Start a Curated App Discovery Site

People search: “how to start an app review website” (500+ per month)

Build a curated directory of the best apps in specific niches, earn through affiliate programs, sponsored placements, and developer listings.

⚡ Faster with AI: the platform's AI can do the heavy lifting on this idea (content, plan, pages, outreach), so it comes to life quicker than building it all by hand.

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Difficulty

Intermediate

Startup cost

$100 to $1,000

Time to first $

90 to 180 days

Revenue potential

Medium

Profit margin

80 to 95 percent

Viability

6.6 / 10

Search demand

Low (500+ per month)

Where it runs

Online

Best for: App enthusiasts who will actually test what they recommend

The opening

Why this idea is overlooked

App stores are terrible at discovery for specific needs; 'best budgeting apps for couples' style curation wins searches the stores themselves cannot answer.

The roadmap

How to start, step by step

  1. 1

    Niche down past 'apps'

    'Apps for ADHD adults' or 'tools for solo landlords' can be won; 'best apps' cannot. Pick two or three categories where you have genuine experience.

  2. 2

    Actually use what you list

    Hands-on screenshots, real pros and cons, and 'who this is not for' sections are what separate you from AI-generated listicle spam, and readers can tell.

  3. 3

    Structure as a directory plus reviews

    Category pages that compare options, individual app profiles, and a search-friendly structure. Update quarterly; stale app content dies fast.

  4. 4

    Earn affiliate revenue first

    Many apps pay 20 to 30 percent recurring for referred subscribers. Affiliate income arrives before sponsors do, usually after months of consistent publishing.

  5. 5

    Sell placement to developers

    Once traffic proves out, indie developers pay for featured spots, launch announcements, and newsletter mentions. Keep sponsored content clearly labeled to protect trust.

  6. 6

    Build the newsletter moat

    A weekly 'best new apps' email builds the owned audience that survives algorithm changes and is the asset sponsors pay real money to reach.

Prove it to yourself

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Your first move

Pick two or three app categories you know deeply, publish honest hands-on comparison pages, and monetize with affiliate links and sponsored placements.

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