There are several different online programs and courses that teach hypnosis in its various forms. Covert hypnosis is currently the most popular, as it is the subtle art of hypnotizing someone without them realizing – thus the 'covert' factor. When trying to pick the best online covert hypnosis course, there are a few major red flags that you should steer clear of.

First off, any course that promises to teach you how to use some kind of energy or magical/mystical force. There is certainly energy involved in hypnosis, but there is no magic. Everything you learn should be scientifically backed up and proven with testimonials from professionals who have used the techniques.

It's also a good idea to avoid any hypnosis courses that mention spiritualism, how to heal a person's trauma or contact their past life, or anything like that. Spiritualism and hypnosis may frequently overlap, but they do not have any direct connection, and any course that discusses spiritualism should be avoided.

A reputable hypnosis course is going to teach you the three basic principals of covert hypnosis: attention, rapport, and context. These are some of the key factors in learning how to successfully hypnotize someone. Without knowing the basic techniques, you can never effectively hypnotize someone through conversation alone.

A good course will also include audio samples and enough lessons to cover all the basic aspects of conversational/covert hypnosis. In order to effectively learn how to hypnotize, we need to hear how someone who's a professional does it; the best way to do that is by listening to audio examples such as mp3s of the hypnotist using techniques on a subject.

Before investing in any hypnosis course online, be sure to research it thoroughly and look up the title to see if it has good reviews from people who have used it to achieve successful results.