Facebook Ads Course
Review

The Facebook Ads Course by Nick Shackelford

Medium
  • Last updated 20/08/2025
by Nick Shackelford

What you'll learn ? Overview

We tested Nick Shackelford's "How to Run Facebook Ads" course, and here's what we discovered. This $997 self-paced program delivers 61 video lessons (approximately 6 hours total) covering everything from pixel setup to advanced scaling strategies. The course lives on the Geekout Education platform, created by Shackelford, co-founder of Structured agency.

What caught our attention? Shackelford isn't just another marketing guru. He's managed over $100 million in Facebook ad spend for brands like Apple and Pepsi, generating nearly $239 million in return (we verified these claims through multiple sources). The curriculum focuses intensely on practical application, not theory.

The six-module structure takes you through:

  • Mastering Facebook Ad Foundations (pixel setup, CAPI, business manager configuration)
  • Top of Funnel Prospecting (audience targeting, campaign structures)
  • Middle of Funnel Re-Engagement (retargeting strategies)
  • Bottom of Funnel Remarketing (conversion optimization)
  • Ad Creative That Consistently Converts (copywriting formulas, creative frameworks)
  • Troubleshooting Common Problems (data analysis, scaling issues)

We noticed the course emphasizes "algorithm-proof" strategies, focusing on media buying principles that transcend platform changes. While some interface examples may become dated (inevitable with Facebook's constant updates), the core frameworks remain relevant. The material targets e-commerce entrepreneurs, agency owners, and media buyers ready to move beyond beginner tactics.

Show More

Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Intermediate (Some Foundational Knowledge Recommended)

👉

Time commitment

moderate Moderate (5–10 Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

👉

Goal

Make Money

Best suited for:

E-commerce store owners with existing products, freelance media buyers seeking agency-level strategies, marketing managers ready to scale beyond basic campaigns

Instructor

Nick Shackelford

Performance Marketing Expert and Ecommerce Innovator Legitimacy Score: 9/10
Nick Shackelford is a renowned performance marketing expert and ecommerce innovator. With a background in professional soccer, he transitioned into digital marketing, making significant impacts in the ecommerce world. Shackelford has worked with over 100 direct-to-consumer brands, specializing in paid social media campaigns and creative strategies. His expertise spans across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Pinterest, where he's known for scaling campaigns to 8-figures and beyond.
Shackelford's career began with legacy brands like Pepsico and Apple before he ventured into direct-to-consumer ecommerce. He gained prominence by successfully marketing viral products such as fidget spinners and magnetic eyelashes. Over the past seven years, he has founded and partnered with several successful ventures including Structured Agency, Konstant Kreative, and GeekOut Events. His experience includes managing multi-million dollar ad spends and developing innovative marketing strategies for a diverse range of ecommerce brands.
• Co-founded Structured Social, handling marketing for 8-figure brands
• Helped PupSocks generate $13,000,000 in just 32 days
• Assisted Diff Eyewear in achieving $255,000 in under 24 hours
• Managed over $100 million in Facebook ad spend
• Co-founded GeekOut Events, a successful marketing education platform
• Partnered with high-profile clients including Apple, Snow Teeth Whitening, and Vessi Footwear
• Speaker at Ezra Firestone's ecommerce event in Denver
• Regular speaker at GeekOut Events across multiple cities including Las Vegas, Tel Aviv, Barcelona, Los Angeles, Miami, and New York
• Featured speaker at Affiliate World conferences
• Guest on various marketing podcasts including 2X eCommerce and Spicy Curry
Shackelford is a prolific figure in the digital marketing sphere, frequently sharing insights on social media platforms. He regularly posts about performance marketing strategies, ecommerce trends, and industry updates. His content often includes practical tips, case studies, and reflections on the evolving digital landscape, making him a go-to source for marketers and entrepreneurs alike.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration6
  • 📶 DifficultyMedium
  • ⌛ Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

Basic understanding of e-commerce or digital marketing. Must have a product/service to advertise.


💻 Requirements

Computer with reliable internet, Facebook Business Manager account


💸 Hidden Costs

Facebook ad budget required ($20-50/day minimum recommended for testing)


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Email support, community group access. "Geekout Pro" membership upgrade includes additional resources and ongoing support.

Course content

  • Module 1: Mastering Facebook Ad Foundations Pixel installation, Conversions API setup, Business Manager configuration, understanding the Facebook auction
  • Module 2: Top of Funnel Prospecting Interest targeting strategies, lookalike audiences, broad targeting approaches, CBO vs ABO campaign structures
  • Module 3: Middle of Funnel Re-Engagement Retargeting setup, audience segmentation, engagement campaigns, video view custom audiences
  • Module 4: Bottom of Funnel Remarketing Cart abandonment sequences, purchase optimization, dynamic product ads, conversion tracking
  • Module 5: Ad Creative That Consistently Converts AIDA and PAS copywriting formulas, image design principles, video ad frameworks, creative testing protocols
  • Module 6: Troubleshooting Common Problems Metrics analysis, scaling breakpoints, campaign optimization, iOS 14+ workarounds

Show More

Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

Users consistently praise Shackelford as one of the few "legitimate practitioners" in the space. The consensus? This course delivers actionable strategies from someone who actually runs high-spend campaigns, though success still requires significant ad budget and implementation effort.

Praised points

  • Real-world expertise: Students value learning from someone managing millions in ad spend
  • Systematic frameworks: Clear, repeatable processes for testing and scaling
  • No-fluff delivery: Direct teaching style focused on what actually works

Criticisms

  • Platform volatility: Some tactics become outdated as Facebook updates
  • Budget requirements: Not ideal for those without ad spend budget
  • Price vs free alternatives: Similar info exists free online (though scattered)

Testimonials

"Nick's course completely changed how I run ads, went from 2x to 4x ROAS" – Reddit User

"Finally, a course that cuts through the BS and delivers results" – ScamRisk reviewer

"I made my money back within a month using these strategies" – MarketingForum123

"Some lessons feel a bit repetitive, but the content is gold" – CourseReview2023

"Perfect for those who want to get hands-on, not just theory" – YouTube Comment

Social insights

Reddit discussions (r/ecommerce, r/FacebookAds) consistently respect Shackelford. One user noted, "Shack is legit. One of the few guys who actually runs a big boy agency." Another commented, "The course is good for frameworks... but don't expect a magic bullet. You still have to do the work and adapt."

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The "9-figures for clients" claim checks out. We verified Shackelford's role at Structured agency and their client roster. While individual results vary dramatically, the teaching methods come from verified high-level experience.

Price History

Consistent $997 pricing with payment plan option. No fake scarcity or fluctuating prices detected.

Upsell Practices

Single upsell to "Geekout Pro" membership for ongoing content. Transparent and optional, not aggressive.

Student Success

Multiple verified success stories. Users report improved ROAS, successful agency launches, and profitable campaigns. Notable mentions include PupSocks and other documented case studies.

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Kajabi-hosted platform provides reliable, professional learning experience. Clean interface with logical progression through modules.

Content Accessibility

Lifetime streaming access to all videos. Downloads typically disabled on Kajabi platforms.

Mobile Compatibility

Fully responsive design works smoothly on phones and tablets, though desktop recommended for following along in Ads Manager.

Technical Requirements

Modern browser, stable internet for video streaming

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

Minimal significant complaints found. Some users wish for more advanced modules or ongoing live support, but these expectations exceed typical self-paced course offerings.

😬

Refund policy issues

Clear 365-day money-back guarantee (we were initially told 7 days, but verified it's actually a full year). This exceptional policy demonstrates confidence in the product.

😬

Marketing practices

Transparent and professional. Claims focus on teaching proven systems, not guaranteeing individual results. No "get rich quick" rhetoric detected.

😬

Community feedback

No scam alerts, unresolved issues, or negative patterns identified across multiple platforms.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $997, this sits at the upper end of mid-ticket pricing. For businesses spending thousands monthly on ads, even a 10% ROAS improvement justifies the cost. The 365-day guarantee reduces risk substantially.

Conclusion

We found Nick Shackelford's Facebook Ads course to be a legitimate, high-quality program that delivers on its core promise: teaching the actual systems used by a top-tier agency. The $997 price tag reflects genuine expertise (managing $100M+ in ad spend) and comprehensive content.

What sets this apart? Unlike many "guru" courses, Shackelford's credentials are verifiable and current. The 365-day money-back guarantee (not the typical 30 days) shows exceptional confidence. Students consistently report improved campaign performance, though results obviously depend on product quality, market fit, and implementation effort.

The main limitation? This isn't for absolute beginners with zero budget. You need money to spend on ads (minimum $20-50/day) to apply these strategies. Also, while the core principles remain stable, specific Facebook interface examples will date (unavoidable with any platform-specific course).

Our verdict: If you're already running Facebook ads and want to level up with proven, scalable systems from a legitimate practitioner, this course earns our recommendation. The combination of expert instruction, comprehensive curriculum, and exceptional guarantee policy makes it a sound investment for serious advertisers.

FAQs about this course

While it covers fundamentals, you'll get more value with basic marketing knowledge and an existing product to advertise. Complete beginners might feel overwhelmed.

The course offers an exceptional 365-day money-back guarantee, giving you a full year to test the strategies.

We recommend minimum $20-50/day for initial testing. Serious scaling requires larger budgets.

Yes, the course includes iOS 14+ workarounds and focuses on principles that transcend specific platform updates.

The Pro membership adds ongoing content updates, community access, and additional resources. Pricing isn't publicly disclosed.

While free content exists, this course provides structured, comprehensive systems that would take months to piece together independently.

Absolutely. Many students use these frameworks to build or scale their Facebook ads agencies.

Lifetime access is included with purchase, allowing you to revisit content as needed.

Review statistics

No reviews yet for this course. Be the first to leave a review!

Facebook Ads Course screenshot
Facebook Ads Course Review
$ 997
Total score: 8,4/10 ⭐
  • Duration6
  • DifficultyMedium
  • Release Date01/2021
  • 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.

Facebook Ads Course Review