A Different Kind of Project

Most of what I build looks the same from a distance. Directories, review sites, software tools. Different niches, same engine underneath. So this one feels different, and I'm genuinely curious to see where it goes. It's called scouted4you, and I'm building it with my wife.

What it is

scouted4you is a travel guide platform. The idea is simple: connect travelers with passionate locals who share the hidden gems and authentic experiences you won't find in a guidebook. Less top-ten-list, more "here's where someone who actually lives here would send you." We're starting with Finland, the place we know best.

Why it's different

My other projects are built for Google and AI search. That works, and I'm not abandoning it. But travel is personal in a way that software reviews aren't. People don't just want the ranked answer, they want a real recommendation from a real person. That changes how you have to build.

So the bet here is to combine three things that usually live apart. Google search to get found. AI search to answer the specific, messy questions travelers actually ask. And social media, local micro influencers, the people on the ground, to bring the authenticity that algorithms can't fake. Search brings the traffic, locals bring the trust.

The curiosity

I don't know yet if it works. That's exactly why I want to do it. My usual playbook is proven enough to feel almost predictable now. This one has unknowns, real ones. Can micro influencers feed a search-driven platform? Will authentic local tips scale, or do they break the moment you try? I want to find out.

It also helps that I'm building it with my wife. A side project, lower pressure, a different rhythm than the solo grind. Something we get to be curious about together. I'll report back as it takes shape.

Take a look: scouted4you.com.

-rj