When working on the Internet you sometimes encounter all sorts of documentations and articles referring to programs as being scams. Without understanding the meaning of scams and pyramid schemes, some programs are categorize as being  scams by persons without prior knowledge of the true meaning of the words scams, and pyramid schemes.  One such place is the Wealthy Affiliates.  You must have heard about the statement , “the wealthy affiliates scam” by now.  Is the “wealthy affiliates scam”  really true? This article will put the community of the Wealthy Affiliates through the scam test by comparing it with known traits of scam and pyramid schemes.

Before we begin the comparison of whether the “wealthy affiliates scam” really exists, lets define the meaning of scams, and pyramid schemes.

The word scam can be defined as a fraudulent business scheme, designed to defraud, or cheat persons, by promising to make one rich. The only person that get rich normally, would be the creator of the scam.

Pyramid schemes are described as non-sustainable business models.  There are no products or services present, only people.  This illegal business model relies heavily  on members of the organization, sponsoring other persons into the organization to keep the scam business alive. This business model is illegal in many countries in the world.

Being smart is not enough to protect yourself from these persons that creates scams, but if you compare the business model against the  description of the word scams, and pyramid schemes, then you would  be in a better position to recognize one.  That being said, let us get back to the topic at hand. The “wealthy affiliates scam”.

What is “the wealthy affiliates scam”, and are there any legitimate claims that a scam really exists within this community? The “wealthy affiliates scam”, is a name given to an organization called the Wealthy Affiliates, by misinformed individuals trying to discredit a legitimate Internet Marketing training site.

Let us put the community to a scam test. This scam test can be performed against any business model, not just the wealthy affiliates community.

Several attributes of scan traits are mentioned in my definetion above about the word scam, but one of the major properties of a scam is the promise to make one rich. Let us compare the community of the wealthy affiliates against the “promise to make one rich”.

I did my research and could not find any claims within the community promising to make instant millionaires out of it’s members.  In fact they let you know up front, that if you are searching for a “get rich quick” scheme program, that you have found the wrong  community. They also let you know up front that if you are not prepared to work hard, then success will not come to you.

It appears that many hours have to be spend, using the training and tutorials to make a person successful in marketing.  I also saw a remark letting you know that, it take time to become successful, and being patient is the key to one success.

Could the community be considered a pyramid scheme? I studied the structure of their affiliate program and only found a two tier program, meaning that you are only paid two levels deep.  Most pyramid schemes have several level of tier programs available.  Other types of pyramid schemes have levels into infinity.

A pyramid scheme does not have any product or service available. Products and services seems to exist in the community of the Wealthy Affiliates, in the form of their tutorials and personal assistance to their members. The community of the Wealthy Affiliates appears to be similar to a university, offering marketing courses in a variety of Internet marketing strategies.

Please visit my Review of a Resources that is definitely an option to Wealthy Affiliate.  Best of all this resource cost you nothing.  Wealthy Affiliate will cost you at least $97.00 monthly.  The free training available using this free resource surpasses what Wealthy Affiliate is offering.