Last updated on January 4th, 2025 at 09:34 pm
Wealthy Affiliate has been helping members build niche websites and navigate affiliate marketing for 20 years, and it’s where our digital marketing journey began. With hands-on experience using the platform, we can confidently say that Wealthy Affiliate is not a scam. It’s a legitimate training platform with a vibrant community and a solid track record. For affiliate marketing beginners, it’s one of the most accessible places to start.
That said, training platforms like Wealthy Affiliate are often judged by their ability to help members make money online—and this is where things get tricky. The internet is flooded with free resources on platforms like YouTube, forums, and sites like ours. So why should anyone pay for affiliate marketing training?
The truth is, too many platforms lure people in with false promises: rags-to-riches stories and “secret” techniques that rarely deliver. Unlike scams, Wealthy Affiliate is entirely upfront about what it offers. But while it’s worth exploring, it’s not a magic bullet for success or an easy money-making machine.
In fact, the affiliate marketing world is changing rapidly. Artificial intelligence, new search engine algorithms, and evolving strategies have made traditional methods less effective. That’s why we’re going beyond the hype today to evaluate what makes Wealthy Affiliate worth considering. Two features stand out: a supportive community and a commitment to innovation—both of which can help beginners navigate tough times and succeed in affiliate marketing.
And that’s worth paying for!
Wealthy Affiliate: A Community-Driven Platform
Wealthy Affiliate has been around since 2005, establishing itself as one of the longest-running affiliate marketing training platforms. It’s known for its comprehensive training, website-building tools, and, most importantly, its vibrant community. You’ll often see co-owner Kyle Loudon in live chat, while his business partner, Carson Lim, regularly contributes to technical conversations. They are genuinely kind, courteous, and positive people with a dedicated and unapologetic passion for their product.
In its best moments, Wealthy Affiliate is a thriving hub of activity—personal anecdotes, ideas, motivational success stories, and step-by-step training are all abundant. Some trolls and spammers occasionally pop in to ask inane questions, self-promote, or cause general annoyance—the sort you’re probably familiar with if you use social media or go anywhere online that encourages discussion. But mostly, the people at WA offer encouragement and support right from the start.
As beginners, the community spirit drew us to Wealthy Affiliate, and we weren’t disappointed. It’s easy to ask for help, share your ideas, and feel supported. The danger lies in becoming too social, of course, as it’s just as easy to become distracted by WA’s internal ranking system (which rewards your involvement but not your purse) or spend more time chatting than you do creating. Again, there’s a social media comparison to be made.
We recommend focusing on your website and business using the hubs provided by Wealthy Affiliate. Make yourself familiar with people by chatting and blogging occasionally to build a network. From there, spend a small percentage of your time maintaining these contacts. You never know when they might be needed!
Wealthy Affiliate gets an A+ for its community—you’ll find a true sense of belonging from a very early stage. A word of warning, though. The most successful marketers at Wealthy Affiliate are not the ones making the most noise. So, if you’ve spent the last few hours chatting there, it’s worth remembering that!
Wealthy Affiliate: A Platform Embracing Change
While Wealthy Affiliate has a long-standing history and is often derided for having outdated training, Kyle and Carson have demonstrably proven they’re not stuck in the past. Over the last year, they’ve made significant strides in updating the platform and training methods, often stressing their commitment to innovation and the efficiencies their new tools provide. The effort is praiseworthy, and lapsed members may want to look again. Wealthy Affiliate is definitely changing, and mainly for the better.
However, we’re finding that many of the new features suffer from being in the infancy of their development. We suggest treating the article suggestions and AI content creator with particular caution. While both are definite improvements, designed with beginners in mind, they need substantial human moderation before their output is fit for purpose. You’ll end up with generic titles, bland content, and no website traffic if you adopt the automated scripts blindly—Wealthy Affiliate DOES NOT advocate relying purely on its AI for your website, but the temptation certainly exists.
Here’s a look at the recent changes Wealthy Affiliate has implemented:
The Hubs System: A Streamlined Approach to Learning
One of the most notable changes is the introduction of the Hubs system. This new training structure addresses a common criticism of Wealthy Affiliate—the overwhelming amount of information available. The Hubs offer a more organized and focused learning experience, guiding users through specific topics step by step. This allows for a more manageable and effective learning curve, especially for beginners.
You’ll have one hub per website, tailored to your niche. However, if you manage more than one site, you’ll find a frustrating duplication of content. We recommend passing your experiences and feedback like this to Kyle—his focus is undeniably on making the hubs stupendously helpful, so he will listen to your concerns.
Integrating AI for Enhanced Efficiency
Wealthy Affiliate has also embraced artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the user experience. AI-powered tools are now integrated into the platform to assist with content generation, SEO optimization, and other tasks. While AI is not a magic bullet, it can be a valuable tool to streamline processes and enhance productivity.
Curated Affiliate Programs: A Helping Hand for Beginners
Another brilliant feature is the catalog of affiliate programs curated by Wealthy Affiliate. This provides a carefully researched selection of reputable and potentially profitable programs, saving members the time and effort of sifting through countless options. It is particularly beneficial for beginners who may not yet have a clear understanding of which programs align with their niche and goals.
Recently, Wealthy Affiliate has integrated the affiliate program tool with its website Hubs. This means the platform intelligently suggests affiliate programs that are relevant to your niche! A very handy and time-saving improvement that you’ll appreciate as your website develops.
These changes demonstrate Wealthy Affiliate’s willingness to evolve and adapt. It is positioning itself as a platform committed to providing value and supporting the success of its members.
Wealthy Affiliate gets an A for effort when innovating its products. We’re graduates of the older and more limited training, so it’s hard to evaluate the new-style training from a starters’ perspective in a genuine way. Once you’ve hit your stride, please let us and our community know by putting your thoughts in the comments!
Authentic Upsides of Wealthy Affiliate
We’re not going to sugarcoat things. Wealthy Affiliate isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme; it won’t magically transform you into a millionaire overnight. But it does offer a wealth of resources and a supportive community that can empower you to build a successful affiliate marketing business – if you’re willing to put in the effort.
The Wealthy Affiliate community is another source of knowledge and support. As beginners, we found connecting with experienced marketers willing to share their insights and answer our questions incredibly helpful. The forums are active, the live chat is buzzing, and the members are genuinely invested in each other’s success.
When you sign up for premium membership, Wealthy Affiliate will host your website, provide its technical support, and give you credits to buy a .com domain. It really is all in the box with a monthly subscription. You’ll also use WordPress, the world’s leading Content Management System (CMS).
The platform is packed with training materials covering a wide range of topics, from SEO and keyword research to content creation and social media marketing. While some content may need updating, there’s still plenty of valuable information to be found.
One tool that deserves special mention is Jaaxy, Wealthy Affiliate’s proprietary keyword research tool. Jaaxy Enterprise comes as standard with your membership, giving you access to a powerful tool that can help you identify high-value, low-competition keywords, analyze your competition, and track your website’s ranking. The Jaaxy Enterprise package normally costs $99 per month as a standalone service, and adds considerable value to Wealthy Affiliate’s offering.
Wealthy Affiliate has the tools and resources beginners need, but it takes dedication to succeed. In other words, you need to do the work! It’s a great starting point, and if you’re eager to roll up your sleeves and learn, you’ll benefit from these undeniable perks of Wealthy Affiliate membership at Premium level or above:
- You’ll receive foundational training in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques — something you can add to your résumé.
- You’ll learn how to use and manage a WordPress website (used by 43.3% of all websites in 2024, according to W3Techs)—another valuable skill to acquire and use for self-promotion.
- You’ll have a basic understanding of how digital marketing is used to promote a business online—the course covers getting noticed on search engines and social media.
- You’ll build a website with content soon after joining, and you will gain a growing sense of accomplishment as you progress. By doing so, you can earn passive income from affiliate marketing—you may also be inspired to venture into e-commerce, advertising, service provision, or something else as you continue to develop your site.
- You’ll interact with and learn from like-minded enthusiasts as well as accomplished marketers. The community is consistently welcoming, active, and supportive.
- You’ll have access to Jaaxy for your keyword research needs.
- You can attend weekly live classes on various affiliate marketing topics.
- You’ll have access to 24/7 technical support for your website.
- After reading countless reviews online (including this one!), you’ll have formed your own opinion about Wealthy Affiliate, just like a seasoned pro.
Definite Downsides of Wealthy Affiliate
Wealthy Affiliate hasn’t become a leading platform for online affiliate marketing training without offering many genuine benefits, and our lengthy list above attests to those. However, in order to provide a balanced review, it’s crucial to acknowledge Wealthy Affiliate’s drawbacks. Can it hope to maintain its appeal 20 years from now?
Cost (An Ongoing Commitment)
Wealthy Affiliate now offers a single Premium Plus+ membership for $49 for the first month (if you act quickly) and $99 monthly thereafter. You receive a huge saving if you commit to an annual plan—at $588 you will continue to get the platform at the equivalent of $49 per month. The Starter membership remains the best option for those wanting to explore the platform before committing. It’s entirely free and no credit card details are required.
I cannot stress this enough: do not join Wealthy Affiliate if the subscription isn’t easily affordable. Keep reading on sites like mine, watch videos on YouTube, and learn independently if membership is likely to cause you or your family hardship. It is not a money machine, so set those expectations immediately—in the short term, you are paying for a hobby, a pastime you hope will yield a financial return as you learn. There are no guarantees.
Information Overload (Navigating the Maze)
Even with the introduction of the Hubs system, the sheer volume of information on Wealthy Affiliate can still be overwhelming. While comprehensive, the additional training materials (expert classes) can be difficult to navigate at times, making it challenging to find what you need.
Additionally, while the platform is actively updating its content, some of the training materials may still be outdated and not reflect the latest industry trends or the impact of AI on affiliate marketing. This means you’ll need to be discerning and filter out the most relevant and up-to-date information.
The Community (A Double-Edged Sword)
The community is Wealthy Affiliate’s best asset, but the social aspects of the platform can be a distraction for some. Spending more time chatting and engaging than building your business is an easy habit to fall into, and while making friends and networking is excellent motivation, we recommend setting a timer so you can keep your working time organized!
Additional Costs (Mostly AI-Focused)
The main upsell at Wealthy Affiliate revolves around purchasing additional AI credits, which can be used to generate content ideas, outlines, and even entire articles. You get a generous amount of monthly credits as part of your subscription, though they replenish each month rather than accrue. The core membership offers a comprehensive set of tools and resources, so you should be okay without spending extra money.
While helpful, the AI tools aren’t essential, and free alternatives exist (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini). Consider your budget and needs before investing in additional credits.
Overall, Wealthy Affiliate is transparent about its cost, and there are no compulsory upsells for success. They don’t aggressively push members to buy additional credits. However, it’s still important to be aware of these extra costs and evaluate their value before making any purchases. Wealthy Affiliate has a strict “no refunds” policy.
The Bottom Line
Wealthy Affiliate works best for beginners. The upsides outweigh the downsides, and the platform holds tremendous value if you have a clear plan and realistic expectations. You’ll benefit immensely from the training, resources, and community. You’ll enjoy putting lessons into action from the outset and then sharing your work with fellow marketers through the site feedback feature. There’s always something new to learn, so it will be a long while before you start to question your continued membership. By then, you’ll be more than grateful and uniquely skilled.
The Verdict: Is Wealthy Affiliate Worth It?
Wealthy Affiliate is a legitimate platform that offers valuable resources for beginners. Its strong community and comprehensive training are its biggest strengths. The platform is a worthwhile investment if you’re a beginner who values community support and is willing to invest time and effort into learning proven strategies. You’ll find better options elsewhere if you’re an experienced marketer or someone seeking quick results, but even then, the networking possibilities remain enticing.
Remember, the key to success in affiliate marketing lies in continuous learning and adaptation. Don’t rely solely on any single platform. Do your own research, experiment with different strategies, and, most importantly, never stop learning. However, if you’re struggling with motivation or knowing where to begin, Wealthy Affiliate will give you the impetus you need to get started.
Wealthy Affiliate’s Affiliate Program
As you may have guessed, we stand to benefit if you sign up for Wealthy Affiliate using the links in our review. They have a very generous affiliate program, for which you are auto-enrolled on joining, and specialized training to help you make the most of the opportunity. Earning commissions by referring new members to the platform is a great way to offset the cost of your membership!
A word of warning: a great way is not always the best way. We recommend finding a niche you can be passionate about, and maximizing your returns from that pursuit, before you build a make money online site like this one. After all, you want to know the platform works before you sell it to others!
If you can make 150 sales in a calendar year, you will get an invite to Wealthy Affiliate’s annual Las Vegas conference, for an “all-inclusive, ultra exclusive trip.” Not a bad motivator, eh?
Next Steps: Answering Your Doubts
If you decide not to head to Wealthy Affiliate and create a starter account, perhaps consider an alternative training platform in Solo Build It!. SBI! has many virtues, including its solution for WordPress users, and we want to answer any doubts. To do that, we’ve provided an in-depth look at SBI!’s features, training, community, and pricing to help you make an informed comparison:
Whether you’re a newbie just starting your affiliate marketing journey, a current Wealthy Affiliate member with valuable insights to share, or someone who’s tried the platform in the past and is considering returning, we’d love to hear your thoughts. Share your experiences, questions, or opinions in the comments below.