How to make money blogging? It’s a question that many people ask, and we’re here to provide the answers. Blogging can be lucrative, but it’s not always an easy way to make money online, whether it’s your full-time career or a passive income business.
So, how can you make money as a blogger? You need to invest considerable time and effort. This ultimate guide with blogging tips will explain the fastest ways of how to make money and the exact, clear steps you need to take.
Let’s jump right in.
How to make money blogging?
It can be extremely profitable, but you need to put in blogging effort to build a profit-generating audience. How easy is it to make money blogging? Easy enough! You can start making money regardless of your age and professional experience, learning the ins and outs of the business with time. You don’t need any credentials, experience, or invest big bucks to be a blogger and to learn how to make money blogging.
Why blogging can still make you money in 2026?
Blogging is one of the best ways to make money online still in 2026. Building a blog has become easier. You can do it with ready-made site builders on platforms like WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Blogger, monetizing with Blogspot and other robust platforms that have the whole infrastructure for you on the go.
Typically, you don’t need a specific amount of views to make money blogging, either. Adsterra doesn’t have a minimum traffic entry level. So, can bloggers make money blogging immediately? Yes, and the higher the traffic, the more money they can make.
Adsterra makes it faster to earn money from your blog. With over 15,000 reputable advertisers on our network, you can be sure of getting non-stop advertisements on your blog and earning a steady income.
Setting up your blog to make money online
To set up a successful foundation for your blog:
- Evaluate and choose a high-demand niche you’re really passionate about and well-versed in.
- Choose a non-complicated, memorable domain name and reliable hosting for your new blog and domain.
- Pay attention to a clean web design, mobile responsiveness, and an intuitive user interface.
- Write high-quality, SEO- and AI-optimized content.
- Use tools like Google Analytics 4, SEMrush, Google Search Console, and the like to help improve and monitor performance.
Crafting content that ranks and converts
1. Develop a winning content strategy
Quality content is necessary to “invite” millions of people to your own blog while they do a quick Google search. No one wants content that doesn’t really talk to them or add value, and at worst, is false and misleading. For that, use Google Trends to identify the most common questions among your audience and check the FAQ sections of similar websites.
When you start a blog, you can also use free versions of AI tools to help you generate content faster, like the artificial intelligence tools ChatGPT or Perplexity.
Use catchy, no-tricks headlines for your posts to draw attention because this is the most challenging part of getting your audience to read your blog content, e.g., “Better Sales, Made Simple,” “Transform Your Online Store With this Tool,” “A New Approach to Up Your Fashion Game,” etc. Make visitors feel like they have something to lose by not reading your article, as the examples illustrate.
Real-life example
Consider Saif Khan, an Indian blogger who used ChatGPT to create compelling blog content, generating high-quality traffic and $3,000 monthly revenue. Also read our article on the best ways to make money with ChatGPT.
2. Harness the power of SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) and organic traffic are basically all about implementing relevant keywords into your copy that your audience often searches for in the browser. Here, your job is to hit the best on-page tactics and include optimized titles, headers, and internal links in your blog posts.
At the same time, EEAT principles count for a certain amount of credibility through expertise, experience, authority, and trust, helping your content rank higher and earn audience confidence.
SEO tools like SEO Surfer can also help you research, audit, and write SEO-optimized articles.
You can start earning money from your blog and your SEO traffic in a few steps. Adsterra provides a 100% fill rate on all ad slots on your website. You can always get hold of Adsterra’s Anti-AdBlock feature to increase revenue by up to 35%.
3. Build your backlink profile
Backlinks are incoming hyperlinks from another web page to your blog. They improve your rankings on search engines like Google and give you a more solid reputation. To build your backlink profile, you can reach out to blogs with posts related to yours.
The example of a letter for backlink queries
We write 2 guest posts per week and would be happy to link to your website in our content. We’d also love to contribute to your blog posts and can pitch some topic ideas that your readers will enjoy.
Of course, not every person or company would respond to your reachout, but the few that respond can be worth it.
4. Integrate AI tools ethically to speed up creation
Integrating AI tools ethically can accelerate content creation:
- Creators can be interested to use free AI to support research, idea brainstorming, outlining, and editing rather than replacing original thinking or expertise.
- Transparency, originality, and fact-checking remain essential to ensure accuracy and credibility.
- AI-generated content should always be reviewed and refined by humans to align with brand voice and audience needs.
- Creators can responsibly leverage AI to work more efficiently and reduce repetitive tasks.
- Respecting intellectual property, avoiding plagiarism, and prioritizing value over automation are key.
9 Ways to make money from blogging: core monetization methods
Comparison Table 1. How to Earn Money via Blog?
| Monetization Method | Description | Ease of Entry | Income Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad Networks | Connect to Adsterra or AdSense to automatically display ads. | Easy with a niche, flexible ad network | Medium to High |
| Affiliate Marketing | Use unique links and earn commissions for sales points. | Medium | Medium to High |
| Display Ads | Putting ad formats like Banners, Popunders, In-Page Push, Social Bar, etc. to monetize traffic. | Easy | Medium to High |
| Sell Products or Services | Sell eBooks, templates, merch, etc. directly through your blog. | Medium | Medium to High |
| Sell Online Courses | Create educational content like video courses. | Medium | High |
| Consulting and coaching | Offer 1-on-1 advice or professional services (e.g., design, legal, fitness). | Medium | High |
| Sponsored Reviews | Get paid by companies to review their products or services on your blog. | Medium | Medium to High |
| Podcast Sponsorships | Launch a podcast and earn through ads or sponsorships. | Medium | Medium to High |
| Paid Subscriptions | Offer premium content behind a paywall to loyal readers. | Hard | Stable, Medium-High |
1. Ad networks
An ad network is a digital platform that serves as a middleman between advertisers and blog publishers. You do not need to spend half the time chasing advertisers, as they are already registered on the network. You only need to connect your site to get ads placed.
Please remember, different networks have different requirements. For instance, one might demand at least 10,000 monthly page visits, while another requires 100,000+. You can explore premium ad networks with stricter submission rules, like Google AdSense, or choose more flexible, high-paying networks in the first place. For example, Adsterra doesn’t set any entry barriers to the number of ad impressions your blog delivers, unlike platforms like Google AdSense, which is a win-win solution.
Let’s break it down into simpler steps:
- Choose an ad network with quick moderation.
- Register and verify your website.
- Choose ad formats.
- Copy and paste ad codes on to your website.
- Enjoy monetization. The more abundant and genuine traffic you send, the more chances you have to get higher payouts.
There are many popular ad networks out there. Adsterra is one good example, with over 15,000 registered advertisers and 36,000 publishers. You can choose from different types of ads, including Banners, Popunders, Native ads, and non-intrusive Social Bar ads with up to 30X higher CTRs compared to web push ads.
2. Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is a system where you advertise a product for an online retailer (advertiser, brand, or company) and earn a commission on each sale coming from a referred client. The affiliate (publisher) drives traffic to an online merchant’s website. If the traffic converts into a sale, the publisher will earn a fixed percentage of the sale within the affiliate marketing partnership.
Let’s break it down into simpler steps:
- You reach out to them to start an affiliate marketing partnership.
- The retailer gives you a unique link with tracking parameters.
- You insert the link on your blog or site.
- Future clients will click on the link and purchase something.
- You earn a commission from the affiliate marketing sale.
Advertisers are constantly looking out for affiliates they can partner with to spread the word about their products. You can find them on dedicated affiliate networks with links, like special Amazon affiliate links, or reach out to brands directly.
Especially if you enjoy writing helpful blog posts, write a product review and include your affiliate links as part of affiliate relationships. It’s a different way of how to be a blogger and earn money. Ensure you promote affiliate products within affiliate programs that are relevant to your target audience.
3. Display ads to earn money blogging
Do you still wonder how to make money with blogging the proven way? Here is the answer and one more different way. Selling ad space as display ad placements is a proven method to make money blogging. You can earn significant amounts by allowing brands to place graphic advertisements on your website. These ads incorporate eye-catching visuals and have a call-to-action button leading to the advertiser’s website.
How to make money blogging fast with display advertising:
Smartlink (Direct Link)
The simplest way to make money with blog advertising is to place Smartlink (Direct Link) anywhere suitable on your blog or social media posts. It’s a simple url that shows multiple ad offers. Publishers place these urls on their blogs and get paid for views, clicks, and conversions.
You get a line of code from Adsterra and put it anywhere you monetize with. When a reader clicks Smartlink, Adsterra algorithms select the best ad to attract the user. You get paid when users view ads and convert.
Popunders
Popunder is a creative ad format that appears behind the user’s browser tab. The user only notices the ad after closing their browser tab, making it less disruptive than other ad formats. Popunders are effective because they don’t distract the viewer while they’re still reading your posts: they only appear after the user is done with the post and wants to close it.
Real-life example
Here is a case study of a blogger, Akerele Oluwatobiloba, who also started with Popunders, as they pay out very well. With time, he was figuring out what suits in particular for his niche to earn $50 a day with Adsterra.
Social Bar
Social Bar ads are among the most advanced ads today, specifically designed by Adsterra to address user ad fatigue. They appear like push notifications on a web page. You can place them anywhere on your website and customize their appearance to match your website’s theme. Social Bar ads are effective as they look neat, optimized for both desktop and mobile displays, and are great to start blogging and earn money.
In-Page Push ads
In-Page Push ads also resemble push notifications. The difference is that they’re displayed at a specific position, which you decide on yourself. These ads are good at grabbing attention, leading to higher control, conversions, and revenue.
Native ads
Native ads are unique in resembling your blog posts. They blend in very well with your website, so that the viewer might not even notice it is an ad. Native ads look like your website’s original content, making them effective at generating income streams.
Interstitial Ads
These are full-screen ads covering the whole webpage. Viewers always notice Interstitial, making them very effective at earning revenue. However, they should only be placed after specific user actions, e.g., clicking a link or scrolling between pages.
4. Selling physical and digital products or services
You can make money blogging by selling physical products, digital products, printables, and digital downloads, promoting them through social media channels. For example, a fashion blogger can sell products such as clothing, accessories, or online fashion courses. The key is selling physical products or digital products related to your niche.
Let’s break it down into simpler steps:
- Spend time to decide on the product or service people will buy.
- Think of the retail flow.
- Purchase and install a payment plugin (It can be an in-built feature with your blogging platform or one of the various WordPress plugins).
A successful case study on this monetization method comes from Into The Gloss, a world’s popular makeup blog. After gaining success with a large following, it began selling branded makeup products to millions of readers. This online business morphed into Glossier, a popular beauty products retailer with nearly $200 million in annual revenue.
5. Selling online courses
If you run a digital marketing blog, you can create and sell online courses to share your expertise. You can also write an eBook and mention it to your readers. Elaborate a course and teach it online to people. Popular blogs regularly host virtual workshops per their readers’ interests, bringing them together to learn from industry experts.
Let’s break it down into simpler steps:
- Define the topic you’re skilled in.
- Break down your topic into modules and record videos or lessons.
- Use platforms like Teachable or Thinkific to host your online course.
- Promote through email and social media. Promise early-bird discounts or bonuses.
6. Consulting and coaching
Another way to earn money blogging is by offering freelance services on the internet, like coaching and consulting services. Let’s say you run a popular legal service or interior design blog. As an expert in the sector, you can charge money for consulting sessions.
Let’s break it down into simpler steps:
- Focus on a specific area of expertise.
- Leverage your network, social media, or content marketing to convert leads.
- Package your knowledge into clear services or programs with results.
- Build a simple website or landing page with testimonials and booking options.
7. Sponsored posts
More ways how to get paid on a blog? Here they are. Bloggers charge money to review specific products. If you run a beauty and makeup blog, you are free to charge brands a fee to honestly review their own products.
Essentially, you demonstrate new products to people and keep them engaged. How much you will charge for a company sponsored review depends on your level of traffic and the engagement of your readership. However, do not be afraid to demand as much as you think you are worth.
Let’s break it down into simpler steps:
- Grow a blog focusing on a specific topic or industry.
- Create a media kit with your audience stats, engagement, past collaborations, and rates.
- Reach out to relevant companies to offer sponsored review opportunities as the final way.
Adsterra supports multiple ad formats that give rich new opportunities to monetize your blog or website, including Banners, Native ads, Popunders, In-Page Push, and more, across various niches, such as iGaming, Utilities, VPN, Sports, Utilities, etc.
8. Produce a podcast
Another monetization strategy is launching a podcast. It can start as a hobby, but it can help you diversify your revenue streams. Once you acquire a decent following, you can make money blogging by placing ads in podcast descriptions on YouTube videos.
Let’s break it down into simpler steps:
- Plan your concept, format (interviews, solo, etc.), and target audience.
- Record and edit episodes using a good mic and software like Audacity or Descript.
- Publish and promote, hosting on platforms like Buzzsprout or Anchor, and share on social media and directories (Spotify, Apple Podcasts).
9. Offer paid subscriptions
Paid subscriptions are a creative way of how to generate money from blogs today. Here, you monetize your traffic directly by charging readers to access specific content. You can continue with regular content and blog posts that anyone can read, and have a separate premium section only available to paid subscribers.
The main advantage of this model is that subscription revenue tends to be stable. It also makes it easy to forecast how much revenue you are expecting as the number of paid subscribers grows. However, this model is only suitable if you have started blogging, built a large following with free content, and garnered some loyal readers.
Let’s break it down into simpler steps:
- Start with loyal followers, offer limited-time deals, and consistently deliver value to retain subscribers.
- Identify exclusive content or perks people will pay for (e.g., premium articles, community access, behind-the-scenes content).
- Pick from platforms like Substack, Patreon, or Memberful to manage subscriptions and payments.
Driving traffic: strategies to get eyes on your blog
1. Choose a profitable niche
An essential aspect of how to make money from blogging is selecting a wonder blogging niche or blog topic. Some niches are more profitable than others, but it doesn’t mean you should go with the most profitable niche like some other bloggers if you have no passion for it. They may have the highest competition, making it harder to break into and build a large following.
Please note that an alternative move is to set up multiple blogs in narrow niches and create content that you are competent to generate. This is the business model we described in our earlier article “Are You a Blogopreneur?”.
Make money blogging with different blog types
Finance blogs. Finance is absolutely one of the highest-paying blogging niches, because one thing is clear: literally every person is subject to saving budget and earning bit extra dollars. You can write about personal finance and stick to topics like “Best credit cards to use,” “Best stock trading apps,” “Best wealth management platforms,” etc., and insert affiliate links to earn more money.
News sites. You can create a website delivering the latest news about politics, technology, IT and computers, business, or any other field. It suggests specializing in something particular and posting consistently to send more traffic to your blog. Then, you can get earnings from ads.
Movies. So many people watch movies online and read reviews. You can specialize in a movie theme, e.g., horror, fiction, or history. Movie enthusiasts have a higher tolerance for ads, so it’s one of the fastest ways to make money blogging.
Sports. Sports fans need sites with up-to-date news, highlights, event schedules, and other relevant information. You can create a successful blog that delivers this information, preferably specializing in a single sport. Highly engaged sports readers can be easily monetized with affiliate links/affiliate programs.
2. Define and engage with your audience
Your audience should gain a lot from reading your blog posts and come back for more. Define your target audience and pain points based on demographics (gender, age, income level, location, and interest). Google Analytics and analytics tools from social platforms can help you define their common traits. Research what keywords and phrases your audience frequently searches for and write detailed articles responding to those queries and comments.
3. Build an email list
Discover email newsletters to remain in touch with readers, e.g., sending every new post as a newsletter that the subscriber can read in their inbox. You can announce discounts and seasonal promos, digests, and new arrivals. The more email subscribers a blog has, the better the chances of making money with it.
4. Overcoming challenges: mistakes every blogger faces
1. Poor niche focus. When you start a blog and write too broadly, it makes it potentially harder to build authority and loyal readers.
2. Inconsistent publishing. Many bloggers struggle to write blog posts regularly, which slows audience growth and search visibility.
3. Ignoring SEO basics. Skipping keyword research and optimization limits the traffic potential of your blog.
4. Lack of patience. Expecting quick results from online business often leads to burnout, as successful blogging requires time, room for testing and experimenting, and continuous improvement.
How to make money blogging? FAQ
How hard is it to make money as a blogger?
Making money as a blogger is a challenging business at the beginning and requires time, consistency, and patience. The success of the blog depends on choosing the right niche, creating valuable content, building traffic, and monetizing effectively. While it falls under “neither easy nor quick” category (at least the first six months, you work hard), bloggers who stay persistent and strategic can eventually earn a sustainable, full-time income on the internet.
Do beginner bloggers make money?
Yes, beginner bloggers make money, but it usually takes time and a well-planned, realistic business strategy. You should choose a blog topic and start a blog. Then, define your income streams including ads, affiliate links, sponsored posts, or freelancing. The success depends on niche selection, traffic, and content quality.
What kind of blogs make most money?
The most money-making blogs focus on high-demand niches like Sports and iGaming, Finance, Technology, Health and Fitness, etc. These niches attract large audiences and high-paying advertisers, affiliate programs, and sponsorships. Blogs that solve specific problems and build trust tend to generate the most consistent revenue.