Elite Blog Academy, often known as EBA, was once one of the most popular premium blogging courses online. It promised a clear, step by step system for turning a blog into a full business. Ruth Soukup built it from her own experience as a successful blogger, and thousands of students enrolled over the years.
But things have changed. The website now redirects to RuthSoukup.biz, which promotes her new 2026 training, The Online Sales Shift. This suggests that EBA is no longer actively sold or updated. Many bloggers still search for reviews, so it is important to understand what EBA offered, how it worked, and whether it is still worth considering in 2026.
This review breaks down what EBA was, who it helped, where it struggled, and what you should do now that Ruth has moved into a new direction.
Program Name: Elite Blog Academy (EBA)
Creator: Ruth Soukup
Access Model: One time purchase with lifetime access
Type: Full blogging business framework covering traffic, monetisation, email, and product creation
Price: Historically around $997 or higher depending on tier
Refund Policy: Conditional guarantee based on completing assignments
Main Method: Structured, step by step blogging system focused on long term business growth
Status in 2026: Legacy course, no longer actively sold; website redirects to Ruth’s new project, The Online Sales Shift
Support: Private community and office hours when the program was active
Best For: Bloggers who wanted a full business blueprint and long term strategy
Not Ideal For: Beginners who want lower cost training or updated 2026 blogging tactics
Overall Rating: 3.6/5 based on structure, depth, and lack of updates
Quick Verdict: Elite Blog Academy was one of the most comprehensive blogging courses of its time. However, it is now a legacy program with no ongoing updates. With Ruth shifting toward new training for 2026, EBA is not the best option for new bloggers who need current strategies.
Looking for current, beginner friendly training?
If you want up to date tools and clear steps that work in 2026, Wealthy Affiliate is my top pick for parents who want a simple, modern way to build online income.
You can also explore my best blogging resources to find updated courses and tools trusted by real creators.
What Elite Blog Academy Was
Elite Blog Academy, often called EBA, was a premium blogging course created by Ruth Soukup. It launched during a time when long-form blogging, Pinterest traffic, and traditional sales funnels were the dominant strategies for growing an online business. The program aimed to give bloggers a full framework for turning a hobby blog into a profitable online brand.
EBA was known for its structured, step by step curriculum. Students followed a clear path that covered foundation building, traffic growth, content strategy, email list development, monetisation, and eventually creating digital products. For years, it stood out because of its depth and because it focused on building a real business instead of chasing fast trends.
The course opened only once per year, which created exclusivity and helped build a strong community around each intake. Many bloggers considered it the gold standard at the time, especially for those who wanted long term growth instead of shortcuts.
Although EBA became one of the most recognised blogging courses online, the industry it was built for changed dramatically. Traffic patterns shifted, user behaviour evolved, and traditional funnels became less effective. These changes eventually led to the end of EBA and to a new direction in Ruth’s teaching.
Who EBA Helped
Elite Blog Academy helped motivated bloggers who wanted a clear, structured path for turning a hobby blog into a real business. It was not a quick win course. It was built for people who were serious about putting in months of focused work.
It helped bloggers who needed:
• a step by step framework instead of random tips
• a clear plan for building traffic and an email list
• guidance on creating digital products
• accountability through assignments and community support
• long term structure they could follow at their own pace
EBA was especially useful for students who liked detailed workbooks, clear milestones, and a linear process. Many bloggers who completed the early versions of the course said it helped them build confidence, organise their content, and think like a business owner.
It also helped creators who already had a blog but felt stuck. The stages inside EBA often helped them refine their niche, improve their message, and grow a stronger connection with readers.
Where EBA worked best was for people ready to invest real time. Students who went through the full program and applied each step often saw the biggest gains in organisation, clarity, and long term strategy.
How Elite Blog Academy Worked
Elite Blog Academy followed a structured, step-by-step framework that guided students through the full journey of building a profitable blog. Ruth Soukup designed the course to remove guesswork and give bloggers a clear roadmap instead of scattered tips.
The system worked through a series of phases, each building on the last.
First, students defined their message and niche. The early modules focused on clarity, audience research, and creating a strong foundation before worrying about traffic or monetisation.
Next, the course moved into content and growth. Students learned how to create strategic blog posts, optimise for readers, and develop a consistent content rhythm that supported long term growth.
Then, EBA taught traffic strategies. This included Pinterest, SEO basics, content promotion, and list building. The course emphasised the importance of using multiple traffic sources rather than relying on one platform.
After traffic came monetisation. Students learned how to earn through ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored work, and simple products. Ruth encouraged diversifying income early to build a more stable blogging business.
Finally, the advanced modules covered systems and product creation. This included email funnels, launches, creating digital offers, and organising workflows to support long term growth.
EBA was not a quick course. Many students took months or a full year to complete it because it required implementation at every stage. The strength of the system was its structure. It walked students from beginner to business builder in a clear, linear order.
The weakness was that it relied heavily on older blogging and content-growth strategies that worked well between 2014 and 2020 but became less effective as online behaviour changed. This shift is one of the reasons the course eventually closed—and why Ruth shifted toward a new model focused on trust, connection, and sales psychology rather than traditional blogging funnels.
Why EBA Closed
Elite Blog Academy closed because the online business landscape changed. The strategies that worked when Ruth first created EBA no longer matched how people consume content, build trust, or buy online. Blogging is still alive, but the way blogs grow and monetise has shifted.
Ruth has also spoken openly about how consumer behaviour has changed. Launch cycles are harder, funnels convert less consistently, and audiences expect more connection than ever before. A fixed, step by step course model could not fully address these changes.
Instead of updating EBA in small pieces, Ruth decided to retire the program and develop a new approach from the ground up. Her new training focuses on trust building, daily sales systems, and the realities of selling in 2026. The closure of EBA reflects a strategic shift, not a failure of the course itself.
EBA served its purpose for many years. It gave thousands of students a clear framework and helped shape the early blogging industry. But the landscape evolved, and Ruth evolved with it.
Ruth Soukup’s New Direction for 2026
When Elite Blog Academy closed, many long-time fans wondered what Ruth Soukup would create next. Instead of launching another version of EBA, Ruth shifted her entire focus toward a new framework built around the changing online landscape.
Her new direction centres on The Online Sales Shift, a free three-part training that explains how buying behaviour has changed and what content creators must do to stay relevant in 2026. This shift marks a clear move away from the traditional blogging-only focus of EBA.
Ruth’s new approach looks at three major areas.
Understanding the Trust Recession
Ruth teaches that audiences are more skeptical than ever. Funnels that worked a few years ago no longer convert the same way. Her new training focuses on building trust daily rather than relying on launches or long sales sequences.
What People Will Actually Pay For in 2026
Instead of broad blogging strategies, Ruth now talks about five “new currencies” that drive purchasing decisions. These ideas help business owners create offers people are still excited to buy, even when online sales become less predictable.
The Daily Sales Flywheel
Ruth’s updated model moves away from the slow blogging-to-monetisation path EBA was built on. She now encourages creators to build lightweight systems that create connection, build trust, and generate consistent sales year-round.
This new direction signals a shift in Ruth’s teaching style. Instead of only helping bloggers grow a platform, she now focuses on helping creators adapt to rapid changes in the online world. It is a more flexible, future-focused framework that applies to bloggers, coaches, and online business owners alike.
For readers who followed Ruth through EBA, her new training offers a clearer look at where digital content and online business are heading. You can explore this updated approach in the follow-up review, which breaks down The Online Sales Shift in more detail.
Best Alternatives to Elite Blog Academy in 2026
Since EBA is no longer available and the blogging landscape has changed, there are better and more accessible programs for new bloggers in 2026. These options offer clearer support, active communities, and up-to-date training that matches how online content works today.
Wealthy Affiliate
Wealthy Affiliate is the strongest alternative for beginners and parents who want simple steps, predictable costs, and support they can rely on. You learn how to choose a niche, build a website, write helpful content, and earn through trusted affiliate programs. It includes hosting, keyword tools, weekly classes, and a 24/7 community.
This is the option I recommend if you want steady progress without overwhelm.
Project 24 by Income School
Project 24 teaches content-first blogging and YouTube strategy focused on long-term growth. The course updates often and gives clear action plans. It suits people who prefer building traffic through helpful content instead of funnels or paid ads. The community is active, and the training keeps pace with Google changes.
Blogging Fast Lane
Blogging Fast Lane focuses on building a niche blog with monetisation strategies based on SEO, affiliate marketing, and email nurturing. The structure is simple, and the pace suits motivated beginners. It fits people who want a clear checklist approach with fewer moving parts.
Passive Income Geek
Passive Income Geek is a budget-friendly blog building course that focuses on topic research, SEO, and content systems. The approach is practical and designed for people who want lean, low-cost growth. It’s a strong option if you want to understand search intent and build traffic methodically.
Blog Growth Engine
Blog Growth Engine works well for intermediate students who want to scale faster using SEO and personal branding. It is more expensive but includes coaching and community support. It suits people who already have a blog and want help growing it into a business.
| Program | Focus | Price | Best For | Support | Free Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Blog Academy (Legacy) | Blog strategy, monetisation, product creation | Previously approx. $997+ | Serious bloggers ready to invest long-term | Community + assignments (when open) | No |
| Wealthy Affiliate | Blogging, SEO, affiliate marketing, hosting included | $49/month or $299/year | Beginners, parents, and part-time creators | 24/7 support, mentoring, weekly classes | Yes |
| Project 24 (Income School) | Content-first blogging and YouTube | Approx. $499/year | Creators who want a simple content roadmap | Community forum + coaching calls | No |
| Blogging Fast Lane | Blog growth framework + monetisation | Approx. $997 one-time | Beginners wanting a structured blueprint | Private group + Q&A support | No |
| Passive Income Geek | SEO and niche website building | Approx. $399 one-time | Calm, steady learners who prefer simple SEO steps | Community + regular updates | No |
Final Verdict on Elite Blog Academy
Elite Blog Academy made a big impact in the blogging world when it launched. It offered structure, clarity, and long term direction at a time when most blogging advice was scattered. Many students credit EBA for helping them treat their blog like a real business.
But the online world has changed. Traffic is harder to earn. Monetisation requires more strategy. Blogging is no longer about following one fixed blueprint. EBA closed because its original framework no longer matched how online business works in 2026.
If you already completed EBA, you can still use the mindset, planning tools, and productivity frameworks. They hold value. If you have not taken the course, it is not something you can join today.
For new bloggers or parents starting from scratch, you need updated training, active support, and a model that fits today’s platforms. Wealthy Affiliate, Blogging Fast Lane, and Project 24 give clearer steps and help you build skills that work right now.
EBA had its moment. It helped many. But the online landscape has shifted, and the best path forward is choosing training that reflects the current environment.
Let’s Chat
Have you followed Elite Blog Academy over the years or taken any of Ruth’s trainings?
Are you curious about her new direction or trying to figure out which blogging program is the safest fit for your goals?
Your experience matters.
Share your thoughts or questions in the comments. I reply to every message and I am happy to help you decide whether EBA’s ideas still apply to your journey, or if one of the newer, beginner-friendly options would suit you better.
You do not need to figure this out alone.
