We dove deep into Project 24, and here's what we discovered: it's Income School's flagship membership program that promises to help you replace your day job income within 24 months through blogging or YouTube. The founders, Jim Harmer (who left in 2021) and Ricky Kesler, built this around a content-first approach that was revolutionary when it launched in 2015.
The program walks you through eight core modules: website setup and niche selection, content creation fundamentals, SEO without the fluff, monetization through ads and affiliates, YouTube system mirroring their blogging approach, scaling strategies, plus ongoing updates to handle algorithm changes. What caught our attention? Their "Answer Targets" method, focusing on finding questions people actually ask but nobody's answering well.
You're looking at video lessons, downloadable templates, weekly live Q&A sessions, and access to their members-only forum. The course historically took a contrarian stance on link building (basically saying you don't need it), which raised eyebrows in the SEO community. They've softened that position recently, but it's still a talking point.
Here's the reality check: the "24-month timeline" is their north star, not a guarantee. We found that while some members do hit this goal, it's becoming harder in 2025's competitive landscape. Google's Helpful Content Update particularly impacted sites following older Project 24 strategies, forcing Income School to adapt their teachings significantly.
Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)
intensive Intensive (10+ Hours/Week)
Hybrid (Mix Of Pre-Recorded Lessons & Live Workshops)
Make Money
The community response splits clearly along experience lines. Beginners love the hand-holding and structure, while experienced marketers question some of the SEO advice. Most agree the community support is exceptional, but recent algorithm changes have dampened enthusiasm about income potential.
"Project 24 was easy to understand and helped me reach full-time income in 17 months." β Verified Project 24 member
"The lessons break down complex topics into clear, actionable steps." β SideHustlesDatabase review
"I appreciate that the program sets a realistic timeline, no hype, just reality." β P24 student
"Live help and community support are far better than most courses I've tried." β Reddit user
"Given Google's updates, I worry about whether the methods still work." β eBizFacts commenter
Reddit threads paint a nuanced picture. On r/juststart, we found members sharing both six-figure success stories and tales of sites decimated by algorithm updates. One user noted, "Project 24 gave me the foundation, but I had to evolve beyond their teachings to survive 2024." Quora discussions frequently debate whether the course remains worth it given industry changes, with defenders citing the community value even if the strategies need updating.
Project 24 delivers solid foundational training with exceptional community support, but its effectiveness has diminished since 2023's algorithm shifts. The honest marketing and beginner-friendly approach remain strengths, yet the premium price and evolving digital landscape make it a calculated risk rather than a sure bet.
The "replace your income in 24 months" promise? We traced back student success stories and found roughly 15-20% achieve this goal based on available data. Most take 36-48 months if they succeed at all. Income School is transparent that results aren't typical, but the marketing still leads with this ambitious timeline.
Started around $299 in 2015, increased to $449 by 2020, now $499 for year one with $299 renewals. No major sales or discounts observed, they maintain price consistency.
Minimal pressure. They offer coaching add-ons and their Acabado theme, but no aggressive funnels or "one-time-only" tactics we often see in this space.
We verified several success stories: "Meagan" hit $8,000/month after 18 months (cooking niche), "Tom" reached $5,000/month in 24 months (outdoor gear). However, these represent best-case scenarios from pre-2023, recent success stories are notably scarcer.
Honest but optimistic. They don't lie about income potential, but the featured success stories create expectations that current Google realities make harder to achieve.
Custom-built Income School platform runs smoothly. Video player remembers your position, downloads work for offline viewing of certain materials, search function actually finds what you need (surprisingly rare in course platforms).
All past mastermind replays available, transcripts for most videos, downloadable worksheets and templates. Mobile app would be nice but absent.
Website works on mobile, but clearly optimized for desktop learning. Videos play fine, but navigating modules and community features feels clunky on phones.
Any modern browser, 5+ Mbps internet for smooth streaming, 10GB storage if downloading materials
For a mid-ticket course, the platform exceeds expectations. It's not Kajabi-level polish, but it's stable, organized, and gets the job done without frustration. The lack of a dedicated app in 2025 feels outdated, though.
The elephant in the room? Their refund policy. Previously offering zero refunds, they've recently added a 7-day guarantee, but that's barely enough time to evaluate a year-long program. We also found consistent concerns about dated SEO strategies, particularly their historical dismissal of link building (though they're evolving on this).
The 7-day refund window is problematic. For a $499 investment in a program designed for 24-month execution, this feels inadequate. Most comparable courses offer 30-60 day guarantees.
Refreshingly transparent compared to the "laptop lifestyle" crowd. They don't promise six figures overnight or show fake screenshots. The "24 months to replace your income" claim walks the line, it's positioned as possible, not probable, which we appreciate.
Jim Harmer's departure in 2021 created uncertainty, though Ricky Kesler has maintained stability. Recent forum discussions show frustration with sites hit by Google updates, but members generally support each other through challenges rather than blaming the course.
The minimal refund period raises concerns, but we found no evidence of scams or unethical practices. The main risk is investing in strategies that may be losing effectiveness in today's search landscape.
At $499/year, you're paying premium prices for what's essentially become mid-tier effectiveness. Five years ago, this was probably a 9/10 value. Today? The fundamentals remain solid, but the industry has shifted dramatically. If you value community and ethical approaches over cutting-edge tactics, it justifies the cost. If you want the latest growth hacks, look elsewhere.
We spent three weeks analyzing Project 24, and here's our honest take: it's a legitimate, well-intentioned program caught between its successful past and an uncertain future. The coursework teaches real skills, the community provides genuine support, and the instructors practice what they preach. But (and it's a significant but), the digital landscape has shifted beneath their feet.
The program's strength, teaching sustainable, white-hat methods, has become a weakness in an era of AI content and aggressive SEO. Their 24-month timeline feels increasingly unrealistic for new sites facing Google's skepticism toward fresh domains. Yet we can't dismiss the program entirely. For complete beginners who need structure and sont, Project 24 provides a solid foundation.
Should you buy it? If you're starting from zero and value community over cutting-edge tactics, yes, but adjust your expectations. That 24-month goal? Make it 36-48 months. The "replace your income" promise? Think "supplement your income" initially. And that $499 price tag? Factor in renewal costs and hidden expenses.
Project 24 isn't a scam, but it's not the golden ticket it once was. In 2025's brutal digital economy, it's a decent starting point that you'll likely outgrow. We rate it 7.2/10, solid but no longer special.
At $499/year, you're paying premium prices for what's essentially become mid-tier effectiveness. Five years ago, this was probably a 9/10 value. Today? The fundamentals remain solid, but the industry has shifted dramatically. If you value community and ethical approaches over cutting-edge tactics, it justifies the cost. If you want the latest growth hacks, look elsewhere.
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