Bath England
Do you know how most bloggers go gaga over sites like Google?
People believe that Google is the source of blogging success.
Few know that their blog is the source of their success.
Blog owners who pay their domain and hosting:
- own the content
- own the brand
- customize the blog
- monetize the blog
That’s cool. Imagine being the blogging shot caller; what you say, goes.
Yet most bloggers cling to a bizarre belief that marketing channels – not their blogs – form the foundation for organic traffic and blogging income.
Bad idea.
Here’s why……
Sorry YouTube
I hate to put YouTube on blast but the site motivated me to write this post.
For time and space purposes, on today, August 13, 2025, I queried “blogging tips” on YouTube to see these page 1 results from top to bottom:
- a paid advertisement for making courses that sell 100 trillion dollars each month (joking of course but you get the drill)
- a video from 5 years ago stressing the blogging fundamentals critical in 2020 because shit, the video date was from 5 years ago
- a video for bloggers with *2024* in the title, meaning, a video relevant 1 year ago
- more sponsored content
- two more videos from 5 years ago
- one video from last year
Do you understand why Blogging From Paradise Dot Com is the one site that I deeply care about? I own this site. I set the rules. I publish timely content. I keep you updated with the latest trends. I also update content to be relevant; usually every 6-12 months.
Process YouTube Page 1 Results
YouTube is the second most visited search engine on the planet after Google.
Please mentally process the results of the YouTube algorithm for a competitive “blogging tips” search.
I mean not to condemn YouTube; I simply want to prove a point.
The second most influential search engine spits out results from 5 years ago. Think about it. Imagine bending over backwards to rank on a site whose algorithm is broken enough to claim that a page 1 result with “2024” in the freaking title is relevant, accurate and trusted. Why would you seemingly base your blogging career, from your organic traffic and income, on such a ridiculous algorithm?
It *is* ridiculous to rely on an algorithm spitting out dated, irrelevant content from 1 to 5 years ago.
Am I supposed to deeply value ranking for a site that offers partially irrelevant results on page 1?
Some page 1 content from those videos appears to be fairly evergreen. But I am not in the “partial” or “sometimes” business here on Blogging From Paradise Dot Com. I give you the straight blogging dope right now.
Even page 1 of Google is not necessarily a prize. Oops; I went there. Most bloggers worship at the Google altar before optimizing posts for the Big G. But it is not an infallible traffic source. Some page 1 results may be irrelevant.
I queried “blogging tips” a moment ago. Good on Google for ranking Blogging From Paradise Dot Com at position 4 for visitors yet some content flowing from Reddit is woefully outdated because Reddit users do not typically possess 10, 15 or like me, 17 years of blogging experience. I have been in the blogging trenches for 17 years. My blog reflects this level of expertise. Most Reddit users cannot make the same claim yet Reddit posts pop up prominently on page 1 for competitive blogging keywords like “blogging tips”.
Never take this post to be a grievance but a warning about reliance.
Imagine contorting yourself like a blogging pretzel for Google because one believes Google is THE source of blog traffic and blogging income. After blogging your ass to the bone for 3 years to placate the search engine gods you see a Reddit post at position 1 page 1 filled with the invaluable tip to “add your blog post link to your Reddit profile” as a rarely talked about blogging tip?
I hate to bust balls here but goodness gracious guys; I basically copied and pasted the above talisman of blogging wisdom. For a “blogging tips” search from the most allegedly revered, almighty, organic sources of blog traffic and blogging income, adding your blog link to your Reddit profile is the most vital blogging tip?
Do you understand why I do not put stock in Google or YouTube?
Trees grow from roots to the trunk not from the branches.
Think that one through.
Google is one possible branch that points to your blog. But branches wither and fall off sometimes. Storms remove branches. Rot does its job as Father Time saps life force from the branch. Google – being a branch – is prone to being a less credible traffic source from time to time.
Do You Want to Depend on THAT?
Some of the page 1 content on Google via Reddit is mildly helpful yet do you really want to depend on that algorithm to prosper you?
Some of the page 1 Google advice is funny but do you live your dreams through blogging by coming across – and trusting – funny advice on page 1 of Google? Seriously?
What Is the Answer?
Go balls to the wall on your blog.
Go all in.
Publish heavily targeted content consistently. Attract a high quality reader by publishing highly-detailed content to baby step your avatar (perfect reader) from problem to solution.
Publish helpful, targeted content offsite to sources like:
- X
- Threads
Run groups on Facebook and LinkedIn. Publish highly targeted content for these collectives.
Patiently allow the fruits of your work to drive organic traffic and blogging income.
Make your blog the source of your success.
Treat your blog like home base.
Perceive Google to be one branch.
Perceive X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Threads to be branches.
Guest blog. Drop genuine blog comments. Add two branches through these strategies.
The roots and the tree trunk are the base. Make ’em strong. Invest in your domain and hosting. Publish highly targeted, practical content consistently. Follow the fundamentals for a while.
Conclusion
Make your blog the center of your online universe.
Stop focusing on the branches.
Make the roots and trunk strong.
