In this week’s Niche Journey News, Spencer and Jared cover Google’s AI overview extensions with Gemini 2.0, Google’s AI model is not satisfied with, people are dissatisfied with Google, and DeepSeek’s AI model.
When it comes to their shiny object pranks, Spencer shares his Facebook bonus revenue, while Jared reports on his Pinterest-powered food website the downturn in his Amazon influencer revenue.
They combine two successful niche sites that prove simple, engaging tools that can attract millions of visitors.
Watch the entire episode
They start by discussing Google’s recent announcement to expand AI overview And start a new AI mode. Powered by Gemini 2.0, this feature is designed to handle complex queries including multi-step problems, advanced math, and coding.
Key points of Google AI model expansion
- Functions of AI mode: It is an interactive search experience similar to a chatbot, allowing users to perfect their queries through subsequent questions.
- Impact on organic search: There are concerns that AI-generated answers drive further organic results, resulting in lost traffic for publishers.
- Currently limited access: Currently, the AI model is beta testing for “power users” through Google’s search lab.
- Mixed reaction: While Sundar Pichai claims AI overview is Google’s “most popular search feature”, critics believe that users have no choice but to interact with them.
Big picture: Google vs. Publisher
A large part of the conversation revolves around how Google treats AI in the way it integrates between its search engine and YouTube. While AI appears to be taking over Google searches, YouTube is still creator-centric, facilitating user-generated content rather than replacing it. This contradiction underscores Google’s efforts to balance innovation with content creators’ needs.
Satisfaction with Google searches declined
The podcast also introduces a recent survey by Vox Media that reveals User satisfaction with Google declines search:
- 42% of respondents Say Google is becoming more and more useful.
- 55% rely more on community-based resources (e.g. reddit or Quora) than search engines.
- 61% of Z users Turning to AI tools, not Google.
- 66% believe Finding high-quality, reliable information online is becoming increasingly difficult.
Google appears to be betting on AI to solve these problems, but Spencer and Jared question whether the strategy will backfire as users seek alternative search methods.
DeepSeek: A new AI model with familiar origins
Another hot topic is DeepSeek, an AI chatbot that quickly attracts attention due to its capabilities and low cost. However, one study found 74% of DeepSeek’s responses are very similar to Chatgptindicating that it may have been trained using the OpenAI model. This raises ethical questions about AI models built on content generated by existing AI.
Side Hustle Update
Spencer’s Facebook Bonus Program
Spencer shared his February Facebook page results, which earned $3,500– Stand out of the record $5,000 in January. The decline may be due to post-virus fluctuations rather than seasonality. One key insight: 94% of his pages come from non-followersproving that Facebook’s algorithms like new audiences very much, rather than existing audiences.
Jared’s Pinterest Traffic Experiment
Jared has provided updates on his food website and has been hit by useful content updates. Despite losing organic traffic, it thrives on Pinterest and makes money $4,500 in January and $3,500 for February. He also mentioned restarting email marketing efforts to further diversify traffic.
Amazon’s influential plan troubles
Jared’s Amazon influencers’ revenues took a hit in February, falling to $1,000 for January $1,000. He attributed it to Amazon to adjust the position of its carousel and eliminate the Inspire feature. He still hopes to rebound due to similar fluctuations before.
A week’s weird niche site
Spencer and Jared highlight two fascinating niche sites that, despite their simplicity, produce a lot of traffic:
1. heightcomparison.com
- Allows users to compare their height to celebrities, NBA players and objects.
- receive 2 million tourists per month.
- May make money $16,500+ per month Revenue through advertising.
2. Spellb.org
- A spelling game website similar to the New York Times spelling bees.
- get 2.7 million page views per month.
- Probably doing it $27,000 per month From advertising.
Both sites prove Interactive, fancy tools Can generate a lot of traffic and revenue without the need for high authorization backlinks.
The final thought
Spencer and Jared (Jared) stressed The importance of adaptation As a content creator. As Google search becomes less reliable, the platform likes YouTube, Pinterest, and even niche interaction tools Provide alternative ways to build audiences and generate revenue. Whether it is through video content, socially driven traffic or creative niche websites, the key is Stay flexible and find new opportunities in the evolving digital landscape.
Please stay tuned for more insights next week!
