Side hustles are one of the ways young people are making more money on the side in addition to their primary jobs. One of the reasons why side hustles have become so widely known and profitable is the fact that it requires little time and effort without encroaching on your regular jobs.

However, the primary goal of engaging in a side hustle is to earn a respectable income without hurting your main job. If a remote job fails to compensate you fairly for your efforts, then it’s hardly worth your time and energy. Unfortunately, many teenagers and newcomers to the gig economy often lack the knowledge to identify which side hustles to steer clear of, leading to frustration and disappointment with the entire field.

In this article, we’re going to discuss 10 side hustles that you should avoid in 2025. Are you ready to uncover the pitfalls? Let’s jump right in!

Key Takeaways 

1. The primary goal of engaging in a side hustle is to earn a respectable income without hurting your main job.
2. If it fails to compensate you fairly for your time and efforts, then it’s hardly worth it.
3. Relying solely on completing online surveys as a side hustle cannot make you rich in 2025

10 Side Hustles to Avoid

1. Completing Online Surveys

Let’s be realistic here… Completing online surveys is one of the most popular side hustles you’d find online. But the big question remains: is completing online surveys really worth it?

Personally, I can’t even begin to count the number of times I’ve tried my hand at making money by completing online surveys. While it’s true that these surveys can yield some income, the truth remains that they may not truly be worth your precious time. 

Talking about earnings, the most I ever earned from completing surveys was around $500. When you consider the fact that completing online surveys requires little to no prior experience, $500 might seem like a decent amount. But trust me, you don’t want to know how many hours I invested to reach that figure. The sheer volume of work involved was absolutely overwhelming. 

Given all of this, it’s wise to explore other side hustles that might offer better returns on your time and effort rather than relying solely on survey completion. 

2. Content Mills

Content mills are online platforms that connect freelance writers with clients seeking a high volume of written content, often at a remarkably low fee. 

NEW SIDE HUSTLE IDEAS EVERY WEEK!

ADD ME

Loading...

Thanks for joining!

Get ready to implement what's coming to your inbox.

Talking about side hustle, these platforms may seem like an accessible entry point for budding writers. Unfortunately, they come with a host of challenges that can quickly lead to frustration and burnout.

One of the primary drawbacks of working with content mills is the meager compensation offered for each article. Writers often find themselves churning out pieces at a breakneck pace, struggling to meet demanding word counts without receiving fair pay for their efforts. 

As the market becomes increasingly saturated with new writers eager to break into the industry, it becomes even more challenging to achieve a sustainable income through content mills.

While it’s true that content mills may be on the decline, this doesn’t mean you need to abandon your aspirations of becoming a successful writer. Check out our Ultimate Freelancing toolkit for Writers.

3. Blogging

Don’t be surprised to see blogging on this list. While blogging isn’t entirely dead, the landscape has shifted dramatically over the past few years. As such, making a substantial income as a blogger has become significantly more challenging, and the competition is fiercer than ever. 

Today, the hurdles are numerous, including but not limited to recent Google algorithm updates that have contributed one way or the other. Ad revenue has dwindled, affiliate marketing opportunities aren’t as fruitful as they once were, and companies are tightening their budgets for sponsored posts, often due to economic downturns. To make matters worse, the cost of domain names continues to climb every few months. 

While it’s unlikely that the blogging industry will disappear entirely, attracting visitors to your website is more complicated than it used to be. To stand out in the crowded sea of bloggers, you can’t rely solely on Google search traffic because it is a risky strategy that could leave you vulnerable to future algorithm changes. 

If you’re considering starting a blog, check out our guide on 6 low-budget ways to Grow Your Blogging Business.

4. Candle Making

There was once a time when the candle-making industry was a goldmine, with countless entrepreneurs raking in millions and even a select few reaching billionaire status. 

It might seem unbelievable, but yes, people truly became billionaires by selling candles! However, those days are long gone and the landscape has drastically changed. 

Today, the market is flooded and oversaturated, making it increasingly difficult for newcomers to find their footing. Furthermore, the surge in wax prices has only compounded the challenges faced by candle makers.

Take for instance, Etsy was once considered the premier platform for selling handcrafted and machine-made candles, but now it has also seen a decline in quality. 

The sheer volume of supply far outweighs the dwindling demand, creating a challenging environment for sellers. Given these conditions, it may be wise to steer clear of the candle-making industry altogether.

5. Multi-Level Marketing (MLM)

Multi-level marketing (MLM) is a business model that revolves around selling products through a network of distributors. Participants not only earn commissions on the sales they make but also on the sales generated by the individuals they recruit into the network. 

At first glance, this might seem like an appealing way to generate income, but the reality is often quite different. Many MLM ventures are notorious for their high failure rates. A significant number of participants end up investing more money than they actually earn, which can lead to financial strain and disappointment. 

The truth is that only a small percentage of individuals at the top of the pyramid see substantial profits in MLM, while the majority struggle to break even. The promise of quick earnings can be tempting, but the risk of investing time and money into a venture that may not yield significant returns is high.

6. Facebook Pages

Like every social media platform out there, Facebook is great! However, don’t be fooled to believe the platform is still the same as it was about a decade ago.

As far back as 2009, Facebook was a vibrant hub for creativity, where users could create pages and groups to share all sorts of content. In those early days, Facebook introduced the ability to link URLs to external websites, which became a game-changer for savvy individuals who leveraged their Facebook pages to drive traffic to their own websites. 

However, as Facebook, Instagram, and other social media grew in popularity, the Facebook platform became increasingly focused on maximizing its profits, and the dynamics began to shift as well as Facebook’s algorithms in a bid to control outbound traffic.

Now, it’s becoming nearly impossible to generate meaningful outbound traffic from the platform. Although it’s still possible to earn money from Facebook pages, the reality is that generating clicks to your website has become a daunting challenge—especially without investing in Facebook Ads. 

7. Selling Stock Photos

Many photographers have had a valuable income stream by simply sharing their work or uploading images to stock photo websites, where they can earn royalties each time their photos are purchased or downloaded. 

Unfortunately, the landscape has shifted dramatically in recent years due to the rise of free stock photo platforms. These free sites offer a vast array of images at no cost, making it challenging for photographers to compete in a market that has become increasingly saturated. 

As a result, many talented photographers may struggle to sell their work amidst a sea of free alternatives. The abundance of available images means that potential buyers have countless options, often opting for free downloads rather than paying for high-quality stock photos.

8. SEO Consulting

SEO consulting is arguably one of the most challenging fields in the digital landscape today. The ever-evolving nature of Google’s algorithms makes it nearly impossible to predict what changes will come next, leaving many consultants in a constant state of uncertainty. 

Just when you think you’ve addressed one SEO issue, another one emerges, leaving you scrambling to understand the latest updates and how they might affect your clients’ rankings. 

Google employs hundreds of factors to determine how pages are ranked, and as an SEO consultant, your primary responsibility is to identify potential weaknesses in your clients’ websites and rectify them before any penalties are imposed. 

If you’re contemplating a career in SEO consulting, think carefully before diving in. You should check out these 15 Best SEO Tools Perfect for Beginners Webmasters.

9. Social Media Influencer

Influencers are individuals who craft compelling content on social media platforms, leveraging their creativity to build a following and engage with audiences. They often collaborate with brands to promote products and services, creating a symbiotic relationship that can yield significant benefits for both parties.

However, the influencer landscape has become increasingly crowded, making it more challenging than ever to gain traction. As the number of aspiring influencers continues to rise, standing out in this saturated market requires not only unique content but also a strategic approach to audience engagement. 

Brands are now more discerning than ever, often prioritizing influencers who boast high engagement rates over sheer follower counts. This means that newcomers may find it particularly difficult to break into the scene and capture the attention of brands looking for authentic connections with their target audience.

10. Dropshipping

Dropshipping has offered a pathway to wealth for countless entrepreneurs over the last decade, but those prosperous times are now behind us. The simplicity of importing low-cost products from China and reselling them has significantly decreased. 

The current dropshipping environment is highly competitive, and achieving success relies on your ability to quickly spot and capitalize on emerging trends before they become oversaturated. Managing a successful dropshipping business demands substantial effort, often resembling a full-scale business rather than merely a side hustle. 

Furthermore, the industry is heavily dependent on advertising; the more you invest in ads, the higher your chances of making a profit. Many dropshippers showcase their revenue figures on platforms like YouTube, but they frequently leave out important details about their actual profits.

Be cautious of those who boast about their success while marketing courses that promise to teach you how to achieve the same results. Instead of spending money on pricey courses, see our guide on how to Set up and Drive Traffic to Your Dropshipping Store In 30 Days.