If you want to make some extra money on the side, one easy method is to get paid for watching ads. It might sound a bit unusual, but it’s a legitimate opportunity once you grasp how it functions.
While it won’t replace your full-time job, it can provide a quick and steady stream of cash for savings or for treating yourself to something special.
In this article, we’ll explore 11 ways you can earn money by watching ads.
16 Ways To Get Paid To Watch Ads
1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a popular choice for those seeking to get paid for watching ads. It offers a multitude of ways to earn extra money, including watching ads, playing games, and taking surveys.
When you watch video ads on Swagbucks, you earn points called Swagbucks, which can be redeemed for gift cards or even PayPal cash. To sweeten the deal, Swagbucks welcomes you with a $10 sign-up bonus and provides access to various video categories.
One of Swagbucks’ strengths is transparency—you can see how much you’ll earn for each video you watch, helping you plan your time effectively. While watching ads for money on Swagbucks may not make you rich, it’s an excellent way to earn a few extra bucks, especially if you don’t mind having it running in the background while you multitask.
Swagbucks welcomes members as young as 13 years old, though minors should seek guardian permission before registering. With its user-friendly platform and diverse earning opportunities, Swagbucks offers a fun and accessible way to boost your income.
2. MyPoints
MyPoints is a fantastic way to earn money by watching ads on your mobile phone. With an easy-to-use app, it’s been a trusted player in the rewards industry since 1996, having paid out over $236 million to its members. The app has garnered an impressive Trustpilot rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on more than 16,000 reviews, thanks to its excellent customer service and user-friendly interface.
You can earn up to 500 points daily simply by watching videos, and you’ll also receive points back on your online purchases through their portal. What’s more, a generous $10 welcome bonus awaits you when you sign up and make your first purchase.
Cashing out is a breeze, and you can redeem your 700+ accumulated points for gift cards from big retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, and Starbucks. If you prefer PayPal cash, you’ll need a minimum of $25 or 3,970 points. Plus, there’s a referral program that lets you earn points and a percentage of your friends’ points when they start earning.
3. Nielsen TV Ratings
Nielsen TV Ratings is a unique way to get paid for watching TV and using your devices as you normally do. It’s simple: download the Nielsen App on your smartphone and software for your other devices.
The app collects anonymous data about your device usage, which helps marketing companies understand consumer behavior. Rest assured, they do not collect personal information or website content. To join, you need to be at least 18 years old.
As a bonus, Nielsen offers scratch-off and wheel-spin games for additional rewards, and they even have monthly sweepstakes where you could win $10,000. While there’s no Nielsen website, this passive income opportunity is a hassle-free way to earn while you watch your favorite shows and use your devices.
4. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is a fantastic way to earn money by watching ads and more. Established in 2000, it has already paid out over $80 million to its members. Signing up is free and easy, and you can start earning right away.
You can make between 10 to 50 cents for quick activities like filling out surveys and even a few dollars for signing up for services or making purchases. When you reach at least $15 in your account, you can cash out, and after that, you can cash out in increments of $10 or more. Your earnings can be converted into virtual gift cards or deposited into your PayPal account.
Plus, you can earn extra money by referring friends – up to $1 per referral for up to five friends, and you get 30% on all qualified earnings made by your referrals. It’s a trusted platform with an A- rating from the Better Business Bureau and a 4.1 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot from over 30,000 reviews.
5. iRazoo
If you enjoy watching ads and videos, iRazoo is your ticket to getting paid for it. This platform has dished out over $55 million in cash rewards to its users, and the best part is that it won’t cost you a dime to join.
iRazoo offers a diverse range of content to watch, from ads and movie trailers to short films and cooking tutorials. They have over 50 channels, and the content refreshes daily, so you’ll never run out of things to watch.
What’s more, you’ll earn points for every activity you complete on iRazoo, not just watching videos. You can also earn points by entering promo codes, reading emails, and completing various offers.
Once you rack up 3,000 iRazoo points, you can cash them out for gift cards to big names like Amazon or AMC theaters. Alternatively, you can opt for cash via PayPal. It’s a fun and rewarding way to make some extra cash during your downtime.
6. Prize Rebel
Prize Rebel is a cool way to make money by watching ads. It’s like getting paid to do something you’d probably do for free! This membership rewards site offers cash for watching ads, and the best part is that you don’t have to wait forever to cash out. You can start redeeming your earnings when you reach as little as $2.
Signing up is a breeze, and they don’t ask for tons of personal info. You can choose to join using your email or through your Facebook account. The cherry on top is the variety of gift card options they have, including Amazon, PayPal, Visa, and Google Play. So, you can choose rewards that suit your preferences.
With a solid track record since 2017 and over $22 million paid out to members, Prize Rebel is a legit way to make money by watching ads. Just remember, you need to be 18 or older to sign up, but once you do, you’re on your way to earning cash!
7. You-Cubez
You-Cubez offers a unique way to make money by watching ads, taking surveys, and even promoting your own business. If you have a website or business to promote, simply submit it to You-Cubez, and others can view it to make money. It’s a win-win situation!
Since its inception in 2007, You-Cubez has sent over 20,000 payments, proving its credibility. Not only can you watch ads for money, but they also have a referral program that gives you a 15% commission on successful referrals.
You-Cubez uses a tier system, meaning your earnings and minimum payout amounts depend on your membership level. The minimum payouts are relatively low, ranging from $2 to $8, and they pay via PayPal. Alongside watching ads, you can also boost your income by participating in online surveys.
8. QuickRewards
QuickRewards is a fantastic way to earn money by watching ads and doing a lot more. You’re not limited to just ad-watching; you can also take surveys, shop online, read emails, and complete various online tasks you’d normally do. This makes it super convenient to earn extra cash without changing your routine.
They offer a wide range of informative and entertaining videos and ads, covering topics like news, pop culture, lifestyle, and more. Plus, QuickRewards gives you the flexibility to redeem your points in over 50 different ways, making it one of the most extensive reward programs out there.
The best part? You can start cashing out with as little as $0.01 when you choose PayPal, or $5 if you prefer a gift card. Just remember, you need to be at least 18 years old to join QuickRewards.
9. AdWallet
AdWallet is a relatively new player in the “get paid to watch ads” scene, having already distributed over $1 million to its members. While they don’t offer a mobile app, you can watch ads for money through their web-based platform.
One of AdWallet’s strengths is its higher payout rates, ranging from $0.50 to $3 per activity. However, it differs from some competitors in that it focuses primarily on watching video ads and taking short surveys about them. Unlike sites like Swagbucks, there are limited options for earning money beyond this.
AdWallet is transparent about how much you can earn for each activity, making it easy to know what to expect. Keep in mind that the minimum cash-out amount is $10, which is higher compared to some other platforms. You can use AdWallet if you’re 13 years or older.
10. Earnably
Earnably is a user-friendly website where you can make money by watching ads and completing special tasks. What makes it stand out is its low minimum payout requirement of just $1. Plus, they have a fantastic referral program that allows you to earn 10% of the points your friends and family accumulate for as long as your account is active.
Before you start watching ads, Earnably provides you with all the necessary information, including the reward amount and estimated time for each task. This way, you can choose the most worthwhile tasks to invest your time in. Please note that to join Earnably, you need to be at least 18 years old.
You can redeem your points for gift cards and wallet codes, making it a flexible way to earn rewards online.
11. GrabPoints
GrabPoints is a fantastic rewards site that’s been around since 2014. They pay you for doing things you probably enjoy, like watching videos and taking surveys. The best part is that GrabPoints doesn’t require a ton of personal info to get started—just your name and email. It’s quick and easy to sign up and dive into the world of watching videos for rewards.
You can earn points by watching videos, downloading apps, or filling out surveys. The points you earn vary depending on the task, ranging from a couple of points to a whopping 10,000! Plus, if you have friends and family who love watching videos and could use some extra cash or free gift cards, you can earn extra points by referring them to GrabPoints. Depending on where you live, you can score 25 to 250 points per referral. It’s a win-win for everyone!
GrabPoints has an excellent Trustpilot rating, with nearly 2,000 reviewers giving it a 4.8 out of 5. They’ve already paid out over $5 million in earnings, and the minimum payout is just $3 (equivalent to 3,000 points).
12. Ibotta
Ibotta is a fantastic way to save money on your everyday purchases, especially groceries. The cool part is that they often offer cash back deals that require you to watch short ads. It’s like getting paid for a mini-break during your shopping spree.
When you buy an item and scan your receipt, you can earn up to $1 or even more, thanks to these ads. And guess what? These ad-watching sessions are usually super short, lasting less than 30 seconds!
Plus, if you’re not using Ibotta yet, here’s the cherry on top: you can snag up to $20 in bonuses just by creating an account and redeeming qualifying offers within 30 days of signing up. It’s a quick and simple way to add some extra cash back into your wallet.
13. ySense (formerly ClixSense)
Formerly known as ClixSense, ySense is another great platform where you can get paid to watch ads on your phone. It’s a user-friendly option with various ways to earn money. Users like it, rating it at 4.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot.
To start earning, all you need to do is sign up using your email address and start completing short surveys and watching videos. For each video you complete, you can pocket two to three cents. When you’re ready to cash out, you can use PayPal or choose from a range of gift cards.
But wait, there’s more! You can maximize your earnings by sharing your referral link with friends and family. Each active referral will earn you 10 cents or 30 cents, depending on where they’re from, and there’s no limit to the number of referrals you can have. Plus, you can earn up to a 30% commission on what your referrals earn from selected offers, tasks, and surveys. It’s a simple way to make some extra cash while enjoying videos on your phone.
14. KashKick
KashKick is like a treasure trove of ways to make money online. It’s not just about watching ads; it offers various opportunities to boost your income. When you sign up, you even get a cool $1 bonus just for completing your profile!
But let’s talk earnings: while you won’t become a millionaire overnight, the payouts can be pretty sweet. For example, you can find offers paying anywhere from $2 to a whopping $100. Most users start with a quick 5-minute survey that can net you around $0.75, but don’t stop there. The more surveys you complete, the higher your payouts become, averaging around $2 each.
And that’s not all—KashKick also lets you play mobile games, sign up for services, and shop online to earn extra cash, with rewards ranging from $1 to $40. Just remember, you’ll need to act fast when offers pop up, so keep an eye on your notifications.
15. FusionCash
FusionCash is a veteran in the world of paid surveys and offers a simple way to make money. Founded back in 2005, it has a solid reputation and has paid out over $3 million to its members. When you sign up, they’ll give you an easy $5 bonus just for confirming your email and doing a quick survey. Although some users have had mixed experiences with their customer service, it’s still worth giving it a shot.
Now, here’s the fun part: you can make money without even signing up by watching videos, taking surveys, and shopping online. Once you hit the $25 minimum earnings threshold, you can cash out directly to your PayPal account. To give you an idea, tuning in to the radio will net you 3 cents, and watching videos typically earns you 1 to 2 cents. Plus, you can boost your earnings by referring friends and family – they’ll pay you $1 for confirming their email, $2 for completing a “Paid to Sign Up” offer, and $5 every time they cash out.
16. Viggle
Viggle is a cool app that lets you get paid while you watch your favorite TV shows and live sporting events. All you need to do is download the Viggle app, which works on both iOS and Android devices.
Here’s the deal: for every minute you spend enjoying music or watching shows, you earn 10 points. Now, you might be wondering, “What are these points worth?” Well, each point is worth roughly $0.001. So, when you accumulate 1,000 points, you can exchange them for gift cards or PayPal cash.
Viggle has paid out a whopping $19 million to its members, making it a legit way to score some extra cash. While some users have reported bugs after app updates, it’s still worth checking out if they’ve fixed those issues.
FAQs About Making Money by Watching Ads
1. Can I actually earn money by watching ads online?
Yes, it’s entirely possible to earn money by watching ads online, and it’s a legitimate opportunity. While it might seem too good to be true, the apps and websites mentioned here are trustworthy and have paid out millions to people who watch ads for money. You can also check out our best list of side hustles to explore other ways for making money online.
2. Why do companies pay people to watch ads?
Marketing is crucial for businesses to promote their products and services. Companies allocate significant budgets for marketing, and with the rise of faster internet and video capabilities, video ads have become a powerful tool. However, for these ads to be effective, they need to reach viewers. Instead of paying advertising platforms, some companies choose to compensate users directly for their attention.
3. How do I get paid for watching ads?
The process may vary from site to site, but generally, it involves the following steps:
- Sign up and create an account.
- Watch videos to accumulate points or rewards.
- Exchange your points for cash withdrawals or gift cards once you meet the minimum withdrawal amount.
- The money or gift card will be sent to you according to the company’s payment policy.
4. Where can I watch ads for money?
Numerous websites offer opportunities to watch video ads for money. You can usually watch ads on your mobile device through a web browser or a dedicated app. Signing up is typically free, and some platforms even offer sign-up and referral bonuses, allowing you to earn money more quickly.
5. What apps pay you to watch ads?
Many companies that pay for watching ads also provide mobile apps. These apps, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play for Android, can streamline your video-watching tasks, enabling you to earn money on the go. These apps are free to download, and some also offer sign-up bonuses. Here are some top apps for watching ads for money:
- InboxDollars
- Swagbucks
- MyPoints
Anthony Smith is an internet entrepreneur. He created the Side Hustle Ideas Database to help people find side hustles for making extra money, with the potential of turning into a full-time income.
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a business degree, he gained business experience at a consulting firm. At the same time, he tried various side hustles including freelance writing, blogging, and eCommerce. He managed to turn his side hustles into a full-time business, earning over $3 million. Now, he enjoys financial freedom and travels around the world as a digital nomad.