I was recently asked if a program called the Wealthy Affiliate is an MLM (multilevel marketing) and that was a first.
Being that it is my #1 recommended program for anyone looking to LEARN how to make money online, I of course had to address this right away.
After that, I figured I’d do a post to answer the same question, in case anyone else was wondering what they were really about.
You can read a full review of WA here as well if you want a more in depth explanation of what the company is really about.
Now if you want to know more on the whole MLM and recruiting side of things, allow me to explain that here.
First of all, what in the world is Wealthy Affiliate really about?
WA is nothing more than a training platform that teaches you how to build an affiliate marketing business.
On top of that, they also offer the tools essential to creating that business along with a full on community of online entrepreneurs that you can network with and find answers to the many questions that come with the affiliate marketing business.
Nothing more.
Nothing less.
So is Wealthy Affiliate MLM?
The short answer:
No.
The somewhat long answer:
Definitely not, as there are is no “multi-level” type stuff going on here.
However, just like any other merchant/service on the web, WA offers an affiliate program that allows its members to earn a commission by simply sharing the program with others.
It is nothing more than an incentive as well as a way for them to get their service out there.
Why WA is Misunderstood
Thanks to the many other ponzi scheme type companies on the net today, it has given the whole industry a bad name.
There are hundreds of them out there that create a platform from which others can promote (to make money of course) but there is one big problem with them.
There is no actual product or service and some training on attraction marketing and other stuff that is clearly used to promote their company.
In the world of making money and the internet, this is a big no-no and also the same reason why these companies are getting slammed by the FTC.
WA has been around for over a decade and they deal with PayPal as their payment processor.
I mention this because every single recruiting based program that isn’t MLM are not able to do business with the online paying giant of the inter-web.
WA is the only one out there and that is simply because they teach you how to build an actual business and NOT to promote them in order to make money.
Does WA’s Training Work?
Absolutely.
Affiliate marketing is a real business model and other e-commerce type businesses (selling real products), it is the only other legitimate way to make money from the internet.
Of course you have actual MLMs that have ventured into the online world but that is about all there is out there that will allow you to legitimately make money on the internet as far as websites are concerned.
If you can simply apply what WA teaches, you will make money online.
And if you can master it and do the work necessary, you can very much make a full-time income all from the internet.
I have been doing so for the past 4 years now and yes, it was all thanks to the training and support offered inside of WA.
Wealthy Affiliate is Not a Recruiting Program
In the online world and making money you can bet that almost every single “opportunity” out there is going to require you to get someone to join you in order to make any kind of money.
WA does not do that.
They do have their affiliate program that you can make money with and that requires $0 to get started.
Yup, it is completely free to join their affiliate program as well as get some training on what they actually have to offer.
I can promise you that there is nothing else like it out there and I really don’t care what anyone else tells you.
WA Does Not Have “Multiple” Levels
Hence the name (multilevel marketing), you need exactly that.
Multiple levels are apart of actual MLMs and that entitles you to make money from the people you sponsor as well as the people they sponsor and so on.
They usually stop at a certain level but the point is that you will be earning commissions from many levels.
WA has no levels.
They allow you to make money from the sales you generate and that is about it.
Conclusion
Wealthy Affiliate is not MLM.
Everyone else promoting some recruiting program will try to tell you it is but just know that they are simply trying to promote the same program they are involved with.
I have no problem with MLMs whatsoever but I just thought I’d clarify things for those of you who are under the impression that you are going to join WA and recruit others to make money.
I hope this has helped those of you who were confused and do remember that I am a member of WA if any of you would like help in starting YOUR affiliate marketing business.
Remember that I will get a commission if you do decide to take them up on their premium membership, which I’m sure you’ll find to be very affordable.
Thanks for reading and good luck!