Spark by ClickBank Review: Should You Join?

After years of hustling through every online side gig imaginable—survey sites, dropshipping, freelance gigs—you name it, I finally cracked the code and built a 6-figure online business that lets me work on my own terms. But I’ll be honest: the journey wasn’t always smooth. Like many of you, I started out juggling side hustles, trying to figure out what actually worked and what was just hype. That’s why I’m always on the lookout for tools and training that promise to make the path to online income a little clearer, especially for those just getting started.

Recently, I took a deep dive into Spark by ClickBank, the official affiliate marketing education platform from one of the biggest names in the industry. With so many new courses and “systems” popping up every year, I wanted to see if Spark actually delivers real value—or if it’s just another generic training program aimed at beginners.

In this review, I’ll share my honest, firsthand perspective as someone who’s been in the trenches, built a successful online business, and knows what it really takes to make money online. Whether you’re a total newbie or looking to level up your affiliate marketing game, my goal is to help you decide if Spark by ClickBank is worth your time and investment.

What is Spark by ClickBank?

When I first heard about Spark by ClickBank, I was curious—after all, ClickBank has been a heavyweight in the affiliate marketing world for decades. Spark is their official, in-house training platform designed to help anyone—whether you’re a total beginner or already dabbling in affiliate marketing—learn how to make money online by promoting products through ClickBank’s marketplace. The platform offers a comprehensive suite of video courses, step-by-step guides, and community support, all built to walk you through the process of earning your first affiliate commissions and scaling up from there.

Inside Spark, you’ll find training on every core aspect of affiliate marketing: how to pick profitable products, drive both free and paid traffic (think SEO, blogging, TikTok, Facebook Ads), build landing pages, write persuasive copy, and master email marketing. There’s even a 7-day “First Sale Challenge” that’s designed to get you up and running quickly. The goal is to give you the practical skills and real-world tactics you need to actually make money promoting ClickBank offers—not just theory, but actionable steps you can follow.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Who Created Spark by ClickBank?

Unlike many affiliate marketing courses that are the brainchild of a single “guru,” Spark was created and is operated directly by the ClickBank team themselves. ClickBank has been around since 1998 and is one of the largest and most established affiliate marketplaces in the world, having paid out over $6.5 billion in commissions and helped hundreds of thousands of sellers make their first sale.

The Spark curriculum is taught by a lineup of experienced industry experts and successful marketers, including Perry Belcher (co-founder of Digital Marketer), Anik Singal, Ben Harris, Robby Blanchard (well-known for his Commission Hero course), Paul Counts, Rachel Pedersen, Ian Stanley, and Max Finn. Each brings their own specialty—from copywriting and paid ads to free traffic and social media. While some mentors, like Robby Blanchard, have mixed reputations in the industry, the collective experience and authority behind Spark is hard to ignore.

What’s key here is that Spark isn’t just another course from a marketer trying to sell you on their “secret system.” ClickBank only succeeds when their affiliates succeed, so it’s in their best interest to provide up-to-date, actionable training that actually helps you make money.

Who is Spark by ClickBank For?

If you’re wondering whether Spark is a fit for you, here’s my honest take: Spark is built for anyone who wants to learn affiliate marketing from the ground up and is especially valuable if you plan to use ClickBank as your main platform. It’s ideal for:

• Beginners who want a structured, step-by-step guide to earning their first commissions online.
• Side hustlers and part-timers looking to turn affiliate marketing into a real income stream.
• Intermediate marketers who want to sharpen their skills, explore new traffic sources, or scale up their results.
• Anyone who’s overwhelmed by the sheer amount of conflicting information online and wants a single, credible source to follow.

That said, if you’re already an advanced affiliate marketer or you’re looking for super in-depth, niche-specific strategies, you might find Spark a bit basic or too focused on ClickBank’s ecosystem. But for most people—especially those who’ve tried and failed with other side hustles—Spark offers a clear path to building a real online business, backed by the authority and resources of one of the industry’s biggest names.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How is Spark by ClickBank Structured?

One thing I really appreciate about Spark is how well-organized and actionable the course content is. Instead of overwhelming you with endless theory, Spark breaks everything down into focused modules and bite-sized lessons that are easy to follow and implement right away. Here’s a quick overview of what’s inside:

• First Sale Challenge: A 7-day sprint designed to help you earn your first ClickBank commission as quickly as possible.
• Affiliate Foundations: The essentials of affiliate marketing, perfect for building a strong base.
• 90-Minute Guided Funnel Workshop: Step-by-step guidance on creating high-converting sales funnels.
• Media Buying with Facebook and Meta Ads: Everything you need to know about running profitable paid ads.
• YouTube Affiliate Ad Academy: How to leverage YouTube for affiliate sales.
• From Blog to Bank: A complete blogging system for driving organic traffic and monetizing with affiliate offers.
• TikTok Influencer Bootcamp: Quick-start guide to growing and monetizing an audience on TikTok.
• ClickBank Product Mastery: In-depth training on choosing and promoting the best ClickBank products.
• 109 Essential ChatGPT Prompts: AI-powered shortcuts for affiliate marketers.
• $250K Affiliate Funnel Blueprint: Advanced strategies for scaling up to six figures and beyond.
• Community Access: Live Q&A, Discord channels, and a supportive network of students and experts.
• Tools & Resources: Learner guides, checklists, templates, and even access to the ClickBank Accelerator for landing pages and email sequences.

Whether you’re a complete beginner or already have some experience, Spark’s structure makes it easy to find the exact training you need, when you need it.

Are Spark by ClickBank Students Getting Results?

As someone who’s seen a lot of “make money online” courses come and go, I always look for real student results—and Spark delivers. According to ClickBank, Spark students are 222.86% more likely to get their first sale compared to the average affiliate, and those who do earn their first paycheck average over $3,500 in commissions. That’s not just hype—those are numbers backed by ClickBank’s own data.

But the real proof is in the testimonials. Here are just a few that stood out to me:

“Spark has taught me so much so far and I’m not even a week into it! I highly recommend this platform to anyone and everyone.” — Stephanie, Verified Spark Student

“When I started to watch the course I said, whoa, he’s really showing the screen and creating the ads and the structures and the audiences. I said, okay, I’m going to listen to him exactly, step-by-step.” — Lucas Lino, 2023 ClickBank Platinum Affiliate

“Your videos and the trainers are top quality compared to other platforms that are only trying to get me to sell their course! Thank you for being different!” — Ana, Verified Spark Student

“It was actually fairly quick. Like, I was just starting to test ads and write copy and learn all of those things… I think my first sale was valued at well over $300 in commission. So it’s like, holy cow, this works!” — Jenn Lecompte, 2023 ClickBank Diamond Affiliate

There are dozens more just like these, with students praising the step-by-step lessons, actionable content, and supportive community. Many mention getting their first sale within weeks—or even days—of joining Spark.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How Much Does Spark by ClickBank Cost?

Spark is refreshingly affordable, especially compared to some of the overpriced “guru” courses out there. Here’s how the pricing works:

• First Month: $23.50 USD (introductory offer)
• Ongoing Subscription: $47 USD per month after the first 30 days.

This subscription gives you full access to all course materials, community features, and tools. If you want to try it risk-free, Spark offers a 30-day, no-questions-asked money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied or don’t see the results you want, you can request a full refund within 30 days of purchase—no hassle, no gimmicks.

For anyone serious about learning affiliate marketing and making real progress, I think Spark’s pricing and refund policy make it a no-brainer to at least give it a test drive.

Praises For Spark by ClickBank

As someone who’s seen a lot of online courses come and go, I have to give credit where it’s due—there are several things Spark by ClickBank gets right, and these are the reasons I think it stands out in a crowded market:

• Comprehensive Curriculum for Beginners
  Spark covers the full spectrum of affiliate marketing basics, from picking products and driving traffic (both free and paid) to building funnels and writing copy. For anyone just starting out, it’s a one-stop shop that saves you from piecing together information from random sources. The bite-sized lessons are easy to digest and let you make progress even if you only have a few minutes a day.

• Official Backing and Credibility
  Unlike a lot of “guru” courses, Spark is built and maintained by ClickBank itself, a platform that’s been around since 1998 and has paid out billions in commissions. That means the training is aligned with what actually works on ClickBank, and you’re learning from people who have a real stake in your success.

• Active Community and Support
  Spark gives you access to a thriving Discord community and, depending on your plan, direct support from ClickBank staff and successful affiliates. This is huge for accountability, troubleshooting, and motivation—you’re not left to figure things out alone.

• Regular Updates and Fresh Content
  The Spark curriculum isn’t static. The team updates the training regularly to reflect changes in the digital marketing world, so you’re not stuck with outdated tactics. This is something I value a lot, given how fast online marketing evolves.

• Affordable Entry Point and Refund Policy
  With a low-cost first month and a 30-day no-questions-asked refund guarantee, Spark makes it easy (and low risk) to test drive the platform before committing long-term. This is a breath of fresh air compared to the high-ticket courses that lock you in with no way out.

• Realistic Expectations
  I appreciate that Spark doesn’t promise overnight riches. The messaging is clear: affiliate marketing is hard work, but the system is designed to give you a real shot at your first commissions and beyond. That honesty is rare in this space.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Criticisms For Spark by ClickBank

Of course, no program is perfect—and Spark has its share of drawbacks. Here’s what I think could be improved, along with some of the most common complaints I’ve seen and experienced:

• Too Basic for Advanced Marketers
  If you already have solid experience in affiliate marketing, Spark might feel too generic and shallow. The training is geared toward beginners, and lacks the depth or advanced strategies that seasoned marketers might be looking for. If you want to go beyond the basics, you’ll probably need to supplement with more advanced resources.

• Heavy Emphasis on Paid Traffic
  A lot of the actionable training focuses on paid ads—especially Facebook and Meta ads. While paid traffic can deliver fast results, it also means you need a budget to test and optimize campaigns. For newbies with limited funds, this can get expensive quickly, and there’s a risk of burning through cash without seeing a return.

• Ongoing Cost Adds Up
  While the monthly fee is reasonable at first glance, it can add up over time—especially if you stay subscribed for a year or more. At $47 a month, that’s over $500 a year, not including any ad spend or upsells. Some users feel the value doesn’t justify the long-term cost, especially if you outgrow the content quickly.

• Pushy Sales Tactics and Upsells
  Some reviewers have called out Spark for using aggressive marketing tactics, including upsells to higher-tier packages or additional courses. The sales videos can be long-winded, and you might feel pressured to upgrade before you’ve even finished the core content.

• Mixed Student Results and Limited Success Stories
  While there are plenty of positive testimonials, there’s also criticism that Spark doesn’t showcase enough substantial success stories from students earning consistent, significant income. Some users report getting value, but others feel the results are overhyped or not as widespread as advertised.

• Refund Complaints
  Although Spark offers a 30-day refund policy, a few students have reported issues or delays when trying to get their money back. While this doesn’t seem to be the norm, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re considering joining.

Should You Join Spark by ClickBank?

After spending serious time inside Spark by ClickBank and comparing it to the dozens of other online business courses I’ve tried over the years, here’s my honest take: Spark can be a decent starting point if you’re brand new to affiliate marketing, especially if your main goal is to promote ClickBank products. The training covers the basics, the community is active, and you’ll find step-by-step guidance to get your first campaign off the ground. I’ve seen plenty of beginners get value from the structure and support, and the stats ClickBank shares—like Spark students being over 220% more likely to make their first sale—are encouraging.

That said, if you already have some experience with affiliate marketing or you’re hoping for deep, advanced strategies, you’ll probably find Spark too basic and a bit repetitive. The heavy focus on paid ads means you’ll need a budget to see real results, and the monthly subscription can add up quickly if you’re not progressing fast enough. I also noticed that while there are some positive testimonials, there’s a lack of truly impressive, consistent student success stories, which makes me cautious about recommending it as the “best” option for everyone.

If you’re a total beginner who wants a guided, ClickBank-centric path and you’re willing to invest in paid traffic, Spark is worth a try—especially since there’s a 30-day refund policy. But if you want more flexibility, deeper training, or a broader approach to making money online, you might want to look at alternatives before committing for the long term.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Spark by ClickBank Alternative

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive and flexible platform to learn how to make money online, Wealthy Affiliate is, in my experience, the best alternative out there. Unlike Spark, which is heavily focused on ClickBank and paid ads, Wealthy Affiliate teaches you how to build a real online business from the ground up—using blogging, SEO, YouTube, and a variety of free and paid traffic methods.

Here’s why I recommend Wealthy Affiliate over Spark for most people:

• Broader Training: Wealthy Affiliate covers affiliate marketing for any niche and any product—not just ClickBank offers. You’ll learn how to create your own website, drive organic traffic, and build long-term assets that can generate passive income.
• All-in-One Platform: You get website hosting, keyword research tools, step-by-step courses, and a massive, supportive community all in one place. There’s no need to piece together different tools or pay for endless upsells.
• Beginner-Friendly and Scalable: Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale, Wealthy Affiliate’s training grows with you. There’s a free Starter Membership so you can test the waters before spending a dime, and the paid plans unlock even more advanced features and support.
• Active Community and Support: The community at Wealthy Affiliate is one of the most engaged I’ve seen. You’ll find live classes, daily training, and instant help from experienced marketers—perfect for staying motivated and getting unstuck.
• Transparent Pricing: While Spark charges $47/month (or more for higher tiers) and relies on upsells, Wealthy Affiliate’s pricing is straightforward, with no hidden fees or aggressive sales tactics. The Premium plan is $49/month, and you can get started for free.

If your goal is to build a sustainable online business that isn’t tied to just one platform or reliant on paid ads, Wealthy Affiliate is a much more robust and beginner-friendly choice. I’ve seen countless people go from zero to full-time income using their training and community support.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Anthony Smith

Anthony Smith is an internet entrepreneur. He created the Side Hustle Ideas Database to help people find side hustles for making extra money, with the potential of turning into a full-time income.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a business degree, he gained business experience at a consulting firm. At the same time, he tried various side hustles including freelance writing, blogging, and eCommerce. He managed to turn his side hustles into a full-time business, earning over $3 million. Now, he enjoys financial freedom and travels around the world as a digital nomad.