Is HubPages Still Worth It for Freelance Writers in 2025?
In the ever-changing world of freelance writing, platforms rise and fall, and what was once a goldmine can quickly become a ghost town.
HubPages, a platform that has been around since 2006, was once considered a prime destination for writers to earn passive income through ad revenue and affiliate marketing.
But in 2025, is HubPages still worth your time and effort as a freelance writer? Let’s dive into the pros, cons, and realistic expectations for writers considering HubPages today.
What is HubPages?
HubPages is an online writing platform where freelance writers can publish articles (or “Hubs”) on a wide range of topics. Writers earn money through ad revenue and affiliate programs, primarily via the HubPages Ad Program and Google AdSense.
Over the years, HubPages merged with other content platforms like Squidoo, and it became part of the Maven network, which is now operating under the Arena Group.
The platform has evolved significantly since its early days, but it still remains a space where writers can share their knowledge, expertise, and opinions while potentially earning passive income. One of the unique aspects of HubPages is its flexibility—writers are not confined to a single niche and can publish on a wide variety of topics, allowing them to test and see which types of content perform best.
HubPages also functions as a community of writers, with forums, comment sections, and networking opportunities available. This social aspect can be a significant advantage for writers seeking feedback, support, or collaboration.
With all that said, the platform’s revenue-sharing model and the competitive nature of online writing mean that success is not guaranteed.
I’m talking from personal experience here, having written for them back in 2008 or so. Money was never “super easy” to earn, but it was still much easier than it is today. But let’s first talk about the pros and cons of this platform, as I don’t want to necessarily discourage you from using it altogether.
Pros of Writing on HubPages
1. Passive Income Potential
One of the key appeals of HubPages has always been the ability to earn passive income. Once an article is published and optimized for search engines, it can continue generating ad revenue for years. For evergreen content, this can mean a slow but steady trickle of earnings over time.
The passive income model is particularly appealing to writers who have a library of evergreen content ready to publish. For example, how-to guides, educational articles, and tutorials often perform well over time. The more articles you publish and optimize, the better your chances of generating consistent income.
However, it’s essential to set realistic expectations. Passive income on HubPages is rarely enough to replace a full-time salary unless you’re consistently publishing high-quality, SEO-optimized content in profitable niches.
2. Wide Topic Range
HubPages allows writers to publish on almost any topic imaginable, from how-to guides and DIY projects to opinion pieces and niche interests. This creative freedom can be appealing, especially if you enjoy writing about diverse subjects.
Some writers use HubPages as a platform to explore new topics without the pressure of maintaining a dedicated blog or website for each niche. This flexibility can also help writers discover which topics are most profitable or engaging for their audience.
However, while you can write about almost anything, certain topics perform far better than others. High-demand niches such as personal finance, health, and technology tend to attract more readers and ad revenue compared to overly obscure or highly saturated subjects.
3. Low Barrier to Entry
Getting started on HubPages is relatively easy. There’s no need for extensive technical knowledge, and you don’t have to set up your own website. You can simply sign up, start writing, and publish.
For new freelance writers who want to get their feet wet in online publishing, HubPages offers a user-friendly interface and minimal startup costs. This can be a significant advantage compared to managing your own blog, which requires hosting, domain registration, and ongoing maintenance.
4. Built-in Audience and SEO Assistance
HubPages has decent domain authority, meaning that well-optimized articles have a chance to rank on search engines. This can help writers attract organic traffic without extensive SEO expertise.
Additionally, HubPages provides built-in tools for optimizing your articles, including suggestions for titles, meta descriptions, and keyword placement. This guidance can be particularly helpful for writers who are new to SEO.
But while HubPages has built-in SEO advantages, competition remains fierce. Writers who want their articles to stand out must still invest time in keyword research and on-page SEO optimization.
Cons of Writing on HubPages
1. Declining Earnings
One of the biggest complaints among writers on HubPages is the significant decline in earnings over the past decade. Ad revenue has become more difficult to generate, especially with changing algorithms and increased competition.
This decline is partly due to oversaturation of content, changes in Google’s search algorithms, and the rise of newer platforms that are siphoning away traffic. As a result, even well-written and optimized articles may struggle to earn substantial income.
Writers need to be strategic about their content choices and patient with their earnings. Building a library of evergreen, SEO-friendly content is still the best approach to long-term success on HubPages.
2. Content Quality Standards
HubPages has fairly strict quality control measures. While this helps maintain the platform’s reputation, it also means that your articles must meet specific standards in terms of grammar, formatting, and originality.
While these guidelines improve the overall quality of content on the platform, they can also be a hurdle for new writers or those who are not accustomed to writing for online audiences.
3. Lack of Ownership
When you publish content on HubPages, you don’t fully own it. While you retain rights to your work, the platform controls how and where your content is displayed, and they can remove or unpublish your articles if they don’t meet guidelines.
For writers who want complete control over their content and branding, this lack of autonomy can be frustrating.
4. High Competition
With thousands of writers competing for visibility and clicks, it can be challenging for new writers to gain traction. Without a strong grasp of SEO and content marketing, your articles might get buried.
Competition is especially fierce in profitable niches, where established writers and experts dominate search engine rankings.
To Conclude: How Much Can You Earn on HubPages?
Earnings on HubPages vary widely depending on factors such as topic selection, SEO optimization, and article quality. While some top writers report making hundreds of dollars per month, the average writer earns much less. For most freelancers, HubPages income tends to be supplemental rather than a primary source of revenue.
In 2025, the platform’s earning potential seems to favor those who write long-form, evergreen content with a strong SEO strategy. Viral or trendy topics may generate short-term spikes in traffic, but they rarely provide sustainable income.
The best you can do is learn to spot long-term topics that might be here to stay for a while (for example, become a go-to source for everything related to AI tools, AI services, and so on). Anything that seems to be integrated into our culture as a whole, generally speaking.
For most writers, HubPages is best approached as part of a broader portfolio of freelance income streams. Due to this, you should also repurpose your HubPages content into YouTube videos or TikTok shorts, as this might allow you to create additional income streams later down the road.
