New to SEO & Affiliate Marketing – Looking for advice on where to start!

[FreeGifts-Eric]

Welcome! The fact that you're asking about building a real asset rather than "how do I make money fast" already puts you ahead of 90% of beginners.

A few practical first steps, from someone who started in a similar spot:

**Resources that aren't fake guru content:**
- Ahrefs' free "Blogging for Business" course on YouTube — solid SEO fundamentals, no upsells
- Backlinko (Brian Dean's blog) for SEO tactics — but focus on his older foundational posts, not the AI-generated stuff
- This forum's follow-along threads — real people posting real numbers, way more educational than any course

**Tools to start with (free or near-free):**
- Google Search Console (free) — this is your first and most important tool. Tells you exactly what queries your site ranks for
- Google Keyword Planner (free with a Google Ads account) — basic but enough for your first 6 months
- A static site builder (Astro, Hugo, or just WordPress if you want simpler) — don't overthink the tech stack

**The sequence that actually works:**
1. Pick ONE niche you're genuinely interested in. Not "what makes money" — what you can write about for 6 months without quitting
2. Publish 20 articles before checking traffic. The first 10 will feel like shouting into the void. Keep going.
3. Apply to affiliate networks at the same time you're building content. Getting approved takes weeks.
4. Don't touch paid ads until organic traffic proves your content converts.

The hardest part isn't learning SEO — it's continuing to publish when nobody is reading. That's the real filter.

 

[john rejo]

Welcome! The fact that you're asking about building a real asset rather than "how do I make money fast" already puts you ahead of 90% of beginners.

A few practical first steps, from someone who started in a similar spot:

**Resources that aren't fake guru content:**
- Ahrefs' free "Blogging for Business" course on YouTube — solid SEO fundamentals, no upsells
- Backlinko (Brian Dean's blog) for SEO tactics — but focus on his older foundational posts, not the AI-generated stuff
- This forum's follow-along threads — real people posting real numbers, way more educational than any course

**Tools to start with (free or near-free):**
- Google Search Console (free) — this is your first and most important tool. Tells you exactly what queries your site ranks for
- Google Keyword Planner (free with a Google Ads account) — basic but enough for your first 6 months
- A static site builder (Astro, Hugo, or just WordPress if you want simpler) — don't overthink the tech stack

**The sequence that actually works:**
1. Pick ONE niche you're genuinely interested in. Not "what makes money" — what you can write about for 6 months without quitting
2. Publish 20 articles before checking traffic. The first 10 will feel like shouting into the void. Keep going.
3. Apply to affiliate networks at the same time you're building content. Getting approved takes weeks.
4. Don't touch paid ads until organic traffic proves your content converts.

The hardest part isn't learning SEO — it's continuing to publish when nobody is reading. That's the real filter.

Thanks for the warm welcome and the solid roadmap, Eric

I really appreciate you breaking down the sequence and recommending free tools like Google Keyword Planner to get started.

Focusing on building a real asset through consistency makes total sense. Ill definitely check out those Ahrefs and Backlinko resources.

 

[FreeGifts-Eric]

Glad it was helpful, John! The fact that you're already asking the right questions means you're on the right track.

One thing I'd add to that list: when you pick your niche and start publishing, spend the first month being genuinely helpful in forum threads related to your niche. Half the SEO game in the early days is just being a real person who other real people recognize and link to naturally. Google notices that pattern.

Feel free to start a follow-along thread when you get going — those are gold for both accountability and getting feedback from experienced affiliates here. What niche are you leaning toward?

 

[john rejo]

Glad it was helpful, John! The fact that you're already asking the right questions means you're on the right track.

One thing I'd add to that list: when you pick your niche and start publishing, spend the first month being genuinely helpful in forum threads related to your niche. Half the SEO game in the early days is just being a real person who other real people recognize and link to naturally. Google notices that pattern.

Feel free to start a follow-along thread when you get going — those are gold for both accountability and getting feedback from experienced affiliates here. What niche are you leaning toward?

Thanks Eric, I really appreciate the extra tips

That forum strategy makes a lot of sense.

Honestly, Im still in the super early research phase right now. Trying to find that sweet spot between a topic I actually enjoy writing about and something that’s beginner friendly, so everything is still up in the air.

Since you've been doing this for a while and know how it works, are there any interesting areas or angles you'd suggest a newcomer look into these days? Would love to know your thoughts.

 

[john rejo]

Welcome aboard! If you still have any questions about SEO, I'd be happy to help

Hey Czaq,

I actually do have a question for you if you don't mind. When it comes to picking a direction, what's the best way to find a niche that isn't completely flooded with heavy competition?

Also, are there any specific areas you guys would suggest looking into right now that are a bit easier to get a foothold in? Would love to hear your thoughts!

 

[fitfuture]

Start by learning the basics of SEO like keyword research, on-page optimization, and content writing, while building a simple blog or website to practice.


For affiliate marketing, choose a niche you understand, join beginner-friendly affiliate programs, and focus on creating helpful content that naturally includes your affiliate links.

 

[FreeGifts-Eric]

Happy to share what I've seen work, John.

A few angles that are beginner-friendly and have room for new sites right now:

**1. "Best X for Y" product comparisons with affiliate monetization**
This is the classic model that still works. Pick a sub-niche of consumer products — phone accessories, budget standing desks, entry-level espresso gear, home office setups — and write genuine comparison content. The key is going narrow: not "best phones" but "best budget Android phones under $300 for battery life."

Why it's beginner-friendly: buying intent keywords convert well even with lower traffic. You don't need 10,000 visitors/month if 500 of them are ready to buy.

**2. Software/tool reviews with CPL twists**
SaaS and software niches are competitive, but the long tail is wide open. Things like "best invoicing software for freelancers under 5 employees" or "easiest email marketing tool for bloggers who hate tech." Software companies run affiliate programs aggressively, and many have free trials — easier to convert than physical products.

**3. "How to start X" content with resource monetization**
Beginners in almost any hobby or skill need roadmaps. "How to start home brewing on a $100 budget," "How to start running after 40," etc. These attract links naturally (other sites reference your guide as a resource), which builds domain authority for your money pages.

**The filter I'd use if I were starting today:**
- Can I write 30 articles about this without getting bored? (If not, skip it — consistency beats everything)
- Does the niche have affiliate programs with real commissions? (Check CPAlead, ShareASale, or Impact for programs before committing)
- Are there active forums or communities around it? (That's your early traffic and link building channel)

If you want to bounce specific niche ideas around, this thread is a good place for it — there are people here who've been through the same decision and can tell you what they wish they'd picked.

 

[john rejo]

Start by learning the basics of SEO like keyword research, on-page optimization, and content writing, while building a simple blog or website to practice.


For affiliate marketing, choose a niche you understand, join beginner-friendly affiliate programs, and focus on creating helpful content that naturally includes your affiliate links.

Thanks for the solid advice!

I completely agree with you on mastering the SEO basics first while practicing on a site.

On the affiliate side I really want to focus on SaaS and digital products since I love that space.

But during my research the competition looks huge. Plus the software updates so fast that Im worried about having to constantly edit and reupload content so it doesn't get outdated.

Thats exactly where I'm getting stuck and a bit confused right now.

How do you deal with that constant tech update cycle, or would you suggest a different angle for a newcomer?

 

[Czaq]

Hey Czaq,

I actually do have a question for you if you don't mind. When it comes to picking a direction, what's the best way to find a niche that isn't completely flooded with heavy competition?

Also, are there any specific areas you guys would suggest looking into right now that are a bit easier to get a foothold in? Would love to hear your thoughts!

Hello John! Sure, feel free to ask me antything

Choosing a niche is one of the key elements. I agree with you that the best way to start is to identify keywords without competition. Personally, I use Semrush and Ahrefs, then after checking competitor keywords in a given niche, I use the "also rank" or "ideas" tools. Based on these, I determine if there's room for me and my website without a large budget.

 

[john rejo]

Happy to share what I've seen work, John.

A few angles that are beginner-friendly and have room for new sites right now:

**1. "Best X for Y" product comparisons with affiliate monetization**
This is the classic model that still works. Pick a sub-niche of consumer products — phone accessories, budget standing desks, entry-level espresso gear, home office setups — and write genuine comparison content. The key is going narrow: not "best phones" but "best budget Android phones under $300 for battery life."

Why it's beginner-friendly: buying intent keywords convert well even with lower traffic. You don't need 10,000 visitors/month if 500 of them are ready to buy.

**2. Software/tool reviews with CPL twists**
SaaS and software niches are competitive, but the long tail is wide open. Things like "best invoicing software for freelancers under 5 employees" or "easiest email marketing tool for bloggers who hate tech." Software companies run affiliate programs aggressively, and many have free trials — easier to convert than physical products.

**3. "How to start X" content with resource monetization**
Beginners in almost any hobby or skill need roadmaps. "How to start home brewing on a $100 budget," "How to start running after 40," etc. These attract links naturally (other sites reference your guide as a resource), which builds domain authority for your money pages.

**The filter I'd use if I were starting today:**
- Can I write 30 articles about this without getting bored? (If not, skip it — consistency beats everything)
- Does the niche have affiliate programs with real commissions? (Check CPAlead, ShareASale, or Impact for programs before committing)
- Are there active forums or communities around it? (That's your early traffic and link building channel)

If you want to bounce specific niche ideas around, this thread is a good place for it — there are people here who've been through the same decision and can tell you what they wish they'd picked.

Thanks Eric, this breakdown is incredibly helpful

Those filters are exactly what I need to narrow things down.

The "Best X for Y" sub-niches and the "How to start X" guide ideas both sound great, and I’m definitely going to look into them.

I love the idea of SaaS, but like you said, it's competitive. Plus, software changes so fast that I worry the content will get outdated quickly. If you were reviewing SaaS products today, how would you manage those constant updates without spending all your time rewriting old blogs?

Everyone on this forum has been so supportive, and I really appreciate you offering this thread as a place to brainstorm

 

[john rejo]

Hello John! Sure, feel free to ask me antything

Choosing a niche is one of the key elements. I agree with you that the best way to start is to identify keywords without competition. Personally, I use Semrush and Ahrefs, then after checking competitor keywords in a given niche, I use the "also rank" or "ideas" tools. Based on these, I determine if there's room for me and my website without a large budget.

Thanks Czaq, that is super helpful

I actually just heard about Semrush and Ahrefs recently and have been playing around with them to learn the ropes.

Using the "also rank" and "ideas" features to spot low-budget opportunities makes total sense. I'm going to jump back into those tools right now and try that out. Really appreciate the great tip

 

[john rejo]

Hey everyone, I have a quick question about your actual workflow.

When you pick a topic, do you mostly learn about it and write the blog yourself based on your understanding, or do you use AI tools to help write it?

If you do use AI, what tools do you recommend for a newbie?

Also, I have a quick doubt about keywords. I was reading on Google Search Central that stuffing a bunch of keywords into a post won't push a blog to the top.

Because of that, how many different keywords do you target for a single blog post? And when you pick your main keyword, how many times do you actually repeat it throughout the article so it stays natural?

Would love to hear how you guys handle this.

 

[FreeGifts-Eric]

Hey John, great questions. Here's my take from running an AI-assisted content site:

**1. Writing workflow: Learn first, AI as assistant, not replacement**

I do the research and outline myself — that's non-negotiable. AI can't tell you what's actually true vs what sounds plausible. My workflow: research competitors and source material → write my own outline with key points → use AI to draft sections → heavily edit and fact-check everything.

The AI saves maybe 40-50% of drafting time, but that 40-50% is useless if you can't verify the output against real knowledge. If you're in a niche you actually understand, you'll catch AI hallucinations immediately. If you're in a niche you don't know, you'll publish things that sound right but are wrong.

**2. AI tools for newbies**

Claude and ChatGPT are both fine for content drafting. The tool matters less than how you use it. A few practical tips:
- Don't ask "write a blog post about X." Ask for specific sections with specific constraints — "write 200 words comparing option A vs option B for someone who's never done this before"
- Always feed it your outline and key points first. The output is only as good as the input
- Use it for research synthesis: paste in notes from 3-4 competitor articles and ask it to identify patterns
- Never use AI-generated content without human editing. Google is getting better at detecting pure AI content, and readers can tell too

**3. Keywords per post**

One primary keyword, 2-3 secondary keywords. That's it.

The primary keyword goes in: title, H1, first paragraph, one H2, and naturally 1-2 more times in the body. Don't count repetitions — it leads to unnatural writing. If you've covered the topic thoroughly, the keyword will appear naturally at the right density.

The Google Search Central advice you read is correct: keyword stuffing doesn't work anymore and hasn't for years. Write for the reader, then check that the keyword appears in the key positions listed above. If it does, you're done. If it doesn't, you probably didn't write about the topic you thought you were writing about.

Hope that helps — feel free to keep asking as you go.

 

[john rejo]

Hey John, great questions. Here's my take from running an AI-assisted content site:

**1. Writing workflow: Learn first, AI as assistant, not replacement**

I do the research and outline myself — that's non-negotiable. AI can't tell you what's actually true vs what sounds plausible. My workflow: research competitors and source material → write my own outline with key points → use AI to draft sections → heavily edit and fact-check everything.

The AI saves maybe 40-50% of drafting time, but that 40-50% is useless if you can't verify the output against real knowledge. If you're in a niche you actually understand, you'll catch AI hallucinations immediately. If you're in a niche you don't know, you'll publish things that sound right but are wrong.

**2. AI tools for newbies**

Claude and ChatGPT are both fine for content drafting. The tool matters less than how you use it. A few practical tips:
- Don't ask "write a blog post about X." Ask for specific sections with specific constraints — "write 200 words comparing option A vs option B for someone who's never done this before"
- Always feed it your outline and key points first. The output is only as good as the input
- Use it for research synthesis: paste in notes from 3-4 competitor articles and ask it to identify patterns
- Never use AI-generated content without human editing. Google is getting better at detecting pure AI content, and readers can tell too

**3. Keywords per post**

One primary keyword, 2-3 secondary keywords. That's it.

The primary keyword goes in: title, H1, first paragraph, one H2, and naturally 1-2 more times in the body. Don't count repetitions — it leads to unnatural writing. If you've covered the topic thoroughly, the keyword will appear naturally at the right density.

The Google Search Central advice you read is correct: keyword stuffing doesn't work anymore and hasn't for years. Write for the reader, then check that the keyword appears in the key positions listed above. If it does, you're done. If it doesn't, you probably didn't write about the topic you thought you were writing about.

Hope that helps — feel free to keep asking as you go.

Thanks so much for breaking down your exact workflow

That 40%-50% time-saving rule with AI makes total sense, and I love the idea of using it for research synthesis instead of just letting it write blindly.

Your keyword placement checklist is super clear too. Its a huge relief to know I dont need to obsess over counting repetitions as long as the main spots are covered.

Really appreciate you taking the time to share this, it gives me a perfect roadmap to start practicing with.

 

[Ariel-ActiveRevenue]

what helped me most early on was focusing on one traffic source and one monetization method instead of trying to learn everything at once. affiliate marketing looks huge when you're new because you're seeing SEO, paid traffic, email, content, funnels, tracking, and analytics all at the same time.

personally, i'd spend more time understanding user intent than chasing tools. if you can understand why someone searches, clicks, and buys, the rest becomes much easier to learn. most people fail because they keep switching directions. pick one path, stay with it long enough to collect real data, and let experience guide the next decision.

 

[john rejo]

what helped me most early on was focusing on one traffic source and one monetization method instead of trying to learn everything at once. affiliate marketing looks huge when you're new because you're seeing SEO, paid traffic, email, content, funnels, tracking, and analytics all at the same time.

personally, i'd spend more time understanding user intent than chasing tools. if you can understand why someone searches, clicks, and buys, the rest becomes much easier to learn. most people fail because they keep switching directions. pick one path, stay with it long enough to collect real data, and let experience guide the next decision.

Thanks so much for this reality check

You are completely right it's so easy to get overwhelmed trying to learn SEO, email marketing, and funnels all at the same time.

Focusing purely on user intent and mastering just one path first makes a lot of sense. It definitely takes the pressure off trying to chase every single tool out there.

I'm going to take your advice, slow down, and just stick to one thing until I get some real data.

Really appreciate the grounded advice

 

[Adbird.co]

Hey everyone,

I’m brand new to the world of SEO and affiliate marketing, and I’m ready to dive deep and learn the right way. I want to build a real, long-term asset, but the internet is full of "gurus" selling fake courses, so I wanted to ask real people in this community for advice.

For those of you who are successfully making money:

• Where should I start? Are there any free resources, blogs, or YouTube channels you highly recommend for learning real, foundational SEO?
• What platforms/tools should I use? What are the best (and budget-friendly) tools for keyword research and managing a blog as a beginner?
• What steps should I take first? Once I pick my niche, what should my day-to-day focus look like?
• How should I generate content? How do you structure articles that actually rank on Google and convert readers into buyers?

I’m incredibly motivated to learn and put in the work. Any guidance, tips, or roadmaps you can share would mean the world to me.

I'd keep it simple at the beginning and avoid trying to learn everything at once.

A roadmap we'd recommend is:

• Pick one niche that genuinely interests you.
• Learn the basics of keyword research and search intent.
• Publish consistently instead of chasing "perfect" articles.
• Keep improving your content based on what performs.

For free SEO resources, Google's Search Central documentation, Ahrefs' YouTube channel, and Google Trends are all excellent places to start.

Once you have some traffic, it's time to start testing affiliate offers. One piece of advice we give to new affiliates at AdBird is to focus on relevance rather than chasing the highest payouts. An offer that matches your audience will almost always outperform one with a bigger commission but poor fit.

At AdBird, we also encourage beginners to test multiple offers, monitor their tracking data, and optimize based on real performance. Small changes in your content, placement, or audience targeting can make a significant difference over time.

The biggest mistake we see is spending months researching instead of taking action. Publish content, test different offers, review your data, and keep optimizing. Affiliate marketing is an ongoing process of learning and improving.

Best of luck with your journey!

 

[john rejo]

I'd keep it simple at the beginning and avoid trying to learn everything at once.

A roadmap we'd recommend is:

• Pick one niche that genuinely interests you.
• Learn the basics of keyword research and search intent.
• Publish consistently instead of chasing "perfect" articles.
• Keep improving your content based on what performs.

For free SEO resources, Google's Search Central documentation, Ahrefs' YouTube channel, and Google Trends are all excellent places to start.

Once you have some traffic, it's time to start testing affiliate offers. One piece of advice we give to new affiliates at AdBird is to focus on relevance rather than chasing the highest payouts. An offer that matches your audience will almost always outperform one with a bigger commission but poor fit.

At AdBird, we also encourage beginners to test multiple offers, monitor their tracking data, and optimize based on real performance. Small changes in your content, placement, or audience targeting can make a significant difference over time.

The biggest mistake we see is spending months researching instead of taking action. Publish content, test different offers, review your data, and keep optimizing. Affiliate marketing is an ongoing process of learning and improving.

Best of luck with your journey!

Thanks so much for the clear roadmap!

I really appreciate the practical advice.

Your tip about focusing on offer relevance rather than just chasing the biggest payout makes perfect sense especially for a beginner trying to build trust with an audience.

I’m definitely going to dive into the free resources you recommended and focus on getting content published instead of overthinking it and getting stuck in the research phase.

Thanks again for the encouragement

 

[ldmaestro]

id start with one offer/niche and build around intent, not around “seo tricks”. make 10-20 useful pages, set up gsc, watch what gets impressions, then improve those pages and add links slowly. most beginners lose because they keep learning forever and never publish.

 

[john rejo]

Yes, that is so true

I definitely don't want to get trapped in the loop of learning forever without actually starting.

Right now, I'm still in the learning phase, but your blueprint of just making 10-20 useful pages and watching GSC is exactly the kind of simple, actionable plan I need to get moving.

Thanks for the reality check

It’s time for me to stop reading and start writing.

id start with one offer/niche and build around intent, not around “seo tricks”. make 10-20 useful pages, set up gsc, watch what gets impressions, then improve those pages and add links slowly. most beginners lose because they keep learning forever and never publish.