require to have atleast one site that does need the minimum requirement, and after that it's easier for your other small sites to join

 

[Blooperz]

I hope you can earn more, try to optimize more for higher earnings.

 

[Dark Hat 007]

I have no clue But I know some networks require to have atleast one site that does need the minimum requirement, and after that it's easier for your other small sites to join

Oh!! Thanks man.

I hope you can earn more, try to optimize more for higher earnings.

Yeah, thank you very much!

 

[Dark Hat 007]

Update -> August 8th - August 22nd, 2022​

Site One

We are all aware of the so-called "Google Helpful Update" lol... I wonder what they have in store this time. Well, progress on my end has been stable, nothing extra, although I'm grateful, and we keep pushing.

Screenshots!!!​

Traffic seems to average 100 daily.

- > GSC



- > Word Count

I haven't written on this site this month; I'm working on my other site; however, I should start writing next month.

- > Amazon



I have PTSD from my last core update issue, and it doesn't make much sense that I should be worried over something that hasn't rolled out; well, let's see how this goes.

Site two

She's barely on her feet.

Number of articles: 17
Word counts: 19,169

- > GSC


Let's ride!!!

 

[Matta28]

I want your CTR, mine is lower during the same period

 

[Cheapsmmseller]

Good luck with your journey

 

[Dark Hat 007]

I want your CTR, mine is lower during the same period

Why are CTRs so low? Well, I use power/emotional words on my SEO title, it does help.

 

[Dark Hat 007]

Good luck with your journey

Thanks champ!!!

 

[Matta28]

Why are CTRs so low? Well, I use power/emotional words on my SEO title, it does help.

Yeah, maybe I should try it out!

 

[Purbisti]

Update -> August 8th - August 22nd, 2022​

Site One

We are all aware of the so-called "Google Helpful Update" lol... I wonder what they have in store this time. Well, progress on my end has been stable, nothing extra, although I'm grateful, and we keep pushing.

Screenshots!!!​

View attachment 222448

Traffic seems to average 100 daily.

- > GSC

View attachment 222449

- > Word Count

I haven't written on this site this month; I'm working on my other site; however, I should start writing next month.

- > Amazon

View attachment 222450

I have PTSD from my last core update issue, and it doesn't make much sense that I should be worried over something that hasn't rolled out; well, let's see how this goes.

Site two

She's barely on her feet.

Number of articles: 17
Word counts: 19,169

- > GSC

View attachment 222457
Let's ride!!!

Google updates can be very disturbing, just stay consistent.

 

[Dark Hat 007]

Google updates can be very disturbing, just stay consistent.

Thanks, thanks!!!