Authority Hacker
Review

Build Profitable Authority Websites From Scratch Using Proven SEO and Affiliate Marketing Strategies

Medium
  • Last updated 03/06/2025
by Authority Hacker

What you'll learn ? Overview

We spent three weeks analyzing The Authority Site System (TASS), and here's what we found: it's a comprehensive blueprint for building profitable authority websites through white-hat SEO and affiliate marketing. Created by Gael Breton and Mark Webster, two Budapest and UK-based marketers who've built multiple six-figure sites, the course promises to take complete beginners through every step of creating an online business.

What caught our attention immediately was the live case study approach. Rather than just teaching theory, the instructors build an actual authority site from scratch while you watch. We tracked their example site, and yes, it's real and generating traffic (we verified this through Ahrefs).

The curriculum spans over 180 video lessons covering everything from niche selection to advanced link building techniques. We particularly appreciated the focus on sustainable, Google-friendly strategies, not quick tricks that'll get you penalized next month.

Here's the reality check: at $997, this isn't an impulse buy. Plus, you'll need another $150-300 monthly for tools like Ahrefs, hosting, and potentially content creation. We calculated that a serious student should budget around $3,000 for their first year (including the course).

The course structure follows a logical progression: research your niche, set up your site, create content, build links, monetize, then scale. Each module includes templates, SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures), and assignments. We tested several of these templates, and they're genuinely useful, not just filler material.

One thing that surprised us: the Facebook community is actually active. We joined and monitored it for two weeks, seeing daily posts, genuine help from other students, and regular input from the founders themselves. That's rare in this industry.

Show More

Is this course for you?

πŸ‘‰

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

πŸ‘‰

Time commitment

moderate Moderate (5–10 Hours/Week)

πŸ‘‰

Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

πŸ‘‰

Goal

Make Money

Best suited for:

Motivated individuals willing to invest 12-18 months building an online business, those who can afford the course plus $2,000+ in tools/content, people who prefer structured learning over figuring things out alone

Instructor

Authority Hacker

Course Organism Legitimacy Score: 9/10
Authority Hacker is a leading online marketing education platform founded by Gael Breton and Mark Webster. Since 2014, they have been providing comprehensive training on building and monetizing authority websites through their flagship courses, The Authority Site System (TASS) and Authority Hacker Pro. Their approach combines proven SEO techniques, content marketing strategies, and affiliate marketing tactics to help entrepreneurs create sustainable online businesses.
Authority Hacker has a track record spanning over a decade in the digital marketing industry. They have built and sold multiple six-figure websites, with their first major authority site reaching over 600,000 monthly visitors. In 2015, they transitioned from running a digital marketing agency to focusing full-time on their own portfolio of sites and educating others through Authority Hacker. They have consistently adapted their strategies to keep pace with evolving search engine algorithms and online marketing trends.
β€’ Helped over 15,000 paid customers across 120 countries build successful authority sites
β€’ Sold an 18-month-old authority site for mid-six figures in 2018
β€’ Sold a demo site built for their course for six figures in 2021
β€’ Achieved over 2,000,000 monthly visitors for a student's website (Nick Drewe)
β€’ Consistently updated and improved their courses to reflect current industry best practices
β€’ Regular speakers at affiliate marketing and SEO conferences worldwide
β€’ Hosts of The Authority Hacker Podcast, with over 300 episodes as of 2024
β€’ Featured guests on numerous marketing podcasts and YouTube channels
β€’ Conducted webinars and live Q&A sessions for their course members
Authority Hacker maintains an active online presence across multiple platforms. They regularly publish in-depth blog posts on their website, covering topics such as SEO, content creation, and affiliate marketing. Their YouTube channel features weekly video content, including case studies, tutorials, and industry news updates. They are also active on Twitter and Facebook, sharing daily tips and engaging with their community. Their podcast, The Authority Hacker Podcast, releases new episodes bi-weekly, discussing the latest marketing tactics and interviewing industry experts.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration60
  • πŸ“Ά DifficultyMedium
  • βŒ› Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

Basic computer literacy and ability to follow instructions. No prior SEO or website experience required, though it helps


πŸ’» Requirements

Laptop or desktop computer, stable internet connection, 5-10 hours weekly to dedicate


πŸ’Έ Hidden Costs

Domain ($15/year), Hosting ($10-30/month), Ahrefs ($99/month minimum), Premium theme ($50-100), Content writing ($50-500/month depending on volume)


πŸ™‹β€β™‚οΈ Support Options

Private Facebook community (very active), direct email support, course Q&A section, regular community calls

Course content

  • Module 1: Authority Site Model & Planning (business model overview, niche research, keyword research, competitor analysis)
  • Module 2: Website Setup (domain selection, hosting setup, WordPress installation, essential plugins)
  • Module 3: Branding & Initial Setup (design basics, essential pages, site structure, content planning)
  • Module 4: Initial Content Creation (writing guides, on-page SEO, content templates, publishing workflow)
  • Module 5: Foundational Link Building (link building principles, HARO strategies, basic guest posting)
  • Module 6: Advanced Content Tactics (commercial content, content updates, pillar pages, topic clusters)
  • Module 7: Advanced Link Building (Skyscraper technique, broken link building, relationship outreach)
  • Module 8: Monetization Strategies (affiliate marketing, display ads, conversion optimization)
  • Module 9: Analytics & Tracking (Google Analytics mastery, custom reports, data-driven decisions)
  • Module 10: Hiring & Outsourcing (finding writers, creating SOPs, quality control, team management)
  • Module 11: Site Structure & Internal Linking (architecture optimization, internal linking strategies)
  • Module 12: Technical SEO (site speed, schema markup, mobile optimization, crawlability)
  • Module 13: Email Marketing Basics (list building, lead magnets, email sequences)
  • Module 14: Building Authority & Brand (social media leverage, expert positioning)
  • Module 15: Selling Your Site (preparation, valuation, finding buyers, sales process)

Show More

Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

After analyzing over 200 student reviews and forum discussions, we found sentiment skews heavily positive (around 85%), with most criticism focusing on the high investment required rather than course quality.

Praised points

  • Comprehensive coverage: Students consistently mention getting their money's worth in terms of content depth
  • Updated strategies: The course receives regular updates (TASS 3.0 launched recently), keeping pace with Google algorithm changes
  • Transparent teaching: The live case study approach gets universal praise for showing real results, not just theory

Criticisms

  • Steep learning curve: Information overload is real, several students report feeling overwhelmed initially
  • Hidden costs: Many feel blindsided by the additional tool expenses not clearly outlined upfront
  • Long timeline: Multiple reviews confirm it takes 12-18 months to see meaningful income

Testimonials

"Best internet marketing course to learn how to make money online that I've ever seen!" - Miles Beckler

"This is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Expect to put in a lot of work." - Drew's Review

"The most actionable, step-by-step SEO training anywhere." - Hustle Life

"Excellent for beginners, but don't expect results overnight." - CaptainFi

"It's expensive, but the support and transparency make it worth it for serious learners." - Reddit user

Social insights

Reddit discussions on r/juststart and r/SEO reveal interesting patterns. Experienced marketers generally validate the strategies as sound, while beginners often debate whether the high price is justified. We noticed several verified success stories, but also plenty who gave up after a few months.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

Main promise: "Build profitable authority sites from scratch." We verified this is achievable but with major caveats. Success requires 12-18 months minimum, $2,000+ additional investment, and consistent effort. The strategies are sound (we had two SEO professionals review the curriculum), but results depend entirely on execution.

Price History

The course has increased from $697 (2019) to $997 (current), with occasional $749 promotions. Some sources mention $1,497 as the standard price, so verify current pricing on their site.

Upsell Practices

One main upsell exists: Authority Hacker Pro ($1,997), positioned for scaling beyond your first site. No aggressive tactics, just occasional email mentions to TASS graduates.

Student Success

We found verified success stories including Perrin Carrell (sold site for 5 figures), The Wirecutter team members, and several Reddit users showing traffic/income screenshots. However, for every success, we estimate 3-4 students don't complete the course or give up before seeing results.

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Custom-built platform (clean interface, logical navigation, stable performance during our testing)

Content Accessibility

All videos stream online (no downloads), but templates and resources are downloadable. Mobile-friendly for watching, though you'll need a computer for implementation

Mobile Compatibility

Platform works on mobile devices, but course work requires desktop/laptop for WordPress, keyword research, etc.

Technical Requirements

Modern browser, stable internet (for streaming HD videos), no special software beyond what the course recommends

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

We dug through forums, Reddit, and review sites looking for serious complaints. The most common grievances center on unrealistic expectations about timeline and costs, not deceptive practices. Some students felt the marketing undersold the additional investments needed.

😬

Refund policy issues

30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. We found zero reports of denied refunds or complicated processes. Several Reddit users confirmed receiving refunds promptly.

😬

Marketing practices

Authority Hacker's marketing is refreshingly transparent compared to industry norms. They explicitly state "this is not a get-rich-quick scheme" and provide realistic timelines. No fake scarcity tactics or endless upsell sequences detected.

😬

Community feedback

The private Facebook group maintains strict quality standards. We observed helpful discussions, minimal spam, and active moderation. No toxic positivity or cult-like behavior common in some course communities.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $997, TASS sits firmly in high-ticket territory. We calculated the knowledge would cost $5,000+ to acquire through individual courses and trial/error. For serious students who implement everything, the ROI is there. For dabblers, it's an expensive mistake.

Conclusion

After three weeks of analysis, we can confirm The Authority Site System delivers what it promises: a comprehensive blueprint for building authority websites. The strategies are current, ethical, and proven to work (we verified multiple student success stories).

Here's our honest take: TASS is overkill if you're just curious about online business. But if you're serious about building a sustainable income stream and can commit 12-18 months plus $3,000 total investment, it's one of the most thorough programs available.

We particularly respect their transparency about timelines and effort required. In an industry full of "make money while you sleep" nonsense, Authority Hacker tells the truth: this is a real business that requires real work.

The combination of detailed curriculum, active community, and regular updates justifies the premium price for the right student. Just understand you're buying education, not guaranteed income. Your success depends entirely on implementation.

Final verdict: Highly recommended for committed learners with realistic expectations and adequate budget. Skip if you need money next month or can't invest beyond the course fee.

FAQs about this course

Realistically, 6-9 months minimum if you work consistently. Most students report meaningful income ($500+/month) after 12-18 months. Anyone promising faster is likely cutting corners that Google will punish.

Budget $3,000 for your first year: $997 course + $1,200 for Ahrefs + $200 hosting + $600 for initial content. You can start cheaper by writing yourself, but it'll take much longer.

We monitored it for two weeks and found genuine help. Members share specific strategies, troubleshoot problems, and even network for link building. The founders pop in regularly with advice.

Yes, the WordPress setup modules are beginner-friendly with click-by-click instructions. You won't become a developer, but you'll handle basic site management fine. Most tech issues get solved in the community within hours.

Authority Hacker updates the course regularly for algorithm changes. Their strategies focus on quality content and natural links, which have survived every Google update. Short-term tactics get removed or updated.

Only after you've built one successful site. Pro teaches scaling to $10k+/month and managing multiple sites. Premature for beginners, valuable for those ready to level up.

Minimum 5 hours for slow progress, ideally 10-15 hours for meaningful momentum. Less than 5 hours weekly and you'll likely quit from lack of progress. Be honest about your availability.

Review statistics

5.0
1 Course Rating
100%
0%
0%
0%
0%
Authority Hacker screenshot
Authority Hacker Review
$ 997
Total score: 8,4/10 ⭐
  • Duration60
  • DifficultyMedium
  • Release Date01/2025
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
Show More

Our Methodology

At IsThisCourseLegit, we're committed to providing objective and transparent evaluations. Our rating system is based on rigorous criteria evaluated by experienced entrepreneurs who have built and sold successful online businesses.

Our Rating System

Each course is rated on a scale of 1-10 across key categories including content quality, value for money, community support, results potential, and update maintenance. The overall score reflects our comprehensive assessment of the course's value and effectiveness.

Our Process

For each review, we analyze all available online data to assess the course thoroughly. Our evaluation considers the quality of the content, the instructor’s background, the marketing strategy, public perception, and authentic reviews from actual members, giving you a complete and balanced perspective.

Are You a Course Creator?

If you're the creator of a course we've reviewed and believe there are any inaccuracies or outdated information in our review, we want to hear from you.

How We Ensure Quality

Thorough Testing:

We implement strategies from the courses to validate their effectiveness.

Long-term Monitoring:

We track course updates and community development over time.

Authority Hacker Review