A repeatable startup methodology focused on identifying niche opportunities through keyword research, rapidly developing curated online directories using no-code tools and AI for content generation, and implementing diverse monetization strategies (sponsorships, affiliate links, data sales, paid listings, asset sales) to generate passive income or channel traffic to other ventures.
Opportunity7.7
Why now
The 'Golden Era of directories' due to Google's shift to semantic search, increasing content volume requiring curation, and the availability of AI and no-code tools for rapid development and SEO.
Market gap
Google's top search results are 'dominated by all the hacks,' leading to a need for trusted, well-curated content. There's an opportunity in non-competitive keywords that VCB companies ignore.
Business fit
Type
Service/Platform/Info Product
Target
People seeking curated information, businesses seeking targeted promotion, individuals seeking low-risk income streams.
Revenue
5K-20K a month; 3-4K a month for B2B; directories selling for 2K-100K
Founder
Solopreneurs, side hustlers, first-time internet entrepreneurs, those looking to fund other projects (e.g., SaaS).
Scores
Problem
9.0
Feasibility
9.0
Why now
9.0
Go-to-market
8.0
Confidence
10.0
Proof signals
People are making 5K 10K 15K 20K a month with these online directories.
Considered one of the lowest risk ways to start a startup.
John Rush's own directory 'nextjs starters' gained a lot of traffic from exact keyword match.
A viral tweet engagement on social media led to 30-40K views for a directory link.
John Rush sold 'all gbts.go' to 'cheap.ai' due to audience alignment.
Starter Story and Product Hunt are cited as examples of successful directories.
Keyword demand
Keyword
Volume
Growth
online directory
9,900/mo
-45% YoY
niche curation
no data
no data
no-code startup
40/mo
-57% YoY
SEO passive income
10/mo
0% YoY
US English Google Ads volume from DataForSEO; growth uses returned monthly search history.
Source episode
Do this to build a $200,000 side hustle (The Online Directory Blueprint)Episode source
in this episode John Rush breaks down how you should start an online directory how to idate for an online directory how to build an online directory using Ai and how to grow an online directory using Ai and SEO and he just walks through the entire process people are making 5K 10K 15K 20K a month uh with these online directories they're super easy to create he thinks it's one of the lowest risk uh ways to start a startup