Niche Pursuits Review 2026: Is Spencer Haws’ SEO Hub Worth Following?

Niche Pursuits has been around for years.

If you have spent any time researching:

• SEO
• Niche websites
• Affiliate marketing
• Blogging
• Online business

You have probably come across Spencer Haws and Niche Pursuits at some point.

The site originally became well known for detailed niche-site experiments, SEO case studies and Spencer’s attempts to build profitable websites in public.

But Niche Pursuits has changed.

In 2026, it is much broader than a traditional niche-site blog.

You will now find content covering:

• SEO
• Affiliate marketing
• AI and search
• Amazon Influencer
• SaaS businesses
• Ecommerce
• Directories
• Lead generation
• Online business case studies
• Creator and entrepreneur interviews

That makes this review slightly different from the version I originally published.

The question is no longer simply:

“Is Niche Pursuits a useful SEO blog?”

It is:

“Is Niche Pursuits still worth following in 2026, and who is it actually best for now?”

Important 2026 Update

Niche Pursuits is still active.

But the brand has evolved beyond the original niche-site model that made it famous.

Spencer Haws remains the founder and central name associated with Niche Pursuits, but the site now operates more like a broader editorial and podcast brand than a one-person blogging project.

The podcast has also evolved, with Jared Bauman hosting many of the current interviews.

Another important update is that Niche Pursuits Insider, the old paid membership, is no longer open to new members.

That matters because one of the current search queries bringing impressions to this review is:

niche pursuits insider review

So I will cover what Insider was, what it included, and whether it is still relevant later in this review.

What Is Niche Pursuits?

Niche Pursuits is a website and podcast focused on building online businesses.

It was created by Spencer Haws, who became well known for documenting his experiments with niche websites.

The original model was fairly simple:

Find an underserved niche → create useful content → rank in Google → monetise the traffic.

Over time, Spencer documented:

• Niche-site projects
• Keyword research
• SEO experiments
• Affiliate websites
• Display-ad sites
• Software businesses
• Acquisitions and exits

That made Niche Pursuits popular because it was not purely theoretical.

Readers could see:

• What Spencer tried
• What worked
• What failed
• What changed

That practical angle is still one of the site’s biggest strengths.

Niche Pursuits Is Broader Than Niche Websites Now

The name still says Niche Pursuits.

But the content has moved well beyond traditional niche sites.

Current topics include things like:

• AI visibility
• SaaS
• Ecommerce
• Directories
• Lead generation
• Amazon Influencer
• Personal branding
• SEO
• Content businesses
• Online acquisitions

So I would describe Niche Pursuits in 2026 as:

A free online-business education hub with strong roots in SEO and niche websites.

That is more accurate than simply calling it a niche-site blog.

Who Is Spencer Haws?

Spencer Haws is the founder of Niche Pursuits.

He’s best known as the creator of Long Tail Pro, a keyword research tool he later sold for seven figures, and as the host of the Niche Pursuits Podcast, where he interviews successful online entrepreneurs.

He became known for building niche websites and documenting the process publicly.

That included:

• Keyword research
• SEO
• Content publishing
• Affiliate monetisation
• Display advertising
• Website growth

He also built and launched software products connected to SEO and online business.

What I like about Spencer’s background is that his content was historically built around experimentation.

Rather than simply saying:

“This strategy works.”

He would often show:

“Here is the site. Here is what I tried. Here is what happened.”

That made the content much more useful.

Who Runs Niche Pursuits Today?

Niche Pursuits is no longer best thought of as:

Spencer personally writing everything.

It has evolved into a broader content brand.

Spencer remains the founder and the name most closely associated with Niche Pursuits.

But current content includes:

• Editorial articles
• Guest expertise
• Podcast interviews
• Business case studies

The podcast has also evolved.

Jared Bauman now hosts many of the current Niche Pursuits podcast interviews.

That is worth clarifying because older reviews often describe Spencer as the sole podcast host.

The brand today feels more like:

Spencer’s original platform expanded into a wider online-business publication.

Is Niche Pursuits Legit?

Yes.

Niche Pursuits is a legitimate and long-running online-business resource.

There is no expensive programme you need to buy simply to access the main content.

Most of what Niche Pursuits publishes is available free.

That includes:

• Articles
• Guides
• Case studies
• Podcast episodes
• Interviews

The site does make money through normal online-business methods such as:

• Affiliate relationships
• Sponsorships
• Product recommendations
• Advertising

That is not unusual.

The important question is whether the content remains useful.

In many cases, I think it does.

Does Niche Pursuits Use Hype?

Generally, I would describe the tone as more grounded than a lot of the make-money-online space.

But I would not go as far as saying:

“There is no hype.”

Some headlines naturally lean into:

• Large revenue numbers
• Fast growth
• Unusual success stories
• Big business outcomes

That is partly how online-business media attracts attention.

The important thing is to separate:

An interesting case study

from:

A normal beginner expectation.

If someone interviewed on the podcast built a six-figure business, that does not mean a new blogger should expect the same result.

I think Niche Pursuits is most useful when you treat those stories as:

• Ideas
• Lessons
• Strategy examples

Rather than income promises.

My View So Far

I still think Niche Pursuits deserves a strong reputation.

But I would describe its value differently in 2026 than I might have five years ago.

It is no longer simply:

“Follow Spencer and learn how to build niche websites.”

It is now more like:

“Follow experienced online-business operators, learn from their experiments, and decide which ideas apply to your own business.”

That makes it especially useful for someone who already understands the basics and wants broader strategic ideas

What Does Niche Pursuits Cover in 2026?

Niche Pursuits has broadened a lot.

The site still has strong roots in:

• SEO
• Niche websites
• Affiliate marketing
• Content publishing

but the current content goes much wider than that.

SEO and Content

SEO is still one of the core themes.

You will find content around:

• Keyword research
• Search traffic
• Content strategy
• Google updates
• Entity building
• AI visibility

That makes Niche Pursuits particularly relevant for bloggers who want to understand how search is changing rather than simply follow old SEO tactics.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing still features heavily.

That includes:

• Affiliate sites
• Product-focused content
• Niche monetisation
• Revenue breakdowns
• Business models that use affiliate commissions

The useful part is that affiliate marketing is often discussed through real businesses rather than purely theoretical tutorials.

AI and Search

This has become much more important.

Current Niche Pursuits content includes topics around:

• AI search
• AI visibility
• Content strategy
• New discovery platforms
• How search behaviour is changing

That is a sensible evolution.

A site that only talked about old-school Google SEO would feel very dated now.

SaaS and Software Businesses

Niche Pursuits also covers:

• SaaS founders
• Software growth
• Acquisitions
• Recurring revenue
• Business exits

That makes the brand much broader than a blogging resource.

Amazon Influencer

The Amazon Influencer model appears regularly in current interviews and case studies.

That gives Niche Pursuits another angle beyond traditional blog-based affiliate marketing.

Directories and Lead Generation

You will also find businesses built around:

• Directories
• Local lead generation
• Online databases
• Niche marketplaces

These are useful because they show there are more ways to build an online business than:

Write 500 blog posts and wait for Google.

Ecommerce and Other Online Businesses

Current interviews also cover:

• Ecommerce
• Niche brands
• Online services
• Creator-led businesses

That makes Niche Pursuits much more of an:

Online-business case-study hub

Than a narrow SEO blog.

Is That Broader Focus a Good Thing?

Mostly, yes.

The wider range gives readers more ideas and more exposure to different business models.

That can be valuable once you already understand the basics.

The downside is focus.

A complete beginner could easily consume:

• A SaaS interview
• A niche-site case study
• An Amazon Influencer episode
• A directory business story

And end up thinking:

“Which one am I supposed to do?”

That is why I still see Niche Pursuits as:

Excellent for learning and ideas, less ideal as a linear beginner roadmap.

The Niche Pursuits Podcast

The podcast is one of the strongest parts of Niche Pursuits.

Rather than only publishing tutorials, the podcast regularly interviews people who have built real online businesses.

That can include:

• Bloggers
• Affiliate marketers
• SaaS founders
• Ecommerce operators
• Amazon Influencers
• Directory owners
• Lead-generation businesses

The value is usually in hearing:

• What they built
• How they got traffic
• How they monetised
• What went wrong
• What changed
• What they would do differently

That kind of context is hard to get from a simple “10 SEO tips” article.

Who Hosts the Niche Pursuits Podcast?

Spencer Haws built the podcast and remains closely associated with the brand.

But in 2026, Jared Bauman hosts many of the current interviews.

That is worth clarifying because older reviews can make it sound like Spencer still personally hosts every episode.

Is the Podcast Beginner-Friendly?

Yes, but selectively.

Some episodes are very accessible.

Others assume you already understand things like:

• SEO
• CRO
• SaaS
• Affiliate funnels
• Content operations
• Acquisitions

So I would not try to listen to every episode from the beginning.

I would search by topic.

For example:

• SEO
• Affiliate marketing
• Blogging
• Amazon Influencer
• AI search
• SaaS

And choose episodes that match the business you are actually building.

That is much more useful than passive binge-listening.

What I Like About the Podcast

I like that the interviews often focus on:

• Real numbers
• Real traffic
• Real business models
• Mistakes
• Failed experiments
• Practical growth strategies

That makes the podcast more grounded than a lot of motivational online-business content.

But I would still keep perspective.

An interview with someone earning:

£10,000+ a month

Does not mean that is a normal or fast outcome for a beginner.

The value is in asking:

What did they do that I can realistically apply?

Not:

How quickly can I copy their income?

Niche Pursuits Insider Review: What Happened to It?

It was a paid membership created for people who wanted more structure and direct training than the free Niche Pursuits site provided.

What Was Niche Pursuits Insider?

Niche Pursuits Insider was a membership programme that included things like:

• Blueprint training
• Video tutorials
• PDF resources
• Private community access
• Live workshops
• Website reviews
• Software discounts

The aim was to give members a more structured and interactive experience than simply reading the public blog.

How Much Did Niche Pursuits Insider Cost?

Historical pricing listed the membership at around:

$47 per month

That positioned it as a mid-priced recurring membership rather than a high-ticket course.

What Did Members Actually Get?

The main appeal was not just more information.

It was:

• Structure
• Community
• Live interaction
• Practical guidance

That is important because the free Niche Pursuits site has always had plenty of information.

What beginners often need is:

A clearer path through that information.

Insider tried to provide that.

Is Niche Pursuits Insider Still Available?

No, not for new members.

Niche Pursuits Insider is currently closed to new enrolments.

Historical pages and member login areas may still exist, which is why people can still find references to it.

But I would not describe Insider as a current buying option in 2026.

That matters because old reviews can make it look like:

“Join the free site, then upgrade to Insider.”

That is no longer the current path.

Can Existing Niche Pursuits Insider Members Still Log In?

There is still a member login area.

That suggests existing members may retain some level of access.

But I would not assume:

• All historical modules are still maintained
• All community features remain active
• New support or workshops are still being delivered

Unless Niche Pursuits confirms that directly.

So I would treat Insider as:

A legacy membership rather than an active current programme.

Is Niche Pursuits Insider Still Worth Thinking About?

Only historically.

I would not build a 2026 buying decision around it because it is not currently open.

But it tells us something important about Niche Pursuits.

The free site has always been strong for:

• Ideas
• Experiments
• Case studies

Insider existed because some readers wanted:

• More structure
• More support
• More direct implementation

That distinction still matters today.

If you love Niche Pursuits content but struggle to turn ideas into action, the solution is probably not:

Consume more Niche Pursuits articles.

It is:

Find a clearer implementation system and use Niche Pursuits as supplementary learning.

Niche Pursuits vs Niche Pursuits Insider

The difference was basically:

Niche Pursuits

Best for:

• Free learning
• Case studies
• Podcast interviews
• Ideas
• Strategy

Niche Pursuits Insider

Was designed for:

• Structure
• Guided implementation
• Community
• Live support
• More direct training

Since Insider is closed, that distinction now helps explain what is missing from the free site.

Niche Pursuits gives you a lot of valuable information.

It does not necessarily tell you:

“Here is the one exact roadmap you should follow from day one.”

That is the gap a beginner may still need to fill elsewhere.

My Take on Insider in 2026

I would not spend much time trying to find old Insider access or unofficial copies of the material.

The online-business environment has changed too much.

SEO has changed.

AI has changed content production.

Traffic diversification matters more.

The better approach is:

• Use Niche Pursuits for current ideas and case studies
• Use a current structured programme if you need step-by-step training
• Focus on one business model rather than consuming everything

That gives you the best of both worlds.

How Much Does Niche Pursuits Cost?

The main Niche Pursuits website is free.

You can access:

• Articles
• Case studies
• Guides
• Podcast interviews
• Business breakdowns
• SEO content

Without paying for a membership.

That is one of the strongest reasons to recommend it.

What About Niche Pursuits Insider?

Historically, Niche Pursuits Insider cost around:

$47 per month

But it is no longer open to new members.

So in 2026, the practical cost of following Niche Pursuits is:

Free

unless you choose to buy one of the third-party products, tools or courses recommended through the site.

Does Niche Pursuits Make Money From Recommendations?

Yes.

Niche Pursuits uses normal monetisation methods such as:

• Affiliate links
• Sponsorships
• Advertising
• Product recommendations

That is standard for a large online-business publication.

The important thing is to separate:

Useful editorial content

from:

A recommendation that may earn the site a commission.

That does not automatically make the recommendation bad.

It just means readers should make their own buying decisions.

What I Like About Niche Pursuits

There is a lot to like, especially considering most of the content is free.

1. Real-World Case Studies

This is still one of the biggest strengths.

Niche Pursuits often shows:

• What someone built
• How it grew
• Where traffic came from
• How it made money
• What went wrong

That gives readers more context than generic advice.

2. Broad Online-Business Coverage

The site has moved beyond old-school niche sites.

That keeps it relevant.

You can now learn from:

• Bloggers
• SaaS founders
• Creators
• Ecommerce businesses
• Affiliate marketers
• Directory owners

3. Strong Podcast Interviews

The podcast is useful because it gets beyond surface-level advice.

You often hear about:

• Revenue models
• Traffic sources
• Failed ideas
• Growth decisions

That can help readers understand how real businesses evolve.

4. Free Access

You can learn a huge amount without paying anything.

That makes Niche Pursuits good value by default.

5. Useful for Intermediate Bloggers

Once you understand the basics, Niche Pursuits can be very good for:

• New ideas
• Strategy
• Testing different approaches
• Seeing how other businesses operate

What Could Be Better?

The biggest weakness is not quality.

It is structure.

1. Too Many Directions

Because the site covers so many business models, beginners can easily jump between:

• SEO
• SaaS
• Ecommerce
• Amazon Influencer
• Directories

Without committing to one path.

2. It Is Not a Step-by-Step Course

Niche Pursuits does not give beginners a clean:

Start here → Do this → Then do this

Roadmap.

That is the main thing missing.

3. Case Studies Can Create Unrealistic Expectations

Successful founders make interesting content.

But they are not always representative of what a beginner should expect.

Readers need to separate:

Possible outcomes

from:

Likely beginner outcomes.

4. Some Historical Content Has Naturally Aged

Older SEO and niche-site advice can become outdated quickly.

That does not make the archive useless.

It just means date and context matter.

5. Paid Recommendations Still Need Independent Research

If Niche Pursuits recommends a course or tool, I would still research it separately before buying.

Is Niche Pursuits Good for Beginners?

Yes, but not as a complete learning system.

A beginner can learn a lot from the free content.

The problem is knowing:

What should I do first?

Niche Pursuits can answer:

• How does this SEO strategy work?
• How did this business grow?
• What are people doing with AI?
• How are people monetising directories?

But it is less good at answering:

What exact path should I follow this week?

My Beginner Verdict

I would describe Niche Pursuits as:

A very good supplementary learning resource for beginners, but not the only resource I would use.

It becomes more valuable once you understand:

• Blogging basics
• SEO
• Affiliate marketing
• Content creation

And can filter the information properly.

Is Niche Pursuits Good for Busy Parents?

Yes, if you use it selectively.

That is the key.

A busy parent probably does not have time to:

• Read every article
• Listen to every podcast
• Test every business model

So I would use Niche Pursuits as a research library.

Pick topics that match the business you are already building.

For example:

• SEO
• Affiliate marketing
• Blogging
• AI search

And ignore the rest unless it becomes relevant later.

Why It Can Work Well for Parents

The content is:

• Free
• On demand
• Easy to dip into
• Available in article and podcast formats

That makes it flexible.

The Risk

The risk is distraction.

A busy parent could easily hear about:

• SaaS
• Ecommerce
• Amazon Influencer
• Directory sites

And start thinking:

“Maybe I should do that instead.”

That is where Niche Pursuits can become more of a distraction than a help.

My Parent Blogger Verdict

Useful if you already have a direction. Dangerous if you use it to constantly change direction.

That probably sums it up best.

Who Should Follow Niche Pursuits?

I think it is a particularly good fit for:

Bloggers With Some Experience

If you already understand the basics, the case studies and interviews become much more useful.

Affiliate Marketers

There is plenty of content around:

• Monetisation
• Traffic
• Offers
• Business models

SEO-Focused Publishers

SEO remains a major part of the site.

Online-Business Enthusiasts

If you enjoy learning from different digital-business models, there is a lot to explore.

People Who Prefer Real Examples

Niche Pursuits is strongest when it shows:

What actually happened

rather than just giving theory.

Who Might Need Something More Structured?

I would look for additional support if you:

• Are completely new
• Need step-by-step instructions
• Struggle with information overload
• Want technical help
• Need accountability
• Prefer one clear roadmap

In that situation, Niche Pursuits is still worth following.

I just would not rely on it as your entire education plan.

My View at This Point

Now I have taken the time to update my review, it reinforces the same conclusion:

Niche Pursuits is excellent for learning, ideas and strategy. It is less suited to people who need a rigid beginner roadmap.

That is not really a weakness if you understand what the site is for.

Use it as:

• A research source
• A podcast
• A case-study library
• A place to discover ideas

Rather than expecting it to behave like a formal course.

Best Niche Pursuits Alternatives in 2026

Niche Pursuits is free, so I would not automatically replace it with a paid course.

The real question is:

What do you need that Niche Pursuits does not currently provide?

For most beginners, that missing piece is structure.

Wealthy Affiliate

Wealthy Affiliate is the option I would look at first if you want:

• A structured beginner path
• Website tools
• Hosting
• SEO training
• Affiliate marketing training
• Research tools
• Community and support

Its current plans include:

• Starter: Free
• Premium: $497/year
• Premium Plus+: $588/year

The biggest difference is simple.

Niche Pursuits gives you:

Ideas, case studies and strategy.

Wealthy Affiliate gives you:

A more structured system for actually building the site.

That makes Wealthy Affiliate a better fit for someone who keeps reading useful content but still does not know what to do next. Here is my in-depth Wealthy Affiliate review, if you want to check out what it has to offer.

Six-Figure Blog Builder

Six-Figure Blog Builder from Create and Go is another current option if you specifically want a structured blogging course.

The programme currently includes:

• 6 modules
• 170+ lessons
• Blogging setup
• SEO
• Email
• Monetisation
• Pinterest
• AI prompts
• Creator community
• Lifetime access

The current one-time price is $997.

That makes it a much more formal learning system than Niche Pursuits.

Free Learning + Your Own Implementation

This is also a completely valid option.

You could use:

• Niche Pursuits
• Google documentation
• YouTube
• Free SEO tools
• Your own testing

Without paying for another course.

The downside is that you need to create your own roadmap.

For a self-directed learner, that may be enough.

For someone prone to:

• Strategy hopping
• Information overload
• Constantly starting something new

A structured programme can save time.

What About Authority Site System or Fat Stacks?

These used to be obvious alternatives.

I would no longer recommend them as current buying options.

Jon Dykstra’s Niche Site Profits / Fat Stacks flagship course has been retired.

And I would not build this section around older programmes simply because they were once popular.

The alternative should solve the problem today.

Which Niche Pursuits Alternative Would I Choose?

Complete Beginner

Wealthy Affiliate

because the biggest need is usually structure and support.

Someone Certain They Want Blogging

Six-Figure Blog Builder

if the budget works and you want a one-time structured course.

Experienced or Self-Directed Blogger

Keep Using Niche Pursuits for Free.

You may not need another course at all.

That is worth saying.

Niche Pursuits Review 2026: Final Verdict

Niche Pursuits is still worth following.

But I think it is important to understand what it has become.

It is no longer simply:

Spencer Haws teaching people how to build niche websites.

It is now a broader online-business publication built around:

• SEO
• Affiliate marketing
• AI
• Case studies
• Podcasts
• Creator businesses
• SaaS
• Ecommerce
• Other digital-business models

That breadth is one of its strengths.

It is also its main weakness for a complete beginner.

There is a lot to learn.

There just is not one obvious:

Start here → Do this → Then do this

Path.

My Final Verdict

I would recommend Niche Pursuits.

But I would recommend it as:

A learning resource and strategy library.

Not as:

Your entire beginner roadmap.

If you already understand the basics, the value increases dramatically.

You can use Niche Pursuits to:

• Discover ideas
• Learn from other businesses
• Understand new traffic models
• Keep up with SEO changes
• Challenge your own assumptions

For a complete beginner, I would pair it with a clearer implementation path.

Niche Pursuits can show you what is possible. A structured system can help you decide what to do next.

Niche Pursuits FAQs

What Is Niche Pursuits?

Niche Pursuits is a free online-business website and podcast founded by Spencer Haws. It covers SEO, niche websites, affiliate marketing, AI, SaaS, ecommerce, creator businesses and other online-income models.

Who Owns Niche Pursuits?

Niche Pursuits was founded by Spencer Haws, who remains the person most closely associated with the brand.

Is Niche Pursuits Legit?

Yes. Niche Pursuits is a long-running online-business resource with free articles, case studies, guides and podcast interviews.

Is Niche Pursuits Free?

Most Niche Pursuits content is free to access, including its articles and podcast.

What Happened to Niche Pursuits Insider?

Niche Pursuits Insider was a paid membership offering more structured training, live support and community features. It is currently closed to new members.

How Much Did Niche Pursuits Insider Cost?

Historical pricing was around $47 per month.

Is Niche Pursuits Insider Still Available?

No. It is not currently open to new members, although a legacy member login area still exists.

Does Spencer Haws Still Run Niche Pursuits?

Spencer Haws remains the founder and central name associated with Niche Pursuits, but the brand now operates with a broader editorial and podcast team.

Who Hosts the Niche Pursuits Podcast?

Jared Bauman hosts many of the current Niche Pursuits podcast interviews, while Spencer Haws remains closely associated with the brand.

Is Niche Pursuits Good for Beginners?

Yes as a free learning resource, but beginners may still need a more structured step-by-step roadmap.

Is Niche Pursuits Good for Busy Parents?

Yes, especially when used selectively. The content is free and flexible, but the wide range of business models can become distracting if you do not already have a clear direction.

What Is the Best Niche Pursuits Alternative?

For complete beginners who want structure and support, Wealthy Affiliate is one option. Six-Figure Blog Builder is another current structured blogging course. Experienced bloggers may not need a paid alternative at all.

Let’s Chat

Do you follow Niche Pursuits?

I would especially like to hear from people who have followed the site for several years because the brand has changed quite a lot.

For example:

• Do you still read the articles?
• Do you listen to the podcast?
• Which episodes have helped you most?
• Do you prefer the older niche-site content or the broader online-business direction?
• Were you ever a Niche Pursuits Insider member?
• Do you still have access to Insider?
• Did any of Spencer Haws’ case studies influence your own site?
• Have you tried any tools or programmes recommended through Niche Pursuits?

I would also be interested to hear from newer bloggers.

Does Niche Pursuits help you find direction?

Or does the range of business models sometimes make things more confusing?

For me, that is the biggest question with the site in 2026:

Does the variety inspire you, or distract you?