shouldiuse.io

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VERDICT

Should I use Smartblogger?

Not disclosed - smartblogger.com

Depends. Buy a course only if you're an aspiring writer who wants structured paid training on top of the free blog. Skip it if you were shopping for blogging software or a content tool — this is education, not technology.

Confidence

Medium. Based on ~30 public sources: Reddit threads, one third-party course review, directory profiles, and official pages.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of useNo evidence; it publishes articles, not software
  • Feature depth
  • Support quality
  • Security posture

Pricing

from $50 (user-reported)

Mini-courses

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed
Free tierYes

Best for

  • Aspiring freelance writers
  • Beginner bloggers wanting structured training
  • Content marketers seeking a certification
  • Fans of long-form writing guides

Not for

  • Anyone shopping for blogging software
  • Experienced writers content with free material
  • Buyers needing transparent published pricing
  • Teams wanting a content platform with analytics

Gotchas - check before you buy

medium

Expect paid course pitches after joining the free newsletter; set a budget first

medium

No public price list found; confirm current costs before buying

medium

Certification ROI unproven; Reddit freelancers still debate if it pays off

low

No public security page found on the site

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Huge free library of in-depth writing and blogging guides
  • 300k+ subscribers and 4 million readers
  • Cheap entry point: users report $50 mini-courses
  • Founder Jon Morrow is a prominent, widely covered blogging figure
  • Graduates cite the certification professionally

Cons

  • Course value hotly debated among freelance writers
  • Pricing largely undisclosed in public sources
  • Not BBB accredited
  • Some public critics question the founder's claims
  • Tiny public review base: five Facebook reviews

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/20/2026 - 11 sources - No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

official x1review x6security x1news x3

Key stats

  • Value for money: 3/5

    Rating

  • from $50 (user-reported)

    Starting price

  • 11

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 3/5. Free content strong; paid course ROI debated
  • Ease of use. No evidence; it publishes articles, not software
  • Feature depth: 3/5. Multiple certification programs across writing and marketing
  • Support quality: 3/5. Zendesk desk and support email exist; no reviews
  • Security posture: 3/5. Standard privacy policies; no public security page
  • 300k+ subscribers Audience 4 million readers
  • 11-50 Team size per Ful.io profile
  • $50 Entry course price per one Reddit user
  • No BBB accredited not a BBB Accredited Business

Pricing

Mini-courses

from $50 (user-reported)

  • Standalone small courses
  • Certification programs priced separately, not published

Security

No known vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed.

What users say

Free content earns broad praise, but freelance writers on Reddit actively debate whether the paid courses are worth it.

“I did one small course that was $50 from Smartblogger”
Reddit, r/freelanceWriters
“The Circle group has all the same great content”
Project Untethered review
Full analysis

Based on ~30 public sources: Reddit threads, one third-party course review, directory profiles, and official pages.

It's a writing-education site, not software: superb free blog, paid courses of debated value. Skip if you wanted a tool.

Methodology

Based on ~30 public sources: Reddit threads, one third-party course review, directory profiles, and official pages.

Sources

  1. Smart Blogger homepagesmartblogger.com
    official
  2. Muck Rack media profile (audience figures)muckrack.com
    news
  3. Reddit: Opinions on courses like Copyblogger and Smartblogger?reddit.com
    review
  4. Reddit: Seeking advice regarding buying Smartblogger copywriting coursereddit.com
    review
  5. Honest review of Smart Blogger's Content Marketing Certificationprojectuntethered.com
    review
  6. Reddit: It's been two years & I'm still where I startedreddit.com
    review
  7. BBB Business Profilebbb.org
    news
  8. Conny Manero blog critical of Jon Morrowconnymanero.weebly.com
    review
  9. Smart Blogger security page checksmartblogger.com
    security
  10. Process Street citing Smart Blogger certificationprocess.st
    review
  11. Ful.io company profile (team size)ful.io
    news

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