Pyramid selling is a form of multi-level marketing where people earn commissions for recruiting new members into the network. This form of marketing is often criticized for being a pyramid scheme, which is considered a fraudulent business model that focuses on recruiting new members to earn money. There are several synonyms for pyramid selling such as network marketing, referral marketing, and direct selling. While pyramid selling can be illegal, network marketing and direct selling are legitimate business models that offer opportunities for people to build a successful business by selling products directly to consumers. It is important to understand the differences between these business models to avoid falling victim to a pyramid scheme.