Blogging is often touted as a straightforward path to online fame, fortune, and influence. The internet is awash with advice claiming that with a few simple steps, anyone can turn their blog into a passive income machine or a platform for global recognition. But behind the polished success stories lies a lot of misinformation, unrealistic expectations, and outright bollocks.
Once more unto the breach as we cut through the fluff and debunk the most common myths about blogging, in part twenty-seven of my articles from my satirical comedic polemic series.
“Anyone Can Make Money Blogging”
One of the biggest myths in blogging is that anyone can rake in money with a bit of effort. While it’s true that some bloggers make a living from their work, they’re the exception, not the rule. The majority of bloggers struggle to gain traction, let alone turn their sites into profitable ventures.
Making money blogging requires not only high-quality content but also SEO expertise, audience-building strategies, marketing skills, and a whole lot of time. Even then, success is far from guaranteed. The idea that anyone can strike gold with a blog is misleading bollocks designed to sell courses, tools, and false hope.
“Just Write Quality Content, and They’ll Come”
The advice to “focus on quality content” is repeated endlessly in blogging circles, implying that great writing alone will attract readers. But in reality, the internet is a crowded space, and even the best content won’t succeed without proper promotion.
SEO, social media marketing, networking, and even paid ads are often necessary to bring in traffic. The notion that good writing will automatically find an audience is romanticised bollocks that ignores the realities of content discovery.
“Blogging Is Easy”
The idea that blogging is an easy side hustle that anyone can do is one of the most persistent pieces of bollocks. In truth, running a successful blog involves a steep learning curve and a lot of behind-the-scenes work. From setting up hosting and optimising for SEO to creating visuals and engaging with readers, blogging is far more time-consuming and technically demanding than it’s often made out to be.
The notion that blogging is a quick and easy path to success is feel-good bollocks that overlooks the effort involved.
“You Need to Post Every Day to Succeed”
Many blogging “gurus” insist that success requires constant posting—every day, or even multiple times a day. But while consistency is important, posting more frequently doesn’t guarantee better results. In fact, churning out content at a high volume often leads to burnout and a drop in quality.
Readers value useful, engaging, and well-researched posts over quantity. The advice to post daily is outdated bollocks that ignores the value of sustainability and focus.
“Just Pick a Profitable Niche”
Another common myth is that choosing the “right” niche—such as finance, health, or tech—guarantees success. While it’s true that some niches are more lucrative than others, competition in these spaces is fierce, and newcomers often struggle to gain traction.
The advice to chase a profitable niche often leads to passionless blogs that feel generic and fail to stand out. Blogging without genuine interest in your topic is unsustainable, and the idea that niche alone determines success is oversimplified bollocks.
“You’ll Go Viral If You Follow These Steps”
Blogging advice often includes promises of foolproof strategies to make your content go viral. Whether it’s a specific formula for headlines or tips for writing “shareable” posts, these promises rarely pan out.
Virality is unpredictable, influenced by timing, luck, and external factors beyond your control. The idea that you can engineer a viral blog post is wishful bollocks that preys on creators’ hopes for quick success.
“Free Blogging Platforms Are Enough”
Many new bloggers are encouraged to start on free platforms like Blogger or WordPress.com, with claims that they can always upgrade later. While these platforms are fine for casual blogging, they lack the flexibility and professionalism needed to build a serious online presence.
Migrating to a self-hosted platform later can be a technical headache that disrupts your blog’s growth. The notion that free platforms are good enough for long-term success is convenient bollocks for those who want to skip the upfront investment.
“Email Lists Are Optional”
Some bloggers dismiss email lists as old-fashioned, focusing instead on social media for audience engagement. But the reality is that an email list is one of the most reliable ways to connect with your audience and drive traffic.
Social media algorithms change constantly, making it risky to rely solely on platforms you don’t control. The claim that email lists are unnecessary is short-sighted bollocks that undermines a key component of blogging success.
“SEO is a Waste of Time”
There’s a divide in the blogging world between those who prioritise SEO and those who dismiss it as unnecessary. While SEO isn’t the only path to success, ignoring it entirely is a mistake. Optimising for search engines ensures your content reaches people actively looking for topics you cover.
The idea that SEO is irrelevant or a waste of time is misguided bollocks that limit your blog’s potential.
“You Can Do It All Yourself”
Blogging advice often suggests that you can handle everything—writing, editing, design, promotion, and monetisation—on your own. While this may be true for small blogs, scaling up often requires outsourcing or hiring help.
From virtual assistants to graphic designers, many successful bloggers rely on a team to manage the workload. The claim that you can do it all solo is unrealistic bollocks that sets people up for burnout.
Conclusion: Blogging Is Worth It, But Beware the Bollocks
Blogging can be a fulfilling and even profitable endeavour, but it’s not the magical, effortless path to success that many claim it to be. Behind every viral post or six-figure blog is a lot of hard work, strategy, and often a bit of luck.
If you’re considering starting a blog, approach it with realistic expectations and a healthy dose of scepticism toward the hype. Because while blogging can be rewarding, much of the advice out there is, quite simply, bollocks.