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ARTICLE · 16 APRIL 2026

FTC Charges Publishing.com With False Earnings Claims, Illusory Refund Guarantees, And Deceptive Testimonials

Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC
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Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC

Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz PC

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The FTC settled charges against Publishing.com LLC for $1.5 million over allegations that the company misled consumers about potential earnings from its self-publishing programs. The case addresses three critical advertising law issues: unsubstantiated earnings claims, deceptive refund guarantees with hidden conditions, and undisclosed material connections in consumer testimonials and reviews.

United StatesMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment

The FTC announced this week that Publishing.com LLC and its two principals will pay $1.5 million to settle charges that the company misled consumers about the income they were likely to earn through its self-publishing programs. The case hits three distinct deception theories: false earnings claims, illusory refund guarantees, and undisclosed material connections in testimonials.

What Publishing.com Was Selling

Publishing.com sold online self-publishing programs and services, primarily two products: AI Publishing Academy (AIA), a self-publishing course priced at up to $1,995, and Publishing Accelerator, an add-on coaching program launched in 2022. The pitch was familiar: a foolproof passive income system through e-books and audiobooks, promoted via free online videos and personal success stories from the company's own founders. The FTC alleged that CEO Christian Mikkelsen and Chief Product Officer Rasmus Mikkelsen claimed that consumers could use these products to earn $1,000 to

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