Pat Flynn Review (2026): Is His 1-2-3 Affiliate Marketing Course Worth Joining SPI For?
On This Page
- Pat Flynn in One Minute
- Who Is Pat Flynn?
- What 1-2-3 Affiliate Marketing Teaches
- What the SPI Membership Includes
- Tools for Affiliate Marketing
- His Approach to Affiliate Marketing
- Is Pat Flynn Legit?
- Pros and Cons
- Who It Might Suit
- Our #1 Recommendation for Making Money Online in 2026
- Other Programs Readers Compare
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Verdict on Pat Flynn
Pat Flynn in One Minute
Pat Flynn is the founder of Smart Passive Income (SPI), one of the longest-running blogs and podcasts about building online businesses. He became known for publishing detailed monthly income reports, and he says he's generated more than $3.5 million from affiliate marketing since 2010. His affiliate course, 1-2-3 Affiliate Marketing, teaches choosing products and promoting them through active and passive strategies.
The course is part of the SPI membership, which costs $99 a month or $990 a year and includes SPI's full course library, office hours, monthly workshops and a private community. Here's what to know.
| Creator | Pat Flynn |
|---|---|
| Company | SPI Media (Smart Passive Income) |
| Course | 1-2-3 Affiliate Marketing |
| Access | SPI membership |
| Price | $99/month or $990/year |
| Includes | Course library, office hours, workshops, community |
| Claim | $3.5M+ affiliate revenue since 2010 (his own) |
Who Is Pat Flynn?
Pat Flynn started his first online business after being laid off from an architecture job in 2008. Through SPI, his podcast and books, he's become one of the most trusted voices in the space, known for transparency and an "authentic" approach to recommending products.
What 1-2-3 Affiliate Marketing Teaches
- Learn the core rules of ethical affiliate marketing.
- Step 1: Choose the products you'll promote.
- Steps 2 and 3: Use active and passive promotion strategies.
- Build trust so recommendations convert.
- Track and improve what works.
What the SPI Membership Includes
| Included | Details |
|---|---|
| Superfans framework | SPI's five-level business framework |
| Course library | All SPI courses, including 1-2-3 Affiliate Marketing |
| Office hours | With Pat Flynn and other SPI experts |
| Workshops | Monthly live workshops |
| Community | Private member forum |
Tools for Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketers usually need a website, an email list and a way to track results. For a site, hosting such as Bluehost or Kinsta; for email, AWeber has a free plan; and for tracking clicks and sales, ClickMagick offers a 14-day trial.
His Approach to Affiliate Marketing
Pat Flynn is known for promoting only products he believes in and being open about his affiliate relationships. His teaching splits promotion into active strategies, such as tutorials, launches and emails where you actively recommend a product, and passive strategies, such as resource pages and evergreen content that keep earning over time. He stresses that trust is the real asset: if readers believe you're recommending something because it helps them, they're far more likely to buy and to come back.
That approach suits creators with an audience on a blog, podcast, YouTube channel or email list. It's slower than aggressive tactics, but it tends to produce steadier income and fewer refunds. If you're starting from zero, expect to spend months building content and an audience before affiliate income becomes meaningful.
Is Pat Flynn Legit?
Yes. He's one of the most transparent and established educators in the space, and SPI's pricing is published. The question is whether a $99-a-month membership is worth it when much of his teaching is also available free on his blog and podcast.
Pros and Cons
What Stands Out
- Highly trusted, transparent creator
- Ethical, audience-first approach
- Full SPI course library included
- Lots of free content to sample first
What to Weigh Up
- $99 a month adds up
- Course isn't sold separately
- Affiliate results take time to build
Who It Might Suit
Creators who already have or are building an audience and want structured training plus a community.
Our #1 Recommendation for Making Money Online in 2026
If 1-2-3 Affiliate Marketing isn't the right fit for you, here's what we suggest instead.
After comparing hundreds of programs over the years, we know what works and what doesn't. In fact, most of the business opportunities are either instant cash grab schemes or scams or they require experience. However, this beginner-friendly system stood out and is our #1 recommendation for 2026.
Other Programs Readers Compare
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is Pat Flynn's Affiliate Course?
It's included in the SPI membership at $99 a month or $990 a year.
Who Is Pat Flynn?
The founder of Smart Passive Income.
Is Pat Flynn Legit?
Yes, he's an established and transparent educator.
Is There Free Content?
Yes, his blog and podcast cover a lot for free.
Our Verdict on Pat Flynn
Pat Flynn is a trustworthy teacher of affiliate marketing. Sample his free content, then decide whether the SPI membership is worth it.
Looking for a Better Starting Point Than Pat Flynn?
Consider our #1 recommendation for making money online in 2026.