If you're like we were a few years ago, you're dreaming of turning your travels into a full-time job with a solid income. Most likely you found this blog post because you're interested in starting a blog, so let me me start by saying that this is probably the best form of content creation to begin in 2025.
We'll cover everything from the relevance of travel blogging in 2025 to practical steps on starting your blog, monetization strategies, and the best affiliate programs. Whether you're a seasoned traveler, a digital nomad, or someone who's just passionate about exploring new places, this article is for you.
Absolutely, blogging continues to be a profitable business in 2025! We slept on blogging for far too long since we were already so busy with our other content platforms including Youtube and a podcasting. However, halfway through 2023 I decided to give blogging a real shot and couldn't believe I had waited so long! It's turned into a wonderful resources for our audience across other platforms, but most importantly we're reaching new people via Google. With the right strategies, such as leveraging social media platforms, optimizing SEO practices, and building a loyal audience, bloggers can tap into diverse revenue streams, including affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and digital products.
With the rise of social media platforms, you might wonder if traditional blogging still holds value. The answer is a resounding yes. Blogging continues to be a powerful tool for sharing in-depth content, building a loyal audience, and establishing authority in your niche. Unlike fleeting social media posts, blog articles offer evergreen content that can drive traffic for years. Not to mention it's the best way to profit from affiliate marketing (at least in our experience).
Blogging has evolved significantly over the years. In 2025, bloggers have access to more monetization strategies than ever before. From sponsored content and affiliate marketing to selling digital products and offering online courses, the opportunities are vast. Not to mention that more and more companies are recognizing the value of "micro influencers" (or in this case, smaller blogs) and are opening their doors to earn revenue for creators with smaller monthly analytics. The key is to diversify your income streams to ensure a steady revenue flow.
Take Note: Are you a newer blog that wants to through ad revenue? Checkout Mediavine's new platform for websites with 10,000 monthly clicks. It's called Journey by Mediavine and overall we've been pretty happy with the platform so far!
Your travel blog is more than just a platform for sharing stories and information-- it's a personal brand. In a world where consumers crave authenticity, a well-crafted blog allows you to connect with your audience on a deeper level. This connection is invaluable for monetization, as it builds trust and encourages readers to engage with your content and products. We also like to use our website as an over glorified business card that potential sponsors can get to know us and learn more about sponsorship opportunities. The blog is the bread and butter of your website, but a well built website can (and should) be multifunctional.
Before you start, decide on a niche that combines your passion with market demand. While "travel" is a broad category, niches like solo travel, luxury travel, budget travel, or adventure travel can help you stand out and attract a specific audience. We've even seen some bloggers go super niche and host an entire blog around topics such as sober traveling, gluten free traveling, and country or city specific traveling. Research your chosen niche to understand the competition and potential audience. Make sure that you chose a niche that you're passionate enough to write a lot about!
Content is king, especially in the blogging world and that's never been more true than in 2025. In a world of AI and heavy competition from other creators fighting for their place at the top of the Google search results, Google continues to update their algorithm to select original and truly helpful content vs. content that has been created to make the search engines happy. Your content should be engaging, informative, and visually appealing so be sure to use high-quality images and videos to complement your written posts. Consistency is key; aim to publish new content regularly (we recommend once a week) to keep your audience engaged and returning for more.
If I'm being totally honest, the idea of "quality original content" stressed me to the max when I was new to blogging. Not because I didn't think I had valuable experiences and information to share with fellow travelers, but I was so worried that Google wouldn't like my blog templates or think that my content was too similar to others. However, so much of the quality comes from talking about your personal experiences and thoughts as well as your original photos. Formatting your blogposts will become easier and quicker the longer you blog. Focus on learning SEO and implementing those strategies with your personal experiences and I promise it'll become second nature to write!
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is crucial for driving organic traffic to your blog. I can't emphasize this enough! A lot of experienced bloggers are pretty loud online about how Google "hates their blog," but in reality part of blogging is just growing and changing with the Google Core Updates.
When people think of SEO they generally think about keywords which is definitely the largest piece of SEO. Using relevant keywords like "Travel Blogging 2025," "Make Money Blogging," and "Best Affiliate Programs" naturally throughout your posts. Optimize your headlines, meta descriptions, and images to improve your search engine rankings.
To get started finding SEO keywords and even topic ideas surrounding an idea, SEMRush has been a my go-to. Their Keyword Magic Tool and Topic Research Tool have been game changing for me. I do 100% of my blog keyword searching and optimizing using these tools, not to mention I can snoop on the competition's blogs by checking to see what keywords they're trying to rank for. SEMRush is loaded up with features, so if you haven't checked it out before, I'd highly recommend playing around with it using SEMRush's free 30 day trial.
The income potential for travel blogs varies widely. Some bloggers make a few hundred dollars a month, while others earn six-figure incomes. Factors like audience size, engagement rate, and the monetization strategies you employ will influence your earnings. It's essential to set realistic goals and be patient, as building a profitable blog takes time and effort. From the very beginning you should be crafting content that organically promotes affiliate programs you are a part of. We'll talk more about this in a minute, just keep in mind that your blog earnings will correlate with your SEO strategy, so be smart and make the two work together!
Look at successful travel bloggers for inspiration. Bloggers like Nomadic Matt and The Blonde Abroad have turned their passion for travel into lucrative careers. Learn from their past and current strategies and adapt them to fit your unique style and audience. Remember, authenticity is key—your audience will appreciate content that reflects your genuine experiences and personality.
To maximize your earnings, diversify your income streams. Combine multiple monetization strategies, including affiliate marketing, sponsored posts, selling digital products (e.g., e-books, travel guides), and offering services (e.g., travel planning, photography). This approach ensures a steady income, even if one revenue stream fluctuates.
Affiliate marketing is a popular and effective way to monetize your travel blog. By promoting products or services and earning a commission for each sale made through your referral links, you can generate passive income. Choose affiliate programs that align with your niche and audience to ensure authenticity and trust. And one big piece of advise: only promote products and services you've either 1) personally use(d) yourself, or 2) would spend money on. People come to your blog because they trust your guidance, so don't lose their trust by something you can put your name alongside.
Creating content that is a natural fit for selling whatever products from whatever affiliate programs you're a part of is a must.
For example, I really love creating hotel review blogposts which is such a natural way to include our Stay 22 affiliate links because people will come to those blogposts because they're actively looking to book an accommodation.
Another example would be something like a packing list guide blogpost. I've written a couple of these and not only do they have a decent return on affiliate revenue because of the natural integration of product links from places like Amazon and REI in the lists, but also because I include a free downloadable PDF packing list which helps grow our e-mail list. Win win! Get creative in your content and figure out ways to organically promote products you love.
These are our favorite affiliate programs for travel blogging, but keep in mind they might not work for your niche. Make a list of products you regularly feature then see if that brand has an affiliate program. Oftentimes brands will have their affiliate program application listed in the footer of their website.
I'm pretty transparent about saying that I don't like Amazon. Not only do they hurt small businesses and treat their employees unethically, but they also treat their affiliates (like us) pretty poorly. The Amazon cookie length is short and the affiliate percentage is one of the lowest out there. While it sounds like you'd never make any money on Amazon, that's the opposite. Amazon has international name recognition and just about everyone (ourselves included, I hate to admit) place regular orders with them. Giving people the option to purchase through Amazon will increase your chances of of making a profit from affiliate links. When possible, try to link the same product through other affiliate platforms.
Example: A Patagonia rain jacket - Give your readers the option to purchase the jacket through Amazon and REI or Backcountry (both of which give affiliates a higher percentage).
Stay 22 has been a game changer for us this year! Prior to discovering them at TravelCon in 2024, we were a part Booking.com's affiliate program, but honestly, I never liked to promote or use their affiliate links. Why? Because I believe in giving our readers options! Many people (ourselves included) like to price shop for the best rate when booking a rental car or hotel room. Stay 22 offers their affiliates the option to create direct links for Expedia, Booking, Hotels, VRBO, and more. For each hotel I recommend, I always provide a unique link for each platform the accommodation is available on, that way the reader can choose their preferred booking site.
JOIN THE STAY 22 AFFILIATE PROGRAM HERE
SafetyWing has become our go-to travel health insurance provider, offering comprehensive coverage and peace of mind wherever our adventures take us. Known for their high commissions and superb service, they have consistently proven themselves reliable. One of the standout features of SafetyWing is their ability to insure not just our health, but also our electronics against theft while traveling. This multi-faceted approach to coverage ensures that we are protected in all possible scenarios, letting us focus more on the travel experience itself rather than potential risks.
SafetyWing is a really great example of how an organic partnership can grow into a meaningful relationship. We originally purchased SafetyWing for some international travels, loved the service, joined the affiliate program, and we're now regularly sponsored by SafetyWing.
JOIN THE SAFETYWING AFFILIATE PROGRAM HERE
Note: This blogpost is not sponsored by SafetyWing! We just highly recommend them for their product and their affiliate program.
GetYourGuide is an excellent affiliate program for travel bloggers aiming to promote travel based experiences. Known for offering a wide variety of tours and activities across the globe, it allows you to recommend local adventures that resonate with your audience's interests. By integrating these affiliate links into destination guides or itinerary suggestions, you can earn significant commissions while also providing valuable, actionable insights to your readers. Whether it's a guided history tour in a bustling city or an adventurous hike in a scenic landscape, GetYourGuide ensures that the recommendations are as diverse as the traveler's aspirations.
Other affiliate programs we reference pretty regularly on our blog include REI, Backcountry, B&H, AllTrails, andHyatt. Those are more specific to our niche rather than general travel so those might not interest you as much. :)
Investing in your education is crucial for blogging success. Numerous online courses and resources can help you master the art of blogging. Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare offer courses on SEO, content creation, and digital marketing. Additionally, follow industry blogs and podcasts to stay updated on the latest trends and strategies.
Join blogging communities and forums to connect with fellow bloggers. Platforms like Facebook Groups, Reddit, and niche-specific forums offer valuable insights, support, and collaboration opportunities. Networking with other bloggers can lead to guest posting opportunities, partnerships, and increased exposure for your blog.
Blogging is a dynamic field that requires continuous learning and adaptation. Regularly analyze your blog's performance using tools like Google Analytics. Pay attention to metrics like traffic, bounce rate, and conversion rates then use this data to refine your content strategy, improve user experience, and optimize your monetization efforts.
Also be aware of Google's Core Updates which will likely change your ranking quickly from time to time. Oftentimes you rankings will mostly bounce back after a Core Update, but sometimes it can mean another need to adjust to the new algorithm changes.
Another feature I regularly refer to in SEMRush is their red flag notifications that let you know if they're detecting a lot of changes in keyword rankings across Google. The higher the number on a scale of 1-10, the larger the Google update may be. Generally if I see a red flag when my analytics have taken a dip, I'm confident I don't need to panic because things generally level out.
Google Core Updates aside, blogging does mean adjusting strategies and updating content regularly to remain relevant to ensure that you're providing your audience with the highest quality content. That, after all, is what Google has claimed is the most important for blogging in 2025.
Starting a travel blog in 2025 offers incredible opportunities for those passionate about exploring the world and sharing their experiences. By understanding the current landscape, creating quality content, leveraging SEO, and diversifying your income streams, you can turn your travel blog into a profitable venture.
Remember, success in blogging doesn't happen overnight. Stay committed, keep learning, and consistently engage with your audience. If you're ready to take the plunge into the exciting world of travel blogging, there's no better time than now.
