Seen an AI side hustle ad? Check it before you buy

Common claims — and what to verify behind them

These phrases aren't illegal by themselves, but if they come without concrete evidence, treat them as a signal to slow down.

• "$10k/month" / "anyone can do it" — Is there data on how many students achieved this out of how many total?
• "AI does everything" / "10 minutes a day" — Is the actual work and the time-to-results explained?
• "Today only" / "3 spots left" — Is there any real reason for the deadline, or is it just pressure?
• "Money-back guarantee" — Can you see the exact conditions, deadline, and process in writing before paying?
• "DM for details" — Are the price and contract terms published before you hand over contact info?

5 things to check before you pay

• Who's behind it: a legal business name, address, and contact info you can verify actually exist
• Total cost: whether tool subscriptions, upsells, ad budgets, or "advanced tiers" come later
• Evidence: aggregate results across all students — not cherry-picked income screenshots
• Cancellation and refunds: exact terms available in writing before you sign
• A written contract: terms delivered as a document, not just verbal or chat promises

Honest sellers answer uncomfortable questions

The single best test: ask the questions above and see whether you get specific numbers in writing. If you get "it depends on your effort" or "I'll explain on a call" plus pressure to decide now, that alone is a good enough reason to walk away.

Any offer that expires before you have time to ask questions deserves to expire. Sellers with a real product survive a few days of due diligence.

Related guides

• The checklist to run before buying a course or coaching program
• Before you trust a "money-back guarantee", verify this