How to Tell If an Online Offer is Bullshit

A Quick Guide to Spotting Scams, Bad Deals, and Manipulative Marketing

The internet is packed with promises—fast money, easy success, once-in-a-lifetime deals. Most of it? Bullshit. Whether it’s a sketchy business opportunity, a suspiciously good offer, or a sales pitch drowning in hype, this guide will help you spot the red flags before you waste time or money.

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1. The Too-Good-to-Be-True Test

If it sounds way too easy, profitable, or effortless, assume it’s a lie. Scammers count on people wanting shortcuts. Ask yourself:

• Does this claim sound realistic, or does it feel exaggerated?
• Would a legitimate business really offer this deal?
• Is the reward out of proportion to the effort required?

🚩 Red Flag: “Make $10,000 a month working just 2 hours a week!”

✅ Reality Check: If making real money was this easy, everyone would already be doing it.

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2. The Pressure & Scarcity Tactics

If someone is pushing urgency, fear, or exclusivity, they want you to act without thinking. Common tricks include:

• “Only 2 spots left!” (There are always more.)
• “This offer expires in 24 hours!” (It’ll be back.)
• “Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime deal!” (It’s not.)

🚩 Red Flag: If someone needs to rush you, they don’t want you to think too hard.

✅ Reality Check: A legit opportunity will still be there tomorrow.

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3. The Vague or Overloaded Claims

Real businesses give clear details. Scams thrive on fluff, vague wording, and buzzwords like:

• “Revolutionary system” (What does it actually do?)
• “Proven strategy” (Where’s the proof?)
• “Guaranteed results” (Nothing is guaranteed.)

🚩 Red Flag: If they can’t explain exactly what they’re selling, it’s probably garbage.

✅ Reality Check: Real offers tell you what’s included, what it costs, and what you’ll get in return.

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4. The Fake Social Proof & Testimonials

Scammers love fake credibility. Common tricks include:

• Stock photo testimonials (Run an image search.)
• Reviews that sound too perfect
• Overuse of big names or logos they aren’t actually affiliated with

🚩 Red Flag: “I made six figures in my first month using this secret formula!”

✅ Reality Check: Trust actual users, not curated “success stories.”

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5. The “Pay to Play” Scheme

Legit work pays you. Scams make you pay to participate. Watch out for:

• Courses that claim to teach you how to “get rich” but require hefty upfront fees without clear value.
• Pyramid-style business models (MLMs) where earnings depend on recruiting others.
• “Coaching” or “mentorship” programs that focus more on selling you the next tier than actually helping you succeed.

🚩 Red Flag: If you have to pay first, you’re probably the product.

✅ Reality Check: There are good courses and coaches out there, but legitimate ones focus on real skills and deliverable value, not just selling the dream.

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Final Rule: Trust Your Gut

If something feels off, forced, or just weird—walk away. Scammers rely on hope, urgency, and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) to override logic. FOMO is when they try to make you think you’ll miss a rare, exclusive opportunity if you don’t act fast—when in reality, it’s just a tactic to pressure you into a bad deal. The best way to avoid bad deals? Pause. Research. Think.

🚨 Golden Rule: The easier it sounds, the harder it scams.

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What to Do Next:

✔ Google the offer + “scam” and see what comes up. ✔ Look for independent reviews, not just testimonials on their site. ✔ Ask people you trust if they’ve heard of it. ✔ When in doubt, say NO and move on.

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That’s it—now you’re armed against online bullshit. Stay sharp. Stay skeptical.