Important Update: The Authority Site System (TASS) officially closed its doors for new enrollments on December 16, 2024. That means no fresh students can join today. But here’s the interesting part — even though it’s no longer available, the hype, the glowing reviews, and the heated debates about TASS haven’t slowed down. People still search for it daily, wondering if it was the real deal or just another overhyped course in a crowded affiliate marketing industry.
And I get it. When you’re trying to break into online business, you want clarity. You don’t want vague promises or guru jargon — you want to know if something will actually help you build a site that ranks, earns traffic, and brings in consistent income.
That’s why I decided to write this updated Authority Site System review. I’ve been in your shoes. I’ve personally spent years chasing the next “big” course, throwing money at shiny promises, and walking away disappointed more times than I care to admit. Along the way, I learned two important things:
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Most courses are built to make their creators rich — not you.
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The real path to success is usually less flashy, but far more sustainable.
In this no-fluff review, I’ll break down:
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What The Authority Site System actually promised and why it built such a big following.
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The strengths and flaws of the program that most reviews leave out.
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Why it ultimately shut down.
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And most importantly, what you should focus on instead if you want to build a long-term business today.
👉 If you want the short version: TASS was a legit program, but far from perfect, and now it’s gone. If you’re serious about building an online business, you’ll need a proven, still-active platform with ongoing training and support. That’s exactly why I recommend Wealthy Affiliate, which is where I finally stopped spinning my wheels and built something real.
👉 My #1 Recommendation: Start Free with Wealthy Affiliate
Table of Contents
- What Was The Authority Site System?
- Who Created It (And Why It Mattered)
- Inside The Authority Site System
- How Much Did It Cost?
- Pros and Cons
- The Closure: Why TASS Shut Down
- Authority Site System vs Wealthy Affiliate
- A Better Alternative: Wealthy Affiliate
- FAQs
- Final Verdict
What Was The Authority Site System?
The Authority Site System (TASS) was the flagship, beginner-focused course offered by Authority Hacker, run by Gael Breton and Mark Webster. If you’ve been in the affiliate marketing world for any length of time, you’ve probably heard their names. Both have been around for over a decade, not just teaching SEO and affiliate strategies, but actually building and selling authority sites themselves. That’s part of why TASS gained so much credibility compared to the sea of “gurus” who never practice what they preach.
Unlike their higher-level program, Authority Hacker Pro (AH Pro) — which was packed with advanced “blueprints” and systems meant for scaling — TASS was created with the true beginner in mind. It was designed to hold your hand through the entire process of building what’s known as an authority site:
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Choosing a profitable niche.
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Doing keyword research with tools like Ahrefs.
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Planning your site structure and creating a content roadmap.
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Learning on-page and off-page SEO strategies.
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Writing or outsourcing blog posts designed to rank in Google.
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Monetizing with affiliate links, display ads, or both.
The sales pitch was straightforward but powerful:
👉 Follow their proven step-by-step system, and you could build a site that earns passive, job-replacing income.
What made it appealing to so many beginners was the promise of simplicity and structure. Instead of piecing together scattered YouTube tutorials or free PDFs, you got a linear curriculum — video by video, checklist by checklist — with nothing left to guess. They even built case study websites in real time so students could watch the process unfold and then replicate it for their own projects.
For many, this felt like a refreshing change from the “push-button software” or vague motivational fluff you see in other courses. TASS positioned itself as the serious, practical option for anyone who actually wanted to build a legitimate online business, not just chase hype.
Of course, as we’ll dig into later, the reality was a bit more complicated. While TASS absolutely had strengths and plenty of students did see results, it wasn’t the magic bullet many hoped for.
Who Created It (And Why It Mattered)
One of the biggest reasons The Authority Site System (TASS) stood out in such a crowded industry was the credibility of its founders. The course wasn’t thrown together by anonymous “gurus” hiding behind rented cars and fake testimonials. It was created and taught by two marketers who had already proven themselves in the trenches: Gael Breton and Mark Webster.
Gael Breton
Gael came into the affiliate marketing space after years of running a digital marketing agency. His background gave him deep insight into what actually worked for businesses trying to rank online. Over time, he shifted his focus from client work to building his own authority sites — and then teaching others how to do the same.
What really boosted his reputation was how public and transparent he was about his work. He shared detailed SEO case studies, broke down his strategies step by step, and even spoke at respected institutions like Harvard, Oxford, and Wharton. In a world full of vague claims, that kind of openness made him stand out.
Mark Webster
Mark brought a different but equally valuable strength to the table. Where Gael leaned into strategy and visibility, Mark excelled at systemizing SEO and affiliate processes. He’s the type of guy who could take a messy, complicated workflow and break it into repeatable steps that anyone could follow. That’s exactly the kind of mindset needed to create a beginner-friendly course like TASS.
Together, the two co-founded Authority Hacker, which quickly became more than just a course provider. They built a trusted brand in the affiliate marketing space through their podcast, YouTube channel, and free content. Their consistent theme was: we don’t just talk about this stuff — we actually do it.
Why This Credibility Mattered
Here’s the truth: most online business courses are built by people who make their money selling the course, not by applying the strategies they teach. That’s where TASS felt different.
Gael and Mark had real authority sites in their portfolio. They had successfully built, scaled, and even flipped sites for six-figure payouts. That meant when they taught keyword research, link building, or monetization, they weren’t recycling theory from other blogs — they were teaching tactics they had battle-tested themselves.
This credibility is a big reason why TASS exploded in popularity. Students felt like they were learning from practitioners instead of salesmen. And in an industry plagued with overpromises, that kind of trust was rare.
Unfortunately, unlike my #1 Recommendation (Wealthy Affiliate) They were unable to keep up with the evolving world of Affiliate Marketing. Wealthy Affiliate has been helping entrepreneur’s achieve online success since 2005 and has updated the training to a new level for 2025 and beyond. I have personally been using the training at Wealthy Affiliate since 2014 and have created many successful affiliate sites over the years.
Want to see it for yourself Free? Join Wealthy Affiliate now and check out the training style for yourself. I find the training to be the best I’ve seen online even when TASS was a thing. Try Wealthy Affiliate Free Here.
Inside The Authority Site System
When people bought into The Authority Site System (TASS), they weren’t just getting a few videos or a surface-level crash course. It was marketed as a complete roadmap for building a profitable authority site from scratch — laid out step by step so even beginners could follow along.
The course itself was structured as a linear journey with 15 modules and close to 200 video lessons. Each module built on the last, so you weren’t left guessing what to do next. Here’s what was inside:
✅ Niche Selection & Validation
This was one of the most emphasized parts of the program. Picking the wrong niche can sink your site before it ever gets traction, so Gael and Mark included detailed frameworks, spreadsheets, and validation processes. You’d research competition, monetization potential, and keyword opportunities before committing.
✅ Keyword Research
TASS leaned heavily on SEO-driven growth. Students were trained to dive into keyword tools — especially Ahrefs — to uncover profitable terms and map out a long-term content plan. While effective, this also meant students had to pay extra for premium tools, which was one of the hidden costs.
✅ Site Setup
Once the foundation was chosen, the course shifted into the technical build. This included training on WordPress setup, themes, plugins, and the Elementor page builder. For beginners, this was a lifesaver because it meant you didn’t need coding experience to create a polished-looking site.
✅ Content Creation
Authority Hacker provided templates and SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for writing different types of articles: informational blog posts, single-product reviews, roundup reviews, and comparison “vs.” style posts. This was meant to speed up content production and keep everything structured in a way that Google liked.
✅ SEO & Link Building
No authority site can survive without links, so this module was central. Students learned white-hat methods like HARO (Help a Reporter Out), guest posting, and the “skyscraper” technique. While powerful, these strategies required persistence — something not every beginner was ready for.
✅ Monetization
Once traffic started flowing, the course walked students through the process of signing up for affiliate programs, using Amazon Associates, and even running display ads. Some modules also covered link management plugins and how to track commissions.
✅ Advanced Tactics
Toward the end, TASS introduced ways to scale and systemize. This included outsourcing content, running conversion rate optimization (CRO) tests, and even flipping sites for lump-sum payouts. This was where the course tried to transition students from “hobby bloggers” into full-on online entrepreneurs.
Community & Resources
In addition to the videos, TASS included templates, SOPs, checklists, and process documents. Members also got access to a private Facebook mastermind group where Gael, Mark, and more experienced students regularly chimed in. For many, this community was one of the most valuable parts of the package — a place to troubleshoot and swap strategies with people who were in the trenches.
👉 On paper, it really did look like everything you’d need to build a site capable of ranking in Google and eventually earning passive income. But as we’ll get into later, there were big caveats around cost, difficulty, and whether beginners could realistically follow through.
Even with all this Wealthy Affiliate Had them beat and is still a thriving community for all levels of affiliate marketer’s. Core training lessons, Live weekly training that’s up-to date, a live community for help and support, and so much more. The best part is Wealthy Affiliate’s Premium membership gives you soo much more than TASS Ever did at a fraction of the cost, and they are still thriving today. Premium Membership at Wealthy Affiliate starts at just $49 a month. What I like the most is you don’t have to take out you credit card to try the training. You get the first 5 lessons free.
How Much Did It Cost?
Let’s be real: The Authority Site System was never positioned as a “cheap” way to get started.
On paper, here’s what it looked like:
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💲 Regular price: $1,499
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💲 Discounted price: $599 (this was the “special” they almost always pushed)
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💲 Payment plan: $131.87/month for 6 months
For many people, that discount looked like a bargain compared to other $2,000+ SEO courses. But the truth is, the course fee was only the beginning.
If you followed TASS the way it was taught, you also needed to budget for these recurring expenses:
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Domain name: $10–15 per year
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Hosting: $60–100 per year (depending on your provider)
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Ahrefs: $99+ per month (and realistically you’d need it for at least 2–3 months of deep keyword and competitor research)
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Elementor Pro: $49 per year (the page builder they trained with)
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Email outreach tools: like Hunter.io or GMass for link building outreach — another $60+ per month if you went all-in
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Content creation: either your time writing or outsourcing to freelancers (anywhere from $30 to $100 per article)
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Optional design tools: like Canva Pro at $12.95/month to make your site look more professional
When you add it up, a beginner wasn’t just paying $599 for the course. They were realistically looking at $1,000 to $2,000 in additional costs over the first year just to execute the steps the way Gael and Mark taught them.
And that doesn’t even include paid ads, premium plugins, or investing in multiple sites (which many advanced students ended up doing).
👉 So while the Authority Site System was marketed as a way for beginners to get started with affiliate marketing, the price tag made it a serious commitment. For someone brand new, it wasn’t unusual to spend over $2,500 before their first dollar of profit.
That’s one of the biggest reasons many students ended up dropping out — the barrier to entry wasn’t just the steep learning curve, it was the financial pressure stacked on top of it.
Who Was It Really For?
On the surface, The Authority Site System was advertised as “beginner-friendly.” Gael and Mark promised that even someone with zero experience could follow the modules step by step and build a profitable authority site.
But let’s call it like it is: TASS wasn’t really built for the average beginner.
Here’s why:
1. The Technical Learning Curve
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Students had to learn WordPress, Elementor, SEO plugins, keyword research tools, outreach tools, and content templates all at once.
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Sure, the videos explained things well, but for someone brand new, the sheer amount of moving parts felt overwhelming.
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Many students froze up during the keyword research and link building phases because it required both confidence and advanced tools like Ahrefs.
2. The Financial Commitment
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As we broke down earlier, it wasn’t just a $599 course. The real costs pushed into the $2,000+ range before a site even started ranking.
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Beginners often don’t have that kind of budget to burn while waiting 6–12 months for traffic.
3. The Patience Factor
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TASS was built around the SEO model. And if you’ve been in this space, you know ranking in Google takes time — often 6–12 months before real traffic and income start flowing.
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That’s fine for seasoned marketers with patience, but beginners tend to get discouraged when they’ve published 20+ articles and see almost no visitors after 3 months.
4. The “Real” Student Profile
From watching the community and reading dozens of testimonials, here’s who TASS actually worked best for:
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People who already had basic WordPress and SEO experience but wanted a clear system.
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People with a budget of $2,000–$5,000 to invest in tools, writers, and outreach.
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People who were okay with a long runway (12–18 months) before seeing serious results.
If that’s you, TASS could have been a powerful roadmap. But if you were a brand new beginner hoping to build your first site on a shoestring budget, you probably felt like you were drowning.
👉 And this is where most TASS reviews missed the mark — they hyped it as beginner-friendly, but the reality was that it was an advanced SEO course in disguise.
Pros & Cons of The Authority Site System
Like any course, TASS had its strong points — and its flaws. Here’s the breakdown from my perspective:
✅ The Pros
✔️ Comprehensive Training with Step-by-Step Video Lessons
TASS offered nearly 200 lessons spread across 15 modules. The training wasn’t just surface-level — it walked you from niche selection all the way to monetization and even advanced strategies like outsourcing and site flipping. For students who stuck with it, it covered everything you’d need to know about building an SEO-driven authority site.
✔️ Taught by Marketers with Real Success and Credibility
Gael Breton and Mark Webster weren’t fly-by-night “gurus.” They had a track record of building and flipping six-figure websites, running successful agencies, and being recognized by names like Ahrefs and even universities like Harvard and Oxford. Their authority gave students confidence that they weren’t just being sold theory.
✔️ Templates, SOPs, and Systems Made Execution Easier
One of TASS’s biggest selling points was the inclusion of checklists, spreadsheets, and standard operating procedures (SOPs). These resources helped systemize the overwhelming parts of building an authority site, like keyword research or outreach campaigns, so students weren’t starting from scratch.
✔️ Student Success Stories in the Facebook Community
There’s no denying that many students got real results. Screenshots of income reports, case studies, and wins were shared regularly inside the private Facebook group. Seeing peers succeed gave new members motivation to push through the slow months.
❌ The Cons
❌ Closed Permanently – No New Enrollments
The most obvious drawback now is that the course is no longer available. As of December 16, 2024, TASS shut its doors, which means you can’t join even if you wanted to. That makes a lot of the glowing testimonials and reviews feel like relics of the past.
❌ Expensive Upfront Cost Plus Hidden Tool Expenses
Even at the discounted $599 entry price, TASS was a hefty investment for beginners. Add in hosting, domains, Elementor Pro, and most importantly Ahrefs, and students were quickly staring down $2,000+ in startup costs. That’s a steep hill to climb when you’re just starting out.
❌ Heavy Dependence on Ahrefs ($99+/Month)
TASS leaned hard on Ahrefs for keyword research and competitive analysis. While it’s a fantastic tool, it’s also one of the most expensive SEO platforms on the market. Beginners were often shocked to find they couldn’t properly follow the training without shelling out for it.
❌ Steep Learning Curve for True Beginners
Despite being marketed as “beginner-friendly,” the reality was different. Students had to juggle WordPress, Elementor, SEO tools, outreach campaigns, and content creation all at once. If you’d never built a website before, TASS could feel overwhelming fast.
❌ Focused Almost Entirely on SEO
SEO was the backbone of the system — organic rankings, backlinks, and long-term content. That’s fine, but the course offered very little on other traffic strategies like paid ads, social media marketing, or email funnels. If SEO wasn’t your thing, you were out of luck.
❌ Support Limited to a Facebook Group, Not Live Coaching
The private mastermind group was active, but there was no real-time coaching or direct access to Gael and Mark beyond occasional replies. For some students, that lack of personalized guidance was a dealbreaker compared to other platforms that offered live Q&As or mentoring.
👉 Bottom line? TASS had serious strengths, but it was far from the perfect “beginner course” it was often marketed as.
The Closure: Why TASS Shut Down
In late 2024, Authority Hacker made an announcement that surprised a lot of people: The Authority Site System (TASS) was closing permanently for new students.
For years, TASS had been their flagship beginner-friendly training. So why pull the plug? According to Gael and Mark, the decision boiled down to focus and resources.
Running two major courses — TASS and Authority Hacker Pro — while also keeping their podcasts, YouTube channel, and authority sites updated was simply too much. They admitted that splitting attention between two full-scale programs was spreading their team too thin. By retiring TASS, they could pour more energy into Authority Hacker Pro and advanced SEO projects.
But here’s the thing most reviews don’t say:
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TASS was expensive to maintain. Updating modules, re-recording videos, and keeping strategies current with every Google algorithm change took time and money.
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Student expectations kept growing. Beginners needed more hand-holding than TASS was designed to provide, and the Facebook group wasn’t enough for everyone.
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Authority Hacker Pro was more profitable. Let’s be real — Pro cost thousands of dollars, making it a bigger revenue driver. Focusing on the higher-ticket program made more business sense.
For Authority Hacker, the closure was strategic. But for students who were just discovering affiliate marketing in 2025, it felt like the rug was pulled out from under them.
Searches for “Authority Site System alternatives” spiked, and frustrated newcomers started asking: “If TASS is gone, where do I go now?”
That’s where other platforms — especially Wealthy Affiliate — filled the gap. WA had already been offering beginner-friendly training, tools, and community support for years. With TASS out of the picture, Wealthy Affiliate became the most accessible option for people who didn’t want to spend thousands on AH Pro.
👉 The closure of TASS didn’t kill the demand for affiliate marketing training — it simply shifted where beginners went for guidance.
👉 Learn Affiliate Marketing the Smarter Way
Authority Site System vs Wealthy Affiliate
| Feature | Authority Site System | Wealthy Affiliate |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $599–$1499 + extra tools | Free starter or $49/month all-in-one |
| Tools Included | None (extra fees for hosting, Ahrefs, Elementor) | Hosting, keyword tool, site builder included |
| Support | Facebook group only | 24/7 live help, mentoring, active community |
| Traffic Methods | SEO only | SEO + content marketing + email + social |
| Beginner-Friendly? | Steep learning curve | Step-by-step for absolute beginners |
| Status | Closed permanently | Active and growing |
The Smarter Alternative: Why I Recommend Wealthy Affiliate
When TASS shut its doors, it left a vacuum in the affiliate marketing education space. Beginners who wanted a clear, affordable, step-by-step system suddenly had nowhere to go. Authority Hacker Pro was still available, but at several thousand dollars, it simply wasn’t realistic for someone starting fresh.
That’s where Wealthy Affiliate (WA) comes in — and why it’s my #1 recommendation today.
Why Wealthy Affiliate Wins for Beginners
Unlike TASS, which leaned heavily on advanced SEO concepts and pricey external tools, Wealthy Affiliate was built from the ground up to help absolute beginners succeed. Here’s what makes it different:
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All-in-One Platform – WA includes training, hosting, keyword research tools, and a website builder under one membership. With TASS, you had to pay extra for tools like Ahrefs and Elementor.
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Beginner-Friendly Training – The step-by-step lessons assume no prior knowledge. You don’t need an SEO background to follow along.
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Real Community Support – Instead of being stuck in a Facebook group, WA offers live chat, 24/7 help from members, and weekly live training classes.
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Affordable Pricing – You can start for free, then upgrade to premium for less than $50/month. Compare that to the $599–$1499 TASS price tag, plus hundreds more in external tools.
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Long-Term Focus – While TASS pushed students toward building sites they could flip, WA emphasizes building an online business you own for the long haul.
My Personal Take
I’ve been burned by the overpriced “push-button” systems before. I’ve spent money on courses that delivered way less than promised. When I finally joined Wealthy Affiliate back in 2014, it was the first time I felt like I had a roadmap I could actually trust.
That’s why I recommend it so strongly here. Wealthy Affiliate doesn’t promise overnight riches — but it gives you the foundation, support, and tools to build something real.
👉 Start Building with Wealthy Affiliate Free
FAQs
Is The Authority Site System still available?
No. TASS closed permanently to new students in December 2024. If you come across anyone claiming to sell “access” to it today, it’s either outdated content or a flat-out scam.
Was it a scam?
No — TASS wasn’t a scam. Gael Breton and Mark Webster delivered real training, and many students saw results. The issue wasn’t legitimacy, but accessibility. Between the steep upfront fee and the extra costs for tools like Ahrefs, Elementor, and premium hosting, most beginners simply couldn’t afford to keep up.
Can I still learn authority site building in 2025?
Absolutely. Authority site building is still one of the most proven ways to build long-term online income. Courses like Wealthy Affiliate have adapted their training to today’s SEO landscape, making it possible to learn the same fundamentals without breaking the bank or relying on dozens of outside tools.
What’s the best alternative to TASS?
Hands down: Wealthy Affiliate. Unlike TASS, it’s still live, affordable, and comes bundled with everything you need (hosting, keyword tools, training, and community). You don’t have to piece things together or spend thousands before you even start.
Final Verdict
Final Verdict: Was The Authority Site System Worth It?
The Authority Site System had its moment. For years, it stood as one of the most comprehensive authority site training courses on the market, and plenty of students built real income streams following Gael and Mark’s methods. But the high price tag, reliance on expensive third-party tools, and the fact that it’s now closed forever make it an option of the past, not the future.
Here’s the truth: you don’t need to spend $1,500+ to start your online business. You don’t need to juggle 6–7 separate tools before you’ve even written your first article. And you don’t need to join a closed Facebook group just to get help when you’re stuck.
If you want to start building a real authority site today, the best path forward is Wealthy Affiliate. You’ll get step-by-step training, hosting, a keyword research tool, and a 24/7 community all under one roof. More importantly, you’ll avoid the trap of wasting money before you even get off the ground.
👉 Start with Wealthy Affiliate here — free to try, no credit card required.
👉 Try Wealthy Affiliate Free (No Credit Card Required)
More Reviews You’ll Find Helpful
If you found this review useful, here are more in-depth breakdowns of popular affiliate marketing programs and courses I’ve personally tested:
👉 Each review follows the same no-fluff approach — exposing the red flags, the real value, and where I think beginners should actually start.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Jason the founder of Scam Busters USA. Since 2014, I’ve been digging into the online business world — exposing scams, calling out hype, and reviewing affiliate marketing programs with one goal in mind: helping people avoid the traps I fell into when I first started.
I know what it’s like to lose money chasing “push-button” systems and overnight riches. That’s why I built this site — to shine a light on the programs that work and warn you about the ones that don’t.
Today, I focus on pointing people toward real, sustainable opportunities like Wealthy Affiliate — platforms that give you the tools, training, and community to build something long-term instead of chasing empty promises. Read more about me and my real journey that started in 2011 and the training that brought me real success in 2014.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products and platforms that I truly believe in, personally use, and find valuable.