Ok, I admit - AutoBlogs are Dying

by enderZ
39 replies
Ok, not too long ago (but before the Panda update) I wrote a post here about how to succeed in autoblogging:
http://www.warriorforum.com/adsense-...oblogging.html

Now, I think differently. Although most of my autoblogs survived I believe that autoblogs are dying. There will always be those few who will survive cause they are special, Darwin theories will work also for autoblogs.
But autoblogs as we know them are dying.

Before all you autoblog lovers start bashing me, I want to clarify few points:
1. I loved (and in a way still love) autobloging
2. They are not dead yet, just dying
3. I'm still making a decent income from autoblogs like many of my "autoblog friends", but I don't recommend it anymore, if you are not in it yet, don't get into it.

Here is why:
Google put autoblogs as one of their main targets. For now, it is possible to get away if you know what you are doing, but - if you are not already there, why would you like to start something that from day one you know that one of the big players (Google) hates you?!

I'll show you how you can still succeed in autoblogging and then I'll tell you why, it's still not recommended in my view:

If you create an autoblog and make it grow really slow and don't let it get bigger than ~2000 posts (I do have 3000 posts autoblogs that are still alive, but I think 2000 posts is safer).

I know, I know there are quite a few autoblogs out there that Google still loves with tens of thoussands of posts, but not as many s there used to be and every day Google turns its back to the "big guys".

The "small" (<3000 posts) autoblogs are surviving well and even see growth in traffic.

So, what the problem, all you have to do is create autoblogs that are growing slowly and stop their growth at 2000, right? Wrong!

From my experience, if you grow your autoblogs slowly (~3 posts a day on average) it will take you a year until you'll start seeing reasonable monthly income.

Even if you will create tons of autoblogs, you will still have to wait 6-12 months.

Aren't there better options? Why risk 6-12 months building autoblogs empire when you know that you are Googles target?

Those of us who started their autoblogs several years ago and didn't get "big eyes" and kept each autoblog relatively slow might have the luck to enjoy profits for a long time (hopefully). But, most of the time invested in autoblogs is at the start, so now we are mostly enjoying.

But, for newbies, you will have to work hard in the first few months and I don't think it worth the risk when you have so many other good options.

Just my 3 cents
#admit #autoblogs #dying
  • Profile picture of the author Karen Barr
    Thanks for giving your experience on this. Auto-blogs are something I've been looking into and wondering if I should give them a whirl. But your information seems logical, and I think I'll be giving it a miss. Cheers!
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    • Profile picture of the author LooseChange
      Autoblogs deserve to die a painful death. If someone can't come up with enough ingenuity to write their own original posts and relies on scraping content from others' hard work, they deserve what's coming to them.

      In this world, there is no real way to "get rich quick" without work - taking shortcuts is an occupational hazard. Nobody ever gets rich by cutting corners.

      Then again, the more slackers who take shortcuts makes way for those of us who thrive on originality and hard work.
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      • Profile picture of the author enderZ
        Originally Posted by LooseChange View Post

        Autoblogs deserve to die a painful death. If someone can't come up with enough ingenuity to write their own original posts and relies on scraping content from others' hard work, they deserve what's coming to them.
        Wrong, I pray to the god of content that people will scrape my posts and spread it all over sending me some link love and traffic. I know there are 1 or 2 people thinking like me, and hmm... it appears a site or two allowing it in their TOS...

        Originally Posted by LooseChange View Post

        In this world, there is no real way to "get rich quick" without work - taking shortcuts is an occupational hazard. Nobody ever gets rich by cutting corners.
        Wrong again, in 2 ways:
        1. Who says autoblogging is without work
        2. I know personally several quite rich dudes that did it by cutting corners and taking serious shortcuts. Btw, there is that stupid unknown site called ted.com, there are some presentations there by several "insignificant" researchers that changed the world as we know it by taking shortcuts.

        Originally Posted by LooseChange View Post

        ...those of us who thrive on originality and hard work.
        I hope that those of you are those who criticize less what they don't understand and put their energies more in positive tracks.

        I can't believe that it looks like I'm defending autoblogs, they are dying, let them die peacefully
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  • Profile picture of the author youpiz
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    • Profile picture of the author SonnyYoung
      Speaking as an Internet user, it is hugely annoying when you are looking for hard information and click on an obviously automated site. I've come across sites that are pure gibberish--all except the ads, of course. Derivative articles are next. On the other hand, I've come across sites that provide so much value/content, that I was inspired to do the same with my own. You can't blame Google for trying to float quality sites to the top.
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      • Profile picture of the author Almo99
        Originally Posted by SonnyYoung View Post

        Speaking as an Internet user, it is hugely annoying when you are looking for hard information and click on an obviously automated site. I've come across sites that are pure gibberish--all except the ads, of course. Derivative articles are next. On the other hand, I've come across sites that provide so much value/content, that I was inspired to do the same with my own. You can't blame Google for trying to float quality sites to the top.

        I have to agree with you. I started up an autoblog but then it occurred to me that all I was doing was regurgitating other people's spam and out- bound links. I couldn't see the point and I deleted everything.

        I'd like to know some of the other options that can generate a decent return on my time though. I don't think there is any point in promoting poor content when it is the goal of Google to eliminate it.
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        • Originally Posted by Almo99 View Post

          I have to agree with you. I started up an autoblog but then it occurred to me that all I was doing was regurgitating other people's spam and out- bound links. I couldn't see the point and I deleted everything.
          Sounds to me like you're making the right decision. If you're not willing to edit for content, then you shouldn't start an autoblog. It's not an In$tant Internet Money Machine.

          I don't see much difference between a blog full of original but crappy articles and an autoblog full of crappy articles.

          fLufF
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          • Profile picture of the author ezeway
            Thanks for info. Anyway, "dying" of autoblogs can take years... I don't think they will be gone soon
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            • Profile picture of the author enderZ
              Originally Posted by ezeway View Post

              Thanks for info. Anyway, "dying" of autoblogs can take years... I don't think they will be gone soon
              You are right, it will take years for some, but when one dies it dies immediately.

              Anyway, I wonder what evolution will bring and what specie will survive
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  • Profile picture of the author Rsberg
    I would agree that the typical autoblog is dying.

    We all know the type I am talking about...

    The blogs that people throw plugins on that automatically scrape content from sites all over the net without care or consideration given to the quality or relativity of the content being posted, not to mention the lack of linking back to the original source. Those types of autoblogs are certainly dying and I for one am happy they are.

    I know autobloggers that are building quality added semi-auto blogs (meaning the content is managed and reviewed MUCH better than a standard autoblog) who add in unique content and also post content from several sources (not just article directories and YouTube) and I don't think those will go anywhere any time soon.

    I'm sure there will be several posts from those who don't like autoblogs trying to debate my post and that's OK...I honestly don’t care about most of their opinions anyway
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  • Profile picture of the author Fazal Mayar
    im happy because i dont find autoblogs really a great way to make money
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  • Profile picture of the author ClickPimpsta
    Autoblogs are still great for getting your backlinks indexed, if not for making money off of them directly.

    The trick is to grow them slow as the OP stated, so they continue to fly under the radar.
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    • Profile picture of the author enderZ
      Originally Posted by ClickPimpsta View Post

      Autoblogs are still great for getting your backlinks indexed, if not for making money off of them directly.

      The trick is to grow them slow as the OP stated, so they continue to fly under the radar.
      You are right they are ok for backlinks, but since the Panda updates their BL power is diminished, but still they do have power.
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  • Profile picture of the author Vladutz
    Thanks for the great post...Its exactly what i needed.
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    • Profile picture of the author enderZ
      Originally Posted by vladmm View Post

      Thanks for the great post...Its exactly what i needed.
      Happy I helped
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  • Profile picture of the author SeanLee
    Are you sure autoblogs are dying ?

    My IM idol, Sean Donahoe doesn't say that in his recent course : "Extreme Niche Empires".


    Actually, he is always using autoblogs if I'm not wrong.
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    • Profile picture of the author enderZ
      Originally Posted by SeanLee View Post

      Are you sure autoblogs are dying ?

      My IM idol, Sean Donahoe doesn't say that in his recent course : "Extreme Niche Empires".


      Actually, he is always using autoblogs if I'm not wrong.
      Answer:

      Originally Posted by Cigar2010 View Post

      It is dying not dead
      Autoblogs as we now them are dying (maybe a new evolution will arrive though, who knows...) of that I'm sure (although as my mom stated so many time - I'm only human and might be wrong )

      Originally Posted by Cigar2010 View Post

      It is dying not dead,I agree,What is the options when you talk "so many other good options"?
      Wow... there are really so many other options. Those of us who did autoblogs know that eventually to make money you need to put work into it and it is far from automatic.

      I realized that paying for unique and high quality original content (that can cost you as low as 1$ for 500 words) opens a whole sets of options that are even more automated (when working with VA).
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      • Profile picture of the author warfore
        Autoblogs are viable but they take work to set up properly. You can't turn on the plugins and forget. Read the review of one of the better courses in my sig.
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      • Profile picture of the author JackPowers
        Originally Posted by enderZ View Post

        I realized that paying for unique and high quality original content (that can cost you as low as 1$ for 500 words) opens a whole sets of options that are even more automated (when working with VA).
        Hahaha! Good one!
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  • Profile picture of the author Cigar2010
    It is dying not dead,I agree,What is the options when you talk "so many other good options"?
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  • Profile picture of the author StatCentric
    Destroying the web, one blog full of garbage content at a time. GOD forbid, we didn't have Google trying to keep the rankings somewhat clean by filtering out useless garbage content when we go to search for something. Eventually we'll be overrun by our own trash. I don't think i'll shed a tear if autoblogs die.
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    • Profile picture of the author EagleImagery
      Originally Posted by StatCentric View Post

      Destroying the web, one blog full of garbage content at a time. GOD forbid, we didn't have Google trying to keep the rankings somewhat clean by filtering out useless garbage content when we go to search for something. Eventually we'll be overrun by our own trash. I don't think i'll shed a tear if autoblogs die.
      Quoted for truth.
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  • Profile picture of the author TheSEguy
    auto blogs are just as good as the one post wonders most spam tools give give you, so in a nut shell dont waste your time starting any but if you already have loads then i guess its fine.
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    • Profile picture of the author mikestewart
      I think your right. Not dead yet though. I only use the auto plugins to post amazon ads now. No more article scraping, etc.. Too much junk!
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  • Profile picture of the author TLCarroll
    This has not been my experience at all. In fact, quite the opposite.

    Your mileage, of course, may vary.
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  • Profile picture of the author website12
    Banned
    I also think they are dead when the google update happened a lost half my traffic form them.
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    • Profile picture of the author enderZ
      Originally Posted by website12 View Post

      I also think they are dead when the google update happened a lost half my traffic form them.
      Originally Posted by TLCarroll View Post

      This has not been my experience at all. In fact, quite the opposite.

      Your mileage, of course, may vary.

      These contradiction imply the process of dying and not yet a RIP state...
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  • Profile picture of the author Rsberg
    I honestly believe that those autobloggers who have built poor quality autoblogs will continue to see drops in the SERPS but those who made sure to build quality added autoblogs will continue to see success for a long time to come. There are far too many people reporting increased traffic for the method to be dead or even dying as a whole.

    In fact, if you do some research here on the WF I think you will find more people reporting increased rankings and traffic (post Panda) than you will the opposite. There has to be a reason for this and the only thing that makes sense is that the lower quality blogs are being weeded out which is allowing the blogs that actually offer value to rise to the top.
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    • Profile picture of the author oneplusone
      Originally Posted by Rsberg View Post

      I honestly believe that those autobloggers who have built poor quality autoblogs will continue to see drops in the SERPS but those who made sure to build quality added autoblogs will continue to see success for a long time to come. There are far too many people reporting increased traffic for the method to be dead or even dying as a whole.

      In fact, if you do some research here on the WF I think you will find more people reporting increased rankings and traffic (post Panda) than you will the opposite. There has to be a reason for this and the only thing that makes sense is that the lower quality blogs are being weeded out which is allowing the blogs that actually offer value to rise to the top.
      I think part of the problem is how people define autoblogs.

      Most people don't define autoblogs the way you do, in their mind they're something totally different to what you're doing.
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      • Profile picture of the author CDarklock
        Originally Posted by oneplusone View Post

        Most people don't define autoblogs the way you do
        Most people define "law" differently than lawyers do, and "medicine" differently than doctors do, and "programming" differently than programmers do.

        This is because they do not know any better.

        But most people would not try to ARGUE THE POINT that because more people define the term this way, the professional who makes his living from it is wrong.

        Because that would be stupid.
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        • Profile picture of the author myob
          Originally Posted by ClickPimpsta View Post

          Autoblogs are still great for getting your backlinks indexed, if not for making money off of them directly.

          The trick is to grow them slow as the OP stated, so they continue to fly under the radar.
          Originally Posted by Dean Jackson View Post

          If there's one thing Googles set on killing, it's autogenerated content by lazy ass marketers. I personally think Panda was just the start of their clean up.

          ... besides, it just makes sense to build a REAL business that won't die with 1 fowl swoop.

          Dean

          Don't these quotes look cute together?
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          • Profile picture of the author oneplusone
            Originally Posted by myob View Post

            Don't these quotes look cute together?
            I preferred the Einstein and Mark Twain quotes that you've been posting recently.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dean Jackson
    If there's one thing Googles set on killing, it's autogenerated content by lazy ass marketers. I personally think Panda was just the start of their clean up.

    ... besides, it just makes sense to build a REAL business that won't die with 1 fowl swoop.

    Dean
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    • Profile picture of the author enderZ
      Originally Posted by Dean Jackson View Post

      If there's one thing Googles set on killing, it's autogenerated content by lazy ass marketers. I personally think Panda was just the start of their clean up.

      ... besides, it just makes sense to build a REAL business that won't die with 1 fowl swoop.

      Dean
      Yeap, yeap and yeap
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      • Profile picture of the author Marian
        Autoblogs are dead, long live automated blogging!

        Love these topics

        Marian
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        • Profile picture of the author TLCarroll
          Originally Posted by Marian View Post

          Autoblogs are dead, long live automated blogging!

          Love these topics

          Marian
          This may be the best post I've seen regarding this issue because they are NOT THE SAME and the naysayers insist upon saying that blogs that are created using AUTOMATION to bring FRESH QUALITY CONTENT are the same as blogs that use automation to scrape inferior content from other sites.

          No matter how many times myself and others who use automation to build/maintain blogs with quality content try to explain that we DO NOT SCRAPE inferior content from others sites, there are those who choose to continue perpetuating this falsehood. And newbies who don't know the difference, believe the falsehoods.

          Building QUALITY blogs that update automatically with FRESH QUALITY content are extremely successful. LEARN HOW TO DO IT CORRECTLY AND YOU WILL HAVE LONGRUNNING RESIDUAL INCOME. Period.

          I choose not to share my urls or income on the forum, because frankly it's no one's business but my own however blogging is a successful moneymaking method, finding a way to automate blogging is a VERY successful moneymaking method and if you can combine your keyword research with software that not only builds your blogs but also pulls from your library of content to post on your sites on a schedule, inserts your revenue streams (Adsense ads, Clickbank, Amazon, etc) and all at the touch of a few buttons, YOU CAN'T HELP BUT MAKE MONEY. LOTS OF IT.

          Anyone who tells you differently either has no idea what they're talking about or is deliberately keeping facts about this from you to keep you from succeeding in this area.

          And to the inexperienced non-believers who consistantly ask "How do you keep track of numerous blogs???", YOU DO IT. You use a spreadsheet, some use software. You find a way that works for you. As many people there are doing this, that's how many ways people have found/invented to manage thier blog empires. Believe it or not, there are people who have blog empires in the HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS. And they manage them.

          Stop whining and looking for ways that this can't work. IT WORKS. You might have to adapt your methods slightly as time goes on, but IT WORKS. PERIOD. Sheesh.
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  • Profile picture of the author TroyNotes
    What does google do really? it aggregates the best content. What does a newspaper do with its AP syndication network. Aggregates and localizes content. Neither of them generate 100% of the content.

    Quality Agreggation is and will continue to be rewarded as the amount of information (good and crap alike) grows exponentially).

    If Autoblogs were closer to google and newspapers they would be valuable. Blindly scraping 20K pages on dog training is too vague to be useful to hardly anybody.

    Having tried, I don't see that a good autoblog is significantly cheaper than running original content that you actually care about. But perhaps I was doing it wrong.
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  • Profile picture of the author vanalli
    Interesting post. I was considering spending $$$ on an autoblog network, but am starting to think I made the right move by avoiding it. I have one autoblog that seems to be doing ok, but I don't want to get too caught up in the whole thing.
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  • Profile picture of the author genny
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    • Profile picture of the author TLCarroll
      Originally Posted by genny View Post

      thanks for sharing this brother
      Um. Sister, not brother. LOL
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      The Revolution is in progress since Spring of 2007!
      "I only want to do it once, by myself, for free and never touch it again...EVER...then I'll retire."

      Watch this sig for updates!
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  • Profile picture of the author Scott Skinner
    I think that the "junk" auto blogs are dead and the ones that are left will be gone soon.

    All blogs have to be automated to one extent or the other. The search engines are honing in on "user experience." AND will continue to do so for quite some time. Quality, Originality and Relevance are your friends, or they are truly enemies to be feared.

    Doesn't matter if it's a blog or html website, it takes a lot of time and effort to get it profitable. Give the search engines what they want and you'll be fine!

    The gravy train has changed course, follow it or get left behind. Just my 2 cents...
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