# Most Americans see multi-level marketing as misleading or a scam

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/culture/most-americans-see-multi-level-marketing-as-misleading-or-a-scam/

> Indexed question in Culture.

## Reading

About six-in-ten Americans (62%) say multi-level marketing is either misleading about its earnings potential or an outright scam, including 28% who call it a scam or pyramid scheme designed to exploit participants, according to an April 2025 Verasight survey.

The remainder splits between ambivalence and approval: 18% think the model has both benefits and risks depending on the situation, 12% call it a fair and legitimate way to earn money, and 7% see it as an opportunity for empowerment for those willing to work hard.

## Topline

Which of the following statements best describes your views of multi-level marketing?

Most Americans see multi-level marketing as misleading or a scam.

- Often misleading about potential earnings, with most benefits going to those at the top - even if its not a scam.: 34.2%
- A scam or pyramid scheme designed to exploit participants.: 27.8%
- A business model that has both benefits and risks, depending on the situation.: 18.4%
- A fair business model and a legitimate way for people to earn money.: 12.4%
- An opportunity for empowerment in an unfair labor market for those willing to work hard.: 7.2%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2025-04-09 → 2025-04-15
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.5%
- Module: policy
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://verasight-mpsa-2025.tiiny.co#views-on-multi-level-marketing-mlm-models](https://verasight-mpsa-2025.tiiny.co#views-on-multi-level-marketing-mlm-models)

## Citation

Verasight MPSA Omnibus Survey #2025-026, fielded April 9-15, 2025, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.5%.

Canonical question URL: [https://verasight-mpsa-2025.tiiny.co#views-on-multi-level-marketing-mlm-models](https://verasight-mpsa-2025.tiiny.co#views-on-multi-level-marketing-mlm-models)