As someone who's really into affiliate marketing, I'm always looking for new ways to get better at it and stay on top of things.
Last year, I decided to buy two of the biggest affiliate marketing courses out there: The Affiliate Lab by Matt Diggity and The Authority Site System by Authority Hacker.
After going through both programs, I learned a ton of things that's helped me make more money from my affiliate sites and get way more traffic from Google.
A lot of people try to say one course is better than the other, but honestly, I found both really useful - though I have to say, I'm pretty impressed with how Matt Diggity keeps adding new stuff to his course, like the recent sections on YouTube and Digital PR.
In this comparison, I'll tell you about my experience with both courses and how they can help you crush it in affiliate marketing - even when Google keeps changing things up.
What is The Affiliate Lab?
The Affiliate Lab is an SEO affiliate marketing course created by Matt Diggity in 2017.
It guides you on how to build affiliate websites that generate income through effective SEO techniques.
The course covers everything from picking profitable niches to optimizing your site for search engines, making it useful for both beginners and experienced marketers.
What sets it apart is its focus on SEO methods that have been proven to work in real-world tests.
With over 4,800 students, it's a popular program for anyone wanting to succeed in affiliate marketing.
What is The Authority Site System?
The Authority Site System is designed to help you build successful affiliate sites.
Created by co-founders of Authority Hacker Mark Webster and Gael Breton, it focuses on strategies that are sustainable and future-proof.
The Authority Site System walks you through everything from picking a niche to mastering SEO techniques, with clear, easy-to-follow steps.
One of the highlights is the real-world examples, showing how others have built authority sites from scratch.
With regular updates and a supportive community, you’re always in the loop with the latest strategies.
Learning Curve
The Authority Site System is great if you're new to affiliate marketing. It walks you through each step, from creating an affiliate link to optimizing your content for search engines.
The Affiliate Lab also works well for beginners but introduces more technical details earlier on.
If you're starting from scratch, Authority Hacker might feel easier to follow. The Affiliate Lab can feel a bit much for those without prior SEO knowledge, but it offers plenty of helpful content.
Course Layout and Design
Authority Hacker offers a polished, professional feel with smooth videos. The layout is clean and easy to follow, making the learning experience enjoyable.
The Affiliate Lab may not focus as much on style but emphasizes getting the material across clearly. The design is simple, but the content remains effective and up-to-date.
Both courses focus on providing valuable information, though their production styles vary.
Niche Selection Strategies
The Affiliate Lab course offers in-depth keyword research and niche selection guidance using tools like the LeadSpring Niche Grading Tool.
It’s designed to help you identify profitable and rankable niches right from the start.
The Authority Site System also covers niche selection, but with a stronger focus on building long-term authority sites that dominate a specific niche.
If you're looking for more granular keyword research strategies and a focus on high-converting niches, The Affiliate Lab gives you more tools.
Monetization Strategies
Both courses teach effective monetization techniques, but they take different approaches.
The Authority Site System focuses on using affiliate links to build long-term revenue.
The Affiliate Lab covers multiple monetization methods, including site flipping and advanced SEO affiliate marketing.
If you're looking to explore various revenue streams, The Affiliate Lab provides a wider range of options upfront.
Advanced Techniques for Growth
If you’re ready for advanced SEO strategies, The Affiliate Lab offers a wealth of content.
Matt Diggity covers everything from white-hat SEO to grey-hat techniques like Private Blog Networks (PBNs), although these are optional.
The Authority Site System keeps it strictly white-hat and reserves its most advanced strategies for Authority Hacker Pro.
For those wanting access to a full arsenal of tactics upfront, The Affiliate Lab delivers more on the advanced front.
Group Support
Both Affiliate Lab and Authority Hacker offer support through private Facebook groups.
The Affiliate Lab group tends to have more discussions about advanced SEO techniques and strategies.
Matt Diggity is an active member and shares insights regularly, making it a solid resource for SEO advice. Authority Hacker's group is also helpful, but Affiliate Lab brings in more real-time updates and shared experiences.
Staying Up-to-Date
Both The Authority Site System and The Affiliate Lab keep their content fresh with regular updates.
However, The Affiliate Lab takes it a step further by integrating the latest trends, like AI content generation, into its course materials.
While The Authority Site System also stays current, The Affiliate Lab’s focus on pushing boundaries with new techniques makes it appealing for those who want the latest in affiliate SEO.
Practical Application
Both courses excel in demonstrating practical applications of their taught strategies.
The Authority Site System uses a dedicated case study site for real-world implementation.
The Affiliate Lab provides diverse examples across various niches for broader perspective.
Both approaches effectively help students apply learned concepts to their own projects.
Price vs. Value
Both courses are priced similarly when discounts are applied.
The Authority Site System may appear cheaper upfront, but its advanced content is locked behind Authority Hacker Pro.
The Affiliate Lab gives you everything, including advanced tactics, in its base price.
If you're thinking long-term, both courses offer strong value for their investment.
It just depends on whether you want all the goodies upfront or are okay with leveling up later.
Bonus Features
The Authority Site System offers practical tools like to-do lists and content templates.
These features make the learning process more structured and actionable for beginners.
The Affiliate Lab, however, includes unique bonuses like website flipping, YouTube setup, and AI content generation courses.
These additional modules cater to more advanced marketers looking to diversify their skills and income streams.
Long-Term Strategy
The Authority Site System focuses on building authority sites for sustainable growth.
It’s ideal if you’re looking to build a long-term presence in your niche.
The Affiliate Lab, on the other hand, offers a more aggressive approach with the option to scale and sell websites.
It even includes grey-hat SEO for faster growth, though that’s not for everyone.
Both courses have their strengths, depending on how fast—or safe—you want to play the game.
The Best Affiliate Marketing Course?
Both The Affiliate Lab and The Authority Site System are top-notch courses that can skyrocket your affiliate marketing success.
While free affiliate marketing resources exist, these paid courses offer a depth of knowledge that's worth every penny.
For a deeper dive into Matt Diggity's course, check out my comprehensive Affiliate Lab review.
Ultimately, choosing between these best affiliate marketing courses is like picking between chocolate and vanilla — they're both delicious, but your taste buds (or in this case, learning style) will guide you to the right choice.
