These Websites Make MILLIONS...Using FREE Public Data?!

In this article, we explore 7 innovative websites that are generating millions of dollars by simply gathering and organizing free public data. These businesses neither create original content nor sell products or services in the traditional sense. Instead, they compile publicly available information, present it in a more user-friendly way, and monetize access to that data.

The last website we discuss is making over $2 million every month! Towards the end, learn how AI tools are making it easier than ever to launch similar projects and effective strategies to drive traffic to such websites.

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What You’ll Discover

• How companies monetize free public data
• Real examples of websites making millions of dollars
• Tools and AI to help build similar websites
• Proven traffic-driving strategies without relying on SEO or expensive ads

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7 Websites Making Millions From Free Public Data

1. Oasis Water App

• Revenue: Nearly $1 million per year
• What it does: Collects publicly reported water quality data from bottled water companies and city water providers
• How it works: Users scan a water bottle in-store, and the app shows contaminant levels from compiled data
• Why it works: Provides complex data in a simple, user-friendly way
• Potential: The app is new but already generating substantial revenue

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2. SpotCrime.com

• Revenue: Over $7 million per year
• What it does: Aggregates crime data across the US and displays it on an interactive map by ZIP code
• Features: Shows types and locations of crimes happening locally
• Market: Strong community interest; multiple copycat sites exist using this model

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3. Nomad.com (formerly Nomad List)

• Revenue: $500,000+ per year
• What it does: Helps digital nomads find the best places to live and work remotely
• Data compiled: Cost of living, Wi-Fi speed, weather
• Functionality: Ranks locations based on suitability for remote workers

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4. WatchCount.com

• Revenue: Estimated $4.8 million per year
• What it does: Scrapes eBay for the most watched items and ranks them
• Monetization: Earns affiliate commissions when users buy items via eBay
• Use case: Valuable for eBay sellers or buyers wanting to track trending products

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5. GreatSchools.org

• Revenue: Over $2.5 million per year
• What it does: Provides rankings and ratings of schools using public data on school quality
• Benefit: Helps parents and communities easily compare schools in their area

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6. OpenCorporates.com

• Revenue: Over $5 million per year
• What it does: Scrapes data on newly registered businesses
• Customers: Sells this data to law firms and companies targeting new businesses
• Model: Provides valuable leads by compiling official registration info

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7. Foreclosures.com

• Revenue: Over $2 million per month
• What it does: Collects foreclosure data and sells subscription access
• Audience: Real estate professionals and investors seeking foreclosure opportunities
• Scale: Largest revenue generator on this list by a wide margin

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How AI Tools Make Building These Websites Easy

Setting up a similar website is easier than ever with no-code AI tools. Some options include:

• Octoparse.com / Octoparse AI:

  • No-code web scraping tool
  • Pre-built templates for sites like YouTube, Google Business, eBay, Amazon, Expedia
  • Allows scraping any site without coding skills

• ChatGPT:

  • Organizes scraped data
  • Extracts and filters relevant information

• Replit.com:

  • Automatically creates apps or websites from data uploads
  • Build software using simple natural language requests
  • No coding required

• Zapier:

  • Automates workflows
  • Can schedule periodic scraping and directly send data to your website

These tools combined allow anyone to scrape, organize, and present free data effectively.

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Strategies to Drive Traffic Without SEO or Expensive Ads

Social media platforms with short formats like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok are highly effective for bringing visitors to these sites.

Example: Oasis Water’s Social Media Strategy

• Posts catchy reels such as:

  "You’ll never guess the contaminants in this Aquafina water bottle"

• Leads viewers to click links to learn more about water quality
• Gains over 10 million views per month this way
• Drives traffic that accounts for nearly $1 million in revenue annually

Applying This Strategy

• SpotCrime example:

  "You'll never guess how many assaults happen every minute in Los Angeles - click below to find out!"

• This creates curiosity and encourages viral sharing
• Works across many industries: crime data, environmental data, lost pets, food contamination, allergy info, etc.

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Final Notes

This business model leverages publicly available data by:

• Compiling and organizing it
• Presenting it in a valuable, understandable format
• Charging for premium access or affiliate sales

It’s a straightforward approach with proven potential for high revenue. If you want more daily stories and ideas like this, don’t forget to join my free newsletter:

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