Before You Buy a YouTube Money-Making Course: 12 Questions to Ask

A slick video and a few success stories do not establish typical outcomes. The FTC warns that guaranteed earnings and “proven systems” can signal a coaching scam, and the Competition Bureau requires material influencer connections to be disclosed clearly. FTC coaching red flags↗ · Competition Bureau: influencer disclosures↗

Before you act#

These articles address consumer purchases in the United States and Canada; they are not a single North American legal regime. In Canada, provincial or territorial contract remedies vary; Ontario examples are labelled. In the United States, state laws and the facts of the transaction may add or change remedies. A report to a regulator is not an individual refund order. If you bought a course primarily for an existing business, consumer-law coverage may be different. Check your agreement and applicable local law; seek legal advice for a material loss.

The 12-question checkout test#

1. Who is the legal seller and who will appear on my statement?
2. Are the creator and seller the same person?
3. Is the claimed number revenue, profit or a one-time high?
4. How many purchasers achieved it, during what period?
5. What did typical participants spend on ads, software and upgrades?
6. Are testimonials paid, affiliated or selectively chosen?
7. What exact modules, coaching hours and response times are included?
8. What extra purchases are required to use the “system”?
9. Is it a one-time fee, instalments or auto-renewal?
10. What are the refund conditions at checkout?
11. Can I keep a copy of the contract and order confirmation?
12. Would I still buy if the income claim were removed?

Treat U.S. disclosures carefully#

The FTC says sellers of covered business opportunities may have special disclosure and earnings-claim duties. A generic online course is not automatically covered by that rule, so do not demand a one-page disclosure as though it applies to every creator course. Instead ask for the evidence behind earnings claims and the complete contract. FTC: business opportunity disclosures↗. The FTC’s endorsement guidance also says a “results not typical” disclaimer does not necessarily solve a misleading results claim. FTC: testimonial guidance↗

Look for compensation and Canadian rules#

In Canada, sponsored creators should clearly disclose material connections such as payment or commissions. A discount code alone may not make the connection sufficiently clear. Ontario buyers can review the province’s guidance on contract details and misleading representations; other provinces differ. Competition Bureau: influencer marketing↗ · Ontario: contract rules↗

Save your pre-purchase file#

Capture the full video context, checkout price, refund policy, support promises and seller identity before paying. The FTC recommends searching the seller’s name along with “complaint” or “scam,” but a clean search result is not proof of legitimacy. FTC online shopping advice↗

Frequently asked questions#

▪Is every income claim a scam?

No. Ask for a verifiable basis, typical outcomes and the costs required to achieve them.

▪Does a U.S. business-opportunity disclosure rule cover all courses?

No. Whether that special rule applies depends on the transaction and what is offered.

▪Is a Canadian influencer discount code sufficient disclosure?

The Competition Bureau says simply linking, tagging or sharing a code is unlikely to be enough by itself.

Your next move#

Do not buy until you can answer the 12 questions in writing. If the seller will not clarify price, deliverables or refund conditions, walk away.

Official sources#

• FTC: spotting coaching scams↗
• FTC: vetting business opportunities↗
• FTC: endorsements and testimonials↗
• Competition Bureau: influencer marketing↗
• Ontario: consumer contracts↗

**Editorial note:** Any scenario labelled illustrative is fictional. Do not imply that the named agencies investigated the hypothetical seller or that a refund is guaranteed.