“Without Google traffic your blog is dead.“
Maybe. You could be right.
Or not.
People drive traffic through email. People drive traffic through guest blogging. People drive traffic through social media.
“Yeah; but Google is the most dependable source of quality blog traffic.”
I agree.
But I also see a flaw.
The most dependable source of quality blog traffic is not the only source of dependable blog traffic. Google traffic is king. I cannot debate this truth. But what about the billions who use Facebook? Do none of these people query terms? Do none of these people join groups to get answers? People look for answers on Facebook like Google. No; not as frequently as one looks for answers on Google. Yet billions use the site. Imagine how many want answers from your blogging niche? Based on this logic, I perceive Facebook to be a dependable blog traffic source.
Agreeing with a specific school of thought solidifies the belief system in mind. Most bloggers believe they need Google traffic to exist. This is not true but it is what most believe. Guest blogging traffic rocks. Social media traffic rocks. Some people get turned onto blogging only after reading my blogging tips on X and Facebook. I make the traffic, sometimes, at least. My content triggers a light bulb in someone’s mind. Is that not dependable?
People learn about blogging by Googling terms and by finding content on sites other than Google which inspire them to learn more about blogging.
Google is the best but not only quality traffic source.
Never turn down Google traffic.
Look to other sources to wean yourself off of The Big G; at least a little bit.
Agreeing with an idea makes this part of your belief system. Relying on Google for traffic and income hurts most bloggers who compete – and lose to – the blogging big dawgs. Big dawgs dominate top keywords. Smart bloggers pinpoint long tail keywords. But would guest blogging round out your blog traffic? Would genuine blog commenting grow your blogger friend network? Would social media marketing tap you into half of the world’s population?
Expand Your Belief System to Diversify Traffic
Look closely at the wealthiest people on earth.
Top business builders diversify. Some specialize in building their name and serious cheddah. Fortunes come later, with diversification. Billionaires are into everything.
Wise bloggers are into multiple traffic sources. Google sends high quality traffic. Guest blogging sends high quality traffic. Email marketing sends high quality traffic. Social media sends traffic too.
Spread Yourself Too Thin
Figure out your potential.
Spread yourself too thin; temporarily, at least. Over diversify. Become overwhelmed. Get swamped. Dissipate your focus.
Reach this point to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Reach this point to blog abundantly.
Change course but do so after stretching the limits of your blogging comfort zone. Diversify traffic sources.
I test my blogging limits. Taking this tact establishes a broad traffic pool. I target to drive quality blog traffic. Yet the range widens via:
- social media marketing
- email marketing
- X
- Mastodon
- Blue Sky
- Threads
I specialize with X, Facebook and LinkedIn. I give most attention to these big three o’ mine. Specializing adds power to each stream.
I diversify to cast a wide blogging net.
Drive a heavy volume of blog traffic through a few channels. Diversify to create a traffic trickle through 5-10 extra channels.
I blogged this way after challenging my belief system. I looked closely at what I agreed with. No; not “who” but “what”.
I follow credible bloggers who do an excellent job teaching practical strategies. I agree with their strategies by and large in terms of the overall effectiveness. Each is on their right track.
By observing what I agree with and changing direction, I blog on my right blogging track.
Neither party is right or wrong.
Different strategies work for different people.
Ryan Biddulph is the owner and creator of Blogging From Paradise Dot Com.
Related posts:
6 Tips to Google Proof Your Blog
Why Google Is Not the Best Source of Blog Traffic
Blogging From Paradise: Do You Need Google?
Is Google the Source of Targeted Traffic and Blogging Income?
What Social Media Secret Flies by Bloggers?
5 Warnings Signs that You Need to Develop Blogging Confidence
Do You Prioritize Your Blog?
What Can You Control as a Blogger?
Hi Ryan, I recently found out that Instagram brings me quite a bit of traffic after we were able to connect 4 socials in Google Search Console to view stats. I was quite taken aback by it. And X is doing less for me these days than before. (For the first time in 15+ years!). So always check the data and stats on something before agreeing, whether it’s about blogging, politics today or life itself.
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for letting me know. Fascinating to see that growth over there. I abandoned Instagram because it never worked for me. I will dig a little deeper and test it. Agree on all counts because the stats may paint a different picture than belief systems.
Travel Blogging is a highly competitive niche. Social media is flooded with influencers.. people seem to love that shit over the stuff i bash out.
Google is my main traffic source.. (everything i post is intel so everything is Google-able) Social media according to GA sends me 10 or 20 a day.
Despite my efforts SM traffic has not increased at all.
Was told i am on the wrong side of 30
Getting clear internally is difficult but do-able. The trick, or step, is to gradually mentally let go of criticism, dwindling stats and the world’s take in general. I liken it to wearing blinders but in a good way. You focus exclusively on publishing excellent travel content – as you do – and not on the flooded social media travel blogger influencer scene, the general obsession with shallow content, metrics and jeering critics.
Full transparency Trevor; it took me years to become aware of my thoughts. I began to change my focus from the resistance – the stuff you mention, which does appear to be daunting – to not only the process but to the folks who organically increased my targeted traffic and blogging income.
You are doing a good job so far because your content is top shelf. Now you are in the phase of thinking super long term in terms of metrics; every 3 months, every 6 months then beyond. When you are thinking in terms of 6-12 months the daily or weekly or even monthly GA numbers will be nothing because your strong patience makes it so.
Again….challenging at first! I know. I went through the same process. But it works wonders as far as defeating blogging-related anxieties which organically amplifies your success.
No matter what GA, social media or a few bitter people say, I believe fully in your blog, your content and your vast travel experience. You are 100% on the right track. Best in the business, as far as truly practical content delivered from a genuine perspective.