WASHINGTON, D.C. — Publishing.com LLC and its two principals will pay $1.5 million under a Federal Trade Commission order resolving allegations that they misled consumers about how much money buyers could earn through the company’s self-publishing programs.
The order requires Publishing.com, CEO Christian Mikkelsen and Chief Product Officer Rasmus Mikkelsen to substantiate future earnings claims.
The FTC first brought the complaint in April 2026, alleging that the company promoted its e-book and audiobook publishing services as a path to substantial online income.
Regulators alleged that most consumers who purchased the company’s products and services did not earn the income promised in its advertising.
The FTC also alleged that consumers seeking refunds encountered additional conditions, often in fine print or lengthy terms of service, that made refunds difficult or impossible to obtain.
The order prohibits Publishing.com and the Mikkelsens from making misleading earnings claims, misrepresenting material facts in the sale of products or services, and misrepresenting endorsements or reviews.
The company and its principals also must disclose unexpected material connections with endorsers or reviewers, including payments or incentives for posting reviews.
The FTC alleged that some reviews were written by company employees or other interested parties, including relatives of the Mikkelsens, and that positive testimonials were incentivized without proper disclosure.
The Commission voted 2-0 to finalize the order and responded to five public comments.
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