Build-in-Public – Episode 24 – Tips for Spying on Ad Networks

Today marks day 24 of my 30-day challenge. Exciting updates have come out about Google’s latest strategic move involving AI-generated content. Initially, Google was hesitant to include AI content in search results. Now, they seem to have shifted direction, deciding to pay publishers to utilize a new AI tool they’ve developed. This tool will pull information from various reliable sources and create articles, which will be published and paid for by Google.

Additionally, I have a tip for those looking to validate their niche ideas. Using the sellers.json files from ad networks like Mediavine can be incredibly insightful. By scraping this data, you can identify which sites are performing well enough to join these networks, helping you gain ideas and validation for your niche site projects. Recipe sites, in particular, tend to do well. Incorporating a recipe component might be a good strategy if it fits within your niche.

Key Takeaways

  • Google is paying publishers to use its new AI-generated content tool.
  • Validating niche ideas using sellers.json files can provide valuable insights.
  • Recipe sites often perform well in ad networks and can be beneficial for niche projects.

Google’s AI Content Approach

Early Perspective on AI Writing

Google initially conveyed a mixed message regarding AI-generated content. They first insisted on keeping AI-written materials out of search results. Realizing the difficulty in enforcing this, Google then shifted their focus, emphasizing that the content should primarily be written for human audiences rather than centering on the AI aspect.

AI Creation Tool for Media Outlets

Google is now developing a generative AI tool for publishers. This tool gathers information from various reliable sources, such as government websites, and creates new articles based on that data. Google plans to provide this service free of charge to publishers and will pay them substantial amounts to use it. The idea is to offer publishers articles generated through this tool, which could range from small to quite large payouts.

Theories on Google’s Strategy

The motives behind these actions are under speculation. There are thoughts that Google might use this AI tool to perfect detection methods for AI-generated content. Alternatively, the more plausible theory is that Google might eventually take over the content creation process, eliminating the need for third-party publishers. This move could signal Google’s intent to compete directly as a content publisher, leveraging their AI capabilities. This transition reflects earlier practices like article spinning but with advanced generative AI technology.

Identifying and Assessing Market Niches

Gaining Market Insights with Sellers.Json Files

An essential tool for finding profitable niches is the sellers.json file available on several ad networks. This file lists all the publishers displaying ads. By analyzing these lists, you can identify successful websites and determine the niches they operate within. For example, ad networks like Mediavine require websites to have at least 50,000 sessions per month, while AdThrive requires 100,000 sessions. If websites are accepted into these networks, it indicates they perform well and attract substantial traffic. Exploring these lists can provide valuable insights into which niches are currently thriving. Additionally, you can gain inspiration for your projects or validate your niche ideas by visiting these websites to see the type of content they offer.

Patterns Among Recipe Websites on Ad Networks

While examining the sellers.json data, a noticeable trend is the presence of many recipe websites. Food-related sites, especially those focusing on recipes, tend to perform well on ad networks like Mediavine and AdThrive. Examples include websites offering various culinary information and recipe collections.

Here are a few typical niches noticed from the data:

  • Chef-Driven Sites: Websites offering professional-quality recipes.
  • Fitness and Diet Blogs: Blogs such as those focusing on carnivore or plant-based diets.
  • Recipe Aggregators: Sites that compile multiple recipes, often with reviews and ratings.

An additional tool for enhancing recipe sites is the WP Recipe Maker plugin. This plugin not only makes recipes visually appealing but also adds schema markup to improve search engine visibility. Schema markup helps search engines understand the content better, resulting in rich snippets like star ratings and reviews appearing in search results.

Integrating recipes into a website can significantly drive traffic, especially if they tie into your site’s primary niche.

Advice for Site Managers

Adding Recipe Content to Boost Visitors

Recipes are a proven way to increase traffic to your website. Many high-performing sites feature recipe content, which seems to draw a consistent audience. Think about including recipes on your site if you can make them relevant to your niche.

Advantages of the WP Recipe Maker Tool

The WP Recipe Maker plugin is a handy tool for anyone incorporating recipes into their website. This plugin not only makes your recipes look appealing but also adds structured data, or schema markup, to your posts. Schema markup is crucial because it can help your recipes appear in special features on Google search results, like the recipe carousel or star ratings. While the free version of WP Recipe Maker offers plenty of useful functions, the paid version also includes extra features like nutritional information.

The Role of Schema Markup

Using schema markup is essential for your site’s SEO, especially for recipe posts. This structured data helps Google understand the content of your pages better, which can lead to enhanced search result features. For recipes, schema markup can result in rich snippets that catch the eye of users, making your content stand out. By utilizing tools like WP Recipe Maker, you can easily add schema markup to your recipes, increasing the likelihood of higher visibility in search results.

30-Day Challenge Update

Today marks day 24 of the 30-day challenge. First up is some interesting news about Google and its changing views on AI content. Initially, Google seemed against AI-generated content in search results but later shifted to a stance favoring content written for humans. Now, a new development indicates Google is planning to pay publishers to use its own generative AI tool. This AI tool will pull information from various sources like government websites to create articles. Google will allow approved publishers to use these articles for free and even pay them substantial amounts to publish a certain number daily. This could signal a move by Google to eventually publish such content independently.

Next, I want to discuss a helpful tip for finding and validating a niche. Recently, I stumbled upon an insightful resource from the niche twins. They use the sellers.json file from ad networks like Mediavine and AdThrive to give updates on new sites accepted by these networks. Mediavine requires about 50,000 sessions per month, while AdThrive needs 100,000. This method offers a great way to validate ideas or borrow inspiration, particularly from popular niches like recipe sites.

For those interested in adding recipes to your site, I recommend the WP Recipe Maker plugin. It generates easy-to-read recipe formats and adds schema markup, which helps your content appear better in Google search results. The free version is adequate for most needs, but the paid version offers extras like nutrition info.

Lastly, as the challenge nears its end, I want to mention that my final update will likely be on day 29 due to upcoming vacation plans. I’ll share my overall experience with this challenge in that last video. More updates to come in the next few days.

Preview of Upcoming Episodes

Here’s what to look forward to in the next few days:

  • Episode 25: Continuing the 30-day challenge with more tips and updates.
  • Episode 26: An in-depth look at validating niche ideas using the sellers.Json file from ad networks.
  • Episode 27: Tips on using WP Recipe Maker plugin to enhance your site’s recipe posts and drive traffic.
  • Episode 28: Exploring different niches on ad display networks and analyzing trends among successful publishers.
  • Episode 29: Reflecting on the entire challenge experience and discussing takeaways from building in public.

Expect detailed discussions, practical insights, and helpful tips in each upcoming episode.

Published by

John Ward

With nearly two decades of experience in building, growing, and monetizing websites, I share insights from my journey—highlighting what works and what doesn’t. Whether you're new or experienced, there's something here for everyone.