17 Side Hustle Trends for 2025

What are the best side hustle trends you should look out for in 2025?

These might impact what business you start and how you think about scaling it.

And to help me out is a longtime friend and a friend of the show, Spencer Haws from NichePursuits.com.

He’s been covering online side hustles even longer than I have.

Almost all our content starts from the question of, “How do I make extra money?” To answer that, it’s important to know where the market’s been, where it is, and where it’s potentially going.

Tune in to Episode 667 of the Side Hustle Show to learn:

• what side hustles are thriving right now and which ones are fading
• why email, AI, and even eBay are making big comebacks
• how to future-proof your hustle in a rapidly changing digital world

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1. Zero-Click Search Means SEO is Shrinking Fast

Ever since Google’s “Helpful Content Update,” more search results are turning into zero-click experiences. You’ll see AI snippets, Reddit threads, image cards, and other user-generated content taking over the top spots.

Spencer shared that even big publishers are feeling it. They’re still ranking, but thanks to AI overviews, users aren’t clicking through.

I’ve seen it on my own content, and honestly, I find myself using ChatGPT more than Google these days. It remembers past queries and gives more tailored responses.

That’s great for users. But it’s frustrating for creators. We’re feeding the AI machines, but getting fewer returns.

So what should we do?

According to Spencer, we’re in a major transition phase. The playbook going forward is either:

• Create truly unique content, things AI can’t replicate,
• Be the first to break a story, or
• Build a strong audience connection through your writing, your voice, your personality.

2. Social-First Publishing is the New Normal

With SEO traffic declining, we’re seeing a major shift toward what we call “social first publishing.”

I still think you should have a website as your home base because it’s something you own, but more creators are starting on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, or Twitter to build their audiences.

That’s where the attention is.

The strategy now is to show up where your audience already hangs out, earn their trust, then bring them into your world through email list, community, or product funnel.

Spencer noted the same trend: content creators are going organic on social to avoid paying for traffic. YouTube is a big one, but really, you should pick one platform, go deep, then diversify later.

And because the monetization isn’t as straightforward as slapping ads on a blog, it’s forcing more thoughtful business models such as think coaching, consulting, or premium offers that go beyond surface-level content.

3. Video Content Has a Bigger Moat

Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are prioritizing video. And while AI can crank out articles by the dozen, it still can’t replicate you on camera.

That human connection — your tone, your facial expressions, your energy — builds trust fast. Getting in front of the camera can help you build an audience quicker than written content alone.

Spencer’s dabbled in AI video elements, like quirky B-roll and AI characters, but it’s still him on screen doing the heavy lifting.

And it’s the same with podcasting. It’s harder to grow, but once you’ve got people tuning in for 30 or 45 minutes a week, that relationship is way deeper than a 90-second blog skim. It’s high-trust, high-leverage stuff.

If you’re willing to show up on video, you’ve still got an edge that AI can’t duplicate… yet.

4. The Algorithm Matters More Than Your Follower Count

This one’s been creeping up for a while, but it’s officially here. Followers don’t matter as much as they used to.

We’re living in the age of algorithm-driven content. I log into Instagram or Facebook, and half the stuff in my feed is from accounts I’ve never followed. But it’s content the algorithm thinks I’ll like — and most of the time, it’s right.

For me, that’s ski stunts and baseball stats. I’m stopping the scroll, even though I don’t know the creators behind the posts.

The upside is that new creators can punch way above their weight. If your content hits, you can go viral without a huge following. Spencer mentioned Facebook pages with 10,000 followers getting 10 million views off a single post.

The downside is if you’ve already built an audience, the algorithm still decides who sees your stuff. Even your own followers might miss it if it’s not compelling enough.

5. Facebook’s Publishing Performance Bonus Program

This one’s a sleeper side hustle that’s quietly bringing in real money.

Spencer’s earning $3,500 to $5,000 a month just from Facebook. No product, no website traffic. Just posting nostalgic, engagement-friendly image content and letting Facebook’s Performance Bonus Program do the rest.

This is like the YouTube Partner Program. If you’re accepted (and not everyone is), Facebook pays you based on the reach and engagement of your posts.

Spencer’s page isn’t mainstream. It’s “remember this?”-style content—throwback images from the 80s or 90s, with a question to spark memories. His top month hit 30 million impressions and earned just over $5K.

He started the page himself and now has a VA managing everything from sourcing content, writing captions, and posting 10–15 times a day. It’s a serious operation that’s paying off, at least for now.

6. AI Everywhere

AI is powering entire businesses now.

Spencer brought up a wave of new entrepreneurs building tools, apps, and even games using AI… many of them without any coding background.

One standout example is Pieter Levels, who built an AI-powered multiplayer flight simulator that now brings in over $50,000 a month. Sponsors are literally paying to “sponsor the cloud.”

These projects are built with tools like Cursor.ai and Lovable AI, where you can describe what you want in plain English—and AI builds it for you.

I’ve seen it too. Pete McPherson from Do You Even Blog used AI to create a suite of micro SaaS tools, including one he sold. He starts by asking ChatGPT for a build plan, then feeds it into a no-code dev assistant to bring it to life.

It’s now cheaper, faster, and easier than ever to build software even if you’re not technical. And while the tech is accessible, few people are actually using it to create. That’s your opportunity.

7. Creating Free Websites/Tools

Spencer’s been covering a bunch of these free utility-based websites and tools on his YouTube channel.

Something super simple stuff like:

• A YouTube thumbnail downloader
• A face shape detector
• SnowDayCalculator.com, which predicts school closures based on zip code and weather

These tools are free to use and monetized with ads. And they’re pulling in millions of visitors a month.

Some of them are built with AI or minimal code. And unlike blog posts, tools are still winning in organic search.

When someone wants to calculate something or play a quick game, they actually need to visit the site. That makes it a sticky source of traffic.

8. Online Courses are Evolving

We’re seeing a shift away from passive, pre-recorded content toward higher-touch, higher-engagement offers:

• Live courses
• Private communities
• Group coaching
• Even in-person retreats or masterminds

It’s no longer enough to just throw videos behind a paywall. Between AI tools and free YouTube tutorials, people can now get 90% of the information they need without paying a dime.

But do you know what they will pay for? It’s support, accountability, and connection.

Spencer mentioned he’s stayed in a paid online community for years — not for the content, but for the people. When a question comes up, he knows he’ll get thoughtful, trustworthy advice from experienced peers.

9. Incorporating Paid Traffic / Paid Media

More entrepreneurs are mastering paid media to drive growth and doing it profitably.

While I’ve spent a lot of time in the organic sandbox (SEO, podcasting, word of mouth), I’m seeing more people shift into intentional paid traffic strategies.

They’re asking smart questions:

• What’s a subscriber worth?
• What’s a customer worth long term?
• Can I afford to buy them?

I was in a mastermind last year where it seemed like everyone was dropping serious cash—thousands, even tens of thousands a month with Meta. And they were doing it confidently because they knew their numbers.

Spencer mentioned Matt Paulson from MarketBeat.com as a perfect example.

Matt’s built a massive email newsletter in the finance space with millions of subscribers by relentlessly acquiring leads through paid channels. 

10. Newsletters as a Business

Instead of using content to get people on your list, some entrepreneurs are flipping the model. The newsletter is the content. The product. The platform.

Spencer shared how more people are skipping the traditional website altogether and going straight to email where they monetize through sponsorships and ad slots.

If you can grow your list to 50,000 or 100,000 subscribers, and earn $1,000+ per send, it becomes a real business.

We’ve seen this in action on the show, like with Ryan Sneddon from NapTown Scoop and Codie Sanchez from Contrarian Thinking.

Once you understand your subscriber value, you can start buying leads profitably, just like with any other digital product.

11. Everything is a Subscription

Gone are the days of one-time purchases. These days, everything is a subscription.

From Netflix to Notion, and hosting to habit trackers, we’ve entered the age of everything as a service.

As a consumer, it’s “just $10 a month,” until your bank account is drowning in tiny recurring charges.

But as a creator, that’s a beautiful thing. Recurring revenue brings predictability, stability, and higher lifetime value.

Spencer pointed out how even web hosts now bundle everything — domains, AI tools, site builders, you name it — into one monthly fee. It’s all about packaging value and keeping users inside your ecosystem.

And this shift connects back to online courses too. Why sell a $200 course once when you can create a membership or community that brings in revenue every month? We’re seeing creators switch to models like:

• Paid newsletters
• Private communities
• Software-as-a-service (micro tools or add-ons)

12. MSN Still Has Traffic

One of Spencer’s buddies recently had a few articles go viral on MSN and brought in over $20,000 in a single month.

Yes, the homepage for Internet Explorer dads everywhere is still pulling massive traffic.

This is part of the Microsoft Start program, and you can apply to get your site approved to syndicate content. You can also publish content directly on the platform.

And if your stuff performs, especially in listicle or gallery format, you can earn through revenue share.

We’ve been part of the program for Side Hustle Nation. Our results haven’t hit five figures (our best month was $150–200), but it’s a low-lift way to repurpose existing content.

Pro tip: MSN favors gallery-style posts, so something like “Top 10 Side Hustles for 2025” might turn into a slide show.

13. “Fractional” Support is In

There’s a new buzzword in the service-based side hustle world: fractional.

You no longer call yourself a freelance bookkeeper or consultant; you’re now a fractional CFO, fractional CMO, or fractional CTO. That framing instantly level up your positioning and lets you command higher rates.

Spencer and I both noticed this shift. Businesses are becoming more open to contract-based, high-level support. It sounds strategic, senior-level, and solution-oriented, not just task-based.

You bring expertise without the full-time commitment. That makes you way more attractive to startups and small businesses who want high-quality help without the overhead.

14. Influencer Partners / Co-Founders

We’ve seen technical co-founders in startups for years. Now, I’m seeing a rise in influencer co-founders.

Entrepreneurs are teaming up with creators who already have built-in distribution. At the top of the pyramid, you’ve got MrBeast and Feastables.

But this model works even with micro-influencers with just 500 to 20,000 followers who have real engagement.

Spencer and I have seen ecommerce sellers tap into this by partnering with influencers as marketing channels or even bringing them on as equity partners. One clever example is a creator bought equity in a service business, then promoted it through their existing influence channels like podcasts, social, newsletters to drive signups and boost the business. That’s the kind of flywheel you want.

These creators already know how to make compelling content, have an audience that trusts them, and are often looking for ways to monetize beyond brand deals.

15. Amazon Influencer Program

Creators are now monetizing not just through affiliate commissions, but also through paid product placements, flat fees for content creation, and even free product offers.

Some creators go wide, reaching out to hundreds or thousands of micro-influencers to build momentum. Others find one strong partner who can drive consistent traffic and conversions.

The Amazon Influencer Program may not be as loud as TikTok or YouTube, but it’s becoming a legitimate revenue stream, especially for creators who can pair content with commerce.

16. Reselling is Still Alive

Everything old is new again, and that includes reselling.

While the rest of the world is leaning into AI and digital automation, Spencer’s going the other direction: back to physical products. Specifically, flipping Amazon return pallets on eBay.

He’s doing it partly to give his kids a summer job, but also as a content experiment. And who knows? It might turn into a surprisingly profitable venture.

We’ve talked about this before. People will always want good stuff at a discount, so there’s still money to be made in the buy low, sell high game.

What’s good is it’s one of the few hustles not threatened by AI. No algorithm is going to sort, photograph, list, and ship your garage sale haul (at least not yet).

17. Look Up From Your Keyboard and Think Local

To close things out, here’s a trend I’m calling the return to local… or at least a growing appreciation for side hustles that AI can’t touch.

While everyone’s scrambling to adapt to the latest tech wave, there’s a real opportunity in good old-fashioned blue-collar businesses:

• window washing
• mobile detailing
• pressure washing
• junk removal
• and more

Low startup costs, steady demand, and almost zero algorithm risk.

If you’ve got any digital marketing chops at all, you’re already light-years ahead of many local competitors. And sometimes the best move is to stop chasing pixels and get your hands dirty.

Young entrepreneurs are catching onto this too.

Episode Links

• NichePursuits.com
• Niche Pursuits on YouTube
• Google’s “Helpful Content Update”
• YouTube Partner Program
• Pieter Levels
• Cursor.ai
• Lovable AI
• Pete McPherson from Do You Even Blog
• SnowDayCalculator.com
• Detect Face Shape AI
• SnowDayCalculator.com
• Matt Paulson from MarketBeat.com
• Ryan Sneddon from NapTown Scoop
• Codie Sanchez from Contrarian Thinking
• Netflix
• Notion
• Recurring revenue
• MSN
• Amazon Influencer Program
• Window washing
• Mobile detailing
• Pressure washing
• Junk removal

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