This week on the Niche Pursuits News Podcast, Jared Bauman and Thomas Smith dive deep into the complicated relationship between Reddit and Google, discuss warnings from Google about scaled content, and have a heated debate over whether AI is all hype.

Plus, they share updates on their side hustles and wrap things up with a couple of truly weird—but fascinating—niche websites.

Links & Resources

Reddit and Google Search too closely tied together - https://finance.yahoo.com/news/reddits-success-may-inextricably-tied-080601219.html?guccounter=1

Google on scaled content - https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-on-scaled-content-its-going-to-be-an-issue/543308/

Phony comforts of AI optimism - https://www.wheresyoured.at/optimistic-cowardice/

Post secret - https://postsecret.com/

Rent the chicken - https://www.rentthechicken.com/

Ready to join a niche publishing mastermind, and hear from industry experts each week?  Join the Niche Pursuits Community here: https://community.nichepursuits.com

Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter

Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper

Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative

In this episode of the Niche Pursuits podcast, Jared Bauman sits down with Jamie Rawsthorne, co-founder of the viral Zach and Jay Show turned YouTube growth strategist, to unpack his wild journey from creating YouTube stunts with his college buddy to consulting with some of the biggest entrepreneurs online today.

Jamie shares how he went from losing thousands each month to building one of the UK's fastest-growing channels, then made the gutsy decision to walk away at the peak of success.

Now, he helps entrepreneurs unlock YouTube as a growth engine, emphasizing strategic research, powerful storytelling, and product-aligned monetization.

The conversation dives deep into Jamie’s proven “Triple C” method for content strategy, the anatomy of high-performing videos, and real-world examples of clients generating six-figure monthly revenue from surprisingly modest view counts.

Whether you're starting from scratch or scaling an existing channel, this episode is packed with insights on how to approach YouTube like a pro.

Ready to join a niche publishing mastermind, and hear from industry experts each week? Join the Niche Pursuits Community here: https://community.nichepursuits.com

Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter

Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper

Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative

This week, Jared Bauman and Thomas Smith sit down for another insightful episode of the Niche Pursuits podcast, diving into some major industry shifts.

They talk about how AI search is changing the way people interact with Google, the slow but potentially impactful March 2025 core update, and the latest AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic.

They also share their side hustle wins and struggles and dissect a few weird niche sites.

Links & Resources

Google Core Update is done - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-march-2025-core-update-done-39142.html

Observations from the update - https://www.searchenginejournal.com/googles-march-core-update-early-observations-from-initial-rollout/542795/

Google's AI search - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-03-24/google-s-ai-search-overhaul-racing-chatgpt-for-the-web-s-future

Jared's calculator website - https://x.com/jaredbauman/status/1904935880525046059

Music Map - https://www.music-map.com/

Coffee Copycat - https://coffeecopycat.com/

Ready to join a niche publishing mastermind, and hear from industry experts each week?  Join the Niche Pursuits Community here: https://community.nichepursuits.com

Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter

Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper

Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative

What does it take to grow a thriving newsletter with 60,000+ engaged readers all while working full-time as a CFO? 

CJ Gustafson, from Mostly Metrics, is on this week’s episode of the Niche Pursuits Podcast to share how he built a highly profitable brand on the side.

In this episode, he delivers a masterclass in newsletter growth, monetization, and the power of niche content.

This is a conversation packed with actionable insights and behind-the-scenes stories, and CJ reveals how he turned a once-slow-growing side project into a high-performing B2B media brand serving over 60,000 subscribers—including CFOs, founders, and business nerds who geek out over financial models and company benchmarks.

Ready to join a niche publishing mastermind, and hear from industry experts each week? Join the Niche Pursuits Community here: https://community.nichepursuits.com

Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter

Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper

Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative

This week, Jared Bauman and Thomas Smith sit down for another insightful episode of the Niche Pursuits podcast, diving into some major industry shifts.

They talk about how AI search is changing the way people interact with Google, the slow but potentially impactful March 2025 core update, and the latest AI models from OpenAI and Anthropic.

They also share their side hustle wins and struggles and dissect a few weird niche sites.

If you're looking to stay ahead in SEO, content creation, and AI-driven marketing, this episode had plenty of takeaways.

AI Search results - https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/

March Core Update so far - https://www.seroundtable.com/pre-google-march-2025-core-update-39084.html New AI modes announced - https://www.theverge.com/news/620021/openai-gpt-4-5-orion-ai-model-release https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-3-7-sonnet

Jared's weird niche site - https://walletburst.com/

Thomas's weird niche site - https://quickjewelryrepairs.com/repair/untangle-chain/

Ready to join a niche publishing mastermind, and hear from industry experts each week?  Join the Niche Pursuits Community here: https://community.nichepursuits.com

Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter

Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper

Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative

In this episode of the Niche Pursuits podcast, Jared Bauman sits down with Joe Davies, the co-founder of Fat Joe, an agency that specializes in providing premium backlinks and content for agencies.

Joe shares his journey from the early days of SEO to growing Fat Joe into a successful business.

He talks about everything from productization, outsourcing, and scaling a service-based business, and how he earns $12 million a year in revenue with a team of just 15.

Ready to join a niche publishing mastermind, and hear from industry experts each week? Join the Niche Pursuits Community here: https://community.nichepursuits.com

Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter

Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper

Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative

Welcome back to another episode of the Niche Pursuits News Podcast!

This week Jared and Thomas talk about Google's March 2025 Core Update, news that AI search engines struggle with proper citation, and the DOJ's push to break up Google's monopoly.

When it comes to Side Hustle Shenanigans, Thomas reveals a viral Facebook page strategy that netted 22,000+ likes for just $200.

Lastly, they share some weird niche websites including a secret gaming site and a vintage toaster business.

Let's dive into the details!

DOJ's request to break up Google - https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/07/technology/trump-google-search-antitrust.html

AI Search is inaccurate - https://www.cjr.org/tow_center/we-compared-eight-ai-search-engines-theyre-all-bad-at-citing-news.php

https://www.seroundtable.com/ai-search-engines-wrong-39038.html

Culinary Schools - https://www.culinaryschools.org/

Toaster Central - https://www.toastercentral.com/

Ready to join a niche publishing mastermind, and hear from industry experts each week?  Join the Niche Pursuits Community here: https://community.nichepursuits.com

Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter

Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper

Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative

In today’s fast-paced digital world, innovation often comes from unexpected places.

One example is Rexon Wong, a high school student who has already made a name for himself as a tech entrepreneur.

In this interview on the Niche Pursuits podcast, Rexon shares the story of how he created his app, Text Behind Image, in just three hours and successfully launched it to thousands of users.

Let’s break down the journey, the strategy behind his success, and what others can learn from his experience.

Ready to join a niche publishing mastermind, and hear from industry experts each week? Join the Niche Pursuits Community here: https://community.nichepursuits.com

Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter

Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper

Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative

On this week's episode of the Niche Pursuits News, Spencer and Jared cover Google's expansion of AI Overviews with Gemini 2.0, Google's roll out of AI Mode, people's dissatisfaction with Google, and DeepSeek’s AI model. 

When it comes to their Shiny Object Shenanigans, Spencer shares his Facebook Bonus earnings while Jared reports on his Pinterest-driven food site and a downturn in his Amazon Influencer revenue.

They wrap up with two successful niche sites which prove that simple, engaging tools can drive millions of visitor.

AI search engines citing sources - https://www.searchenginejournal.com/ai-search-engines-often-cite-third-party-content-study-finds/540692/

Google announces AI responses in more searches - https://blog.google/products/search/ai-mode-search/

DeepSeek's responses resemble ChatGPT - https://www.forbes.com/sites/torconstantino/2025/03/03/deepseeks-ai-style-matches-chatgpts-74-percent-of-the-time-new-study/

People say Google is less useful - https://searchengineland.com/google-search-less-useful-survey-452700

Spellbee - https://spellbee.org

HeightComparison - https://www.heightcomparison.com/

Ready to join a niche publishing mastermind, and hear from industry experts each week?  Join the Niche Pursuits Community here: https://community.nichepursuits.com

Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter

Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper

Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative

Mariah Magazine is an SEO consultant and educator who has built her business around making SEO accessible to online business owners.

Her journey from a frustrated 22-year-old to a successful SEO expert highlights the power of self-awareness, personal branding, and the role of YouTube in growing a business.

Mariah made $120,000 this year with her SEO consulting and education business, where she does the opposite of what most business coaches tell you to do: she gives a lot away for free.

She earns 6 figures without an agency and with just a small audience by growing her tutorial-based YouTube channel, selling low-cost digital products, and offering one-off client consultations. She credits her commitment to authenticity, serving her audience, and relationship building as key pillars of her success.

Ready to join a niche publishing mastermind, and hear from industry experts each week? Join the Niche Pursuits Community here: https://community.nichepursuits.com

Be sure to get more content like this in the Niche Pursuits Newsletter Right Here: https://www.nichepursuits.com/newsletter

Want a Faster and Easier Way to Build Internal Links?  Get $15 off Link Whisper with Discount Code "Podcast" on the Checkout Screen: https://www.nichepursuits.com/linkwhisper

Get SEO Consulting from the Niche Pursuits Podcast Host, Jared Bauman: https://www.nichepursuits.com/201creative