10+ Side Hustle Trends for 2025

      Side Hustle Nation aims to enhance your personal profitability. To achieve this, we often collaborate with companies that align with our mission. If you sign up or make a purchase through one of our partner links, we may earn compensation—without any added cost to you. Learn more. What are the key side hustle trends to watch for in 2025? These may influence the business you choose to start and your approach to scaling it. Joining me is long-time friend and show supporter, Spencer Haws from NichePursuits.com. He has been discussing online side hustles even longer than I have. Most of our content originates from the question, “How can I earn extra money?” To address this effectively, it’s crucial to understand the market's history, its current status, and potential future developments. Tune in to Episode 667 of the Side Hustle Show to discover:

      - Which side hustles are flourishing now and which are declining

      - Why email, AI, and even eBay are making significant comebacks

      - How to make your hustle resilient in a rapidly evolving digital landscape

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      1. **Zero-Click Search Functions Indicate a Declining SEO Landscape**

      Since Google's “Helpful Content Update,” more search results have transitioned to zero-click formats. You'll notice AI snippets, Reddit threads, image cards, and other user-generated content taking precedence. Spencer pointed out that even major publishers are experiencing the impact. They still rank high, but due to AI summaries, users aren’t clicking through. I’ve observed this trend with my own content and find myself using ChatGPT more than Google lately because it recalls previous inquiries and provides more customized responses. This is fantastic for users but discouraging for creators, who find they're feeding AI but seeing diminished returns.

      So, what’s the solution? According to Spencer, we are undergoing a significant transition. The path ahead includes:

      - Crafting genuinely unique content that AI cannot imitate,

      - Being the first to unveil a story, or

      - Establishing a strong connection with your audience through your writing style, voice, and personality.

      With SEO traffic dwindling, we are witnessing a critical shift toward what we term “social-first publishing.” I still advocate for having a website as your central hub, as it is under your control, but more creators are now starting on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, or Twitter to cultivate their audiences. That’s where the focus is currently.

      The new strategy involves showing up where your audience is active, gaining their trust, and subsequently integrating them into your ecosystem through email lists, communities, or product funnels. Spencer observed that content creators are adopting organic methods on social platforms to avoid paying for traffic, particularly on YouTube. He suggests selecting one platform to master before diversifying later. The monetization is less straightforward than just adding ads to a blog, prompting more strategic business models, including coaching, consulting, or premium offerings that exceed superficial content.

      3. **Video Content Offers a Stronger Advantage**

      Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are emphasizing video content. Though AI can generate written articles quickly, it still cannot replicate your on-camera presence. The human connection — your tone, expressions, and energy — establishes trust rapidly. Appearing on camera can help you grow your audience much quicker than relying solely on written content. Spencer has experimented with AI video components, such as quirky B-roll and AI characters, but it remains his presence on screen that drives engagement.

      Podcasting follows a similar pattern; while growth may be slower, once you have an audience tuning in for extended periods, the relationship formed is far stronger than a quick blog skim, producing high trust and leverage. If you're willing to appear on video, you maintain a competitive advantage that AI cannot replicate… yet.

      4. **The Algorithm is More Crucial Than Follower Numbers**

      This has been a gradual change, but it’s now a reality. The importance of follower counts is diminishing. We are now in the era of algorithm-driven content. When I log into Instagram or Facebook, half the content in my feed comes from accounts I don't follow. Yet, the algorithm serves up material it predicts I’ll enjoy — and most times, it’s accurate.

      For me, that includes ski stunts and baseball stats, prompting me to engage, even without knowing the creators behind these posts. The benefit of this is that new creators can achieve significant visibility. If your content resonates, you could go viral without needing a massive following. Spencer mentioned Facebook pages with 10,000 followers receiving