Elite Blog Academy is a blogging course created by Ruth Soukup that teaches people how to start and grow profitable blogs. The program covers content creation, traffic generation, and ways to make money from blogging. It costs around $2,000 and has been around for several years, though it has gone through changes recently.
We created this review to help you decide if Elite Blog Academy is worth the investment in 2026 and whether it can actually help you build a successful blog. Many people wonder if blogging courses like this one deliver real results or just make promises they can’t keep. The price tag is high, so it makes sense to look closely at what you get before spending your money.
We’ll walk you through everything the course offers, from the training modules to the cost and refund policy. You’ll also learn about real user experiences, technical support, and whether the program still works in today’s blogging world. By the end of this Elite Blog Academy review, you’ll have the facts you need to make a smart choice about EBA.
What Is Elite Blog Academy?
Elite Blog Academy, commonly called EBA, is a comprehensive blogging course created by Ruth Soukup. Ruth is a successful entrepreneur and blogger who runs the popular site Living Well Spending Less. She’s also a New York Times bestselling author who wrote books like How to Blog for Profit.
The course launched in 2014 and quickly became one of the most well-known blogging courses on the internet. It’s designed as a self-paced program that teaches people how to build and grow profitable blogs from scratch.
Here’s what the course covers:
- Content creation strategies
- Traffic generation methods
- Blog monetization techniques
- Building a successful blogging business
EBA includes 12 units with 36 assignments that walk students through the entire process of creating a blog. The program focuses on foundational blogging skills rather than quick tricks or shortcuts.
The course was built around strategies that were popular when it launched, including long-form blogging, Pinterest traffic, and traditional sales funnels. It provides a structured framework for bloggers who want to turn their hobby into a business.
Ruth Soukup designed Elite Blog Academy based on her own experience building a seven-figure blogging business. The course aims to give students the same tools and strategies she used to grow Living Well Spending Less into a profitable platform.
Elite Blog Academy Review – Training Breakdown
Elite Blog Academy organizes its training into four main modules that walk us through building a blogging business from the ground up. Each module focuses on a specific phase of blogging success.
The four core modules cover:
- Module 1: Refine Your Message – This section helps us identify our niche and target audience. We learn how to create content creation strategies that connect with readers.
- Module 2: Create Incredible Content – Here we dive into writing techniques and developing pillar posts that become the foundation of our blog. The training shows us how to plan content that keeps readers coming back.
- Module 3: Grow Your Traffic – This module teaches Pinterest marketing and SEO basics to help us grow our traffic. We get specific strategies for using Pinterest as a main traffic source.
- Module 4: Build Your Business – The final section covers monetization methods and email list building. We learn about creating digital products and turning our blog into income.
The curriculum also includes bonus training on course creation and various ways to make money from our content. Each module contains video lessons, worksheets, and action steps we can follow.
The materials guide us through email list building strategies and teach us how to use social media platforms effectively. Pinterest gets special attention since it’s a major traffic driver for many bloggers.
We get access to templates and frameworks that help us implement what we learn. The course aims to give us everything needed to build our business without jumping between different resources.
Monetization and Growth Strategies
Elite Blog Academy teaches several ways to make money online from your blog. The course focuses heavily on affiliate marketing, which means promoting other people’s products and earning a commission when readers buy through your links.
We found that the program also covers product creation and digital products in detail. This includes creating your own ebooks, courses, and printables to sell directly to your audience. The training walks through how to monetize your platform using multiple income streams instead of relying on just one method.
Key monetization topics covered:
- Affiliate marketing strategies
- Creating and selling digital products
- Email funnels that convert readers into buyers
- Sponsored content opportunities
- Course creation basics
The email marketing section teaches how to grow your list and build relationships with subscribers. Elite Blog Academy emphasizes that your email list is one of your most valuable assets for online entrepreneurship.
We noticed the course spends time on traffic generation through SEO and Pinterest. These strategies help bring new readers to your blog who can then become customers or email subscribers.
The program teaches a traditional approach to blog monetization. It covers the fundamentals well but doesn’t dive deep into newer platforms or trends. The strategies work best for bloggers willing to put in consistent effort over several months.
Email funnels get significant attention in the curriculum. You’ll learn how to create automated sequences that guide readers from free content to paid products. This approach requires setup time but can generate passive income once it’s working.
Cost, Access, and Refund Policy
Elite Blog Academy typically costs between $997 and $2,000 depending on the tier and when you purchase it. This makes it one of the more expensive blogging courses on the market.
When you buy the course, you get lifetime access to all materials. The program includes 12 units with 36 assignments that you can work through at your own pace.
What’s Included:
- Structured blogging curriculum
- Content creation and planning lessons
- Email list building strategies
- SEO and Pinterest marketing training
- Course creation modules
- Access to student community
The refund policy is action-based and requires significant effort to qualify. You must complete all course assignments within six months and submit proof of your work. This isn’t a simple “try it and return it” guarantee.
We found that this refund requirement can feel strict for people who face unexpected personal situations. You need to show that you actually did the work before getting your money back.
Compared to other blogging courses, Elite Blog Academy sits at the premium end of pricing. Many alternatives offer similar content for $200 to $500. The higher price point reflects Ruth Soukup’s brand and the comprehensive nature of the program.
The course structure expects you to take 12 to 24 months before seeing real income from your blog. This long timeline is important to consider when weighing the upfront cost against potential returns.
Pros and Cons of Elite Blog Academy
Elite Blog Academy offers a complete blogging program that guides you through building a real online business model. The course covers everything from creating content to making money from your blog.
The Pros
We found several strong points about this program. The training gives you a clear plan to turn your blog to business. You get lifetime access to all course materials once you pay.
The community support stands out as one of the best features. You can connect with other students and alumni who understand your journey. The course includes weekly office hours where you can ask questions directly.
The step-by-step framework removes the guesswork. You learn about content creation, getting traffic, and making money from your blog. Partner bonuses give you extra training from other successful bloggers.
The Cons
The price is high at $1,000 to $2,000 upfront. This makes it hard for new bloggers to afford.
You need patience because results take time. Most students wait 12 to 24 months before seeing real income. This slow path does not work for people who need money quickly.
The course opened only once per year for one week. This limited schedule made it hard to join when you were ready. We also learned that EBA has closed enrollment and may not return in its original form.
Elite Blog Academy in 2026: Is It Still Worth It?
Elite Blog Academy is no longer accepting new students. Ruth Soukup closed enrollment and shifted her focus to other projects.
This leaves us with a big question. If you’re looking to build a blog that generates passive income in 2026, where should you turn?
Current alternatives include:
- Blogging Fast Lane – Focuses on rapid blog growth strategies
- Blog Growth Engine – Emphasizes SEO and traffic generation
- Wealthy Affiliate – Offers comprehensive training on affiliate marketing and website building
- Passive Income Geek – Provides reviews and guidance on various online business models
Some bloggers have also moved toward different online business models altogether. Local lead generation (also called local lead gen or digital leasing) has become popular as an alternative to traditional blogging.
The blogging landscape has changed dramatically since EBA launched. Competition is fiercer. Google updates happen more frequently. Building passive income through blogging takes longer than it used to.
We can’t recommend investing in Elite Blog Academy in 2026 because it’s not available. Even if you find old course materials online, they won’t reflect current best practices.
The strategies that worked five years ago don’t always work today. Social media algorithms have shifted. Pinterest marketing tactics have evolved. Email list building requires different approaches now.
If you already own Elite Blog Academy materials, some foundational concepts about content creation and audience building still hold value. But you’ll need to supplement them with current training on SEO, AI tools, and modern monetization methods.
Success Stories and Real User Experiences
Elite Blog Academy worked well for some bloggers but didn’t deliver results for everyone. We found that students who already had some blog growth or a clear target audience used the course to improve their systems and build an email list.
Bloggers who saw success often came in with existing traction. They used EBA to organize their content plans and launch digital products that generated real income. The course helped them move from blog to business by teaching them how to create revenue streams beyond ads.
What successful students typically had:
- A defined niche before starting
- Time to implement the lessons
- Willingness to invest in additional tools
- Some existing audience or traffic
However, many students struggled to see results. The course requires a major time commitment and doesn’t work as a quick fix. Some found the strategies too complex or time-consuming to put into practice.
We noticed that students who treated blogging as a creative outlet enjoyed the course more than those hoping for fast money. The training covers email marketing, content creation, and product launches, but students need to lead your team and manage multiple moving parts.
The reality is that EBA provides structured training, but success depends heavily on your starting point. Students with established blogs found it easier to apply the lessons than complete beginners. The course gives you a framework, but you still need to do the hard work of building your audience and testing what works for your specific blog.
Technical Setup and Support
Elite Blog Academy assumes you already have basic website infrastructure in place before starting the course. You’ll need your own hosting account and a WordPress site set up. The course doesn’t include website hosting or domain registration as part of the package.
We found that EBA focuses more on blogging strategy and content creation than technical website design. The training walks you through WordPress basics, but it’s not a deep dive into web development. If you’re comfortable with basic WordPress navigation, you should be fine.
What You’ll Need:
- Active website hosting account
- WordPress installation
- Basic understanding of how to log into your site
- Willingness to learn as you go
The course provides support through its community forums and member groups. When technical questions come up, you can ask other members or reach out to the EBA team. Response times vary depending on how busy support is.
For website design, the program offers general guidance on creating an appealing blog layout. However, you won’t get one-on-one help customizing your specific theme or fixing technical glitches. Most technical support focuses on blogging best practices rather than solving hosting issues or WordPress errors.
If you’re brand new to WordPress or struggle with technology, you might need to hire outside help for setup. The course materials assume you can handle basic website management on your own.
Is Elite Blog Academy a Scam?
Elite Blog Academy is not a scam. Ruth Soukup created a real training course with actual lessons and materials for people who want to start blogs.
The program offers structured training on topics like creating content, growing an audience, and making money from a blog. Many students have gone through the course and learned useful skills.
What Elite Blog Academy provides:
- Step-by-step lessons on building a blog
- Training on content creation and SEO
- Support from other students
- Tools for growing your audience
However, we need to be honest about something important. The course itself is legitimate, but that doesn’t mean blogging is easy or quick.
Most people who take blogging courses don’t see fast results. Building a successful blog takes months or even years of consistent work. You might need to write dozens of posts before you see any income.
The blogging industry has also become more difficult. More competition exists now than when Elite Blog Academy first launched. Google changes its rules often, which can hurt your traffic overnight.
Key things to know:
- The training is real and structured
- Results depend heavily on your effort and timing
- Success with blogging is slow and unpredictable
- The course costs around $900
We found that Ruth Soukup is a real person with blogging experience. She’s not hiding behind a fake name or making impossible promises. The course materials exist and cover blogging basics thoroughly.
The real question isn’t whether it’s a scam. It’s whether blogging as a business model works for your goals and timeline.