Curious about how to channel your passion for writing into a profitable venture, all while remaining anonymous?
Starting an anonymous blog is a great way to improve your writing skills or to express unconventional opinions while also earning some money in this process.
This article guides you on how to start a blog anonymously and gives you strategies to generate income from it. Writing anonymously also allows you to preserve privacy while featuring amazing content.
- Anonymous blogs are a great way to develop your writing skills while maintaining your privacy
- When making an anonymous blog, make sure to choose an anonymous blog name and hosting
- It’s possible to earn money while blogging anonymously, but it may take more time than when blogging behind a personal name
How to Start an Anonymous Blog as a Beginner: Step-by-Step
This section guides you on how to start an anonymous blog as a beginner and features platforms and other tools you can use to create a blog.
Step 1: Choose an Anonymous Blog Name and Hosting
To stay anonymous, choose a blog name that won’t reveal your identity by either using pseudonyms or neutral names. When purchasing a domain name from a domain registrar, make sure to opt for the features that allow you to hide the domain name owner’s name.
Additionally, opt for web hosting companies that offer anonymous registration processes. You can also opt for companies that accept cryptocurrency payments and make sure that your personal details are not disclosed.
Here are three anonymous web hosting companies that you can consider.
Hostinger
Hostinger is one of the most popular anonymous web hosting options. Their hosting service allows you to keep your personal identity hidden with various privacy features.
The host accepts cryptocurrency payments and only requires you to sign up with your email address.
They also offer WHOIS privacy protection as well as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) protection for European Union citizens.
Hostinger offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and great customer support.
- A great option for anonymous users
- Affordable
- Free website builder
- Weekly backups
- Offers fewer anonymous features than some other companies
- No phone support
Ultahost
Ultahost is a web hosting company that also offers free domain registration.
It’s equipped with various great features such as free CloudFlare CDN, fast performance, daily backups, SSL certificates, and much more.
They offer a free trial, as well as amazing customer support available through chat, phone, email, and tickets.
- User-friendly and easy to use
- Free domain registration
- CloudFlare CDN
- Free website migration
- A bit pricier
InterServer
InterServer is a web hosting company that provides excellent speeds while also keeping you anonymous. They have ultra-fast speeds, low renewal costs, great customer support, and other great features.
To keep your blog anonymous and secure, InterServer offers a free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate, weekly backups, Cloudflare CDN that comes with DDoS attack protection, and an in-house security suite called InterShield.
- Unlimited storage for shared servers
- Ultra-fast speed
- Intershield Security
- Older dashboard UI
- Only USA-based data centers
Step 2: Select a Blogging Platform for Your Anonymous Blog
There are multiple platforms that you can use for blogging. You can register on a blogging platform like Wix, WordPress, or Google Blogger, or choose a social media network like Facebook, Instagram, and others to share your content.
How to Start an Anonymous Blog on Instagram
Starting an anonymous blog on Instagram involves a few key steps to maintain your privacy while effectively engaging and growing your audience. Here’s a brief guide to help you begin:
- Create a New Instagram Account: Use an email not linked to your personal information.
- Choose a Pseudonym: Select a username that doesn’t reveal your real identity but is still related to your niche and topics that you want to blog about.
- Set Up Your Profile: Create an anonymous bio that aligns with your blog’s theme.
- Maintain Privacy: Keep your account private and be cautious about who you allow to follow you.
- Create Content: Post content relevant to your blog’s theme, ensuring it doesn’t reveal personal details.
- Engage Anonymously: Interact with your audience without disclosing personal information.
- Update Regularly: Keep your content fresh and engaging to grow your followers.
How to Start an Anonymous Blog on Facebook
Starting an anonymous blog on Facebook involves careful planning to maintain privacy while engaging your audience. Here’s a brief step-by-step guide:
- Create a New Facebook Profile: Set up a new Facebook account using an email address not linked to your personal identity.
- Select a Pseudonym: Choose a name and profile picture that don’t reveal your real identity.
- Configure Privacy Settings: Adjust your privacy settings to ensure your personal information remains hidden.
- Create a Facebook Page: This will be the main platform for your blog posts so make sure to create a page that doesn’t reveal your personal information.
- Post Content Regularly: Share blog posts, updates, and images relevant to your blog’s theme.
- Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and messages while maintaining your anonymity.
- Promote Your Page: Use Facebook’s tools to reach a wider audience while keeping your personal identity hidden.
How to Start a WordPress Anonymous Blog
Starting an anonymous blog on WordPress involves selecting the right platform, maintaining your anonymity, and creating compelling content. Here’s a guide to help you get started:
- Sign Up for WordPress: Visit WordPress.com and sign up for an account. WordPress’ website builder is among the most versatile and intuitive options for bloggers who aren’t tech-savvy.
- Choose a Blogging Plan: Select from the available plans (free or paid) based on your needs.
- Select a Domain Name: Choose a domain that suits your blog’s theme and ensures anonymity.
- Customize Your Blog: Use WordPress’s customization options to design your blog.
- Adjust Privacy Settings: Ensure your personal information is not displayed on the blog.
- Create Content: Start posting articles, images, and other content relevant to your blog’s theme.
- Publish and Promote: Share your blog with your intended audience while maintaining anonymity.
How to Start an Anonymous Blog on Wix
Starting an anonymous blog on Wix involves creating a website while keeping your identity private. Here’s a brief step-by-step guide to help you get started:
- Create a Wix Account: Visit Wix.com and sign up for a new account. Use an email address that isn’t linked to your personal identity.
- Choose a Website Template: Select a template that fits the theme of your anonymous blog.
- Customize Your Site: Use Wix’s drag-and-drop editor to customize the design and layout of your blog.
- Set Up Your Blog: Add a blog section to your site and configure its settings.
- Create a Pseudonym: Choose a username or blog name that keeps your identity hidden.
- Adjust Privacy Settings: Ensure that your personal details are not displayed on the blog or in its metadata.
- Publish Content: Start writing and publishing posts on topics that align with the theme of your anonymous blog.
- Promote Your Blog: Share your blog through anonymous channels or social media profiles to attract an audience while maintaining your anonymity.
Step 3: Select a Website Theme
If you opt to blog using a website like WordPress and Wix, it’s important to pick a theme that resonates with your niche and the type of content you’ll create.
Both WordPress and Wix offer plenty of themes to choose from in their stores. Some are available for free, while some are premium.
Here are some tips for choosing a theme that resonates with your anonymous blog:
- Match the Theme with Your Blog’s Niche: Choose a theme that complements the subject and tone of your blog.
- Responsive Design: Ensure the theme is mobile-friendly and displays well on various devices.
- Customization Options: Look for themes that offer easy customization to align with your brand and style.
- Loading Speed: Opt for a lightweight theme that loads quickly, as this impacts user experience and SEO.
- SEO-Friendly: Select a theme optimized for search engines to help your blog rank better.
- Support and Updates: Choose a theme with reliable support and regular updates for security and compatibility.
Examples of themes include:
- Minimalist Themes: For a clean and focused look, ideal for personal, lifestyle, or photography blogs.
Neve makes for a minimalist and clean theme for a blog.
- Magazine-Style Themes: Suitable for news, entertainment, or educational blogs with a more dynamic layout.
ViralNews is the best theme for magazine-like anonymous blogs.
- E-commerce Integrated Themes: If you plan to sell products, these themes come with built-in shop features. If you’re looking for a theme that is optimized for e-commerce integration.
Astra WordPress theme is a great choice.
- Interactive Themes: For blogs focusing on engagement, offering interactive elements like sliders or animation.
There are many themes and templates with interactive elements but Hoverex truly stands out.
Step 4: Customize Your Anonymous Blog Website
Customizing your anonymous blog website includes several key aspects without which your blog won’t stand out:
- Logo—Create a unique logo that represents your blog’s theme. It can be abstract or thematic but should not reveal your personal identity.
- Header—Design a compelling header that captures the essence of your blog. This could include a catchy tagline or relevant imagery.
- Website Color Scheme—Choose colors that reflect the tone and content of your blog. For example, use calm tones for a wellness blog or vibrant colors for a travel blog.
- Mobile Design—Ensure your blog is mobile-responsive. This means it should look and function well on smartphones and tablets, providing a seamless user experience.
Step 4: Sign Up for a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Virtual Private Networks prevent others from learning your info by obscuring your personal IP address and using complex encryption algorithms to encrypt your data.
Subscribing to a fast and reliable VPN service provider is of utmost importance if you want to start blogging anonymously.
Here’s what to do it:
- Research VPN Providers: Look for reputable VPN services like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, which are the leading providers.
- Visit the VPN’s Website: Go to the website of the VPN service you’ve chosen.
- Select a Plan: Choose a subscription plan that fits your needs and budget.
- Create an Account: Sign up by providing the necessary details. Consider using an email not linked to your personal identity for anonymity.
- Payment: Complete the payment process. Most VPNs, including NordVPN and ExpressVPN, offer various payment methods, including credit cards and cryptocurrencies.
- Download and Install: After payment, download and install the VPN application on your device.
- Connect to a Server: Open the VPN application and connect to a server of your choice to start browsing securely and anonymously.
Step 5: Create an Anonymous Email Address
Creating an anonymous email address is a straightforward process and is recommended for those who want to keep their private info and personal finance as private as possible.
- Choose an Email Provider: Opt for a provider known for privacy and security, such as ProtonMail or Tutanota.
- Sign Up Without Personal Information: Register for an account without using any personal information that could identify you.
- Create a Unique Username: Choose a username that doesn’t hint at your real identity.
- Secure the Account: Use a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication for added security.
- Avoid Personal Details: Do not include any personal information in your emails or email signature.
Step 6: Choose a Pen Name or Author Persona
When selecting a pen name or author persona for your anonymous blog, choose a pseudonym that aligns with the theme and tone of your blog.
Creating a fictional persona distinct from your real identity allows you to freely express ideas and perspectives relevant to your blog’s subject matter, while maintaining your anonymity and personal privacy.
This approach not only protects your identity but also helps in establishing a consistent voice and brand as an anonymous blogger.
Step 7: Start Blogging Anonymously
Now that you completed all the aforementioned steps, it’s time to start blogging anonymously.
Start writing and posting content that is relevant to your blog’s niche.
Maintain a consistent tone and voice and research interesting content ideas that could add to your blog and help you establish credibility and blogger persona.
Step 9: Do Not Reveal Personal Information
As your blog grows, people will want to know more about your blog and who’s behind it.
As you engage with your audience and loyal followers on social media, make sure not to reveal any information that could compromise your privacy.
You can also establish a policy in which you won’t reveal your personal information and make people respect that. Doing so is important, especially on social media platforms, where information is easily accessible.
Here are some additional tips and policies to keep your personal information anonymous:
- If your blog is about parenting, focus on general advice and experiences without mentioning where your family lives or where your children go to school
- If you have a Twitter (X) account for your blog, use a blog-related avatar instead of a personal photo, and tweet about topics related to your blog rather than personal updates
- If a commenter mentions something about your possible location or identity, promptly remove the comment to prevent further speculation
- If you’re posting a photo from a vacation, make sure it doesn’t include identifiable landmarks or people who may be recognized
- If you’re collaborating with a brand, ensure they understand and agree not to disclose any of your personal information
- Include a disclaimer on your blog stating your commitment to anonymity and requesting the same respect for privacy from your readers
Step 10: Promote Your Anonymous Blog
There are plenty of ways to promote your blog. We listed some of the options below.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Implement SEO best practices to increase your blog’s visibility in search results.
- Email Marketing: Use your anonymous email to send newsletters or updates to subscribers.
- Social Media Marketing: Promote your blog on social media platforms using your blog’s or persona’s account, not your personal one.
- Share content on other platforms: Share your blog content on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn to reach a wider audience. This can help in attracting more traffic back to your blog. You can also consider guest blogging.
- Participate in Online Forums and Communities: Engage in relevant online forums or communities (like Reddit or Quora) under your pseudonym. Offer valuable insights and subtly link back to your blog where appropriate. This can drive niche-specific traffic and establish your authority in the topic area.
Step 11: Make Money with an Anonymous Blog
Having a blog with a large audience and leadership will allow you to make money with your blog. We explored some ways that you can use to earn money using your blog.
- Add Affiliate Links: Promote products or services related to your blog’s content and earn commissions on sales through the unique affiliate links.
- Sell Digital or Physical Products: You can also sell digital products like ebooks, courses, templates or software.
- Offer a Membership Subscription: Provide exclusive content and services to your most dedicated subscribers and generate a steady income stream.
- Display Advertising: Use visual ads like banners and sidebars on your website to earn money when your site gets visitors. Keep in mind you’ll need significant traffic for meaningful income.
- Offer Services: Offer services like coaching, consulting, writing or design. Make sure to maintain your anonymity in the meantime.
Why Some Bloggers Choose to Remain Anonymous
There are several reasons why some writers and bloggers choose to work anonymously:
- To Improve Writing Skills—Anonymity allows bloggers to focus on developing their writing without the pressure of public scrutiny.
- To Share Bold Opinions—It provides a platform to express controversial or unconventional views without fear of personal backlash.
- To Protect Their Privacy—Many bloggers value their privacy and wish to keep their personal life separate from their online persona.
- Separation Between Professional and Blogging Lives—Some bloggers may have careers that could be impacted by their personal views or the content of their blog.
- Avoiding Bias—Anonymous blogging can ensure that your content is judged solely on its merit rather than your gender, race, or social status.
When You Should Blog Under Your Real Name
In some situations, it’s better to choose to blog under your real name.
- To Establish Personal Branding—a real-name blog can serve as a portfolio, showcasing expertise and achievements, thus enhancing career opportunities and professional networking.
- Better Networking Opportunities—Using your real name allows you to attend industry events as a known entity, collaborate with other professionals, and build relationships with readers and peers.
- To Facilitate Monetization and Sponsorships—Brands and businesses often prefer to associate with real individuals for authenticity and reliability.
- Legal and Ethical Transparency—YMYL blogging niches like journalism, health, or finance require the use of a real name. Using your real name adds a layer of accountability and trustworthiness to your content, which is critical in fields that impact public opinion or decision-making.
- Connect with Readers—Readers often feel more connected to a blogger who shares their true identity, as it fosters a sense of genuineness and sincerity.
Which Platforms Allow to Start an Anonymous Blog for Free
There are many platforms on which you can blog anonymously, or at least behind a pen name that helps you hide your identity. Some of these platforms are:
- Write.as: A minimalist, privacy-focused platform for text-only blogging, offering anonymous posting without registration, ideal for those prioritizing simplicity and privacy.
- Vent: A mobile app that blends public venting with anonymous blogging, featuring keyword search for posts, thus enhancing content visibility.
- Lyfster: Similar to Vent but less centered on emotional venting, it allows anonymous posting of text and images, catering to users who prefer straightforward discussion platforms.
- Instagram: While primarily a social media platform, Instagram can be used for anonymous blogging through a dedicated account with a pseudonym, allowing for visual and text-based content.
- Facebook: Offers the ability to create anonymous pages or profiles for blogging purposes, enabling text, image, and video posts, with a vast potential audience reach.
Do Anonymous Bloggers Get Paid?
Anonymous bloggers can earn money from their blogging endeavors, but that income is quite limited compared to the bloggers who earn under their personal names. Brands are more likely to collaborate with bloggers who have their name shown than those who don’t.
There’s still a way to earn money and collaborate with brands anonymously, as long as you both sign the NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) contract which will prevent them from using your personal information.
Most Successful Anonymous Blogs to Get You Inspired
The Secret Barrister
This blog is written by an anonymous barrister in England and Wales, offering insights into the realities of the UK legal system, its flaws, and the challenges faced by legal professionals. The blog rose to success thanks to its critical perspective on the justice system, appealing to both professionals and the general public interested in legal affairs.
Brain Pickings
Brain Pickings was an anonymous project that delved into art, science, psychology, and philosophy. The blog contains a lot of thought-provoking content that led to its success. It has great quality content that explores complex ideas in an accessible manner, which attracts a readership interested in intellectual and creative pursuits.
Fed Up With Lunch
Fed Up With Lunch was started anonymously by a teacher. This blog gained fame by documenting the daily school lunches served in the teacher’s school, highlighting the often poor quality of food offered to students.
The blend of personal storytelling with a relevant and impactful social issue resonated with parents, educators, and health advocates.
Final Word: Blog Anonymously and Make Money
Blogging anonymously may not make you as successful as when you blog behind your personal name, but it still offers a substantial earning potential while you work on developing your writing and blogging skills.
If you’re thinking about starting an anonymous blog, check out our list of the best website builders and best website hosting providers to get started.
Next Steps: What Now?
- Learn how many posts you should have before launching a blog
- Discover fresh ideas for your blog
- Check best website builders for blogs
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