What Makes Authority Hacker Different
Authority Hacker was founded in 2014 by Gael Breton and Mark Webster. Their mission? Close the gap between flashy internet marketing promises and tactics that actually work.
Over 13 years in the industry, they’ve trained 13,000+ students across 120 countries.
Their flagship product is the Authority Site System—a comprehensive course teaching people how to build profitable niche authority websites from scratch. Premium training. Premium price tags. Premium commissions for affiliates.
The Economics: What You Actually Need to Earn Real Money
Want to know the math that most affiliate program reviews skip?
Here’s the breakdown:
To earn $1,000/month:
- You need 1-2 course sales per month (at $990-$1,979 per sale)
- Which requires roughly 50-100 qualified clicks to their sales page (assuming 2-4% conversion)
- Which means you need 2,000-5,000 monthly visitors to content targeting the right audience
To earn $5,000/month:
- You need 5-10 sales monthly
- Which requires 250-500 qualified clicks
- Which means you need 10,000-25,000 monthly visitors
Sound manageable? Here’s what separates affiliates earning $5K/month from those earning $50/month: the successful ones already have established audiences in adjacent niches (SEO training, WordPress tutorials, affiliate marketing strategies) who are actively searching for premium training options.
The strugglers? They try to promote Authority Hacker to beginner bloggers with no budget, or to audiences completely outside the online business space.
Commission Structure and Payment Terms
Authority Hacker pays $990 to $1,979 per sale depending on which product the customer purchases.
Their average EPC (earnings per click) sits above $10, with top affiliates hitting $15+ EPC. That’s exceptional in the affiliate training space—but only if you’re sending qualified traffic.
Payment details:
- Cookie window: 60 days (industry standard)
- Payment method: PayPal only (major limitation if you prefer other platforms)
- Payment schedule: Monthly
- Minimum payout: $0 (no threshold—get paid on your first sale)
- Pro tip: Set up auto-payouts from ThriveCart to your PayPal to get paid faster
The program runs directly through Authority Hacker—no third-party network involved. You work with them, not through another layer.
The Entry Requirements Most Reviews Gloss Over
Here’s where Authority Hacker differs dramatically from open-to-anyone programs like Amazon Associates or ShareASale networks.
They have strict requirements:
You MUST have:
- A few thousand monthly visitors (exact number unspecified, but think 3,000+ minimum)
- An active, regularly updated website with quality content
- A relevant audience interested in online business, SEO, affiliate marketing, or website growth
- High-quality content (they reject spammy, low-effort sites immediately)
You MUST generate:
- At least 1 qualifying sale within your first 90 days, or they delete your account
Let me be honest about what this means: if you’re just starting out, don’t waste your time applying. They’re not interested in beginners hoping to make their first dollar online. They want established creators who can send qualified buyers.
Pattern we see repeatedly: affiliates who get approved typically have 5,000+ monthly visitors, an email list of 1,000+ subscribers, and existing content in adjacent niches that naturally lead to premium training offers.
What Works in Your Favor (The Honest Pros)
High per-sale commissions solve the traffic problem. You don’t need millions of visitors. A handful of sales monthly can generate $2,000-$5,000 in commissions. Compare that to Amazon Associates, where you’d need to sell $100,000+ in products to hit the same income.
60-day cookie window gives you breathing room. Your referral gets two full months to make a purchase decision. For expensive courses ($2,000+), people rarely buy immediately—they research, compare, think about it. The extended cookie helps you capture those delayed conversions.
No minimum payout means faster access to earnings. Make one sale? Get paid. You’re not waiting to hit arbitrary thresholds like $100 or $500.
You’re promoting genuinely reputable training. Authority Hacker has a solid reputation in the online business space. Their courses get positive reviews. You’re not pushing scammy get-rich-quick schemes—you’re recommending legitimate training from people with real track records.
The products are high-ticket and high-converting. Their Authority Site System course sells for around $2,000. When people buy, you earn $990-$1,979. One sale matters.
What Works Against You (The Honest Cons)
Those strict entry requirements eliminate most applicants. If you don’t have thousands of monthly visitors and a relevant audience already, you’re getting rejected. This isn’t a beginner-friendly program.
PayPal-only payments limit your options. No wire transfers. No Stripe. No cryptocurrency. If PayPal’s fees or policies don’t work for you, tough luck.
You need consistent content creation to stay alive. Make zero sales in your first 90 days? Account deleted. This creates pressure to constantly produce promotional content, even if you have other priorities.
The high price point of their courses limits your addressable audience. Not everyone has $2,000+ to invest in training. You’re targeting a specific segment: people serious enough about online business to invest serious money in education.
Limited product range means limited promotional angles. They’re not Amazon with millions of products. You’re promoting variations of the same core training—Authority Site System, site audits, masterminds. After you’ve written your main review and comparison content, what’s next?
Who Actually Succeeds with Authority Hacker Affiliate Program?
From analyzing successful Authority Hacker affiliates across multiple platforms, here’s the pattern:
You have the best shot if you:
- Already teach SEO, WordPress, content marketing, or affiliate marketing strategies
- Have 5,000+ monthly website visitors or 2,000+ YouTube subscribers
- Write detailed case studies or comparison content about online business training
- Have an email list you can nurture with premium training recommendations
- Create YouTube reviews comparing Authority Hacker to alternatives (Income School, Niche Pursuits, etc.)
You’ll struggle if you:
- Run a lifestyle blog completely unrelated to online business
- Target broke beginners who can’t afford $2,000 courses
- Rely solely on social media posts without owned platforms (website/email/YouTube)
- Don’t produce content consistently (remember: 90-day sales requirement)
The sweet spot? You’re already creating content about building online businesses, and Authority Hacker fits naturally as a premium training recommendation alongside free content.
How to Join (If You Qualify)
The application process takes about 7 business days:
Step 1: Verify you meet eligibility requirements
Be brutally honest with yourself. Do you have thousands of monthly visitors? Is your audience interested in online business training? Is your content high-quality?
If no, wait until you do. Don’t waste their time or yours with a premature application.
Step 2: Submit your application
Visit the Authority Hacker Affiliate application page. Complete the sign-up form with accurate information about your traffic, audience, and promotional plans.
Step 3: Wait for approval (7 business days)
Authority Hacker manually reviews applications. They’re checking your site quality, traffic potential, audience relevance, and content standards. Expect rejections if you don’t clearly meet their criteria.
Step 4: Access your affiliate dashboard and links
Once approved, you get unique tracking links for all Authority Hacker products. Set these up in your link management system.
Step 5: Start promoting strategically
Add affiliate links to relevant existing content first—reviews of online business training, SEO tutorials, affiliate marketing guides. Don’t create thin promotional content just to hit the 90-day deadline. Focus on adding value.
Remember: You must generate at least 1 sale within 90 days or they delete your account. Plan accordingly.
Strategies That Actually Drive Sales
After working with affiliates in this space, here’s what converts:
Lead with honest Authority Site System reviews. Write comprehensive 2,000+ word reviews that detail exactly what’s inside the course, who it’s for, who should skip it, and how it compares to alternatives (Income School Project 24, Niche Pursuits courses, etc.). Be honest about limitations.
Create comparison content. “Authority Hacker vs. [Competitor]” articles naturally attract people researching premium training options—exactly the buyers you need.
Write tactical case studies. Show how you (or someone you know) implemented Authority Hacker strategies to grow a site from zero to $X/month. Real numbers. Real results. Real screenshots.
Promote through multiple channels, but prioritize owned platforms. Your website and email list give you the most control and longevity. YouTube works for video creators. Social media is supplementary—never primary.
Target the right audience segment. Stop trying to sell $2,000 courses to broke beginners. Focus on people who’ve already validated an online business idea and are ready to invest in growth. That’s where Authority Hacker converts.
The affiliates earning $5K-$10K/month aren’t spamming Authority Hacker links everywhere. They’re creating valuable content that naturally positions Authority Hacker as the premium solution for serious entrepreneurs.
Is Authority Hacker Affiliate Program Worth It?
Here’s my take: yes—but only if you already have an established platform and relevant audience.
If you’re running a blog about online business, SEO, affiliate marketing, or website growth with 5,000+ monthly visitors, Authority Hacker makes perfect sense. The high commissions ($990-$1,979 per sale) mean a few sales monthly can generate $2,000-$5,000 in passive income. That’s meaningful money for most creators.
But if you’re just starting out, or your audience isn’t interested in premium online business training, skip it. You’ll waste time on the application, potentially get rejected, and even if approved, you’ll struggle to generate that required first sale within 90 days.
Compare this to alternatives: HubSpot offers 30% recurring commissions (great for long-term income), Kinsta provides $50-$500 one-time bonuses plus 10% lifetime recurring (more beginner-friendly), and Fiverr supports multiple verticals with lower barriers to entry.
Authority Hacker sits at the premium end of affiliate programs—higher commissions, stricter requirements, narrower audience fit.
Bottom line: For the right creator with the right audience, Authority Hacker can generate $3,000-$10,000+ monthly. For everyone else, there are better options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Authority Hacker have an affiliate program?
Yes. They run a direct affiliate program offering $990 to $1,979 per sale depending on which product customers purchase.
Is the Authority Hacker affiliate program for beginners?
No. They have strict entry requirements including thousands of monthly visitors, an active website, relevant audience, and a requirement to make at least 1 sale within 90 days or get deleted. Beginners should build their audience first.
Who should join the Authority Hacker Affiliate Program?
Bloggers, YouTubers, and content creators focused on online business, SEO, website growth, and affiliate marketing. You need an established audience already interested in premium training—not beginners looking for free tips.
Is there a fee to join?
No. The application is free. But you need to meet eligibility requirements to get approved.
Can I join without a website?
Technically possible but highly unlikely. Authority Hacker wants affiliates with established platforms demonstrating consistent traffic and quality content. Social-media-only applicants typically get rejected.
Can I promote Authority Hacker alongside other affiliate programs?
Yes. They explicitly allow affiliates to promote complementary offers related to online business, SEO, and affiliate marketing. Just don’t promote direct competitors in the same content.
What payment methods does Authority Hacker support?
PayPal only. Major limitation for creators preferring wire transfers, Stripe, or other payment platforms.
What happens if I don’t make a sale within 90 days?
Your account gets deleted. You’d need to reapply and get approved again. This creates pressure to promote consistently from day one.
Better Alternatives to Consider
Not ready for Authority Hacker’s requirements? Here are five alternatives worth exploring:
1. HubSpot Affiliate Program
HubSpot pays 30% recurring commission on referred customers for up to one year. Lower per-sale commissions than Authority Hacker, but recurring income provides more stability. Their 60-day cookie window and generous marketing support make this beginner-friendly.
2. Kinsta Affiliate Program
Kinsta offers $50-$500 one-time bonuses per referral (depending on plan) plus 10% lifetime recurring commission on subscriptions. WordPress hosting is easier to promote than $2,000 training courses, and their 60-day cookie window helps capture delayed conversions.
3. WP Engine Affiliate Program
WP Engine pays $200+ fixed commissions per referral. Premium managed WordPress hosting has broader appeal than niche training courses, and their affiliate support and promotional discounts make this easier for mid-level creators.
4. Cloudways Affiliate Program
Cloudways offers flexible commission models: up to $125 per referral plus recurring commissions on subscription renewals. Their cloud hosting model and scalable infrastructure resonate with technical audiences. Lower barriers to entry than Authority Hacker.
5. Fiverr Affiliate Program
Fiverr supports multiple verticals (Marketplace, Pro, Logo Maker, etc.) with varying commission rates. Much easier for beginners—broader audience appeal, lower price points, established brand recognition. One-time commissions plus additional incentives.
