Welcome to Month 9 of the LowFruits case study!
(Before we get to this month’s update, if you’d like to learn more about my story, I did an interview for Niche Surfer last month. Ironically, so did Paul from LowFruits—and we found out just a few days before the interviews got published!)
Now back to our regularly scheduled programming:
Nine months passed by quickly.
It seems like yesterday that I started Barbehow and committed to publishing 6 articles every month based on keyword research in LowFruits.
Wait — wait a second… did you catch that?
Nope, that wasn’t an accident.
In the first month’s case study, I promised I’d unveil the website at the nine-month mark, so here it goes:
? In November, I launched a BBQ blog called Barbehow. ?
I know you’re curious, so go check it out; I’ll be here when you return to the tab 😉
All done? Awesome! Because 106 posts and $4,787.76 worth of content later, I’ve got exciting news to share:
The Website Is Finally Monetized!
The website now gets more than 10,000 page views per month, so I felt I was in a good position to monetize.
I submitted it to Ezoic (I am an Ezoic Certified Expert and Premium publisher) at the beginning of June. They accepted it in mid-June.
? The website has made its first $114.70 from 7,957 page views with an average ePMV (Earnings per Thousand Visitors) of $15.65. It’s not bad since Ezoic’s AI optimization hasn’t kicked in yet.
I expect the highest ePMVs in November and December, especially around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. (People love to buy and gift grills and accessories.)
The team and I also started publishing affiliate posts in June (e.g., The Best X for Y). A few have already made it to page 1!
So, remember my assumptions for December, and I’ll keep you posted on affiliate earnings starting next month.
My Keyword Research Approach This Far
It’s one thing to read about my keyword research and strategy, and another to see it.
So instead of talking about how I find my keywords, I’m just going to show you the keywords on which I’ve already published content.
No matter the niche, these should give you seed keyword ideas you can use in LowFruits (AKA my favorite keyword research tool).
My Keywords
| Search Query | Country | Search Volume | Features | Weak Spots(Green, Blue) |
| how long can grilled fish sit out | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 3,3 |
| how long can grilled chicken be left out | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 3,2 |
| how long can grilled steak sit out | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 2,3 |
| how long can grilled vegetables stay out | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 2,3 |
| how long can grilled burgers sit out | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 2,2 |
| how long can grilled hot dogs be left out | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 1,3 |
| grilling vs frying bacon | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 2,4 |
| how to prevent steak from burning on grill | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 1,4 |
| can you grill with eucalyptus wood | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 2,3 |
| can you grill with fig wood | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 0,7 |
| can you grill with wet charcoal | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 4,3 |
| how often to flip bbq ribs | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 3,2 |
| what australian wood is good for smoking meat | Australia | < 10 | Featured snippet,Images,Videos | 6,3 |
| can you use a skillet on a gas grill | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 2,0 |
| can you put a metal pan on the grill | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 7,0 |
| should you wash your hands after handling raw meat | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 1,3 |
| can you grill without a lid | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 1,1 |
| should you grill frozen chicken | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 6,1 |
| butchers twine on grill | USA | < 10 | None | 1,3 |
| green wood for smoking meat | USA | < 10 | None | 1,3 |
| sassafras for smoking meat | USA | < 10 | None | 1,5 |
| why did my grilled chicken turn gray | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 0,4 |
| should you grill chicken skin side down | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 3,1 |
| steak turns gray when cooked | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Images | 0,4 |
| can you grill when it’s windy | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 1,2 |
| how to tell if brats are done on grill | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 4,2 |
| should you grill burgers frozen or thawed | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 4,0 |
| can you grill when it’s raining | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 3,0 |
| how often to clean a gas bbq | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 3,2 |
| what wood should not be smoked | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 2,2 |
| cherry wood for smoking meat | USA | 70 | Videos | 0,1 |
| can you grill with pine wood | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 2,2 |
| guava wood for smoking meat | USA | < 10 | Videos | 3,3 |
| japanese maple for smoking meat | USA | < 10 | Images | 0,6 |
| can you grill with pine cones | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 2,2 |
| can you grill when it’s cold outside | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 3,0 |
| why won’t my gas grill light | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 0,1 |
| how to tell if a burger is done on the grill | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 4,2 |
| how to grill without lighter fluid taste | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 4,1 |
| is chimney starter worth it | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 3,0 |
| how to grill without burning | USA | 20 | Featured snippet,Videos | 4,0 |
| should you grill on a rusty grill | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 6,0 |
| does ammonia clean grill grates | USA | < 10 | None | 1,5 |
| which way should the grill grates face | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 2,2 |
| can you grill on covered porch | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 2,3 |
| electric starter vs chimney starter | USA | < 10 | Videos | 1,2 |
| drying wood for smoking meat | USA | < 10 | Videos | 3,1 |
| why does my chicken always burn on grill | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 1,2 |
| can you grill without aluminum foil | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 3,1 |
| how often to clean bbq grease tray | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 1,2 |
| how to grill without smoke | USA | 10 | Shopping carousel,Videos | 5,1 |
| should you remove bark from smoking wood | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Images,Videos | 2,4 |
| brisket temperature won’t rise | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 2,3 |
| does wrapping a brisket ruin the bark | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 3,4 |
| why is my brisket bark wet | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 2,5 |
| do you eat the bark on brisket | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Images | 2,4 |
| no bark on brisket | USA | 70 | Featured snippet | 2,2 |
| is it ok to smoke meat with moldy wood | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 2,5 |
| how to prevent burgers from falling apart on the grill | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 5,3 |
| is grilling on a balcony safe | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 4,0 |
| how to tell if regulator on gas grill is bad | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Images,Videos | 3,0 |
| can you grill with wood instead of charcoal | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 0,3 |
| are electric grills worth buying | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 5,1 |
| should you grill hamburgers with the lid open or closed | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 1,2 |
| can you use alcohol to start a grill | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 2,4 |
| how to stop sausages spitting in the grill | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 2,3 |
| how to grill burgers without flare-ups | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 1,1 |
| how long does smoked brisket last | USA | 10 | Featured snippet | 2,1 |
| should you grill meat at room temperature | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 2,1 |
| should you grill on a deck | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 5,1 |
| should you grill dry aged steaks | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Images,Videos | 5,0 |
| butcher’s twine substitute | USA | 880 | None | 1,1 |
| brisket smells sour | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 0,6 |
| what to do with charcoal after grilling | USA | 590 | Featured snippet,Videos | 1,1 |
| can you grill with black coals | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 0,2 |
| can you leave a charcoal grill unattended | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 1,1 |
| can you leave a gas grill unattended | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 1,2 |
| how to keep brisket moist while smoking | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 1,2 |
| how to keep a brisket warm after slicing | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 2,3 |
| how to tell grilled chicken is done | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 2,1 |
| how to tell if grilled steak is done | USA | 40 | Featured snippet,Videos | 6,2 |
| how to grill with charcoal for the first time | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 1,0 |
| how to grill with gas for the first time | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 3,0 |
| how to smoke meat for the first time | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 1,0 |
| how to arrange meat in a smoker | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 0,2 |
| grill height above charcoal | USA | 50 | Featured snippet | 0,4 |
| can you cook on a fire started with gasoline | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 3,5 |
| brisket smells like sulfur | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 3,6 |
| navel end brisket vs point end brisket | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet,Videos | 4,2 |
| undercooked vs overcooked brisket | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 2,5 |
| can you grill on biloxi beach | USA | < 10 | Local map | 2,2 |
| can you grill on daytona beach | USA | 70 | Local map | 2,2 |
| can you grill on navarre beach | USA | < 10 | Local map | 2,2 |
| can you grill on oak island beach | USA | < 10 | Local map | 3,1 |
| can you grill on isle of palms | USA | < 10 | Local map | 4,0 |
| can you use any grill as a built in | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 1,2 |
| can you grill in the garage | USA | 90 | Featured snippet | 2,2 |
| how to get grill grease off of wood deck | USA | 30 | Featured snippet, Videos | 0,2 |
| can any grill use natural gas | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 1,2 |
| should sausages be pricked before grilling | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 3,2 |
| is it better to cover your grill or leave it uncovered | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 3,2 |
| best fire extinguisher for grill | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 0,2 |
| best grill gloves | USA | 1000 | Featured snippet | No weak spots |
| best chimney starter for charcoal | USA | 10 | Featured snippet | 0,2 |
| is 275 too high for brisket | USA | < 10 | Featured snippet | 3,3 |
| when to remove brisket from smoker | USA | 110 | Featured snippet | 1,2 |
Keyword Traffic and Content
I don’t mind the low-volume keywords.
34 of my 104 articles rank #1 to # 3 in Google SERPs, yet the site gets 11,000 views per month.
Is my keyword research approach helpful? Let me know in the comments!
The ranked pages get from 100-250 to 500-750 organic clicks from Google per month.
Traffic from Bing and DuckDuckGo, especially for a BBQ website, is negligible (12-100 clicks per day).
The pages that haven’t ranked yet are either:
- New articles less than 6-9 months old, or
- Articles that need attention (they may have missed the search intent)
My website content plans and keyword research are plain and simple. The majority of my website content is informational posts:
- “Can you [X]”
- “Should you [X]”
- “How to [X]”
- “When to [X]”
I’ve published well-research content by authors who grill and smoke meat as a hobby. It’s doing well with readers and search engine crawlers alike.
Initially, I prioritized as many posts with blue fruit keywords as possible.
Blue fruits represent user-generated content, so they’re easier to outrank, even for a new site with a low Moz DA / Ahrefs DR score:
- Quora
- Forums
Now the site is gaining authority, I go after green-fruit keywords with higher competition because they have a higher search volume.
When your website is new, target keywords with many blue low fruit icons.
An Important Disclaimer
I know 99.9% of you guys and gals who follow this case study are better than that, but just to put it out there for the 0.1%: I use Copysentry to proactively identify copyright infringement, and my team is quick to file DMCA claims and Google content removal requests for legal reasons.
So draw inspiration, but DO NOT copy. 🙂
My Theme and Plugins
If you’re technically curious, my website is powered by WordPress.
It uses a modified version of WordPress’ default Twenty Twenty-One theme with the Twentig plugin.
Under the bonnet, I’ve installed:
- The Affiliatable plugin
- Antispam Bee (a free and lightweight Akismet alternative)
- Ezoic
- Media Credit
- Yoast SEO
I love Yoast SEO because I can disable date-based archives and add no-index tags to my category, tag, and author pages.
(You also get extra control over the site’s titles and meta description tags.)
LowFruits Tip of the Month: Extract Competitor Keyword Ideas
(Note: You must be a LowFruits subscriber to be able to extract keywords from your competitors and use the “Perfomers” filter.)
Did you know that you can use LowFruits to get keyword ideas from your competitors?
It’s one of my favorite LowFruits features!
When you’re running low on… err, fruits, log into LowFruits:
- Open a keyword report
- Go to the “Competition tab”
- Find websites that rank next to you in the SERPs
Filter by “Performers.”
You’ll get websites with a Moz DA below 20 and high traffic.
Then…
- Add the relevant websites to a list
- Go to the “Extract” tool in the left-hand sidebar
- Run an extraction
When you’re done, you’ll get so many new keyword ideas that you’ll have a new problem: you won’t know which keywords to write content for first!
Metrics Over Time
P.S. Thanks for reminding me that I had forgotten to include the Google Search Console stats for the Month!
The site got 6.68k clicks and 291k impressions in June 2022. Up from 3.15k clicks and 162 impressions in May 2022.
Traffic
| Time Period | June 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022 |
| Monthly Pageviews | 11,000 |
| Avg. Engagement Time | 0.48 s |
| Engaged Sessions / User | 0.52 |
| Pageviews / Published Post (PPP) | 105.7 |
Source: Google Analytics
Content
Rankings
| Date Checked | June 10, 2022 |
| Avg. Position (Google, USA, Mobile) | 7.15 |
| Avg. Position (Google, USA, Desktop) | 6.56 |
| Positions in Top 3 on SERPs | 34 (+5 Month-over-Month) |
| Positions in 4-10 on SERPs | 19 (-6 Change Month-over-Month) |
| Positions in 11-100 on SERPs | 8 (-4 Month-over-Month) |
Source: Ubersuggest
Heads-up: I’m running out of keywords in my Ubersuggest Lifetime subscription. So starting next month, I’ll be switching keyword tracking over to SERProbot, where I’ve been tracking my other sites for a while now.
Earnings
| Time Period | June 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022 |
| Total Revenue Since Start of Site | $114.70 |
| Total Revenue YTD (2021) | $114.70 |
| Monthly Revenue | $114.70 Of which $114.70 from display adsOf which $0 from affiliate commissions |
| Monthly Revenue / Published Post (MRPP) | $1.1 |
[ratemypost]
