How Long Does It Take to Make Money from a Blog?

So you're thinking about starting a blog, and you've got that big question on your mind: how long until you actually start making money?

I get it. You don't want to pour your heart, soul, and precious free time into something without knowing what you're really signing up for. And honestly? That's smart. Going in with realistic expectations is one of the best things you can do for yourself.

Here's the truth: blogging isn't a get-rich-quick thing. It takes real work and yes, quite a bit of time. But here's the good news: with the right approach and some patience, it absolutely can become a solid income stream.

In this post, I'm going to walk you through a realistic timeline of what to expect, what milestones to aim for, and most importantly, how to actually get there.

The Big Picture Timeline

Let's start with the answer you came here for: on average, it takes about 15 to 18 months to start making consistent four-figure income from a blog.

I know, I know. That probably sounds like forever. But stick with me here, because understanding the journey makes it so much more manageable. Plus, you'll see progress along the way that keeps you motivated.

Months 1-3: The Foundation Stage

Okay, let's be real. The first three months are tough. You're basically building in the dark, and it can feel discouraging.

What to focus on: Getting quality content published. Aim for around 15 posts per month if you can manage it. That's roughly one post every other day. Yes, that's a lot, especially if you're writing everything yourself. But this foundation is crucial.

Traffic expectations: Don't expect much. You might see around 100 page views per month by the end of month three, maybe even less. Some days you'll check your stats and see single digits. That's completely normal.

Income: Zero. Sorry, but it's best to expect nothing here.

The mindset you need: Focus only on what you can control, which is publishing good content. Google doesn't trust you yet. Your site is brand new. Think of this phase as planting seeds.

Months 4-6: Small Signs of Life

Things are still pretty quiet, but you should start seeing tiny glimmers of progress.

Content goal: Keep that momentum going. By month six, you want between 80 and 100 solid articles published. Quality matters more than quantity, but you need both.

Traffic expectations: Aim for around 1,000 page views per month by the end of month six. It's not huge, but it's progress. Google is starting to understand what your blog is about.

Income: Still basically nothing, maybe a few dollars if you're lucky.

What's happening behind the scenes: Google is slowly starting to trust your site. You're building what's called topical authority, which basically means you're proving you know your stuff in your niche.

Months 7-9: A Ray of Hope

This is where you might actually start to feel like you're onto something.

Content goal: Keep publishing. You should have 125 to 145 articles by now. Yes, it's a grind. But you're building something real.

Traffic expectations: Around 5,000 page views per month by the end of month nine. Now we're talking! This isn't just a hobby anymore.

Income: Maybe $100 or so per month. Not life-changing, but it's something. You might treat yourself to a nice dinner.

Why this matters: This traffic level tells you that you're probably on the right track. Your niche choice was decent, your content resonates, and your strategy is working.

Months 10-12: The One-Year Mark

Happy blogiversary! This is where things get interesting.

Content goal: 15 posts per month is still the target. You should have around 165 to 185 articles total.

Traffic expectations: This is where I'd love to see you hit 20,000 page views per month. At this level, you can apply to premium ad networks like Zoic or Mediavine (Mediavine typically requires 50,000 sessions, so you might need to wait a bit longer for them).

Income: Around $300 per month from ads alone. That might cover your car payment or grocery bill. It's starting to feel real.

A smart move: If you don't desperately need that $300, reinvest it back into your blog. Hire a freelance writer for an article or two. Every bit helps with the snowball effect.

Months 13-15: Building Momentum

You've made it over a year. Most people quit long before this, so give yourself credit.

Content goal: 215 to 235 articles. That's a serious content library.

Traffic expectations: Around 30,000 page views per month. Your site is becoming an actual resource in your niche.

Income: Close to $500 per month from ads. Still not quit-your-job money, but it's meaningful.

What's happening: Google is really starting to trust you now. Your older posts are gaining authority, and new posts are ranking faster.

Months 16-18: Liftoff

This is the sweet spot. This is when things start to feel exciting.

Content goal: 250 to 280 articles. You've built something impressive.

Traffic expectations: 50,000 page views or sessions per month. At this point, you should qualify for Mediavine, which typically pays better than other ad networks.

Income: Around $1,500 per month from ads alone. And remember, this doesn't even include affiliate income, which could easily double or triple this number.

The best part: From here, growth tends to accelerate. You might jump from $1,500 to $5,000 the next month, then to $10,000 a few months later. The growth becomes exponential rather than linear.

What This All Depends On

Before you dive in, know that these timelines assume a few important things:

You picked a good niche. This means two things: there's enough search demand to sustain traffic, and the competition isn't too fierce. Picking an overly competitive niche is the number one reason blogs fail.

You're consistently creating content. Writing 200+ articles is serious work. It's a grind, especially when you're not seeing results yet. Most people give up in months 1-6 because they're doing the work without seeing the payoff.

Your content is quality. Not just quantity. You need well-researched posts that target the right keywords and actually help people.

The Real Talk Nobody Wants to Hear

Blogging has changed. You can't just write 20 articles and expect traffic anymore. It's become more competitive, which means it requires more commitment.

Think of it like starting a YouTube channel. You wouldn't expect to blow up after posting 10 videos in six months, right? YouTube is a long game where you consistently post for a year or more before seeing real results. Blogging is the same.

It's okay to take breaks. If you need to pause content creation for a month or two, Google won't punish you (as long as you're writing evergreen content). But you do need to be in this for the long haul.

Making It Easier on Yourself

Here are some ways to make this journey more sustainable:

Outsource when you can. Every dollar you make from your blog? Consider putting it back into content. Hire freelance writers. Work with a content agency. You don't have to write everything yourself.

Batch your work. Write multiple posts in one sitting. It's more efficient than switching contexts constantly.

Take breaks when needed. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Burning out helps nobody.

Focus on what you can control. You can't control Google's algorithm or how fast you rank. You can control how many quality posts you publish.

Your Action Plan

Ready to get started? Here's what to do:

1. Choose your niche carefully. Make sure there's demand but not overwhelming competition.
2. Commit to at least 18 months. That's the realistic timeline for four-figure income.
3. Plan to publish 10-15 posts per month consistently.
4. Don't obsess over traffic in the first six months. Focus on content.
5. Reinvest your earnings back into the blog when possible.
6. Be patient with yourself. Most people quit too early.

The Bottom Line

Can you make money blogging? Absolutely. Will it happen overnight? Definitely not.

If you're willing to put in consistent effort for 15-18 months, you can build a blog that generates real income. After that initial period, growth tends to accelerate, and that's when things get really exciting.

The key is going in with realistic expectations. Know that the first year is about building trust with Google and creating a solid foundation. The money comes later, but it does come.

Remember, every successful blogger you admire started exactly where you are now, with zero traffic and zero income. The difference is they kept going.