I've had a small round lump in my ear cartilage for maybe a year. never had pierced ears and it's not a pimple nor is it painful. what could it be?

Lump on ear: It is either a cyst or a keloid which might have had a cut or a bite without you knowing it, or a cyst see a doctor and find out what it is.

Pop it: I've had these before too. I think it's an ingrown hair. Pop it and see. There is such poor circulation there that any infection/pus would more likely come out of the skin then go into circulation.