A pyramid scheme means the main way to make money is by recruiting more people to join the scheme. And the only way to obtain the privilege to recruit people is

A pyramid scheme means the main way to make money is by recruiting more people to join the scheme. And the only way to obtain the privilege to recruit people is to pay to join. The main way to make money on udemy is by selling courses (your own, or other people's as an affiliate). > Earlier members get bigger payouts I don't see how this is true. > Udemy is making $0 off the first recruiting member, which would otherwise be unsustainable, if it weren't recovering that money off future members It is called a loss leader. Supermarkets do this, they are not pyramids. P.S. I know someone will think it, but it is not a Ponzi either :-)