Clickbank earnings pages - Is this really *proof*?

17 replies
Every new IM product released seems to include the ubiquitous screen shot of someone's account showing the huge daily earnings etc. What stops people from showing a made-up set of stats with the Clickbank account template?

The point of this post is that I'm asking how I can be sure that any particular online product is really worth purchasing? What really irks me is when I see the screen shot *evidence* of huge monetary figures with large parts of the screen blurred out.

Everyone is spouting about 'my product is different', not a 'scam', 'the real deal', 'more valuable than anything else'. Bottom line, I'm jaded and would like some tips to prove authenticity. Short of googling the name of every guru out there searching for business back histories and credentials.
#clickbank #earnings #pages #proof
  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    The simple rule is you NEVER believe earnings screenshots. Would you believe the profile photos on a dating site? I doubt it.

    I don't care who it is but you should always make your evaluation of a product without taking any of those earnings screenshots into account. They are very easily faked and you will also find a lot of people who might be showing you real screenshots, but the screenshot is taken from one of their accounts that has nothing to do with the actual method they are trying to sell.

    You also need to wonder why those people need to use the screenshots in the first place. If the product is great then it will stand up on it's own two feet without silly Clickbank screenshots. Generally people use them because they don't have any other unique selling point to offer.
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    • Profile picture of the author David Braybrooke
      Originally Posted by WillR View Post

      The simple rule is you NEVER believe earnings screenshots. Would you believe the profile photos on a dating site? I doubt it.

      I don't care who it is but you should always make your evaluation of a product without taking any of those earnings screenshots into account. They are very easily faked and you will also find a lot of people who might be showing you real screenshots, but the screenshot is taken from one of their accounts that has nothing to do with the actual method they are trying to sell.

      You also need to wonder why those people need to use the screenshots in the first place. If the product is great then it will stand up on it's own two feet without silly Clickbank screenshots. Generally people use them because they don't have any other unique selling point to offer.
      Thanks Will,
      From what I can see online, it seems that almost everyone is using the screenshots in their products. Even the so called top-level marketers are often doing this. If they leave it out then they really will start to stand out from the crowd and possibly lose some advantage as the whole 'I earned a million dollars in a year trip, and here is the absolute proof' does have a certain razzle to it that excites the hoardes!

      From what you are saying, I shouldn't believe anyone who uses the Clickbank earnings screenshots, EVER! OK, so now I shall go looking for a product that doesn't do this ........... (cue forward to the year 2099 .. ;-)
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      • Profile picture of the author WillR
        Originally Posted by David Braybrooke View Post

        From what you are saying, I shouldn't believe anyone who uses the Clickbank earnings screenshots, EVER! OK, so now I shall go looking for a product that doesn't do this ........... (cue forward to the year 2099 .. ;-)
        No, you shouldn't believe ANYONE online is what I am saying... least of all those Clickbank screenshots. When you make your evaluation of a product just ignore the earnings screenshot. If the screenshot wasn't there and you wouldn't buy the product then don't buy it. It shouldn't be something that sways you either way just because we all know majority of those screenshots are either fake or misleading.
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  • Profile picture of the author cooler1
    Rule 1: Do not believe earnings screenshots
    Rule 2: Do not believe earnings screenshots

    The internet version of Fight Club.
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    • Profile picture of the author David Braybrooke
      Thanks guys! But wholesale cynicism is just the standard 'easy' answer to this issue. I'd like to believe that some Internet marketers do actually have great ethics and do not make up their screenshots or fabricate information or manipulate perceptions etc. It is just too easy to assume that everyone online is doing a bit of tweaked 'scamming' now and then. Hey, if this is the truth then I'm happy to log-off forever NOW!

      I enjoy the IM world mostly, and am looking for a savvy way to navigate the pitfalls and the online shysters. The whole 'Fight Club' thing is just not going to cut it today, and besides, I've never really liked Brad Pitt either. (Would you buy Chanel No. 5 if they used earnings screenshots? *joke*).
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      • Profile picture of the author WillR
        Originally Posted by David Braybrooke View Post

        Thanks guys! But wholesale cynicism is just the standard 'easy' answer to this issue. I'd like to believe that some Internet marketers do actually have great ethics and do not make up their screenshots or fabricate information or manipulate perceptions etc. It is just too easy to assume that everyone online is doing a bit of tweaked 'scamming' now and then. Hey, if this is the truth then I'm happy to log-off forever NOW!
        Ofcourse not everyone on the Internet is a scammer and I didn't say that. But there are a lot of them in Internet Marketing. What I did say was the safest thing to do is to assume everyone is trying to take you for a ride and then evaluate people's products and offers from there. Someone using an earnings screenshot (from my own experience as a buyer) are more likely to be using that screenshot to make up for other shortcomings in their product. Screenshots are hype and those who need to use that much hype to sell their product don't get much respect from me.

        And, although it's hard to prove, I would almost lay my life on the line and bet that it's the majority (not the minority) of earnings screenshots that are either fake or misleading. So I would never believe them or base a buying decision off of them. Screenshots are used to target those newbies to the industry who just have dollars signs across their eyeballs and will believe anything.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    People who put up fake Clickbank earnings must have lots of confidence that someone wont call them out on it. I think most of the screenshots are real... personally.
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    • Profile picture of the author David Braybrooke
      Originally Posted by Randall Magwood View Post

      People who put up fake Clickbank earnings must have lots of confidence that someone wont call them out on it. I think most of the screenshots are real... personally.
      Thanks Randall, I'm actually preferring your more positive take on the issue! It would be interesting to know if anyone has ever been successfully prosecuted for publishing fake earnings details.

      I am quite sure that some IM exponents have truly earned vast fortunes. Their good reputations have remained intact because their 'karma' is solid. Unless I've missed something? ;-)
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      • Profile picture of the author WillR
        Originally Posted by David Braybrooke View Post

        Thanks Randall, I'm actually preferring your more positive take on the issue! It would be interesting to know if anyone has ever been successfully prosecuted for publishing fake earnings details. )
        David, I'm failing to see the point of this thread now?

        What is it you are wanting people to tell you?
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        • Profile picture of the author David Braybrooke
          Originally Posted by WillR View Post

          David, I'm failing to see the point of this thread now?

          What is is you are wanting people to tell you?
          Will,
          I'm interested in picking up any personal experience information or practical tips from IM's who are well practised in spotting genuine product developers/sellers. Nobody wants to purchase programs that make claims that prove to be unsubstantiated. Promoting techniques are becoming increasingly homogenous from what I can see.

          Thanks for your comments.
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          • Profile picture of the author RogueOne
            It is the "accepted" method of convincing people.

            Most of the people who see these pages don't have a clue what clickbank is and couldn't care less.

            "OMG look at those numbers!! I gotta have this!" Cha-ching.

            As marketers we are jaded. You have to look at it the way the average visitor sees it.

            As for ethics involved in posting "doctored" screenshots - I doubt many people lose much sleep over it. People who "fake" anything are not the kind to feel remorse.

            As Will said, these screenshots should have no meaning to experienced marketers.
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            • Profile picture of the author David Braybrooke
              Originally Posted by RogueOne View Post

              It is the "accepted" method of convincing people.

              Most of the people who see these pages don't have a clue what clickbank is and couldn't care less.

              "OMG look at those numbers!! I gotta have this!" Cha-ching.

              As marketers we are jaded. You have to look at it the way the average visitor sees it.

              As for ethics involved in posting "doctored" screenshots - I doubt many people lose much sleep over it. People who "fake" anything are not the kind to feel remorse.

              As Will said, these screenshots should have no meaning to experienced marketers.
              Which begs the question why 'experienced marketers' would use them in the first place? Effective product promotion or lack thereof will lead to digital footprints that will likely hang around for some time to come. For anyone who knows the 'good marketers' from the 'bad', why not share some names? These aren't exactly state secrets here! ;-)
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              • Profile picture of the author RogueOne
                Originally Posted by David Braybrooke View Post

                For anyone who knows the 'good marketers' from the 'bad', why not share some names? These aren't exactly state secrets here! ;-)
                You might want to check the forum rules.

                You missed the point. These sales pages aren't being created for you and I, but the in-experienced masses.

                Also, with all due respect, if you don't like it, why are you here? It's the way it is, accept it or not.
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                Get Off The Warrior Forum Now & Don't Come Back If You Want To Succeed!
                All The Real Marketers Are Gone. There's Nothing Left But Weak, Sniveling Wanna-Bees!
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                • Profile picture of the author David Braybrooke
                  Originally Posted by RogueOne View Post

                  You might want to check the forum rules.

                  You missed the point. These sales pages aren't being created for you and I, but the in-experienced masses.

                  Also, with all due respect, if you don't like it, why are you here? It's the way it is, accept it or not.
                  I don't see why an IMHO 'such and such' provides good products. Because ... No direct plugs required etc.

                  The in-experienced masses deserve to be enlightened by the experienced few. Perhaps you could help out there RogueOne? Clickbank earnings screenshots are starting to look spammy and are becoming the 'accepted'. But how they junk up the wider Internet experience. A pity!

                  P.S. I don't plan on leaving Warrior Forum any time soon.
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  • Profile picture of the author GBM
    I never believe any screenshots. It is way to easy to fake.

    To change simple numbers or text, you can just enter this into the address bar and hit enter:
    Code:
    javascript:document.body.contentEditable='true'; document.designMode='on'; void 0
    And even more advanced stuff is still relatively easy in Photoshop.
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  • Profile picture of the author WarrenPeterson
    I just did a small WSO and put a PayPal screenshot there. It felt 'weird'. As this is my only WSO, I just did what seemed to be the 'accepted' practice, but even while posting it, just was odd.

    I agree that the screenshots should go away, and now I feel kind of guilty for perpetuating them...
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  • Profile picture of the author WillR
    David,

    I told you exactly what I do but you put it down as me being negative.

    Sorry old buddy but that is the industry you have chosen to be in. It is rife with scams and idiots trying to sell you theory using bold income claims and proof of earnings screenshots.

    If you want to be positive about things and give everyone the benefit of the doubt, you will come out the loser. That's a sad fact.

    There is no guaranteed way to spot the wheat from the chaff. It's something you will get better at doing the more time you spend around these types of sites. For example, I will be suckered into less things than someone who has just entered this industry and is desperate for an income. I've "seen it all before" so I know who to listen to and who not to listen to. I can also spot people who don't know what they are talking about a mile away.... and there are PLENTY of those types of people in this industry.

    I can almost guarantee you that of all the offers selling in the WSO forum right now, probably 80-90% of them would be plain theory that the person has never actually implemented or made any money from themselves. So as I said, the good products are in the minority and that's why it's wise to be skeptical of most stuff you see.
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