In 2025, the side hustle economy is bigger than ever—but so is the hype. From glossy TikTok ads promising fast cash to YouTube gurus selling “passive income secrets,” the internet is saturated with side gigs that sound too good to be true—because they are.
I know I get sucked into reels that show income claims like ‘I made $10,000 a month in digital products’, I quit my 9-5 doing these 3 things… the list goes on and on.
If you’ve been tempted by the promise of easy money and financial freedom (because I know I have), read this first. These are the most overhyped side hustles of 2025—the ones draining your time, energy, and wallet with little to no return.
1. The $400 MRR Resell Course Scam
You’ve seen the pitch: “Just pay $400 and get access to a plug-and-play digital product with $400/month recurring revenue (MRR).” Sounds like a no-brainer, right? Wrong.
Here’s the catch—thousands of people are sold the exact same product. What they don’t tell you is that you’re entering a saturated marketplace with no differentiation, limited marketing support, and a product that often lacks real value.
What’s worse is that a lot of people target certain audiences that are looking for a solution. In my case it’s moms that want to earn extra income and/or stay at home with their young kids. What you have to remember is that everything is marketing, that post on instagram is made to feel like only that course or person has the perfect solution for you.This is what gets you engaged and ready to buy.
Why it’s overhyped:
- You’re not buying a business—you’re buying a slot in a glorified pyramid of resellers.
- MRR projections are based on best-case, often fake scenarios.
- Most buyers never recoup the upfront cost.
💡 SEO Keyword Tip: Avoid “digital product resell schemes,” “MRR side hustle scams,” and “overhyped passive income models.”
2. Dropshipping via TikTok Ads
Dropshipping isn’t dead (per se), but the viral TikTok-fueled version of it is on life support. Influencers claim they made six figures from a single product ad. What they don’t mention? Burn rates on ad spend, product returns, or customer complaints from 6-week shipping times.
Why it’s overhyped:
- TikTok ad costs have skyrocketed.
- Customer trust in generic dropshipped products is plummeting.
- You’ll compete with bots, AI-generated stores, and massive ad budgets.
3. Print-on-Demand (Without a Niche)
Yes, people still make money with print-on-demand (POD). But if your grand plan is to slap random quotes on t-shirts and hope for Etsy gold, 2025 is not your year.
Why it’s overhyped:
- The market is oversaturated without a clear niche.
- Margins are razor-thin.
- POD success requires actual brand-building—something the gurus don’t mention.
- Not to mention the constant threat of tariffs and costs these days make any physical product undesirable
💡 SEO Keyword Tip: “Failing POD businesses,” “Etsy saturation 2025,” “print-on-demand myths.”
4. AI Content Mills
Thanks to AI writing tools, content creation has exploded—but so has the garbage output. Many “side hustlers” now rely on churning out low-effort SEO articles, eBooks, or affiliate blogs hoping to earn ad revenue. But Google’s algorithms are getting smarter. Yes you can use AI as a tool to help enhance or supplement your ideas but it can’t replace the human behind the sceen. The number one thing to remember is that people want real experiences to relate too!
Why it’s overhyped:
- AI-generated content is penalized if it lacks originality or depth.
- Competition is fierce with little payout unless you offer real value.
- Readers are quick to bounce from low-quality sites, killing your SEO.
5. NFT Flipping (Yes, Still…)
Seriously does anyone truly know what an NFT is? (I know I’ve never really understood it). Despite multiple market crashes, NFT flipping still lures the get-rich-quick crowd. The idea of buying a JPEG and selling it for 10x sounds cool—but it’s about as likely as winning the lottery.
Why it’s overhyped:
- The NFT market is illiquid and unpredictable.
- Many “projects” are rug pulls in disguise.
- Most gains are insider-driven; the average buyer loses money.
What to Do Instead in 2025
If you’re serious about building a sustainable side income in 2025, skip the hype and focus on skills. Here are a few time-tested alternatives:
- Freelancing with a niche skill (writing, design, coding)
- Affiliate marketing with genuine content (for example on your blog, youtube channel or instagram). All of the links you come across on a daily basis are likely affiliate links.
- Online tutoring or coaching
- Building a personal brand via YouTube or a blog. I truly wish i was brave enough to show my face on the internet because creators can create bank.
- Micro-SaaS or indie app development.
These take time, but they build real assets—not just buzz.
Don’t Buy the Dream, Build It
The most overhyped side hustles of 2025 all have one thing in common: they promise fast results with little effort. But real success still takes time, strategy, and authenticity.
I know I’ve gotten sucked into the idea that I would be able to build a side hustle with little effort and somehow make $10k per month. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there are some people that have managed to do it, but the reality that everyone can is just not feasible. Building a business or a side hustle takes time and consistency.
So before you drop $400 on another “plug-and-play” system, ask yourself: is this something I’d be proud to build—or just another digital mirage?
