Young LivingPitfalls: What They Don't Tell You Before You Join
12-month non-solicitation of downline/upline, violation equals automatic voluntary termination, and forfeiture of all commissions.
Last updated: March 22, 2026
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Why This Page Exists
MLM recruiters focus on income potential, but policies determine whether you can keep what you earn. We analyzed Young Living's policies and procedures to identify the hidden gotchas that most people don't discover until it's too late.
🔎 Policy Pitfalls Breakdown
12-month ban on recruiting YL members after leaving
For 12 months post-termination, you cannot recruit anyone in your former downline, upline, or anyone you contacted during your YL agreement to competing business ventures.
Source: U.S. Policies and Procedures Section 3.11.1, Effective January 11, 2025
Violation of non-solicitation = automatic voluntary termination
Violating any non-solicitation provision "constitutes your voluntary termination of this Agreement, effective as of the date of the violation" - plus forfeiture of all commissions.
Source: U.S. Policies and Procedures Section 3.11.1, Effective January 11, 2025
12-month ban on soliciting competing products
For 12 months after termination, you cannot offer non-YL products, services, or competing business ventures to anyone you had contact with during your YL agreement.
Source: U.S. Policies and Procedures Section 3.11.1, Effective January 11, 2025
Must destroy confidential information upon termination
Upon termination, you must discontinue use of Confidential Information and destroy or return any such information in your possession. This includes downline/customer lists.
Source: U.S. Policies and Procedures, Confidentiality Section, January 2025
Associate through Platinum can join non-competing MLMs
Brand Partners at Associate through Platinum rank may join other MLMs if they don't have essential oil or nutritional supplement products competing with YL.
Source: U.S. Policies and Procedures Section 3.11.1, January 2025
30 days notice for policy changes
Young Living may amend the Agreement at any time. Changes become effective 30 days after publication through official YL materials.
Source: U.S. Policies and Procedures, January 2025
YL can sell your terminated account to anyone
Any terminated Brand Partner account may be sold by Young Living to any qualified candidate, determined by Young Living at its discretion.
Source: U.S. Policies and Procedures, January 2025
Non-solicitation and confidentiality survive termination
The Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, and Confidentiality provisions explicitly survive termination of the Agreement indefinitely.
Source: U.S. Policies and Procedures, January 2025
📝 The Bottom Line
Young Living's January 2025 Policies make violations extremely costly: non-solicitation violations trigger "automatic voluntary termination" plus forfeiture of all commissions. The 12-month post-termination restrictions cover anyone you contacted during your agreement. Your terminated account can be sold to anyone YL chooses.
✅ Before You Join Young Living: 5 Questions to Ask
- 1"Can I see the complete Policies and Procedures before signing anything?" — Review the actual document, not just summaries.
- 2"What exactly happens to my organization if I leave or am terminated?" — Get specifics, not vague reassurances.
- 3"What are the non-compete or non-solicitation restrictions after leaving?" — Know how long and what's restricted.
- 4"What is the exact monthly purchase or activity requirement to qualify for commissions?" — Calculate the annual cost before any earnings.
- 5"Can you show me the official income disclosure statement?" — See what typical participants actually earn.
Official policies: https://www.youngliving.com/en_US/opportunity
Want to understand these issues in depth? Read: 7 Structural Flaws in MLM Compensation Plans →
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