DISQUS

Jeff · 1 year ago

What Michael does in techcrunch you can get elsewhere. News are a commodity. Like oranges or cotton, there is very little differentiator.

Opinions or specialized knowledge however has a lot of value. That's why niche markets outside news will continue making money. Bonus for those who don't just offer information, but also a relationship, an experience.

Jeff · 1 year ago

What Michael does in techcrunch you can get elsewhere. News are a commodity. Like oranges or cotton, there is very little differentiator.

Opinions or specialized knowledge however has a lot of value. That's why niche markets outside news will continue making money. Bonus for those who don't just offer information, but also a relationship, an experience.

Magnus · 1 year ago

I would definately say that it's a business in risk but saying dying is a bit too much.

Magnus · 1 year ago

I would definately say that it's a business in risk but saying dying is a bit too much.

Amaan Goyal · 1 year ago

Content is King so if you get it free great but pointing out that paid content is dying is certainly not happening, it is getting highly competitive.

Amaan Goyal · 1 year ago

Content is King so if you get it free great but pointing out that paid content is dying is certainly not happening, it is getting highly competitive.

Utah SEO · 1 year ago

Yeah I wouldnt say it's a dying business model. Thats reaching.

Utah SEO · 1 year ago

Yeah I wouldnt say it's a dying business model. Thats reaching.

Cassiano Travareli · 1 year ago

i agree that Paid content certainly isn't a dying business model, but google is working to avoid paid links. we know that isn´t so easy, but day after day, google is giving less weight
to these links.

Cassiano Travareli · 1 year ago

i agree that Paid content certainly isn't a dying business model, but google is working to avoid paid links. we know that isn´t so easy, but day after day, google is giving less weight
to these links.

Earnblogger · 1 year ago

In my view, paid content is a matured business model and definitely it is not dying. Well, we can say that the market is in somewhat saturated state.

Earnblogger · 1 year ago

In my view, paid content is a matured business model and definitely it is not dying. Well, we can say that the market is in somewhat saturated state.

Lorano Hairs · 1 year ago

Yes, content is a commodity. And with all commodities the usual ruels apply: Standard apples are cheap, are neither specifically tasty or healthy - but feed the majourity of people.

If you look for a good apple, you will need to invest some money, but it brings much more back than these "artificial" apples.

The same rules apply for content: Some things are available everywhere. Specific know how is definetly not. And even more when it comes to explanations. I´m in health business. You can find millions of sites on the web - but still it is good to see doctor - isn´t it?? Because he can explain, he has got the better "content"

Lorano Hairs · 1 year ago

Yes, content is a commodity. And with all commodities the usual ruels apply: Standard apples are cheap, are neither specifically tasty or healthy - but feed the majourity of people.

If you look for a good apple, you will need to invest some money, but it brings much more back than these "artificial" apples.

The same rules apply for content: Some things are available everywhere. Specific know how is definetly not. And even more when it comes to explanations. I´m in health business. You can find millions of sites on the web - but still it is good to see doctor - isn´t it?? Because he can explain, he has got the better "content"

Malcolm Lambe · 1 year ago

The underlying tenet of the internets (sic) should be "share the knowledge". So what's the problem with using AP's shitty stories as long as you attribute? You can't trust their stuff anyway - like a lot of mainstream media. I think they're beginning to feel the winds of change blowing up their collective asses.

Malcolm Lambe · 1 year ago

The underlying tenet of the internets (sic) should be "share the knowledge". So what's the problem with using AP's shitty stories as long as you attribute? You can't trust their stuff anyway - like a lot of mainstream media. I think they're beginning to feel the winds of change blowing up their collective asses.

Suz · 1 year ago

I think that it depends on how well a site screens their potential blogs. For example, i read two different blogs that write paid content articles for travel-related things. Blog A does it very well, itnerspersing the links with the natural flow of the blogs' voice. Blog B doesn't do it very well- just post after post of paid content. The only reason I read Blog B is because it keeps me up-to-date on the companies paying for advertisements of travel-related items!!!

Suz · 1 year ago

I think that it depends on how well a site screens their potential blogs. For example, i read two different blogs that write paid content articles for travel-related things. Blog A does it very well, itnerspersing the links with the natural flow of the blogs' voice. Blog B doesn't do it very well- just post after post of paid content. The only reason I read Blog B is because it keeps me up-to-date on the companies paying for advertisements of travel-related items!!!

Marketing Minefield · 1 year ago

A couple of years ago I would have responded to this question by saying that the paid content model was pretty much dead. However, recently there seems to be a change - Aaron Wall's SEO Book programme is one example which seems to be working well.

I think the difference now is that paid content models have to be supported by a community. Paid content models for newspaper sites for example don't really work because all you're getting for your money is the content. However, if you're also joining a community that you can interact with, ask questions etc then it becomes a lot more valuable and can work well.

Marketing Minefield · 1 year ago

A couple of years ago I would have responded to this question by saying that the paid content model was pretty much dead. However, recently there seems to be a change - Aaron Wall's SEO Book programme is one example which seems to be working well.

I think the difference now is that paid content models have to be supported by a community. Paid content models for newspaper sites for example don't really work because all you're getting for your money is the content. However, if you're also joining a community that you can interact with, ask questions etc then it becomes a lot more valuable and can work well.

Dennis Edell · 1 year ago

As long as it's unique, it will live.....that's getting harder by the day also.

Dennis Edell · 1 year ago

As long as it's unique, it will live.....that's getting harder by the day also.

Andrew. Lawyer. · 1 year ago

I've got to agree with you, Andy. I think paid content is a huge market that is really ripe for targeting. It's far from dying.

Andrew. Lawyer. · 1 year ago

I've got to agree with you, Andy. I think paid content is a huge market that is really ripe for targeting. It's far from dying.

AxeCity · 1 year ago

I don't think that paid content is likely to die. It really exists and is powerful to a very high extent that makes it so hard to fall off that easy.

AxeCity · 1 year ago

I don't think that paid content is likely to die. It really exists and is powerful to a very high extent that makes it so hard to fall off that easy.

Top Rated · 1 year ago

I've been a paid member of a couple of private content sites over the last year or so, and thought it was a relatively new trend. So, I was a little surprised that some may consider them a dying model. Maybe I've just been a bit out of the loop. I think that depending on the niche, they will be around for a while. SEO for example is constantly changing, and newbies especially may see a benefit of being privy to exclusive paid-only content.

Top Rated · 1 year ago

I've been a paid member of a couple of private content sites over the last year or so, and thought it was a relatively new trend. So, I was a little surprised that some may consider them a dying model. Maybe I've just been a bit out of the loop. I think that depending on the niche, they will be around for a while. SEO for example is constantly changing, and newbies especially may see a benefit of being privy to exclusive paid-only content.

Hendry Lee · 1 year ago

Paid content model is far from dying. It is evolving very quickly in one niche like Internet Marketing, but in other niches, it is just a toddler.

Paid links is not paid content. Make money blogging by selling ad space is just one way to make money with content.

With more and more information flooding the Internet, people need to filter and save time. Add to the fact that, not all information online is TRUE. That is why paid content will become more important in the future.

A community is one benefit, I agree with Marketing Minefield.

Hendry Lee · 1 year ago

Paid content model is far from dying. It is evolving very quickly in one niche like Internet Marketing, but in other niches, it is just a toddler.

Paid links is not paid content. Make money blogging by selling ad space is just one way to make money with content.

With more and more information flooding the Internet, people need to filter and save time. Add to the fact that, not all information online is TRUE. That is why paid content will become more important in the future.

A community is one benefit, I agree with Marketing Minefield.

Mark · 1 year ago

Paid content is is never the quality of original content. I would put it up there almost with auto generated content. In theory it can make you rich with millions flocking to your site. However, the reality is that paid content writers are usually sub par. Sorry to disagree but I think original content is king.

AndyBeard · 1 year ago

Mark it is more a case I would look to offer premium content on this or other sites, not so much paying a license for other content, though I do have rights to tons of 3rd party content and would consider outsourcing.

Mark · 1 year ago

Paid content is is never the quality of original content. I would put it up there almost with auto generated content. In theory it can make you rich with millions flocking to your site. However, the reality is that paid content writers are usually sub par. Sorry to disagree but I think original content is king.

AndyBeard · 1 year ago

Mark it is more a case I would look to offer premium content on this or other sites, not so much paying a license for other content, though I do have rights to tons of 3rd party content and would consider outsourcing.

Michel Rosinski · 1 year ago

Good Premiun Content is the King! I think importent Content will give you a lot of good Traffic and Backlinks, thats why it is such a big business.

Michel Rosinski · 1 year ago

Good Premiun Content is the King! I think importent Content will give you a lot of good Traffic and Backlinks, thats why it is such a big business.

Chris Tucker · 1 year ago

I think the Internet should remain free.

Chris Tucker · 1 year ago

I think the Internet should remain free.

Damien Riley · 1 year ago

Great article Andy. I apologize I haven't read much of Michael Arrington but could I ask a question here? Has he given any rational argument as to why Sponsored posts are so bad? I make 300 or so a month doing them and they are some of my better posts on the blog. But take me with a grain of salt, I'm a blogger in progress learning as much as I can before I start having iron-clad opinions.

Damien Riley · 1 year ago

Great article Andy. I apologize I haven't read much of Michael Arrington but could I ask a question here? Has he given any rational argument as to why Sponsored posts are so bad? I make 300 or so a month doing them and they are some of my better posts on the blog. But take me with a grain of salt, I'm a blogger in progress learning as much as I can before I start having iron-clad opinions.

Nate Nead · 1 year ago

I think paid content is here to stay. If it does begin to go away, it's gonna be quite a while (in my opinion).

Nate Nead · 1 year ago

I think paid content is here to stay. If it does begin to go away, it's gonna be quite a while (in my opinion).

Bluetooth · 1 year ago

Excellent Post indeed!Paid content though does'nt matches original content but works far better than the latter reducig time and energy too!

I feel a customized alvour must be added in the content because that wil keeps the readers intact. Thanks a lot!

Bluetooth · 1 year ago

Excellent Post indeed!Paid content though does'nt matches original content but works far better than the latter reducig time and energy too!

I feel a customized alvour must be added in the content because that wil keeps the readers intact. Thanks a lot!

philip · 1 year ago

Agora makes more money than facebook? really? find that hard to believe.

Paid content isn't going anywhere. With new websites going up everyday, paid content will be here to stay. Paid content is the best way to get good content up fast - there will always be people that can't write that want to start an online business and there will always be people their to write for them. The internet is just going to get bigger, and with that comes paid content services.

philip · 1 year ago

Agora makes more money than facebook? really? find that hard to believe.

Paid content isn't going anywhere. With new websites going up everyday, paid content will be here to stay. Paid content is the best way to get good content up fast - there will always be people that can't write that want to start an online business and there will always be people their to write for them. The internet is just going to get bigger, and with that comes paid content services.

Faina Sechzer, Princeton · 1 year ago

If the blog provides information and is monetized through advertising, paid content is OK, as long as it's quality content. When the blogger wants to engage the readers (for example, real estate blog),the blogger's personality needs to come through. It is harder to achieve with paid content, since it's someone else who is writing.

Faina Sechzer, Princeton · 1 year ago

If the blog provides information and is monetized through advertising, paid content is OK, as long as it's quality content. When the blogger wants to engage the readers (for example, real estate blog),the blogger's personality needs to come through. It is harder to achieve with paid content, since it's someone else who is writing.

Krill Oil · 1 year ago

I don't know, on one hand, I think it is a dying model but on the other hand, I'm quite convinced it can work. Goes both ways, methinks.
But I guess if paid content makes you more money than it's worth, then definitely go for it!

Krill Oil · 1 year ago

I don't know, on one hand, I think it is a dying model but on the other hand, I'm quite convinced it can work. Goes both ways, methinks.
But I guess if paid content makes you more money than it's worth, then definitely go for it!

John · 1 year ago

If content has huge audience it can be free. It will always bring money with PPC ads. But if audience is small (and rich =) it must be paid and expensive. Unique information is expensive.

John · 1 year ago

If content has huge audience it can be free. It will always bring money with PPC ads. But if audience is small (and rich =) it must be paid and expensive. Unique information is expensive.

living in a frugal way · 1 year ago

Strangely I always stayed away from paid content until very recently.

As a slighly more knowledgeable blogger these days I have found sometimes I need to pay to get the content that I am after.

living in a frugal way · 1 year ago

Strangely I always stayed away from paid content until very recently.

As a slighly more knowledgeable blogger these days I have found sometimes I need to pay to get the content that I am after.

Michael Wheeler · 1 year ago

I can see why you may see this as a dying business model but we have recently just launched a site based around this and i have to say the feedback is rather good and hopefully will be around a long time

Michael Wheeler · 1 year ago

I can see why you may see this as a dying business model but we have recently just launched a site based around this and i have to say the feedback is rather good and hopefully will be around a long time

racquel lyle · 1 year ago

I agree to those who said that content is not a dying business as long as you deliver a great and unique content, actually many of the visitors are still looking for a good and quality content so I still believe the business still remain.

racquel lyle · 1 year ago

I agree to those who said that content is not a dying business as long as you deliver a great and unique content, actually many of the visitors are still looking for a good and quality content so I still believe the business still remain.

hank · 1 year ago

The niche will stick around as long as there is buyers and sellers on both sides. Look at big oil companies, there are BETTER options out there, but the the money will flow till the well is dry, and paid content isn't dry yet - maybe starting, but far from dead...

hank · 1 year ago

The niche will stick around as long as there is buyers and sellers on both sides. Look at big oil companies, there are BETTER options out there, but the the money will flow till the well is dry, and paid content isn't dry yet - maybe starting, but far from dead...

Arasys Perfector · 1 year ago

Some people like Brian at Copy Blogger are promoting it as a growing opportunity. He makes a good argument.

Arasys Perfector · 1 year ago

Some people like Brian at Copy Blogger are promoting it as a growing opportunity. He makes a good argument.

Laan · 1 year ago

Excellent - and I totally agree with you. I have never heard about Agora before, so thank you for telling me about that company.

Maybe you can do another post, where you list all of those big companies that control more of the internet than most of us know.

Laan · 1 year ago

Excellent - and I totally agree with you. I have never heard about Agora before, so thank you for telling me about that company.

Maybe you can do another post, where you list all of those big companies that control more of the internet than most of us know.

Russia geek · 1 year ago

I think one hundred years ago there were people who said that there is too much literature around...there is ALWAYS need for good, unique content and there will always be different models of who pays for it.

Russia geek · 1 year ago

I think one hundred years ago there were people who said that there is too much literature around...there is ALWAYS need for good, unique content and there will always be different models of who pays for it.

cats as pet · 1 year ago

Hey all,
My mind says that the paid content business is not something like a risk or it would be a dying business.So this is a good and well business for you.Thanks for sharing advices.Have a nice day

cats as pet · 1 year ago

Hey all,
My mind says that the paid content business is not something like a risk or it would be a dying business.So this is a good and well business for you.Thanks for sharing advices.Have a nice day

sohbet · 1 year ago

Paid content isn't going anywhere. With new websites going up everyday, paid content will be here to stay. Paid content is the best way to get good content up fast - there will always be people that can't write that want to start an online business and there will always be people their to write for them. The internet is just going to get bigger, and with that comes paid content services.

sohbet · 1 year ago

Paid content isn't going anywhere. With new websites going up everyday, paid content will be here to stay. Paid content is the best way to get good content up fast - there will always be people that can't write that want to start an online business and there will always be people their to write for them. The internet is just going to get bigger, and with that comes paid content services.

acarrothers · 1 year ago

I tend to agree with this article that the paid content model is dead. Very hard to create original content that is value-added enough to entice people to pay for it.

acarrothers · 1 year ago

I tend to agree with this article that the paid content model is dead. Very hard to create original content that is value-added enough to entice people to pay for it.

Dave Sherwin · 1 year ago

People can theorize about it all they want, the fact is the market will pay for value.

I am a Stompernet member, and the $797 a month is a big chunk of change, but my online revenue has increased by at least $4,000 a month because of it. So I don't whine and complain about it, it makes me more than it costs.

Dave Sherwin
http://escapethematrix.net/blog

Dave Sherwin · 1 year ago

People can theorize about it all they want, the fact is the market will pay for value.

I am a Stompernet member, and the $797 a month is a big chunk of change, but my online revenue has increased by at least $4,000 a month because of it. So I don't whine and complain about it, it makes me more than it costs.

Dave Sherwin
http://escapethematrix.net/blog

E.Umana · 1 year ago

One man's content is another man's junk. Content will be sought for all the sites/blogs being pushed online daily and

paid content will always,always be sought after to fill that need and in most cases the paid content is of a much higher quality.

E.Umana · 1 year ago

One man's content is another man's junk. Content will be sought for all the sites/blogs being pushed online daily and

paid content will always,always be sought after to fill that need and in most cases the paid content is of a much higher quality.

Jeff Parry · 9 months ago

I'm with Top Rated. It ain't dying.

When something saves the lazy man time, people will pay for it. And paid content SHOULD be a way for people to access good content without traipsing all over the net to find it. Long live paid content - in whatever guise it morphs into.

Jeff Parry · 9 months ago

I'm with Top Rated. It ain't dying.

When something saves the lazy man time, people will pay for it. And paid content SHOULD be a way for people to access good content without traipsing all over the net to find it. Long live paid content - in whatever guise it morphs into.

Free_Dating_Service · 4 months ago

Paid content is like hip-hop....it took a dive, but it's not going anywhere.

Tom · 4 months ago

Interesting, but quite to the contrary I was at a talk recently by Chris Anderson who suggested that the few might lie, to some extent, in paid content. That is a free offering combined with a paid offering for more niche specific content which is specifically relevant to the reader, and which they would feel justified in paying for.

So the big headline stuff would be free, but the nitty gritty details would be paid for content... At least that was my take on it anyway, I hope I didn't mis-understand. Again he was promoting a book about the subject, so perhaps an alternative read.