Amidst the rapid expansion of the digital economy, the paid knowledge industry leverages anxiety marketing as its “growth code” but finds itself ensnared in an “ethical trap”. On one hand, by generating psychological cues such as a “fear of falling behind” (FOMO) and a “sense of urgency”, anxiety marketing induces immediate consumer purchases, thereby spurring explosive growth in platform traffic and enhancing monetization efficiency. On the other hand, it results in systemic value depletion, a consequence rooted in the unchecked dominance of instrumental rationality. To address this duality, a multi-dimensional, collaborative governance framework aimed at fostering “business for good” must be constructed. This entails government strengthening data ethics legislation and personal information protection; platforms internalizing self-regulation mechanisms and shifting towards value-oriented design; industry associations coordinating standards and codes of conduct; and society enhancing public digital literacy and strengthening public oversight. The ultimate goal is to facilitate the industry’s transition from an “anxiety-driven” model to a “growth-empowering” one, fostering a synergy between economic prosperity and humanistic values.