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Blogging begins with the underlying platform that supports your content. In some cases, you may opt for a self-hosted blog (WordPress or Ghost) or you may be looking for a premonetized blogging platform like Medium, Vocal, HubPages. However, these are just a few of the options that writers seeking the best blogging platforms to make money have.
In 2022, blogging has continued to evolve, and with this evolution, has come a shift in what is considered a blogging platform.
In addition to the previously mentioned platforms, bloggers can now choose to publish their content on micro-blogging sites with newly implemented payment features (Twitter or Tumblr). They can also explore blogging hybrid sites, which provide writers with tools beyond blogging (such as newsletter featured offered by Substack).
With all these blogging platforms available, it can be hard to figure out which blogging platform is best for you. This article will specifically examine the best blogging platforms to make money.
Best Blogging Platforms to Make Money
1. WordPress
WordPress is one of the world’s most popular open-source platforms. It is commonly used as a content management system (CMS) for websites, as well as for blogging. The appeal of WordPress is that no technical knowledge or experience is required to use it. WordPress is utilized by bloggers, small business owners, and even Fortune 500 companies.
Although it requires more time and effort than “premonetized” blogging platforms such as Medium, Vocal.Media, and HubPages, it gives bloggers true ownership of their content and eliminates the risks of being de-platformed or being adversely affected by algorithm changes on these other platforms.
WordPress is also easy to use since it has many established partnerships with web hosting providers, such as Bluehost. This makes setting up a self-hosted blog much easier than it was years ago.
Powers 40% of all websites on the internet.
Offers multiple ways to monetize content.
Bloggers own and control 100% of their content.
2. Ghost
Ghost is an open source blogging platform for writers and journalists. It boasts a minimalist and straightforward user interface that simplifies blogging for its users. Ghost offers SEO tools and plugins that are built into the software, making it easy for users to optimize their content. The Ghost platform is utilized by amateur bloggers, as well as experienced editors based at large media organizations.
What really sets Ghost apart from other blogging platforms is the range of services you can easily offer. This is increasingly important in a world of blog hybrid-products, such as subscription newsletters, membership sites, gated digital content, offering courses, and selling digital products.
Gives bloggers a wide range of publishing tools.
Charges flat monthly fee regardless of revenue.
You own and control 100% of your content
3. Medium
Medium is one of the most popular blogging and digital publishing platforms on the Internet. It allows anyone to easily create and publish a blog post, with a sleek and minimalist design. Medium is popular among writers because of its Partner Program which allows writers to get paid for articles that are posted on the platform.
Medium is unique because it is probably the single best blogging platform for writers who just want to write, build an audience, and get paid. Medium pays writers based on total member reading time and provides writers with a built in audience. It also is free and eliminates any effort required to start your own site.
That said, Medium is not the best blogging platform to make money for every blogger. Typically, the bloggers who do the best on Medium are those that utilize the platform to build an audience, earn a little money with the Partner Program, but ultimately, eventually migrate to their own platform (WordPress or Ghost) or monetize their writing in a different way (subscription newsletters with Substack).
Provides an extremely low barrier of entry for bloggers.
Has a built in monetization system which is ideal for new writers.
High Domain Authority (DA) helps articles rank in Google search results.
4. Substack
Substack makes it simple for a writer to start an email newsletter that makes money from subscriptions. Substack provides web and newsletter publishing tools that are purpose-built for paid subscriptions. Substack is popular with many writers because it’s an all-in-one solution for writers looking to monetize their newsletter. Substack also allows audio creators the ability to charge and distribute their podcasts through Substack’s newsletter delivery system.
While many bloggers associate Substack with newsletters than with blogging, Substack is actually a hybrid of the two models. You can (1) send subscribers newsletter posts and (2) have those posts published on your Substack newsletter domain, like a traditional blog post.
Offers bloggers a hybrid newsletter-blogging platform.
Handles the logistical issues associated with running your own newsletter.
Publishing is free and Substack only takes a cut of paid subscriber revenue (and enabling monetization is optional).
5. Vocal.Media
Vocal.Media is a platform for supporting, discovering, and rewarding creators. Vocal provides the storytelling tools and engaged communities for writers, musicians, filmmakers, artists, and all types of creatives to get discovered, and fund their creativity. Vocal was designed to expand the audience for content distribution and advance writers’ efforts on monetizing their content through various features.
Vocal helps writers earn in a few different ways.
First, Vocal pays creators based on the amount of “reads” their stories receive.
- Vocal creators are paid $3.80 per 1000 reads.
- Vocal+ creators are paid $6.00 / 1000 reads.
Second, Vocal also facilitates tips from your fans. Tipping allows your readers to pay you directly for your stories, with micropayments that go straight into your Stripe account.
Clear payment structure for bloggers.
Built in monetization program.
Offers both a free and premium version of its platform.
6. HubPages
HubPages is a user generated content, revenue-sharing website founded in 2006. The company moved from a single-site to a multi-site business model in 2016. The platform that lets you publish articles and you can earn money from those articles, depending on how many views they receive.
The HubPages writer payment system is based on a formula that primarily measures page views and your article’s contribution to display advertisement success.
However, if you are looking to build an audience and stay on the cusp of new blogging technology, you may need to consider some HubPages alternatives, such as Medium, Mirror.xyz, or Ghost.
A free blogging platform.
Built in monetization system for bloggers.
Has a fairly established audience.
7. NewsBreak
NewsBreak is a local news aggregation and digital publishing platform. The content from this platform is largely featured on the NewsBreak functions mobile app. NewsBreak now boasts 23 million monthly users with a growing network of more than 10,000 content providers. Sensor Tower estimated the app has more than 50 million installs globally across iOS and Android devices, among which more than 99% are from the U.S.
While NewsBreak may not bill itself as a “blogging” platform, it essentially is. The main difference between NewsBreak and many of the other platforms on this list is that there is a preference for content that is time-sensitive and pertains to regional issues.
Allows bloggers to monetize "time-sensitive" content such as news, local events, and issues.
Writers receive a flat payment for each article + revenue share based on article performance.
Willing to negotiate different payment terms with different bloggers.
8. Tumblr
Although Tumblr has had a huge audience for years, there was less of a clear way for creators to monetize their content. Now, Tumblr is joining the fray with Post+, the platform’s first attempt at allowing users to monetize their content.
Tumblr’s Post+ lets creators choose which content they want to put behind a paywall, whether that’s original artwork, personal blog posts or Destiel fanfic. Creators can set the price for their subscriber-only content starting at $3.99 per month, with additional tiers at $5.99 and $9.99. Tumblr will take a 5% cut from creator profits.
Massive audience.
Broad site reach as a social media platform.
History of being very friendly to its content creators.
9. Wattpad
Wattpad brings authors and readers together online through its website and mobile app. The platform is free for all users and promotes a social community experience based on the original stories that are shared. Both amateur and established writers publish stories on Wattpad from a wide variety of genres, including Young Adult fiction, romance, fantasy, and techno-thrillers. Wattpad has steadily grown in popularity, reaching 80 million readers and writers, due to its ease of use and simple business model.
Huge fanbase and audience of potential readers.
Offers writers who want to publish longer form fiction a unique way to monetize their content.
One of the only blogging platforms geared toward fiction.
10. Steemit
Steemit is a blogging platform with a social network and cryptocurrency component. It borrows some of the features of Reddit in that it allows users to upvote and downvote content, as well as follow topics, have discussions, and submit content of your own. However, users also have the ability to earn a share of revenues in the form of Steem cryptocurrency. Content creators, people who curate content, and commenters all have the opportunity to get paid.
One of the oldest blockchain-based blogging platforms.
Unique payment methods.
You own and control 100% of your content through the platform's decentralized structure.
11. Write.as
Write.as is a no-frills, distraction free platform for writers who want to write and publish their content without any hassle. It offers uncomplicated features and tools geared towards encouraging the basic act of writing. Users can write anonymously or set up a profile to create a variety of content, including short blog post or detailed reports. The author can choose to keep their work from the world on Write.as, share the direct link with friends, or publish it on other platforms.
One of the most privacy oriented blogging platforms.
Gives bloggers a distraction and clutter free interface.
Medium-like publishing tools.
12. Blogger
Blogger is among the easiest tools for starting a blog. It is free to use and enables writers to quickly share their thoughts with minimal effort. Blog entries are published with a time stamp and users can add images, videos, and other content. It is owned by Google, allowing anyone with a Gmail account to quickly get started on Blogger for free. Users can design their blogs with a variety of templates or create their own design from scratch. There is also a possibility for users to monetize their blogs using AdSense.
Powers 40% of all websites on the internet
Offers multiple ways to monetize content
You own and control 100% of your content
13. Twitter
Like Tumblr, Twitter may not be considered a blogging platform by many writers. But as blogs have continued to evolve away from consisting only of a one-off article style post, micro-blogging platform Twitter is making major inroads with passion economy creators.
Twitter is experimenting with Super Follows, which will allow Twitter users to charge followers and give them access to extra content. That could be bonus tweets, access to a community group, subscription to a newsletter, or a badge indicating your support. Twitter sees it as a way to let creators and publishers get paid directly by their fans.
Offers writers the chance to reach one of the largest online audiences.
Allows bloggers to choose which of their content is gated for paid subscribers and which is free for all of their readers.
Twitter is an established platform that is increasingly linked to a creator's personal brand.
Conclusion
When it comes to picking the best blogging platform to make money, writers have many options. However, if you pick a blogging platform from the list above, the odds of monetizing your online writing will increase significantly.
If you are interested in becoming a successful blogger, consider taking our Medium Writing Course or our Substack Newsletter Course. You can also sign up for our newsletter, Blogging Guide, which contains digital publishing insights on all the platforms mentioned above, and more!
