Blog Topics That Make Money: Niches and How They Earn

By Michael AustinOwner and Editor

Updated Oct 2, 2026Published Sep 25, 20179 min read

Blog topics that make money are niches whose readers attract advertisers and buy related products, such as personal finance, health, food, parenting, skills and hobbies. A blog earns through display ads (Google AdSense pays publishers 80% of revenue after the advertiser platform’s fee), affiliate commissions (Amazon Associates pays 0% to 10% by category) and disclosed sponsorships.

The trend for blogging on the internet showed no signs of slowing down as 2017 drew to a close. The top bloggers generating the highest numbers of views have been able to earn small fortunes from their blogs in recent years with some even attaining celebrity status and appearing on TV and in the news.

Hot and Trending Blog Ideas & Topics

Of course this only attracts other bloggers to try to get a piece of the action by creating their own similar blogs with the aim of building large numbers of subscribers of their own in order to generate an income.

Unlike popular television shows like Strictly or Bake-off, with broad appeal to a wide cross-section of society, each blog can have very specific types of fans and followers, who buy into the lifestyle the blogs are offering.

Over time the content of blogs slowly changes, sometimes mirroring trends in society and sometimes shaping it. The trend of “reaction” and “response” content continues, where bloggers are inspired by each other’s content to create their own blogs giving their own thoughts on the subject.

Experiential blogging was still a key trend as 2017 drew to a close, a trend which started some years ago but is still very popular with increasing numbers of new entrants. Personal development, entrepreneurship and healthy eating blogs are still generating high volumes of web traffic, but recently there have been newer entries into the top blogging categories include back to nature skills and nature topics, blogs particularly focusing on real-life and honest parenting experiences and finally blogs dealing with some deep philosophical questions around the meaning of life. We take a closer look at each of these three key emerging trends.

The first trend relates to a fast-growing interest in learning new skills, but this time with a twist. These are skills which are new to the majority of the audience although in fact they have been around for hundreds or even thousands of years, but are now often overlooked or forgotten as they are unneeded in the modern world. A typical example is a video about learning to be a blacksmith.

As a reaction to our ever more technologically-advanced modern world, this trend also extends to blogs on the simpler things in life. A good example of this is a video with an in-depth guide to – wait for it – making mud bricks. Another one for aspiring builders is on the subject of how to make Roman concrete.

Some bloggers take it one step further, filming themselves spending time alone miles away from civilisation surviving in very basic conditions.

The second key trend for the second half of 2017 was parenting stories, an area which has seen great growth recently. This is where parents – both mums and dads – share their experiences of parenthood. A key theme is their struggle to live up to the demanding expectations society has of them to be the perfect parent.

These are a type of backlash against the high standards set by earlier bloggers who appear to have had the perfect life packed with fulfillment and happiness. Judging by the viewing statistics, these are very popular, striking a chord with many people.

Examples include a mother’s experiences of not saying no to her children for a week, or another mother trying to be a “Pinterest mom” for a week. These are a new take on an old topic and consist of honest and humorous content underpinned with a serious message.

The final trend emerging is perhaps the most surprising one, dealing with questions of philosophy and even existence itself, providing answers to many deep and meaningful questions about the meaning of life. The topics are tackled in an engaging and easy to understand way so that complicated subjects become easier to understand. Examples of philosophical blog topics include asking whether we are all actually living our lives in a simulation, how much our souls are worth and whether reality is real or not.

These are key questions chewed over by countless humans over the millennia including questions of life, death, the origins of life and even moving onto popular science such as why black holes could delete the universe. 🙂

How Do Blogs Actually Make Money?

Blogs make money through four main models: display advertising, affiliate commissions, sponsored content and the blogger’s own products or services. The trends described above only turn into income when the topic fits at least one of these models.

Display advertising (Google AdSense and ad networks)

Google AdSense is the most common entry point for display ads. According to Google’s AdSense Help Center, publishers receive 80% of revenue for AdSense for content after the advertiser platform takes its fee, and about 68% when advertisers buy display ads through Google Ads.

AdSense applicants must be at least 18 years old, must own the site and be able to edit its HTML source, and must publish original, high-quality content that complies with AdSense program policies. Google pays once earnings reach the payment threshold, which is $100 for accounts paid in US dollars, and issues payments between the 21st and the 26th of the month.

Larger blogs often move to managed ad networks. As of October 2026, Mediavine’s published requirements state that a site must generate at least $5,000 in annual ad revenue, while its entry-level program, Journey by Mediavine, requires at least 1,000 sessions from Tier 1 countries (including the US, Canada, the UK and Australia) within a 30-day period.

Affiliate commissions

Affiliate marketing pays the blogger a percentage of sales made through tracked links. Amazon Associates is the best-known program, and its commission rate depends on the product category, so the blog topic directly sets the possible payout. A step-by-step introduction is in this guide on how to start affiliate marketing and earn from it.

Rates are as listed on the Amazon Associates standard commission income statement, checked in October 2026. Amazon can change these rates, so check the current statement before planning a blog around one category.

Sponsored posts and brand deals

Brands pay bloggers to review or feature products, but the content must say so. The US Federal Trade Commission’s Endorsement Guides, revised in 2023, say that a connection between an endorser and a marketer, such as payment, free products or affiliate commissions, must be disclosed clearly and conspicuously when it could affect how readers evaluate the endorsement. The FTC gives simple wording such as “Ad” or “Paid partnership”, placed where readers will notice it, as examples.

Which Blog Topics Make the Most Money?

No official ranking of the most profitable blog topics exists, because income depends on traffic, audience location and the revenue model rather than on the topic alone. The table below maps the topics covered in this article to the revenue models that suit them, using the Amazon Associates rates above as one checkable reference point.

Why Do Health and Money Topics Need Extra Care?

Health and finance blogs are “Your Money or Your Life” (YMYL) topics. Google Search Central’s guidance on helpful content says that for topics that can affect health, financial stability or safety, Google’s systems give even more weight to content that shows strong E-E-A-T (experience, expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness), and that trust is the most important of the four.

In practice, a blogger entering a YMYL niche should cite primary sources, show who wrote each article and why that person is qualified, and avoid individual medical or financial advice. Google also warns against content made mainly to attract search visits and against using extensive automation to produce content on many topics.

How to Choose a Blog Topic That Can Make Money

1. Start with real knowledge or experience. Google’s guidance asks whether content shows first-hand expertise and a depth of knowledge, which is easier in a subject the writer already knows.
2. Check the revenue model before writing. List the products, ad demand or services the topic supports; a topic with nothing to sell or advertise will struggle to earn.
3. Look up the affiliate rates. Compare the commission rates for the topic’s main product categories, such as the Amazon Associates table above.
4. Plan the content in advance. A written plan, like the one in this guide to developing a year-long content strategy, keeps a niche blog publishing consistently.
5. Choose the format. Several of the trends in this article, such as blacksmithing and mud-brick videos, are video-first; this comparison of blogging and vlogging helps decide between them.
6. Write for readers first. Original, high-quality content is an AdSense requirement and a Google principle; see how to write quality content for your blog.

Common Mistakes When Monetizing a Blog

• Applying for ads too early: AdSense requires original, policy-compliant content, and Mediavine sets a $5,000 annual ad revenue minimum.
• Hiding sponsorships: the FTC Endorsement Guides require clear disclosure of payments, free products and affiliate commissions.
• Choosing low-commission categories by accident: grocery earns 1.00% and gift cards 0.00% on Amazon Associates.
• Mass-producing thin articles: Google warns against content made mainly for search engines and extensive automation across many topics.

For a broader view of turning traffic into income, see how to turn a blog into a money-making machine.

Written byMichael AustinOwner and Editor

Michael Austin is the current owner of Justwebworld and manages the platform’s editorial direction, content strategy, and digital publishing operations. With a strong interest in online media and modern publishing, he focuses on creating informative, engaging, and easy-to-understand content across multiple categories. Under his leadership, Justwebworld continues to grow as a trusted multi-niche digital publication covering technology, business, lifestyle, automotive, sports, travel, and trending internet topics for readers worldwide.

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