I would think y2k bug, software for Amiga computers, North Korean discos, Election 1996, Tasmanian Tigers (I believe they are not extinct), etc would be niches you aren't going to mine $50 per month from.
I'm tempted to create a website about Tasmanian tigers: 315 searches a day and almost no competition .
Pheh, you're right on the money J. I've been kicked outta the affiliate programs of 2 large companies because I outgunned them in the SERPs for their own brand name & top product. Cease and Desist, they said... So I complied, and went with their (smarter/smaller) competitors instead. The big guys are happy that I no longer promote their products, but my site still ranks above them in the same niche, for their competitors stuff. They certainly showed me who's boss! K BTW, the worse niche I ever got into for AdSense was a site about Cactus. It was a very prickly, yet unprofitable experience.
Kokaroach, sorry for the stoopid question, but what is Cactus? Do you mean like, cactus plants? I think a bad niche might be anything that caters to a "tech-savvy" audience. They might be the most likely to use ad-blocking software/extensions, and the least likely to errantly click about the page. On the other hand...I think that the best ones would target an older audience, for a couple of reasons: a) contrary to above, they are the least tech savvy, and b) likely have the most money to spend on goods/products. Maybe back to the idea of cactus plants... Maybe a site on gardening tips, green thumb stuff might not be a bad idea, as this may appeal to older folks with time/money on their hands. Or some kind of subset of that, like organic gardening, or making money on a gardening hobby?
Older people have the most money to spend ?? first time I've heard that one. The vast majority of older people (50+) are barely scraping by with little or no spare money. You're right in that the best audience to target is the less 'tech savvy' - ie the 'normal' internet user. They have a habit of clicking on anything that they think looks interesting.
stinkyunderware. com Back in '99 Had this great idea, was going to make t-shirts and a bunch of other stuff, bought the domain, paid for a years hosting, then figured out it was spelt wrong.
This is one of the best threads I have read here on DP. You can actually learn a lot from learning what doesn't work. I make terrible adsense earnings from my massively multiplayer online roleplayer games blog. I really think that it should do better, but the adsense clicks pay so little.
This is a neat thread. I must have missed it back in 2005 As for low paying Adsense, you can't beat Myspace resource sites.
My sudoku site sucks, I am still puzzling over it... lots of visitors, but very low clicks and click value.
FORUMS ... regardless of niches, IMO. Users of forums are generally experienced enough to not pay any attention to ads.
make money online and dating ... too competitive, i'm done with dating for good, i'm still trying with money online
nittany, I agree! This is one of the most interesting & entertaining thread in a long while, thanks for those who are willing to share their bad niche, it's very informative. I'll concur with another previous poster, food & recipes stuff pays pennies. Don't spend weeks on such a project like I did. I'm probably in the money right now but it took a few years. Wish I actually picked a decent niche 2-3 years ago. By now I'd have an authority and well aged site, even if it's competitive. I guess I should start now with an eye to the future.