The Authority Site System (TASS)
Review

The Foolproof System For Building Profitable Authority Sites That Make Real Money

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

What you'll learn ? Overview

We spent 15 hours diving into The Authority Site System (TASS) by Authority Hacker, and here's what we found: it's a comprehensive blueprint for building profitable affiliate marketing websites from scratch. Created by Mark Webster and Gael Breton, this course walks you through every step of creating what they call "authority sites", websites that generate income through affiliate commissions and display advertising.

The course stands out for its real-case-study approach. Rather than just teaching theory, TASS documents the actual creation of a profitable website, showing every decision and process along the way. With over 180 HD video lessons, the program covers everything from niche selection and keyword research to content creation and link building.

What caught our attention? The course doesn't promise overnight success. In fact, Webster and Breton are refreshingly honest about the time investment required, typically 12 to 24 months to see meaningful returns. Each module includes downloadable templates, checklists, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), making it easier to implement what you learn.

The latest version, TASS 3.0, was updated for 2024 with fresh strategies reflecting current SEO trends. We noticed the course places heavy emphasis on white-hat, sustainable tactics rather than quick wins that might get penalized by Google. The private Facebook mastermind community adds another layer of value, providing peer support and instructor feedback as you build your site.

So, does this course live up to its "foolproof" claim? Well, that's marketing hyperbole. Building a successful authority site requires significant effort, patience, and additional investment in tools. But if you're looking for a structured, proven system backed by experienced practitioners, TASS delivers a comprehensive roadmap that's hard to match at this price point.

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Is this course for you?

πŸ‘‰

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

πŸ‘‰

Time commitment

intensive Intensive (10+ Hours/Week)

πŸ‘‰

Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

πŸ‘‰

Goal

Make Money

Best suited for:

Aspiring affiliate marketers willing to invest 12+ months building a business, individuals with budget for tools and patience for gradual growth, those who prefer structured learning with community support

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 investmentIntensive (10+ Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

No formal prerequisites, though basic computer literacy helps


πŸ’» Requirements

Laptop or desktop computer, stable internet connection


πŸ’Έ Hidden Costs

Domain ($10-20/year), Hosting ($10-30/month), GeneratePress Premium ($59/year), Ahrefs ($99+/month), Email marketing tool ($15+/month), Content outsourcing ($0.02-0.10/word)


πŸ™‹β€β™‚οΈ Support Options

Private Facebook community, email support from Authority Hacker team, periodic Q&A sessions

Course content

  • Module 1: Mindset, Business Foundations, and Website Planning
  • Module 2: Niche Selection Techniques and Market Validation
  • Module 3: Market & Keyword Research Deep-Dive (using Ahrefs)
  • Module 4: Site Setup, WordPress Installation, Essential Plugins
  • Module 5: Content Creation, Templates, Outsourcing SOPs
  • Module 6: Branding, Logo Design, Site Layout (GeneratePress)
  • Module 7: Link Building Fundamentals (HARO, Guest Posting)
  • Module 8: Monetization Strategies (Affiliate Programs, Display Ads)
  • Module 9: Hiring Writers, VAs, and Managing Remote Teams
  • Module 10: Analytics, Tracking KPIs, Long-term Site Management
  • Bonus Content: Over-the-shoulder case study videos, downloadable templates

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Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

Students overwhelmingly praise TASS for its depth and actionable content, though many warn about the significant time investment and additional tool costs required for success.

Praised points

  • Step-by-step blueprint that's easy to follow even for complete beginners
  • Real case study approach showing actual site creation from scratch
  • Active Facebook community with responsive instructors and helpful peers

Criticisms

  • High additional tool costs, especially Ahrefs at $99+/month
  • Long timeline to profitability, typically 6 to 18 months minimum
  • Information overload for absolute beginners, with 180+ lessons to digest

Testimonials

"Clear, no-BS, step-by-step, best affiliate site course I've tried." (Reddit User)

"Not cheap, but the support and updates make it worth it." (DrewsReview)

"Don't expect fast cash, but I've seen steady site growth over 10 months." (YouTube comment)

"The Facebook group is gold for getting unstuck." (HustleLife)

"TASS finally demystified SEO for me." (CaptainFI)

Social insights

Reddit discussions consistently recommend TASS as one of the most legitimate affiliate marketing courses available. Users on r/juststart frequently mention it as "the real deal" while warning newcomers about unrealistic income expectations. Quora responses echo similar sentiments, with experienced marketers praising the systematic approach while cautioning about the work involved.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The "foolproof system" claim is marketing exaggeration. While the system is comprehensive and proven, success depends heavily on individual execution, niche selection, and persistence. The "real money" claim aligns with reality for dedicated students, but timeframes vary significantly.

Price History

TASS has maintained its $997 price point consistently, with payment plan option at six monthly payments of $249 ($1,494 total). Occasional bundle offers with Authority Hacker Pro appear during promotions.

Upsell Practices

Authority Hacker Pro serves as the natural progression after TASS, priced higher and covering advanced strategies. The upsell is positioned appropriately for students ready to scale beyond their first site.

Student Success

Success stories on the Authority Hacker website showcase students reaching $1k to $10k+ monthly, though these represent top performers. Independent verification of average student results isn't available (standard for the industry).

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Custom-built platform (likely WordPress with membership plugins), clean interface, well-organized content structure

Content Accessibility

HD video lessons streamable online, downloadable resources (templates, checklists, SOPs), lifetime access to all materials

Mobile Compatibility

Platform works on mobile devices, though desktop recommended for actual implementation work

Technical Requirements

High-speed internet for video streaming, modern web browser, sufficient RAM for multiple tabs

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

The most significant concern isn't about the course quality but the additional investment required. Students report needing $500+ for initial setup and $100 to $300 monthly for essential tools like Ahrefs. Some users also mention the system can feel "cookie-cutter" if not adapted creatively.

😬

Refund policy issues

The 30-day money-back guarantee appears to be honored without issues. Multiple sources confirm refunds are processed when requested within the timeframe.

😬

Marketing practices

Authority Hacker maintains professional, transparent marketing. They provide substantial free content through their blog and podcast, building trust before selling. The sales page clearly outlines what's included, though the "foolproof" claim is obvious marketing hyperbole.

😬

Community feedback

The private Facebook community receives consistently positive feedback for being supportive and active. No systemic issues with course delivery or support have been reported.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $997 plus significant tool costs, TASS requires serious financial commitment. For students who complete the course and implement consistently, the ROI can be substantial. We've seen enough success stories to confirm the system works when properly executed. However, factor in total costs: course fee plus $500+ initial setup and $100 to $300 monthly for tools.

Conclusion

After 15 hours reviewing The Authority Site System, we can confirm it's one of the most comprehensive affiliate marketing courses available. Mark Webster and Gael Breton deliver exactly what they promise: a detailed, step-by-step system for building profitable authority sites. The course excels in its practical approach, showing real site creation rather than just teaching theory. Is it worth $997? For serious students ready to invest 10+ hours weekly for 12 to 24 months, absolutely. The depth of content, regular updates, and active community justify the price. However, if you're seeking quick passive income or can't afford the additional tool costs, look elsewhere. TASS teaches a legitimate business model that requires real work, patience, and ongoing investment. Those who commit to the full journey often find the results worth the effort.

FAQs about this course

TASS is a comprehensive online course teaching you how to build profitable affiliate marketing websites from scratch, covering everything from niche selection to advanced SEO strategies.

The course was created by Mark Webster and Gael Breton, founders of Authority Hacker, with extensive experience building and selling authority sites.

The course costs $997 (or six payments of $249), but budget an additional $500 for initial setup and $100-300/month for essential tools like Ahrefs.

Yes, Authority Hacker offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which users confirm is honored when requested within the timeframe.

Realistically, expect 6-18 months of consistent work before seeing significant income, this isn't a get-rich-quick scheme.

No prior experience required, but basic computer literacy helps, the course teaches everything from WordPress basics to advanced SEO.

You'll have access to a private Facebook community, email support from the Authority Hacker team, and periodic Q&A sessions.

No, Authority Hacker Pro is an optional advanced course for scaling multiple sites, TASS alone provides everything needed to build your first profitable authority site.

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The Authority Site System (TASS) screenshot
The Authority Site System (TASS) Review
$ 997
Total score: 8,0/10 ⭐
  • Duration60
  • DifficultyMedium
  • Release Date01/2024
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentIntensive (10+ Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
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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.

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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.

The Authority Site System (TASS) Review