I built (literally) a couple of these a few years ago while learning about SEO and never did anything else with them. At their best, they were making something like $300 per month (combined). With the last Google algo update the rankings are pretty much screwed and these sites now make something like $20/mo.
I also know some people with hundreds or thousands of these kind of sites and I can assure you they're not happy.
Building a business that depends on Google's algo to be profitable doesn't make any sense to me.
EDIT: When I say it doesn't make sense to me I'm talking about side-projects where the goal is passive income. If you're going at it full-swing and plan on pivoting as required then it can absolutely be a genuine business model.
I also know some people with hundreds or thousands of these kind of sites and I can assure you they're not happy.
Building a business that depends on Google's algo to be profitable doesn't make any sense to me.
EDIT: When I say it doesn't make sense to me I'm talking about side-projects where the goal is passive income. If you're going at it full-swing and plan on pivoting as required then it can absolutely be a genuine business model.