How to Spot Red Flags When Hiring a Marketing Agency

You are here because you are either considering hiring a marketing agency or are already in discussions with one, and you are wondering if they are the real deal. Smart move.

At Thrillax, we have been doing digital marketing for over 20 years. We have seen brands thrive with the right agency, and we have also seen businesses lose months (and money) to the wrong ones. We are writing this because we want to help you avoid that.

Here’s how to spot the red flags, the real ones we see too often, when hiring a marketing agency.

1. Big Name ≠ Consistent Results

Let’s start with the obvious: just because an agency is famous doesn’t mean they will deliver.

There’s a recent case you might have heard about. Neil Patel is being sued (civil case, not criminal) by the FTX debtors over $55 million in allegedly questionable marketing services. However, after clarification from Neil, it turns out they are not requesting a specific judgment amount. Instead, they’re seeking to “avoid or recover all such transfers” related to past services, which could amount to tens of millions.

We’re not here to pass judgment, this is for the courts to decide. But it highlights a crucial point:

Big names can still end up in messy situations.

Just because an agency is famous or has worked with major clients doesn’t guarantee you’ll get results or transparency.

2. Overpromising Results

If an agency tells you they will triple your traffic or get you ranking #1 in Google “fast”, hit pause.

We get it. It’s tempting. But marketing isn’t magic, and results take time. Good agencies will give you realistic timelines and walk you through how they plan to get there.

If someone promises big without showing the path, it’s a red flag.

3. You Don’t Know What You’re Paying For

We have talked to businesses who had no idea what their agency was doing, just that money was being spent.

That’s not okay.

You deserve to know:

• What services are included
• What’s extra
• What kind of results are they tracking
• When and how they’ll update you

If pricing is vague or “custom” but no one explains why, walk away.

4. No Proof of Past Work

This one’s simple: if they are good, they should be able to show it.

Ask for case studies. Client names. Screenshots. Growth graphs. And don’t fall for the “we signed an NDA with everyone” line. That might be true, maybe for one or two clients. Happy clients usually leave reviews or share their success stories.

No proof? No deal.

5. You are Always Waiting for a Reply

If they take days to respond before you have signed, what’s going to happen after?

A good agency respects your time. They are clear about communication, who your point of contact is, how often you will hear from them, and how they handle feedback.

Silence isn’t a strategy.

6. You Don’t Own Your Stuff

It still shocks us how many businesses don’t have access to their own:

• Google Ads accounts
• Facebook pages
• Website backends
• Analytics

This is your brand. Your data. Your business.

Any agency that doesn’t give you ownership (or worse, locks you out) is a hard no.

Although you are not a marketer but you should still keep these aspects in mind to have access.

For tips on how to track marketing data yourself, check out How to Track Traffic from AI Tools in GA4.

7. They Talk Metrics, Not Business

It’s easy to get excited about numbers like impressions, clicks, or likes, but do those numbers help your business?

If your agency only talks about how many people saw your ad or how many followers you got, ask them: “How does this bring in real leads or sales?”

Marketing should move your business forward. Not just make your charts look pretty.

8. Same Plan, Every Time

Using the same plan for every client is a warning sign. The agency’s pitch might sound impressive, and their presentation looks polished, but it feels like they are offering the same plan to everyone.

Remember, your business is unique. Your customers, goals, and challenges are different from anyone else’s.

Good agencies ask a lot of questions before offering solutions. If they are pushing packages before asking anything about you, that’s not a strategy. That’s sales.

9. Everyone Online Hates Them

Always Google the agency name + “reviews,” or “scam,” or “complaints.”

One or two negative reviews? Normal.

But if people keep saying:

• “They stopped replying after payment.”
• “They locked me into a contract with no results.”
• “They charge for nothing.”

Believe them.

10. They Don’t Show You Progress

You should never feel left in the dark, wondering, “What are they doing with my money?”

Ask for:

• Monthly (or even weekly) reports
• Real data you can understand
• Updates on what’s going well and what needs improvement

And if they drown you in marketing jargon to cover bad results? That’s not reporting, that’s misdirection.

11. Every Month Feels Like Month One

Does the agency still act like they just met you?

You shouldn’t have to explain your product or goals over and over again, especially when new people keep handling your account.

If the agency keeps changing your contact or team, it slows down progress and wastes your time.

You deserve a team that knows your business well and stays consistent.

12. They Don’t Take Feedback Well

Here’s a quiet red flag: they can’t handle criticism.

If every question is met with defensiveness, or they talk over your concerns with marketing lingo/jargon, that’s a problem.

You are not just buying a service. You are building a partnership. You need people who can listen, adjust, and collaborate.

13. Long Contracts, No Flexibility

Be careful with 12-month contracts that give you no way out.

We have had clients come to us stuck in agreements they couldn’t leave, even when the agency wasn’t delivering.

Ask about cancellation terms. Month-to-month options. Trial periods.

A confident agency won’t need to trap you to keep you.

14. They Skip the Discovery Phase

Here’s a major warning sign: if the agency doesn’t ask you detailed questions at the beginning, they probably won’t create a plan tailored just for you. They will take the time to learn about:

• Your business model
• Who your customers are
• What has and hasn’t worked before
• What success looks like for you

No discovery = no direction.

15. They Can’t Explain What They are Doing in Simple Terms

If the agency talks in confusing buzzwords and fancy terms that don’t make sense, it’s a bad sign. They might not understand their strategy.

A good agency keeps it simple. No big egos, no complicated language, just clear, honest answers you can understand.

Final Thoughts

We have been around long enough to know that marketing is about trust. Not tactics. Not dashboards. Not agencies showing off awards on LinkedIn.

It’s about knowing someone’s got your back, even when results take time. It’s about honesty, especially when things go wrong. It’s about working with a team that listens more than they pitch.

If you’re looking for that kind of team, we’re here to help. Follow us on Instagram for marketing insights and updates.

If you just needed this blog to steer clear of the wrong agency, we’re glad we could help.

Your growth is too important to hand over to the wrong partner.

Ask hard questions. Expect straight answers. And trust your gut, it’s usually right.