I can tell you're frustrated with this Project, but I still think you deserve some congrats. Good job! It's not easy to build something and get that much traffic. I think the frustration stems from the platform it's built on, and how hard it is to monetize on that platform. Since the content is basically given away for free, advertising is your only option. And since they advertise as well... it’s tough to pull it off. I can think of three basic options here (and I'm sure there are many many more):
1. Keep it running, keep it free, and use it as a "Bullet Point" project to increase your perceived value on other projects that have the potential to monetize more successfully
2. Go the complete opposite and just start charging money for it, and see what happens. Of course you risk losing traffic and/or the whole thing imploding, but you never know until you try
3. Just scrap it and re-use the Tech to build a different product that is focused on a niche market that you believe can monetize better. Perhaps News related businesses that would find value in an easy /easier way to find Images for the stories they write
1. Keep it running, keep it free, and use it as a "Bullet Point" project to increase your perceived value on other projects that have the potential to monetize more successfully
2. Go the complete opposite and just start charging money for it, and see what happens. Of course you risk losing traffic and/or the whole thing imploding, but you never know until you try
3. Just scrap it and re-use the Tech to build a different product that is focused on a niche market that you believe can monetize better. Perhaps News related businesses that would find value in an easy /easier way to find Images for the stories they write