Ghosted
Why your recipes aren't getting picked and what to do about it.
You know that moment when traffic spikes, your inbox is full of brand collab requests, and everything feels like it’s finally working, only for it all to go quiet again two months later?
This week’s Blueberri Pi gets into the real reason creators get ghosted, not just by brands, but by platforms, partners, and even their audiences. It’s not the algorithm. It’s the hidden work no one talks about: the strategic, behind-the-scenes prep that turns a recipe blog into a licensing-ready content machine. And if you’re not doing it yet, here’s how to start.
This one’s for the creators who didn’t stop, but still got left out.
Meet Iggy.
She runs a blog called Herby Table, a cozy corner of the internet filled with her signature comfort recipes: sticky bourbon meatballs, slow-braised chicken thighs, cheesy biscuits with a surprise herb swirl.
She’s not new to this.
She’s been food blogging for nearly a decade.
She’s got a reliable email list.
Her traffic isn’t viral, but it’s steady.
She keeps up with social—Instagram, YouTube Shorts, even the occasional Pinterest push.
She didn’t fall behind.
And she never stopped posting.
But when recipe platforms started inviting creators into their partner programs…
When AI tools began paying for well-structured recipe libraries…
When niche food apps started curating content...
Iggy got nothing.
No emails.
No invites.
No, “Hey, we’d love to feature your work.”
And like a lot of creators right now, Iggy’s asking:
“What am I missing?”
The uncomfortable answer?
You might not be doing anything wrong, just not doing the new right things.
In 2025, visibility isn’t just about content. It’s about how usable and licensable that content is.
If your recipes are gorgeous but hard to parse by machines...
If your blog is beloved but not structured for reuse...
If your offers are unclear or not outlined anywhere...
Platforms move on. Quietly.
What are other creators doing that you don’t see?
While you’re focused on putting out your next post, some creators are quietly getting their blogs licensing-ready.
They’re:
Tagging content by season, meal type, and key ingredients
Structuring recipes into clear, machine-readable fields
Creating sample portfolios and licensing rate sheets
Offering non-exclusive, time-limited recipe packages
Thinking beyond blog traffic, to where their content can live next
They’re not better. They’re just building different.
So let’s flip the script.
If you’re wondering why your content isn’t getting picked up by platforms, here are a few real questions to consider:
Can your content be used without someone reformatting it from scratch?
Have you defined what rights you offer (and for how long)?
Is it clear what someone gets when they work with you?
Could someone buy a bundle of your recipes today if they wanted to?
Are you talking about your content like a business, not just a blog?
Bonus for annual subscribers:
You’ll unlock:
The Tech Partnerships Playbook
A free 1:1 strategy session with me to audit your blog and prep for licensing
You don’t need a million views to get noticed.
But you do need a blog that’s built for more than just posts.
Let’s get you back on the radar.
Your friend in food,
Sandie