In Episode 18 of the Late Night Internet Marketing podcast, I revealed one of my more unusual affiliate experiments: I built a niche website about a farm tool based on a random keyword suggestion from my friend Josh Spaulding. The site was already generating organic traffic and had earned about $8 at the time of recording. Here is what the experiment taught me and why the underlying strategy still works.
The Experiment
Josh used a keyword research tool to find a low-competition, moderate-search-volume keyword for a product I knew nothing about. I registered the exact-match domain, created a small content site, and started building backlinks through article marketing. Within weeks, the site was getting steady organic traffic from Google.
The point of the experiment was to demonstrate that you do not need passion for or deep expertise in a niche to build a profitable affiliate site. You need keyword research skills, the ability to create useful content, and patience. The farm tool niche had almost zero competition, real commercial intent from searchers, and products available through Amazon Associates.
What Still Works From This Approach
The core principles behind this experiment remain valid in 2026, though the tactics have evolved significantly.
- Low-competition niches are still goldmines. While everyone fights over keywords in health, finance, and technology, obscure product categories with real buyer intent remain underserved. Kitchen gadgets, specialized tools, hobby equipment, and niche outdoor gear all offer opportunities.
- Keyword research is still the foundation. The specific tools have changed, but the process of finding keywords with reasonable search volume and low difficulty scores remains the starting point for any niche site.
- Small sites can generate meaningful passive income. You do not need a massive authority site to make money with affiliate marketing. A focused 10-20 page site targeting a specific product category can generate $100-500 per month with minimal ongoing maintenance.
What Has Changed
Several things from the 2012 playbook no longer work or are no longer advisable.
- Exact-match domains lost their SEO advantage. Google's EMD update in September 2012 reduced the ranking boost from having your keyword in your domain name. In 2026, a brandable domain with quality content outperforms a keyword-stuffed domain every time.
- Article marketing for backlinks is dead. The article directories I used for link building in 2012 have mostly shut down or lost all SEO value. Modern link building relies on genuine outreach, creating linkable resources, and earning editorial mentions.
- Content quality expectations are dramatically higher. A few hundred words of generic product information no longer ranks. Today's successful affiliate sites need detailed product reviews with real photos, comparison tables, buying guides, and genuine firsthand experience.
- Google's Helpful Content Update targets thin affiliate sites. Sites that exist purely to funnel traffic to affiliate links without providing genuine value are exactly what Google's 2022 and 2024 algorithm updates were designed to suppress.
The Importance of Internet Marketing Friends
The motivational segment of that episode focused on something I still believe strongly: you need friends in your niche. Josh Spaulding suggested this experiment, challenged me with the keyword, and provided accountability. That kind of relationship is invaluable.
Building an online business is often a solitary activity, especially if you are doing it part-time while holding down a day job. Having even one person who understands what you are working on, who can bounce ideas with you and call you out when you are procrastinating, makes an enormous difference. Join a mastermind group, attend a conference, or simply reach out to other bloggers in your space. The connections you build will pay dividends for years.
Pinterest and Affiliate Marketing
I also discussed an article about using Pinterest for affiliate marketing, which was a brand new concept in February 2012. Pinterest has since become one of the most powerful platforms for driving affiliate revenue, particularly in niches like home decor, fashion, food, and crafts. If you are in a visual niche and not using Pinterest in 2026, you are leaving money on the table.
Mark, This is the first site I’ve actually been hesitant to comment because of my website URL.
Glad to see you back in the podcasting game. I first came on board when you interviewed Pat in 2010. My weekly commute totals about 9 hours and I’m more than happy to squeeze you in. Instead of worrying about recording a show weekly, just try to record two episodes when you know you’ll be out the following week (I know, easier said than done). It’ll still be timely and you won’t have to mess with recording/editing on the road (though that might help keep you sane). If something sparks while your travelling, then post an off cycle episode (MW018.5).
Keep up the momentum.
Jason
@LazyBastardLife Thanks for the nice comment. I really appreciate the advice, and I’ll take the URL thing as a compliment. LOL.
Interesting thing about your URL…
I actually love the idea of your URL. It is memorable and makes me want to click. But I can see why that could cause you some (small) trouble as your brand gets bigger. Press releases come to mind. Not sure if the Today Show would be cool with that URL either. But I like the “edgy” feel of it.
One possible workaround for you would be to register LazyDogLife.com and 301 Redirect it to your site. Then when you wanted to be 100 percent family safe, you could use that URL. Just a thought.
I love your ideas for travel — planning ahead is not my very strongest trait, but you are absolutely right. I really appreciate the feedback.
Thanks!Mark
@masonworld Yea, I wanted something other than keywordPassivekeyword.com. Thanks for the suggestion on the 301 redirect. That is something that I never thought of and is an extremely creative solution should my site ever become popular.
@LazyBastardLife Excellent.
Wow Mark. I was driving down the road, listening to the Podcast and my head was about to explode. I came up with a gob of questions and then a potential show idea for you, based on all that “brain explosion”. How could we visit?
BTW, I’d be available late since I’m “building my business one night at a time”…
@brentgiesler Cool. Would you be open to doing it as an interview that I could share with other listeners? If you have questions, I can promise you that other people have them too. What do you think?
@masonworld
That’s exactly what I was thinking. I thought I could ask my questions around the content I heard on that episode. You could answer/expound and then I could go implement what you taught me. Then, you could do whatever follow ups you wanted, to see what kind of results I was getting.
I’m really not trying to scam private tutoring, but I thought a live case study would be a good way to do a lot of things, like create a tutorial series, create an eBook, etc.
Wow. Can you tell I’m pumped about all this?
@brentgiesler Sounds like fun. Send me an email? mark at masonworld dot com.
@masonworld
Will Do. I’m hoping to listen to the episode again tonight (while I’m not driving) so I can write down all the questions I thought of. Then I’ll shoot those over to you so you can point me to the next step.
@brentgiesler that sounds perfect.
Hey Mark, glad to see you are Podcasting again and making progress on your 2012 goals. I talked to you via a few comments here back in December, when I found your site through Pat Flynn’s podcast and you were super helpful. Now that I’ve burned through all Pat’s Podcasts, I pulled down your new ones for my commute and I listed to most of this one today. Looking forward to further details on the niche site/keyword canine experiment.
@Chris S. I cover more details in episode 19 — but if you have specific questions, fire away! Thanks for listening.
Yay for the chocolate episode!