Tag: Affiliate Marketing

  • How Clickout Media Transformed News Sites into Gambling Channels

    How Clickout Media Transformed News Sites into Gambling Channels

    I recently stumbled upon a report about Clickout Media, a company that’s notoriously transforming reputable news sites into hubs of AI-driven gambling content. Google refers to this practice as ‘site reputation abuse’. Essentially, it involves using legacy news brands, adding fabricated bylines, embedding casino links, and eventually abandoning these sites after they incur penalties from Google.

    According to PressGazette, Clickout Media has been buying sports, gaming, and tech sites only to pivot them from authentic editorial content to topics saturated with casinos and cryptocurrency. Former employees revealed that original reporting gets stripped and replaced with AI-generated articles that promote offshore gambling links.

    The approach leverages existing domain authority to manipulate Google rankings. Initially, legitimate content is maintained to preserve the site’s credibility. However, as time passes, gambling content takes over, with human writers being replaced by AI-generated articles and fake author profiles. The revenue stream mainly comes from affiliate deals with casino operators, often linked to player losses.

    It’s disheartening to see the impact—several previously active publications are now deindexed, with repercussions including layoffs and closures. Alarmingly, even charity websites have been repurposed to host gambling content.

    In Google’s view, publishing content at such a scale purely to manipulate rankings is a breach of their policies, labeled ‘site reputation abuse.’ This can result in manual actions and the removal of these sites from Google’s search index.

    As someone who cares about the integrity of SEO, it’s clear this isn’t search engine optimization in any authentic sense. It’s a blatant manipulation of reputation to deceive and gain at scale.

    For those interested in learning more, Rob Waugh has an in-depth report on this issue titled ‘The SEO Parasites Buying, Exploiting and Ultimately Killing Online Newsbrands’


    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.


    crushpress.ai community screenshot
  • Understanding Incrementality in Affiliate Marketing: A Personal Guide

    Understanding Incrementality in Affiliate Marketing: A Personal Guide

    When I hear the terms “incremental” and “incrementality” in affiliate marketing, I sometimes wonder if they truly reflect their intended meaning. Often, they don’t indicate an actual increase in sales, new customers, or revenue. Many affiliate marketers seem to focus only on the affiliate channel, overlooking the broader company impact.

    I’ve learned to question whether sales would occur without an affiliate program to assess true incrementality. This helps me determine if a partner genuinely brings new customers and revenue or just diverts those already heading towards checkout.

    High-intent traffic is frequently mistaken for incremental value. But just because someone is ready to make a purchase doesn’t mean this touchpoint wouldn’t exist without affiliates. For instance, a coupon site might target consumers already at checkout, simply searching for brand discounts on Google.

    Closing an affiliate program today might mean touchpoints still occur without extra costs like commissions and fees. Sure, this traffic involves high intent—it’s consumers in the checkout line. Nonetheless, I might be losing money if the touchpoint provides low or no value.

    Note: Not all coupon or deal sites are detrimental. Some might genuinely add value, so I always ensure to test if sales remain consistent without the program before deciding.

    The more customers heading to my checkout, the more top-ranking affiliates on Google earn. They depend on intercepting my traffic, which is why they’re sometimes labeled as parasitic. This is where incrementality becomes crucial.

    Do touchpoints that consistently occur without your program constitute incremental sales? It’s vital for me to define incremental sales and value clearly.

    Incremental sales are those driven by partners, which wouldn’t occur without them. Incremental value arises when affiliates enhance customer value through means your company couldn’t achieve, like increasing cart size or building trust for more conversions.

    As a brand, I can offer discounts without an affiliate program. Even without the program, I could submit deals to sites that rank for my brand + coupons, achieving similar sales without incurring network fees, commissions, or salary costs.

    If partner-exclusive deals drive sales through unique platforms, it demonstrates incremental value. That’s something unattainable without them, making the affiliate an asset.

    Dig deeper: Where affiliates can get traffic beyond Google search

    Here are some content types and programs adding real incremental value.

    ```json
{
  "alt": "The CapmatchOne logo with a gradient circle and bold text.",
  "caption": "Discover innovation with the CapmatchOne logo, featuring sleek typography and a modern gradient circle.",
  "description": "The CapmatchOne logo features bold, modern typography coupled with a gradient circle, symbolizing connection and innovation. The sleek design conveys a sense of progress and creativity. This image can be used for branding or promotional purposes, appealing to audiences interested in innovative solutions and forward-thinking designs."
}
```

    Product and brand comparisons

    Product and brand comparisons represent two key areas where affiliates can drive value. The affiliate decides which brand or retailer secures the sale, influencing customer choices. For smaller brands, appearing in comparisons with major players can establish credibility and drive incremental revenue.

    Affiliates who present unbiased comparisons and reviews cultivated trust, adding value and potentially broadening my customer base.

    Tip: Utilizing non-affiliates for brand comparisons can be a more cost-effective strategy.

    For instance, I might pay a one-time fee for an independent comparison versus ongoing affiliate commissions, potentially saving money long term.

    Moreover, for a smaller brand, being included in comparative reviews can be a significant opportunity to weave into larger brand traffic and attract their customer base.

    Types of partners that can offer this value include:

    • Review and comparison websites.
    • Listicle sites (SEO and PPC).
    • YouTubers.
    • Communities and forums with user-generated content and shopping guides.

    When it comes to creators, both those who review and those who don’t, they possess unique content styles that can enhance incrementality.

    Some creators add significant value simply through brand mentions and their trusted recommendations—whether they produce detailed reviews or provide other engaging content.

    Ultimately, I’ve found that detailed data analysis and testing help me navigate what incrementality means for my business. This involves discerning between true incremental partners and those who merely capitalize on existing customer journeys.


    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.


    crushpress.ai community screenshot
  • Navigating Google’s Spam Update: Lessons from an AI SEO Test

    Navigating Google’s Spam Update: Lessons from an AI SEO Test

    Dig deeper: Inside Google’s secret search systems: 1,200 experiments, AI agents, and entities

    Where is content heading in 2026?

    The real insight is not just that Google cracked down on spam or that affiliate content marketing is less effective. It’s that businesses reliant on one easily mimicked distribution channel are vulnerable when that channel shifts.

    The future of content will challenge businesses using search as their sole channel.

    Instead of focus on broadly applicable topics, many within the industry are emphasizing verticalized research and benchmarks to inspire genuine community dialogues. 

    ```json
{
  "alt": "Graph showing search performance metrics including clicks, impressions, CTR, and position over 28 days.",
  "caption": "Explore your website's search performance trends over the last 28 days with detailed metrics on clicks, impressions, CTR, and average position.",
  "description": "This image displays a performance report graph for a website's search analytics over 28 days. It shows total clicks (209), impressions (19.3K), average CTR (1.1%), and average position (26.8). The line graph reflects daily trends in clicks, impressions, and position, highlighting fluctuations across the timeline. The chart is part of a search analytics dashboard, providing insights into website traffic performance and SEO effectiveness."
}
```

    Content is evolving beyond simple pages meant to rank, becoming a blend of discovery, discourse, and thought leadership across various channels.

    Discovery, discourse, and thought leadership

    Hypothetical: Imagine running a SaaS company in the fintech domain, offering advanced financial forecasting.

    Rather than creating landing pages targeting “best financial forecasting software” or its affordable counterpart, consider delving into insightful discussions with industry leaders imparts significant wisdom.

    Leverage their expertise to pinpoint the most significant financial forecasting gaps in 2026 and verify: Does my offering genuinely address this?

    If yes, you’ve likely found a perfect entry to the community.

    If not, there’s your direction.

    Utilize these insights to craft interactive assessment-based landing pages, supporting them with benchmarking reports derived from top-tier industry organizations.

    The intent is for the content to aid organizations in understanding their present state and aims.

    These assessments or studies may not dominate Google for high-volume queries, but leveraging owned channels, partnerships, paid media, and other strategies can ensure they reach ideal clients.

    These insights act as a springboard for sharing authentic insights from unique dialogues, spanning multiple channels, amplifying your impact.

    If executed effectively, you’ll not only enrich the community but also achieve previously elusive growth.

    Companies such as Stripe with its “Developer Coefficient” and HubSpot with its “State of Marketing” have adopted this approach.

    Dig deeper: 3 GEO experiments you should try this year

    Content in 2026: Fewer pages, deeper moats

    This model diverges from mass-producing programmatic pages, but changes come with drawbacks:

    • Slower feedback loops.
    • Less attributable ROI.
    • Fewer “quick wins.”
    • Greater reliance on distribution and partnerships.

    In 2026, content focuses on fewer pages, but with more profound insights, strong opinions, and unique assets that are challenging to replicate.

    The spam update didn’t ruin my niche sites for Christmas, but it illustrated the thin margin for anything built without trust.

    Search marketing is about more than avoiding penalties—it’s about creating unique, trustworthy content that AI can’t easily replicate.


    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.


    crushpress.ai community screenshot
    • Zero brand signals.
    • Programmatic AI-generated content.
    • Public data aggregation.
    • Intense internal linking.
    • No original research or authorship signals.

    Dig deeper: What 4 AI search experiments reveal about attribution and buying decisions

    Indexation was swift, and pages appeared for long-tail queries surprisingly quickly.

    Within a couple of months, each site was generating around 200 in-market clicks.

    However, the December spam update changed the game as clicks dropped to zero.

    I attempted data updates and performance-enhancing plugins, which proved futile.

    While I can’t pinpoint any single tactic’s failure, collectively, they resulted in sites whose only merit was temporary ranking. Once Google no longer found that useful, the sites were left bare.

    The lesson here isn’t the failure of these websites; it’s that Google allowed them just enough time to learn from them.

    Does affiliate content marketing still work?

    Affiliate content marketing remains a viable monetization strategy but not a growth engine on its own.

    There are many websites that offer a valuable user experience, adhere to best practices, and successfully generate affiliate income.

    For further guidance, consult Google’s information on creating helpful and people-first content to assess if your website is publishing content “created primarily for people, not to manipulate search engine rankings.”

    • “If the ‘why’ behind your content is to primarily draw search engine traffic, it’s not aligned with what our systems aim to reward. Using automation, AI-generated content to manipulate rankings violates our spam policies.”

    Even with best practices, factors such as the rise of AIO and other disruptions have tempered affiliate marketing’s past successes.

    Fortunately, alternatives exist. 

    Dig deeper: Inside Google’s secret search systems: 1,200 experiments, AI agents, and entities

    Where is content heading in 2026?

    The real insight is not just that Google cracked down on spam or that affiliate content marketing is less effective. It’s that businesses reliant on one easily mimicked distribution channel are vulnerable when that channel shifts.

    The future of content will challenge businesses using search as their sole channel.

    Instead of focus on broadly applicable topics, many within the industry are emphasizing verticalized research and benchmarks to inspire genuine community dialogues. 

    ```json
{
  "alt": "Graph showing search performance metrics including clicks, impressions, CTR, and position over 28 days.",
  "caption": "Explore your website's search performance trends over the last 28 days with detailed metrics on clicks, impressions, CTR, and average position.",
  "description": "This image displays a performance report graph for a website's search analytics over 28 days. It shows total clicks (209), impressions (19.3K), average CTR (1.1%), and average position (26.8). The line graph reflects daily trends in clicks, impressions, and position, highlighting fluctuations across the timeline. The chart is part of a search analytics dashboard, providing insights into website traffic performance and SEO effectiveness."
}
```

    Content is evolving beyond simple pages meant to rank, becoming a blend of discovery, discourse, and thought leadership across various channels.

    Discovery, discourse, and thought leadership

    Hypothetical: Imagine running a SaaS company in the fintech domain, offering advanced financial forecasting.

    Rather than creating landing pages targeting “best financial forecasting software” or its affordable counterpart, consider delving into insightful discussions with industry leaders imparts significant wisdom.

    Leverage their expertise to pinpoint the most significant financial forecasting gaps in 2026 and verify: Does my offering genuinely address this?

    If yes, you’ve likely found a perfect entry to the community.

    If not, there’s your direction.

    Utilize these insights to craft interactive assessment-based landing pages, supporting them with benchmarking reports derived from top-tier industry organizations.

    The intent is for the content to aid organizations in understanding their present state and aims.

    These assessments or studies may not dominate Google for high-volume queries, but leveraging owned channels, partnerships, paid media, and other strategies can ensure they reach ideal clients.

    These insights act as a springboard for sharing authentic insights from unique dialogues, spanning multiple channels, amplifying your impact.

    If executed effectively, you’ll not only enrich the community but also achieve previously elusive growth.

    Companies such as Stripe with its “Developer Coefficient” and HubSpot with its “State of Marketing” have adopted this approach.

    Dig deeper: 3 GEO experiments you should try this year

    Content in 2026: Fewer pages, deeper moats

    This model diverges from mass-producing programmatic pages, but changes come with drawbacks:

    • Slower feedback loops.
    • Less attributable ROI.
    • Fewer “quick wins.”
    • Greater reliance on distribution and partnerships.

    In 2026, content focuses on fewer pages, but with more profound insights, strong opinions, and unique assets that are challenging to replicate.

    The spam update didn’t ruin my niche sites for Christmas, but it illustrated the thin margin for anything built without trust.

    Search marketing is about more than avoiding penalties—it’s about creating unique, trustworthy content that AI can’t easily replicate.


    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.


    crushpress.ai community screenshot
    • Zero brand signals.
    • Programmatic AI-generated content.
    • Public data aggregation.
    • Intense internal linking.
    • No original research or authorship signals.

    Dig deeper: What 4 AI search experiments reveal about attribution and buying decisions

    Indexation was swift, and pages appeared for long-tail queries surprisingly quickly.

    Within a couple of months, each site was generating around 200 in-market clicks.

    However, the December spam update changed the game as clicks dropped to zero.

    I attempted data updates and performance-enhancing plugins, which proved futile.

    While I can’t pinpoint any single tactic’s failure, collectively, they resulted in sites whose only merit was temporary ranking. Once Google no longer found that useful, the sites were left bare.

    The lesson here isn’t the failure of these websites; it’s that Google allowed them just enough time to learn from them.

    Does affiliate content marketing still work?

    Affiliate content marketing remains a viable monetization strategy but not a growth engine on its own.

    There are many websites that offer a valuable user experience, adhere to best practices, and successfully generate affiliate income.

    For further guidance, consult Google’s information on creating helpful and people-first content to assess if your website is publishing content “created primarily for people, not to manipulate search engine rankings.”

    • “If the ‘why’ behind your content is to primarily draw search engine traffic, it’s not aligned with what our systems aim to reward. Using automation, AI-generated content to manipulate rankings violates our spam policies.”

    Even with best practices, factors such as the rise of AIO and other disruptions have tempered affiliate marketing’s past successes.

    Fortunately, alternatives exist. 

    Dig deeper: Inside Google’s secret search systems: 1,200 experiments, AI agents, and entities

    Where is content heading in 2026?

    The real insight is not just that Google cracked down on spam or that affiliate content marketing is less effective. It’s that businesses reliant on one easily mimicked distribution channel are vulnerable when that channel shifts.

    The future of content will challenge businesses using search as their sole channel.

    Instead of focus on broadly applicable topics, many within the industry are emphasizing verticalized research and benchmarks to inspire genuine community dialogues. 

    ```json
{
  "alt": "Graph showing search performance metrics including clicks, impressions, CTR, and position over 28 days.",
  "caption": "Explore your website's search performance trends over the last 28 days with detailed metrics on clicks, impressions, CTR, and average position.",
  "description": "This image displays a performance report graph for a website's search analytics over 28 days. It shows total clicks (209), impressions (19.3K), average CTR (1.1%), and average position (26.8). The line graph reflects daily trends in clicks, impressions, and position, highlighting fluctuations across the timeline. The chart is part of a search analytics dashboard, providing insights into website traffic performance and SEO effectiveness."
}
```

    Content is evolving beyond simple pages meant to rank, becoming a blend of discovery, discourse, and thought leadership across various channels.

    Discovery, discourse, and thought leadership

    Hypothetical: Imagine running a SaaS company in the fintech domain, offering advanced financial forecasting.

    Rather than creating landing pages targeting “best financial forecasting software” or its affordable counterpart, consider delving into insightful discussions with industry leaders imparts significant wisdom.

    Leverage their expertise to pinpoint the most significant financial forecasting gaps in 2026 and verify: Does my offering genuinely address this?

    If yes, you’ve likely found a perfect entry to the community.

    If not, there’s your direction.

    Utilize these insights to craft interactive assessment-based landing pages, supporting them with benchmarking reports derived from top-tier industry organizations.

    The intent is for the content to aid organizations in understanding their present state and aims.

    These assessments or studies may not dominate Google for high-volume queries, but leveraging owned channels, partnerships, paid media, and other strategies can ensure they reach ideal clients.

    These insights act as a springboard for sharing authentic insights from unique dialogues, spanning multiple channels, amplifying your impact.

    If executed effectively, you’ll not only enrich the community but also achieve previously elusive growth.

    Companies such as Stripe with its “Developer Coefficient” and HubSpot with its “State of Marketing” have adopted this approach.

    Dig deeper: 3 GEO experiments you should try this year

    Content in 2026: Fewer pages, deeper moats

    This model diverges from mass-producing programmatic pages, but changes come with drawbacks:

    • Slower feedback loops.
    • Less attributable ROI.
    • Fewer “quick wins.”
    • Greater reliance on distribution and partnerships.

    In 2026, content focuses on fewer pages, but with more profound insights, strong opinions, and unique assets that are challenging to replicate.

    The spam update didn’t ruin my niche sites for Christmas, but it illustrated the thin margin for anything built without trust.

    Search marketing is about more than avoiding penalties—it’s about creating unique, trustworthy content that AI can’t easily replicate.


    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.


    crushpress.ai community screenshot

    Dig deeper: Inside Google’s secret search systems: 1,200 experiments, AI agents, and entities

    Where is content heading in 2026?

    The real insight is not just that Google cracked down on spam or that affiliate content marketing is less effective. It’s that businesses reliant on one easily mimicked distribution channel are vulnerable when that channel shifts.

    The future of content will challenge businesses using search as their sole channel.

    Instead of focus on broadly applicable topics, many within the industry are emphasizing verticalized research and benchmarks to inspire genuine community dialogues. 

    ```json
{
  "alt": "Graph showing search performance metrics including clicks, impressions, CTR, and position over 28 days.",
  "caption": "Explore your website's search performance trends over the last 28 days with detailed metrics on clicks, impressions, CTR, and average position.",
  "description": "This image displays a performance report graph for a website's search analytics over 28 days. It shows total clicks (209), impressions (19.3K), average CTR (1.1%), and average position (26.8). The line graph reflects daily trends in clicks, impressions, and position, highlighting fluctuations across the timeline. The chart is part of a search analytics dashboard, providing insights into website traffic performance and SEO effectiveness."
}
```

    Content is evolving beyond simple pages meant to rank, becoming a blend of discovery, discourse, and thought leadership across various channels.

    Discovery, discourse, and thought leadership

    Hypothetical: Imagine running a SaaS company in the fintech domain, offering advanced financial forecasting.

    Rather than creating landing pages targeting “best financial forecasting software” or its affordable counterpart, consider delving into insightful discussions with industry leaders imparts significant wisdom.

    Leverage their expertise to pinpoint the most significant financial forecasting gaps in 2026 and verify: Does my offering genuinely address this?

    If yes, you’ve likely found a perfect entry to the community.

    If not, there’s your direction.

    Utilize these insights to craft interactive assessment-based landing pages, supporting them with benchmarking reports derived from top-tier industry organizations.

    The intent is for the content to aid organizations in understanding their present state and aims.

    These assessments or studies may not dominate Google for high-volume queries, but leveraging owned channels, partnerships, paid media, and other strategies can ensure they reach ideal clients.

    These insights act as a springboard for sharing authentic insights from unique dialogues, spanning multiple channels, amplifying your impact.

    If executed effectively, you’ll not only enrich the community but also achieve previously elusive growth.

    Companies such as Stripe with its “Developer Coefficient” and HubSpot with its “State of Marketing” have adopted this approach.

    Dig deeper: 3 GEO experiments you should try this year

    Content in 2026: Fewer pages, deeper moats

    This model diverges from mass-producing programmatic pages, but changes come with drawbacks:

    • Slower feedback loops.
    • Less attributable ROI.
    • Fewer “quick wins.”
    • Greater reliance on distribution and partnerships.

    In 2026, content focuses on fewer pages, but with more profound insights, strong opinions, and unique assets that are challenging to replicate.

    The spam update didn’t ruin my niche sites for Christmas, but it illustrated the thin margin for anything built without trust.

    Search marketing is about more than avoiding penalties—it’s about creating unique, trustworthy content that AI can’t easily replicate.


    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.


    crushpress.ai community screenshot
    • Zero brand signals.
    • Programmatic AI-generated content.
    • Public data aggregation.
    • Intense internal linking.
    • No original research or authorship signals.

    Dig deeper: What 4 AI search experiments reveal about attribution and buying decisions

    Indexation was swift, and pages appeared for long-tail queries surprisingly quickly.

    Within a couple of months, each site was generating around 200 in-market clicks.

    However, the December spam update changed the game as clicks dropped to zero.

    I attempted data updates and performance-enhancing plugins, which proved futile.

    While I can’t pinpoint any single tactic’s failure, collectively, they resulted in sites whose only merit was temporary ranking. Once Google no longer found that useful, the sites were left bare.

    The lesson here isn’t the failure of these websites; it’s that Google allowed them just enough time to learn from them.

    Does affiliate content marketing still work?

    Affiliate content marketing remains a viable monetization strategy but not a growth engine on its own.

    There are many websites that offer a valuable user experience, adhere to best practices, and successfully generate affiliate income.

    For further guidance, consult Google’s information on creating helpful and people-first content to assess if your website is publishing content “created primarily for people, not to manipulate search engine rankings.”

    • “If the ‘why’ behind your content is to primarily draw search engine traffic, it’s not aligned with what our systems aim to reward. Using automation, AI-generated content to manipulate rankings violates our spam policies.”

    Even with best practices, factors such as the rise of AIO and other disruptions have tempered affiliate marketing’s past successes.

    Fortunately, alternatives exist. 

    Dig deeper: Inside Google’s secret search systems: 1,200 experiments, AI agents, and entities

    Where is content heading in 2026?

    The real insight is not just that Google cracked down on spam or that affiliate content marketing is less effective. It’s that businesses reliant on one easily mimicked distribution channel are vulnerable when that channel shifts.

    The future of content will challenge businesses using search as their sole channel.

    Instead of focus on broadly applicable topics, many within the industry are emphasizing verticalized research and benchmarks to inspire genuine community dialogues. 

    ```json
{
  "alt": "Graph showing search performance metrics including clicks, impressions, CTR, and position over 28 days.",
  "caption": "Explore your website's search performance trends over the last 28 days with detailed metrics on clicks, impressions, CTR, and average position.",
  "description": "This image displays a performance report graph for a website's search analytics over 28 days. It shows total clicks (209), impressions (19.3K), average CTR (1.1%), and average position (26.8). The line graph reflects daily trends in clicks, impressions, and position, highlighting fluctuations across the timeline. The chart is part of a search analytics dashboard, providing insights into website traffic performance and SEO effectiveness."
}
```

    Content is evolving beyond simple pages meant to rank, becoming a blend of discovery, discourse, and thought leadership across various channels.

    Discovery, discourse, and thought leadership

    Hypothetical: Imagine running a SaaS company in the fintech domain, offering advanced financial forecasting.

    Rather than creating landing pages targeting “best financial forecasting software” or its affordable counterpart, consider delving into insightful discussions with industry leaders imparts significant wisdom.

    Leverage their expertise to pinpoint the most significant financial forecasting gaps in 2026 and verify: Does my offering genuinely address this?

    If yes, you’ve likely found a perfect entry to the community.

    If not, there’s your direction.

    Utilize these insights to craft interactive assessment-based landing pages, supporting them with benchmarking reports derived from top-tier industry organizations.

    The intent is for the content to aid organizations in understanding their present state and aims.

    These assessments or studies may not dominate Google for high-volume queries, but leveraging owned channels, partnerships, paid media, and other strategies can ensure they reach ideal clients.

    These insights act as a springboard for sharing authentic insights from unique dialogues, spanning multiple channels, amplifying your impact.

    If executed effectively, you’ll not only enrich the community but also achieve previously elusive growth.

    Companies such as Stripe with its “Developer Coefficient” and HubSpot with its “State of Marketing” have adopted this approach.

    Dig deeper: 3 GEO experiments you should try this year

    Content in 2026: Fewer pages, deeper moats

    This model diverges from mass-producing programmatic pages, but changes come with drawbacks:

    • Slower feedback loops.
    • Less attributable ROI.
    • Fewer “quick wins.”
    • Greater reliance on distribution and partnerships.

    In 2026, content focuses on fewer pages, but with more profound insights, strong opinions, and unique assets that are challenging to replicate.

    The spam update didn’t ruin my niche sites for Christmas, but it illustrated the thin margin for anything built without trust.

    Search marketing is about more than avoiding penalties—it’s about creating unique, trustworthy content that AI can’t easily replicate.


    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.


    crushpress.ai community screenshot

    Do you remember when partial-match domains and headings could easily rank for commercially intended search queries? I do, and those were simpler times.

    With the right strategies and conversion-optimized widgets, I was able to quietly generate tens of thousands of dollars in affiliate revenue each month with minimal upkeep.

    Maintaining success was as simple as updating articles for relevancy and freshness signals.

    Pressure-testing Google’s spam update

    Before launching the experiment, I dedicated several months to scaling an affiliate initiative on a revered website within a YMYL category.

    We succeeded by hiring subject matter experts to craft informative content that genuinely educated our readers.

    While the newly created content targeted keywords with commercial intent, it wasn’t the sole purpose of the website. We also featured thousands of pages of user-generated content that guided the new writing and encouraged conversions.

    Our site boasted brand trust, original research, and expert insights—elements you’d anticipate from a reputable publisher.

    This was a perfect combination: a legacy of verticalized user-generated content, numerous earned backlinks, and a commercial element that met existing demand while complying with industry practices. It provided a genuinely helpful user experience.

    The experiment: Scaling AI without trust

    The initial model was founded on trust and earned authority, but this new venture removed those signals entirely. 

    During this period, many LinkedIn influencers were employing AI to mass-generate pages by scraping, rewriting content, or programmatically collating public data.

    Inspired, I scrounged a few dollars, purchased three domains, and tuned them to match these queries: “best welding schools,” “best plumbing schools,” and “best electrical schools.”

    The objective? To test a collection of low-trust, high-scale strategies popular online and observe how long they’d last.

    I used AI to enhance the websites visually, fetched public data through a vibe-coded Python API, and crafted templates for subheadings and paragraph text with ChatGPT based on what typically ranks online. 

    Within hours, thanks to liquid content, I published thousands of bottom-funnel pages across three websites. It allowed me to integrate public data, target specific program types and states with superlatives, and offer a directory with individual pages for each school.

    I even utilized aggressive internal linking tactics that favored crawl coverage over user intent.

    This arrangement ignored nearly every long-term trust signal, providing a valuable test of system reactions.

    ```json
{
  "alt": "The CapmatchOne logo with a gradient circle and bold text.",
  "caption": "Discover innovation with the CapmatchOne logo, featuring sleek typography and a modern gradient circle.",
  "description": "The CapmatchOne logo features bold, modern typography coupled with a gradient circle, symbolizing connection and innovation. The sleek design conveys a sense of progress and creativity. This image can be used for branding or promotional purposes, appealing to audiences interested in innovative solutions and forward-thinking designs."
}
```

    All three sites shared similar traits:

    Dig deeper: 3 GEO experiments you should try this year

    Content in 2026: Fewer pages, deeper moats

    This model diverges from mass-producing programmatic pages, but changes come with drawbacks:

    • Slower feedback loops.
    • Less attributable ROI.
    • Fewer “quick wins.”
    • Greater reliance on distribution and partnerships.

    In 2026, content focuses on fewer pages, but with more profound insights, strong opinions, and unique assets that are challenging to replicate.

    The spam update didn’t ruin my niche sites for Christmas, but it illustrated the thin margin for anything built without trust.

    Search marketing is about more than avoiding penalties—it’s about creating unique, trustworthy content that AI can’t easily replicate.


    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.


    crushpress.ai community screenshot

    Dig deeper: Inside Google’s secret search systems: 1,200 experiments, AI agents, and entities

    Where is content heading in 2026?

    The real insight is not just that Google cracked down on spam or that affiliate content marketing is less effective. It’s that businesses reliant on one easily mimicked distribution channel are vulnerable when that channel shifts.

    The future of content will challenge businesses using search as their sole channel.

    Instead of focus on broadly applicable topics, many within the industry are emphasizing verticalized research and benchmarks to inspire genuine community dialogues. 

    ```json
{
  "alt": "Graph showing search performance metrics including clicks, impressions, CTR, and position over 28 days.",
  "caption": "Explore your website's search performance trends over the last 28 days with detailed metrics on clicks, impressions, CTR, and average position.",
  "description": "This image displays a performance report graph for a website's search analytics over 28 days. It shows total clicks (209), impressions (19.3K), average CTR (1.1%), and average position (26.8). The line graph reflects daily trends in clicks, impressions, and position, highlighting fluctuations across the timeline. The chart is part of a search analytics dashboard, providing insights into website traffic performance and SEO effectiveness."
}
```

    Content is evolving beyond simple pages meant to rank, becoming a blend of discovery, discourse, and thought leadership across various channels.

    Discovery, discourse, and thought leadership

    Hypothetical: Imagine running a SaaS company in the fintech domain, offering advanced financial forecasting.

    Rather than creating landing pages targeting “best financial forecasting software” or its affordable counterpart, consider delving into insightful discussions with industry leaders imparts significant wisdom.

    Leverage their expertise to pinpoint the most significant financial forecasting gaps in 2026 and verify: Does my offering genuinely address this?

    If yes, you’ve likely found a perfect entry to the community.

    If not, there’s your direction.

    Utilize these insights to craft interactive assessment-based landing pages, supporting them with benchmarking reports derived from top-tier industry organizations.

    The intent is for the content to aid organizations in understanding their present state and aims.

    These assessments or studies may not dominate Google for high-volume queries, but leveraging owned channels, partnerships, paid media, and other strategies can ensure they reach ideal clients.

    These insights act as a springboard for sharing authentic insights from unique dialogues, spanning multiple channels, amplifying your impact.

    If executed effectively, you’ll not only enrich the community but also achieve previously elusive growth.

    Companies such as Stripe with its “Developer Coefficient” and HubSpot with its “State of Marketing” have adopted this approach.

    Dig deeper: 3 GEO experiments you should try this year

    Content in 2026: Fewer pages, deeper moats

    This model diverges from mass-producing programmatic pages, but changes come with drawbacks:

    • Slower feedback loops.
    • Less attributable ROI.
    • Fewer “quick wins.”
    • Greater reliance on distribution and partnerships.

    In 2026, content focuses on fewer pages, but with more profound insights, strong opinions, and unique assets that are challenging to replicate.

    The spam update didn’t ruin my niche sites for Christmas, but it illustrated the thin margin for anything built without trust.

    Search marketing is about more than avoiding penalties—it’s about creating unique, trustworthy content that AI can’t easily replicate.


    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.


    crushpress.ai community screenshot
    • Zero brand signals.
    • Programmatic AI-generated content.
    • Public data aggregation.
    • Intense internal linking.
    • No original research or authorship signals.

    Dig deeper: What 4 AI search experiments reveal about attribution and buying decisions

    Indexation was swift, and pages appeared for long-tail queries surprisingly quickly.

    Within a couple of months, each site was generating around 200 in-market clicks.

    However, the December spam update changed the game as clicks dropped to zero.

    I attempted data updates and performance-enhancing plugins, which proved futile.

    While I can’t pinpoint any single tactic’s failure, collectively, they resulted in sites whose only merit was temporary ranking. Once Google no longer found that useful, the sites were left bare.

    The lesson here isn’t the failure of these websites; it’s that Google allowed them just enough time to learn from them.

    Does affiliate content marketing still work?

    Affiliate content marketing remains a viable monetization strategy but not a growth engine on its own.

    There are many websites that offer a valuable user experience, adhere to best practices, and successfully generate affiliate income.

    For further guidance, consult Google’s information on creating helpful and people-first content to assess if your website is publishing content “created primarily for people, not to manipulate search engine rankings.”

    • “If the ‘why’ behind your content is to primarily draw search engine traffic, it’s not aligned with what our systems aim to reward. Using automation, AI-generated content to manipulate rankings violates our spam policies.”

    Even with best practices, factors such as the rise of AIO and other disruptions have tempered affiliate marketing’s past successes.

    Fortunately, alternatives exist. 

    Dig deeper: Inside Google’s secret search systems: 1,200 experiments, AI agents, and entities

    Where is content heading in 2026?

    The real insight is not just that Google cracked down on spam or that affiliate content marketing is less effective. It’s that businesses reliant on one easily mimicked distribution channel are vulnerable when that channel shifts.

    The future of content will challenge businesses using search as their sole channel.

    Instead of focus on broadly applicable topics, many within the industry are emphasizing verticalized research and benchmarks to inspire genuine community dialogues. 

    ```json
{
  "alt": "Graph showing search performance metrics including clicks, impressions, CTR, and position over 28 days.",
  "caption": "Explore your website's search performance trends over the last 28 days with detailed metrics on clicks, impressions, CTR, and average position.",
  "description": "This image displays a performance report graph for a website's search analytics over 28 days. It shows total clicks (209), impressions (19.3K), average CTR (1.1%), and average position (26.8). The line graph reflects daily trends in clicks, impressions, and position, highlighting fluctuations across the timeline. The chart is part of a search analytics dashboard, providing insights into website traffic performance and SEO effectiveness."
}
```

    Content is evolving beyond simple pages meant to rank, becoming a blend of discovery, discourse, and thought leadership across various channels.

    Discovery, discourse, and thought leadership

    Hypothetical: Imagine running a SaaS company in the fintech domain, offering advanced financial forecasting.

    Rather than creating landing pages targeting “best financial forecasting software” or its affordable counterpart, consider delving into insightful discussions with industry leaders imparts significant wisdom.

    Leverage their expertise to pinpoint the most significant financial forecasting gaps in 2026 and verify: Does my offering genuinely address this?

    If yes, you’ve likely found a perfect entry to the community.

    If not, there’s your direction.

    Utilize these insights to craft interactive assessment-based landing pages, supporting them with benchmarking reports derived from top-tier industry organizations.

    The intent is for the content to aid organizations in understanding their present state and aims.

    These assessments or studies may not dominate Google for high-volume queries, but leveraging owned channels, partnerships, paid media, and other strategies can ensure they reach ideal clients.

    These insights act as a springboard for sharing authentic insights from unique dialogues, spanning multiple channels, amplifying your impact.

    If executed effectively, you’ll not only enrich the community but also achieve previously elusive growth.

    Companies such as Stripe with its “Developer Coefficient” and HubSpot with its “State of Marketing” have adopted this approach.

    Dig deeper: 3 GEO experiments you should try this year

    Content in 2026: Fewer pages, deeper moats

    This model diverges from mass-producing programmatic pages, but changes come with drawbacks:

    • Slower feedback loops.
    • Less attributable ROI.
    • Fewer “quick wins.”
    • Greater reliance on distribution and partnerships.

    In 2026, content focuses on fewer pages, but with more profound insights, strong opinions, and unique assets that are challenging to replicate.

    The spam update didn’t ruin my niche sites for Christmas, but it illustrated the thin margin for anything built without trust.

    Search marketing is about more than avoiding penalties—it’s about creating unique, trustworthy content that AI can’t easily replicate.


    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.


    crushpress.ai community screenshot

    Dig deeper: Inside Google’s secret search systems: 1,200 experiments, AI agents, and entities

    Where is content heading in 2026?

    The real insight is not just that Google cracked down on spam or that affiliate content marketing is less effective. It’s that businesses reliant on one easily mimicked distribution channel are vulnerable when that channel shifts.

    The future of content will challenge businesses using search as their sole channel.

    Instead of focus on broadly applicable topics, many within the industry are emphasizing verticalized research and benchmarks to inspire genuine community dialogues. 

    ```json
{
  "alt": "Graph showing search performance metrics including clicks, impressions, CTR, and position over 28 days.",
  "caption": "Explore your website's search performance trends over the last 28 days with detailed metrics on clicks, impressions, CTR, and average position.",
  "description": "This image displays a performance report graph for a website's search analytics over 28 days. It shows total clicks (209), impressions (19.3K), average CTR (1.1%), and average position (26.8). The line graph reflects daily trends in clicks, impressions, and position, highlighting fluctuations across the timeline. The chart is part of a search analytics dashboard, providing insights into website traffic performance and SEO effectiveness."
}
```

    Content is evolving beyond simple pages meant to rank, becoming a blend of discovery, discourse, and thought leadership across various channels.

    Discovery, discourse, and thought leadership

    Hypothetical: Imagine running a SaaS company in the fintech domain, offering advanced financial forecasting.

    Rather than creating landing pages targeting “best financial forecasting software” or its affordable counterpart, consider delving into insightful discussions with industry leaders imparts significant wisdom.

    Leverage their expertise to pinpoint the most significant financial forecasting gaps in 2026 and verify: Does my offering genuinely address this?

    If yes, you’ve likely found a perfect entry to the community.

    If not, there’s your direction.

    Utilize these insights to craft interactive assessment-based landing pages, supporting them with benchmarking reports derived from top-tier industry organizations.

    The intent is for the content to aid organizations in understanding their present state and aims.

    These assessments or studies may not dominate Google for high-volume queries, but leveraging owned channels, partnerships, paid media, and other strategies can ensure they reach ideal clients.

    These insights act as a springboard for sharing authentic insights from unique dialogues, spanning multiple channels, amplifying your impact.

    If executed effectively, you’ll not only enrich the community but also achieve previously elusive growth.

    Companies such as Stripe with its “Developer Coefficient” and HubSpot with its “State of Marketing” have adopted this approach.

    Dig deeper: 3 GEO experiments you should try this year

    Content in 2026: Fewer pages, deeper moats

    This model diverges from mass-producing programmatic pages, but changes come with drawbacks:

    • Slower feedback loops.
    • Less attributable ROI.
    • Fewer “quick wins.”
    • Greater reliance on distribution and partnerships.

    In 2026, content focuses on fewer pages, but with more profound insights, strong opinions, and unique assets that are challenging to replicate.

    The spam update didn’t ruin my niche sites for Christmas, but it illustrated the thin margin for anything built without trust.

    Search marketing is about more than avoiding penalties—it’s about creating unique, trustworthy content that AI can’t easily replicate.


    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.


    crushpress.ai community screenshot
    • Zero brand signals.
    • Programmatic AI-generated content.
    • Public data aggregation.
    • Intense internal linking.
    • No original research or authorship signals.

    Dig deeper: What 4 AI search experiments reveal about attribution and buying decisions

    Indexation was swift, and pages appeared for long-tail queries surprisingly quickly.

    Within a couple of months, each site was generating around 200 in-market clicks.

    However, the December spam update changed the game as clicks dropped to zero.

    I attempted data updates and performance-enhancing plugins, which proved futile.

    While I can’t pinpoint any single tactic’s failure, collectively, they resulted in sites whose only merit was temporary ranking. Once Google no longer found that useful, the sites were left bare.

    The lesson here isn’t the failure of these websites; it’s that Google allowed them just enough time to learn from them.

    Does affiliate content marketing still work?

    Affiliate content marketing remains a viable monetization strategy but not a growth engine on its own.

    There are many websites that offer a valuable user experience, adhere to best practices, and successfully generate affiliate income.

    For further guidance, consult Google’s information on creating helpful and people-first content to assess if your website is publishing content “created primarily for people, not to manipulate search engine rankings.”

    • “If the ‘why’ behind your content is to primarily draw search engine traffic, it’s not aligned with what our systems aim to reward. Using automation, AI-generated content to manipulate rankings violates our spam policies.”

    Even with best practices, factors such as the rise of AIO and other disruptions have tempered affiliate marketing’s past successes.

    Fortunately, alternatives exist. 

    Dig deeper: Inside Google’s secret search systems: 1,200 experiments, AI agents, and entities

    Where is content heading in 2026?

    The real insight is not just that Google cracked down on spam or that affiliate content marketing is less effective. It’s that businesses reliant on one easily mimicked distribution channel are vulnerable when that channel shifts.

    The future of content will challenge businesses using search as their sole channel.

    Instead of focus on broadly applicable topics, many within the industry are emphasizing verticalized research and benchmarks to inspire genuine community dialogues. 

    ```json
{
  "alt": "Graph showing search performance metrics including clicks, impressions, CTR, and position over 28 days.",
  "caption": "Explore your website's search performance trends over the last 28 days with detailed metrics on clicks, impressions, CTR, and average position.",
  "description": "This image displays a performance report graph for a website's search analytics over 28 days. It shows total clicks (209), impressions (19.3K), average CTR (1.1%), and average position (26.8). The line graph reflects daily trends in clicks, impressions, and position, highlighting fluctuations across the timeline. The chart is part of a search analytics dashboard, providing insights into website traffic performance and SEO effectiveness."
}
```

    Content is evolving beyond simple pages meant to rank, becoming a blend of discovery, discourse, and thought leadership across various channels.

    Discovery, discourse, and thought leadership

    Hypothetical: Imagine running a SaaS company in the fintech domain, offering advanced financial forecasting.

    Rather than creating landing pages targeting “best financial forecasting software” or its affordable counterpart, consider delving into insightful discussions with industry leaders imparts significant wisdom.

    Leverage their expertise to pinpoint the most significant financial forecasting gaps in 2026 and verify: Does my offering genuinely address this?

    If yes, you’ve likely found a perfect entry to the community.

    If not, there’s your direction.

    Utilize these insights to craft interactive assessment-based landing pages, supporting them with benchmarking reports derived from top-tier industry organizations.

    The intent is for the content to aid organizations in understanding their present state and aims.

    These assessments or studies may not dominate Google for high-volume queries, but leveraging owned channels, partnerships, paid media, and other strategies can ensure they reach ideal clients.

    These insights act as a springboard for sharing authentic insights from unique dialogues, spanning multiple channels, amplifying your impact.

    If executed effectively, you’ll not only enrich the community but also achieve previously elusive growth.

    Companies such as Stripe with its “Developer Coefficient” and HubSpot with its “State of Marketing” have adopted this approach.

    Dig deeper: 3 GEO experiments you should try this year

    Content in 2026: Fewer pages, deeper moats

    This model diverges from mass-producing programmatic pages, but changes come with drawbacks:

    • Slower feedback loops.
    • Less attributable ROI.
    • Fewer “quick wins.”
    • Greater reliance on distribution and partnerships.

    In 2026, content focuses on fewer pages, but with more profound insights, strong opinions, and unique assets that are challenging to replicate.

    The spam update didn’t ruin my niche sites for Christmas, but it illustrated the thin margin for anything built without trust.

    Search marketing is about more than avoiding penalties—it’s about creating unique, trustworthy content that AI can’t easily replicate.


    Inspired by this post on Search Engine Land.


    crushpress.ai community screenshot