Passive income: NO

Link building as a side hustle is unlikely to become a source of passive income for most people. While automation tools and outsourcing can streamline processes, the nature of link building requires ongoing effort to maintain quality and relevance. Most people in forums like Reddit and YouTube report that it remains an active endeavor, with only a few outliers achieving passive income through extensive systems and networks. Misleading expectations often arise from oversimplified success stories, but realistically, it requires continuous management and adaptation to remain effective.