netmeg - 12:32 pm on Jun 29, 2012 (gmt 0)

If you're intending to compete against others for search engine position, to convince users AND Google that you are the trusted authority for this particular query, then you better have a business model, whether or not you're in it for profit. But if you don't like that term, then call it your operating plan or mode.

Taking content that is widely available already, on sites that may or may not provide more information than you do, and may or may not have a better user experience than you do, and that may or may not have better user engagement than you do, is a poor operating mode. One *might* make a success of it - but it's pretty unlikely, and if it does happen, it will be difficult to maintain.

In 2012 you need to be able to bring something better to the table - because for sure someone else will. Just having useful content won't cut it anymore. TONS of people have really useful content, and there's still only ten blue links on a page (if that).