Keala Kanae's Fullstaq Marketer Review: Affiliate Marketing Hidden Costs and Alternative Models

What Are the Fullstaq Marketer Pros and Cons?

Pros

• Fullstaq Marketer is perfect for beginners who want to learn affiliate marketing.
• It offers a step-by-step guide for paid advertising methods.
• The course offers a responsive online community and supportive coaches.

Cons

• The program has hidden costs and massive upsells.
• The founder has a history of creating an MLM company called Empower Network.
• The Fullstaq’s Terms of Use and No Whining section states that positive posts are required. It says that they may delete negative comments, and the non-compliant will be removed.

Price: The Fullstaq Marketer costs range from $39- $8,000, depending on your chosen package.

Refund Policy: Fullstaq Marketer’s refund policy offers a 14-day money-back guarantee

Origin: Fullstaq Marketer started on December 19, 2019.

What Are Fullstaq Marketer’s 4 Hidden Costs?

1. The Business Launch Challenge Requires a Software With Add-on Cost

The Business Launch Challenge requires software including ClickFunnels, GetResponse, and Bluehost. This software has an estimated cost of $100. ClickFunnels has a 30-day free trial for its premium plans and a free account available. Meanwhile, GetResponse offers a 30-day free trial.

Bluehost does not offer a free trial. Its cheapest hosting plan costs $2.95 per month for first-time users. This plan renews at the regular rate of $10.99. This plan already includes a free website domain for one year. These plans are necessary for creating a sales funnel.

The prospective students will be evaluated before participating in the event. The tools mentioned above need to be purchased before a set deadline. Students who do not have the said tools cannot proceed with the challenge. However, if they have tools that function in the same way as the ones required, it is acceptable.

But, it should be noted that the tutorials in the training will be specific to the ones required. Therefore, mastery of the replacement software will be needed. There won’t be training materials or support available for these alternative tools. The only exception is Clickfunnels. It is a must for creating landing pages, and using another software may cause issues.

2. Zero Chase Media Paid Advertising Tool

Zero Chase Media paid advertising costs between $80 and $700 monthly. For 100 clicks monthly, the price is $0.80 per click or $80 per month. Meanwhile, for 250 clicks monthly, the cost is $188 per month or $0.75 per click. As for 500 monthly clicks, it is priced at $360 per month or $0.72 per click. Moreover, for 1,000 clicks monthly, the cost is $700 per month or $0.70 per click. Students reveal that the most common plan they select is the $360 per month.

3. ClickMagick For Tracking Clicks

According to one of Fullstaq’s FAQ pages, one of the third-party tools to be used is ClickMagick. This software is for tracking clicks purchased via Zero Chase Media. It is used during online sales funnel training. As of 2024, it has a 14-day free trial, with paid plans priced at $69 to $299. The starter plan costs $69 per month for up to 10,000 clicks per month. Meanwhile, the standard plan is priced at $149 per month for up to 100,000 monthly clicks. As for the Pro plan, it costs $299 per month for up to 1,000,000 clicks per month.

4. Elite Mastermind Package

The Elite Mastermind is usually offered after completing the Business Launch Challenge. After the 2. 5 days of intensive program, participants can choose to proceed with additional materials. It has a price of $15,000 but is currently offered at $5,800 for a limited-time discount. This package also includes Traffic Labs, Conversion Labs, and Master Labs. They will also receive a Class II Affiliate Status. They can join the online community and are eligible for weekly calls. Besides that, there are also bonuses included. Including extra training, as well as templates for ads and emails.

Does Fullstaq Marketer Have a $15,000 Upsell?

Fullstaq Marketer has a $15,000 upsell. It is also referred to as the Elite Mastermind package. It includes the Traffic Labs, Conversion Labs, and Master Labs. Furthermore, purchasing it gives immediate access to Class II Affiliate Status. Members can take part in weekly calls, an exclusive Facebook community, and bonuses. This includes a 30-day email copy and 3 proven ad templates. This package also comes with a high-converting affiliate funnel and 4-week tutoring.

What Do You Get From Fullstaq Marketer?

• Business Launch Challenge: This enables individuals to launch an online business. Consequently, it ensures results within 48 hours. The event takes place virtually through Zoom.
• Fullstaq Accelerator: This package provides foundational knowledge on how to convert. It also enables conversion, regardless of the niche selected.
• Traffic Labs: This helps boost website traffic. It enables laser-targeted traffic from visitors. They are usually ready to purchase the products or services offered.
• Conversion Labs: This course shares storytelling, live presentations, persuasive copy, and language strategies. It aims to create enticing offers for audiences that make them convert to sales.
• Master Lab: It is centered on investing, money management, and strategic tax planning. Its goal is to help students continue to grow their businesses.
• List Launch Pro: It provides step-by-step instructions on how to create email lists. This will remain profitable for years to come. It also discloses the common pitfalls of email marketing.
• Email Marketing Pro: This focuses on growing email lists. It provides simple yet effective changes to email lines that can help boost sales.
• Mind Control Hacks: It shares techniques to get the attention of your audience. These strategies have the potential to result in increased sales.
• 83 Winning Subject Lines: This is from Fullstaq Marketer’s in-house copywriter. They aim to maximize the chances of emails being opened and clicked.

What Do You Get With Fullstaq Marketer’s Business Launch Challenge?

Fullstaq Marketer’s Business Launch Challenge participants get a 2.5-day training program. It covers the Fullstaq Marketer’s Vertical Selling System. It is focused on launching affiliate marketing using paid ads. Students receive done-for-you funnels and websites. The company already tested these templates for their high conversion potential. Additionally, the Fullstaq team will run ads on behalf of the participants.

Assistance will also be available throughout the event. Moreover, business coaching will be provided by a certified advisor. The breakthrough session will discuss plans for after the challenge. This usually lasts for about 30 minutes. This training has over 4,500 total participants. There’s also a “Double Your Money-Back Guarantee” which covers the ticket price of $39.

Here’s what happens each day of the virtual events:

• Day 1: On the first day of the Business Launch Challenge, Keala Kanae delivers a keynote speech. After this, the team demonstrates the proper software setup. The first day is usually held on a Friday and is only a half day.
• Day 2: On the second day, participants are divided into small groups. This day is focused on setting up products and launching funnels and websites. It also prepares your sites for leads and traffic.
• Day 3: On the third day, it is more focused on follow-up sequences. This is when they cover how to use the different tools in turning leads into commissions and sales.

It is required to attend all sessions because they are closely related to each other. If a participant misses a day, trainers will not slow down or go back to the lectures. For this reason, a high level of commitment is needed for the virtual event. The Business Launch Challenge is held on an as-needed basis.

The BLC results disclaimer stated that testimonials are from Keala and his clients. They have undergone training and years of trial and error. They are only shown for sample purposes. For this reason, the results are not typical. Accordingly, the average participant cannot expect to match them instantly. Moreover, it states that positive outcomes rely on experience, work ethic, and background. The disclaimer discloses that by submitting your email, the site can send promotions. It can be via text, phone calls, and email.

What Is the Fullstaq Marketer Affiliate Program?

The Fullstaq Marketer affiliate program is a commission-based earning opportunity. All Fullstaq affiliates are independent contractors. They receive payments through PayPal, in US dollars. Moreover, there are two classes of Fullstaq Marketer affiliates: Class 1 and Class 2.

Class 1 affiliates are customers who bought qualifying front-end products. They are eligible to receive up to $100 in commissions, depending on what they sell. They can also become Class 2 affiliates if they refer to five qualified back-end products. Meanwhile, Class 2 affiliates are customers who have purchased back-end products from Fullstaq. Their commissions are eligible for up to 30%.

What Are the Fullstaq Marketer Reviews?

Fullstaq Marketer reviews are a mix of positive and negative feedback from students. They are from platforms like the Complaints Board, 99consumer, Trustpilot, and Reddit. Positive reviews highlight the supportive staff and online community. They also appreciate the founder’s speeches, as well as the step-by-step training PDFs. Meanwhile, negative reviews point out refund problems, expensive pricing, and hidden extra costs.

Fullstaq Marketer Reviews From Complaints Board

Fullstaq Marketer reviews from the Complaints Board show an overall rating of 4.2. This is based on 16 reviews. Of this, 12 individuals gave it 5 stars, 1 gave it 4 stars, 1 gave it 2 stars, and 2 people gave it a 1-star rating. One positive comment complimented Fullstaq’s clear step-by-step instructions. Especially for the Business Launch Challenge. They also mentioned the incredible support from the founder, staff, and online community. However, negative reviews disliked the website issue during a refund request. They also mentioned the expensive training and 14-day money-back guarantee.

Fullstaq Marketer Reviews From 99Consumer

Fullstaq reviews from the 99Consumer site show a total rating of 3.6 stars from 32 reviews. From this, 12 people gave it 5 stars, 8 gave 4 stars, 5 gave it 3 stars, 2 rated it 2 stars, and 5 individuals gave it a 1-star rating. Positive reviews mentioned the excellent staff, detailed materials, and motivational speeches. Negative reviews criticized the high costs and lack of transparency. Especially on the additional expenses for advanced training and support.

Fullstaq Marketer Reviews From Trustpilot

Fullstaq Marketer reviews from Trustpilot show an overall rating of 4.9. This comes from 1,109 people, as of this writing. About 93% of these were 5-star ratings. About 5% were 4-star ratings, 1% were 3-star ratings, and less than 1% were 2-star and 1% 1-star ratings. Comments shared that the support staff were excellent. Many students mentioned that the training experience was pleasing. Negative feedback stated that the quality of information is lacking. Especially during the Business Launch Challenge. Others believed that some reviews and testimonials were fake.

Fullstaq Marketer’s Elite Mastermind Review

Fullstaq Marketer’s Elite Mastermind reviews are also mixed. Positive reviews of Elite Mastermind were posted as testimonials on Fullstaq’s website. However, the most notable one is from Mark Charles, founder of NoBSIMReviews. Based on his article on August 8, 2023, he earned over $900,000 in affiliate commissions. He attributed this success to his Fullstaq training.

Additionally, he mentioned that he has been a member of Fullstaq since 2017. Mark learned how to create YouTube, Google, and Facebook ads as advertising methods. He also learned about the Google Keyword Planner to aid in his campaigns. Moreover, he signed up on Clickbank and discovered products good for promotion. Besides that, Mark also learned how to craft sales funnels.

Meanwhile, another student was seeking legal advice for a refund. This is because of unforeseen expenses of up to $600 per month, besides the $15,000 cost of the program. His lawyer contacted Fullstaq. They received notification that they did not meet the refund eligibility criteria. This is because the request was not processed within the refund window.

Fullstaq Marketer Review From Reddit

Fullstaq Marketer reviews on Reddit are mostly unfavorable. For positive comments, some students were successful with the courses. They shared that it helped them make money online. They mentioned that the things they have learned also work with other businesses. As for the negative feedback, Redditors exclaimed that the extra cost was too much. Another commenter was worried that it was a scam. Mainly because of the very expensive pricing.

Another Reddit review stated that they purchased the Accelerator course. Consequently, the training helped them work with four other companies. They also have several leads and are earning money. However, one Redditor commented that they took the weekend course. It taught them the basic concepts of digital marketing. But, they discovered that the sites used in the training were affiliated. They also expressed dismay that monthly charges are required. Additionally, they shared that it costs $15,000 to proceed with more courses. They also felt sorry for the older adult audiences who were pressured. They thought that the tutors were mostly students of Fullstaq as well.

Fullstaq Marketer Review From Better Business Bureau

Fullstaq Marketing has faced several complaints regarding its programs. It primarily focuses on refund issues and customer service experiences. One complaint involved a customer pressured into a $998 deposit. He later requested a refund after deciding not to participate.

Despite the company’s 14-day refund policy, they denied the request. They stated it was not eligible because it was made 60 days after the purchase. Another complaint highlighted confusion over a $998 application fee and a monthly subscription. The customer was unaware of a 12-month contract. Attempts to cancel were met with delays. In the end, the monthly subscription was voided without further charges.

Other complaints include excessive marketing communications and dissatisfaction with the results and costs. Some customers reported feeling misled about the true costs. They incurred significant expenses on extra tools and upsells. Despite acknowledging refunds in some cases, customers expressed frustration over the process. They perceived it as a lack of transparency and empathy from the company. Many complaints also highlighted the high-pressure sales tactics used to secure initial payments.

Is Fullstaq Marketer Legit?

Yes, Fullstaq Marketer is legit. It was officially registered in 2019, with its founder being Keala Kanae. It features legitimate courses on affiliate marketing, utilizing paid social media advertisements. However, former students shared that there were hidden costs and additional expenses. For the Business Launch Challenge, the price only covers the ticket. It is not the total cost of the required software. After the training, students were offered the Fullstaq Elite. This costs $15,000 or $5,800 at a discounted price. This is a massive course price compared to the initial fee of $39.

Who Is Keala Kanae?

Keala Kanae is an entrepreneur and online marketing coach. He is the CEO of Fullstaq Marketer, LLC, and currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Keala previously lived in Honolulu, Hawaii. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His career spans various roles. He was the director of marketing and sales at Smile Entertainment. Additionally, he worked as a CEO and director of sales at Exodus Entertainment. He also became an internet sales director at KK Auto, Stanton Mortgage, and Oahu Lending. Later on, he served as a social media consultant for multiple companies. This was before co-founding AWOL Academy in 2015. He rebranded it to Fullstaq Marketer in 2019.

Kanae has a strong online presence. He has 92.6K Instagram followers, 56K YouTube subscribers, and 41.3K on Facebook. Yahoo Finance, Newswire.net, and the Huff Post Contributor featured Kanae’s success story. This includes his transformation from a coffee shop worker to a coach with 30,000 clients. His net worth in 2024 is estimated at $5 million. He also claimed that Fullstaq Marketer generated $20 to $50 million in annual revenue.

Kanae’s marketing strategy includes a live webinar, followed by a limited-time sales page. This creates a sense of urgency, prompting quick decisions from potential buyers. Key takeaways from his approach include understanding the customer and creating irresistible offers. He uses promotional strategies focused on repeat customers and encourages post-purchase engagement.

Reviews of Kanae’s programs are mixed. Positive feedback highlights his marketing expertise and a supportive online community. However, negative reviews criticize hidden costs, significant upsells, and the promotion of loans. His past ventures have also faced scrutiny. This includes Empower Network and AWOL Academy.

What Are Keala Kanae’s Claims?

Keala Kanae claims that Fullstaq Marketer is the greatest internet marketing training. His ad campaigns guarantee thousands of earnings daily. This is with no technical skills required and minimal effort. He has launched a series of social media advertisements called Digital Freelancer. This was available on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.

In his ads, he displays his material possessions, shows his ATM balance, and lays down on a bed of checks. He also shares a story of him before becoming a wealthy affiliate marketer. He worked in a coffee shop, lived in his mother’s basement, and had no money to pay for his girlfriend’s birthday gift. The audiences are then funneled into Fullstaq Marketer.

Keala Kanae’s Claims Debunked

Earning money from affiliate marketing is legitimate. However, Keala’s ads provide an unrealistic portrayal of income. It also takes a while to learn and set up systems, which can prove to be frustrating for beginners. Depending on the niche, product, and company, commission rates vary. And for the vast majority of the time, it is only a small percentage. Moreover, in the early stages, it’s normal to see little to no profit. Many factors can impact the success of a person when trying out affiliate marketing.

In his ad campaign, Keala mentioned that no technical skills are required. Especially for the Business Launch Challenge. However, reviews from students stated otherwise. Many participants could not proceed because of the technical aspect of the program. Sometimes, older members of the event felt overwhelmed. As a result, they discontinued the training. Additionally, the number of participants can reach up to hundreds in one Zoom call. This makes it difficult to receive one-on-one technical help from the tutors.

In one ad, Keala claims that by working for only 2 to 3 hours daily, individuals can earn a six-figure income. And you can achieve this in only 3 to 12 months. However, starting a new business requires a significant amount of upfront effort. Additionally, beginner affiliates need to familiarize themselves with a wide number of methods. Including backlinking, copywriting, and email marketing. You need to be familiar with website creation, click training, and conversion optimization. Other skills necessary are retargeting, SEO, and automation. The learning process alone can take months

What Are the Reasons for Becoming an Affiliate Marketer?

• The startup costs are affordable. You can start without the costs of launching a product or hiring employees. There is no inventory to maintain, no customer service to handle, and no shipments to fulfill.
• The working hours are flexible. You’re in charge of how much time you want to spend so that you can succeed in your venture. Individuals can work and learn at their own pace. Some can even start part-time and go full-time as needed.
• It is a proven online revenue stream. Affiliate marketing is one of the most popular sources of income online. Many companies have affiliate programs, so opportunities are endless.
• It requires useful digital marketing skills. This is ideal for individuals who have a passion for promoting products or services. It focuses on having an online marketing skill set, besides some technical know-how. This allows you to work for your own company. Also, the skills learned as an affiliate marketer can help other businesses to thrive.
• It is a great passive income opportunity. Affiliate marketing can also be a dependable source of income for experienced individuals.
• It can be a work-from-home venture. Affiliate marketers can work anywhere in the world and on their chosen schedules. This is ideal for those who prefer to start a business from the comfort of their own homes or while traveling.
• Affiliate marketing remains a valued industry. Rakuten Advertising finds that 90% of advertisers stated that affiliate marketing is important. Also, Statista mentioned that the US affiliate marketing spend was over $8.2 billion in 2022.

Is Affiliate Marketing Dead in 2025?

Affiliate marketing is not dead in 2025, but it takes time. Bill Widmer, a digital nomad with 8+ years of experience, it takes around 6-12 months to earn a profit. He added that the 2-year mark is when affiliates get to earn enough to replace their full-time job.

You can make $39K to $75K per year as an affiliate marketer. According to PayScale, experienced affiliate marketers have annual income averages of $52,590. The bottom 10% earns an estimate of $39,000 per year. Meanwhile, the highest 10% has a yearly income of $75K.

What Are Some Fullstaq Marketer Alternatives?

• Super Affiliate System is an advanced-level course by John Crestani. It teaches students how to scale, automate, and target data.
• The Affiliate Lab is an SEO course by Matt Diggity. It helps members monetize, rank, and create highly converting websites.
• Project 24 is a training platform by Jim Harmer and Ricky Kesler. It highlights the use of blogging to attain financial freedom.

Final Verdict: Is Fullstaq Marketer Good For Beginners Who Want to Build Steady Online Income?

Fullstaq Marketer is not good for beginners who want to build steady online income because its system depends heavily on paid advertising, ongoing tool subscriptions, and high-pressure upsells that drive costs far beyond the entry point. Although the training introduces affiliate marketing fundamentals, beginners quickly encounter hidden expenses for software and advertising that make profitability difficult. Fullstaq’s model expects newcomers to manage paid traffic, funnels, and follow-up systems before they have the experience needed to handle rising ad costs or low conversion periods. It often results in burnout rather than steady revenue.

Is Local Lead Generation More Sustainable Than Affiliate Marketing in Creating Predictable Monthly Income?

In my experience, local lead generation is more sustainable than affiliate marketing in creating predictable monthly income because it eliminates the volatility that comes with ad-based funnels and shifting commission structures.

Comparing affiliate marketing to local lead generation is like selling balloons outside San Diego Zoo versus managing annual memberships at the National Park Foundation. Outside San Diego Zoo, you rely on sunny days, school trips, and whatever families that pass by, while you keep waving signs so you can make a sale. It likes affiliates grinding for clicks on platforms they don’t control while their income swings based on traffic whims. At the National Park Foundation, once someone enrolls in a membership program, renewals and mailings roll on for years on autopilot. That reflects local lead generation in that after a site ranks, it constantly attracts leads that you deliver to local businesses with minimal daily input and zero marketing.

Why Is Local Lead Generation the Best Business Model for Long-Term Financial and Time Freedom?

Local lead generation is the best business model for long-term financial and time freedom because a ranked site becomes a durable digital asset that earns high-margin income with minimal upkeep. Instead of chasing new offers or buying more traffic, you build simple niche websites, rank them on Google, and rent the lead flow to businesses who depend on steady customer demand. The margins remain strong, competition is limited to a small geographic radius, and one weekend of setup can pay out for years with very little maintenance.

A client of mine is Fullerton Superior Roofing, 1157 South Harbor Boulevard, Fullerton, California 92832, 714-276-0070, https://fullertonsuperiorroofing.com/. In the month that 5 of my high-ticket leads closed for $71,300, I earned $3,565 from 5% commissions.

If you want a business that grows without stacking monthly subscriptions or constant advertising, local lead generation offers the clearest path to lasting financial independence.