Is it possible to watch ads for money?
To my surprise, there was an entire Internet subculture devoted to getting paid to watch ads.
Some even bought phones and/or laptops so they could continuously run ads on them–often seeing a positive return in three months!
Fear not, you don’t need to be this committed.
Just know that it’s possible to earn some spending money, watching videos on your computer or phone. You can even do this while getting work done, having the video run in the background.
What websites should you start with?
There’s definitely a lot of scams out there.
That’s why here you’ll see recommendations along with reviews from the Better Business Bureau and App Store and Google Play ratings.
Read the descriptions then pick 3-5 to start with.
How To Watch Ads For Money
#1 – Swagbucks
- Available Platforms: iOS, Google Play, Mobile Browser, and Desktop
- BBB Standing: A-
- iOS App Reviews: 4.3 -8,000+ reviews
- Google Play Reviews: 3.9 – 32,000+ reviews
Quick Summary: Swagbucks gets a lot of attention – it’s known as one of the best survey sites. That’s partly because it’s way more versatile than many others are. You can also earn money by shopping online, playing games, and even watching ads.
While you’re not going to get rich from watching videos and ads online, it does add up over time.
You can also make a decent haul by some of the side moneymakers on Swagbucks, such as the online shopping rewards.
If you’re booking a vacation, for instance, Swagbucks might have a cashback offer on travel websites. Just shop as usual or watch an ad while you’re standing up to stretch your legs after you’ve been on the computer a while.
Signing up with Swagbucks is free and quick.
#2 – Ibotta
- Available Platforms: iOS & Google Play
- BBB Standing: B
- App Reviews: 4.8, 720,000+ ratings
- Google Play Reviews: 4.4 – 400,000+ reviews
Quick Summary: If you like to watch ads for money, check out Ibotta. This website is popular and definitely not a scam – I’ve been using it for a while.
But it’s not passive income – you do have to do some work with it. But it’s simple and not time-consuming.
You’ll create an account with Ibotta. Then you’ll go to the app and find the stores or offers you want. Add the offers – with some of these you’ll be asked to watch a short ad.
Then you go shopping and make sure to grab your receipt when done. You’ll need to snap a picture of it, so in a way, you’ll be getting paid to take pictures. Then you’ll redeem your purchases when you get home.
The thing about Ibotta that’s nice is you’ll be getting paid to buy your groceries. Everyone has to eat, so you might as well cash in on it by scanning a few barcodes, taking a picture of your receipt, and watching a quick ad.
#3 – InboxDollars
- Available Platforms: iOS, Google Play, Mobile Browser, and Desktop
- BBB Standing: A+
- App Reviews: 4.4, 100,000+
- Google Play Reviews: 4.2 – 93,000+
Quick Summary: You can earn cash at InboxDollars by taking surveys, redeeming coupons, shopping online, browsing the internet, reading emails, and playing games online. If you’re a gamer, you can get paid for playing games many people use to pass the time, such as sudoku, card games, chess, arcade games, and word searches.
You can also watch commercials for money on InboxDollars. You’ll log in to see what videos you can watch to earn money. You can find videos that you’ll be interested in because there is a wide assortment of topics available.
If you have just a minute, you can watch a short clip, an ad, or a movie preview. If you have more time available, you can watch a television show. If you’re a news junkie, you can check out news clips.
You’ll also get $5 just for signing up. That’s free money for you! This is a legitimate, often-used website that has paid out more than $57 million to its members since its inception in 2000.
What I like about this site is that there are so many ways to make money, you’ll never get bored.
Click Here To Sign Up For InboxDollars
#4 – MyPoints
- Available Platforms: Mobile Browser and Desktop
- BBB Standing: A-
Quick Summary: MyPoints is a great tool to use to watch ads for money. Some of the entertaining videos you can watch include things like Golden Globes coverage, gossip from Hollywood, and ads.
But there are other ways to earn – you can cash in on your hobbies to make money like playing games, traveling, using coupons, and filling out surveys.
This site has been around since 1996, so you can be assured it’s not a scam. Once you earn your points from completing the task you’ve selected, you can redeem them for gift cards, travel miles, or PayPal cash.
Click Here To Start Earning With MyPoints
#5 – FusionCash
- Available Platforms: Mobile Browser and Desktop
- BBB Standing: A+
Quick Summary: FusionCash doesn’t go back as far as some of the other get-paid-to sites. But it has still been around for a while, having been started in 2005. Like some of these other sites, with Fusion Cash, you watch ads for money.
If you want to do more than earn by watching ads, you can also take surveys, sign up for trial offers, get paid to read emails, and more.
You’ll get a $5 sign-up bonus with this site. The site has a tutorial video to get you started if you’re new to sites like this or you want to know what makes this one different.
Click Here To Start Earning Money With FusionCash
#6 – AppNana
- Available Platforms: iOS & Google Play
- BBB Standing: N/A
- App Reviews: 3.4, 700+ ratings
- Google Play Reviews: 4.4 – 556K+
Quick Summary: With AppNana, you earn points that they call Nanas. You earn these Nanas just for downloading and using other apps. The Nanas, once there are enough stored up, can be turned in for cash or to purchase paid apps.
But AppNana also gives you the chance to get paid to watch ads. It does take a lot of Nanas to get a gift card though. You’ll earn more money off of the other sites, but it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check this one out. It just might not be the first one you want to sign up for.
#7 – Perk.TV
- Available Platforms: iOS, Google Play, Mobile Browser, and Desktop
- BBB Standing: F
- App Reviews: 2.4 – 100+ reviews
- Google Play Reviews: 3.4 – 19K
Quick Summary: Just as with Viggle, Perk.TV scores low BBB ratings and App Store ratings. But this site gets decent Android ratings. So if you have an Android, it may be worth checking out.
So far, the company has given out more than $57 million in Perk rewards.
You can earn rewards by watching videos or playing games and answering questions. With your points, you can get paid through PayPal, get a pre-paid debit card, or score a gift card to a big retailer like Amazon, Walmart, or Target.
#8 – Get Paid To Go To The Movies
Are you a movie buff? Do you love seeing the previews of all the new movies that will be coming out soon? Why not cash in on that passion?
Movie studios are eager to learn more about their audiences and what brings them in. To get that information, they pay audience members to give them the details they want. It’s like mystery shopping but in a movie theater. To sign up, check out Market Force Information and fill out a brief application.
If you’re selected, you’ll get email alerts for jobs in your area. It’s up to you whether you want to see that movie or not.
#9 – Get Paid For Your Internet Usage
With the Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel, you can make up to $50 a year. That isn’t enough money to change your lifestyle obviously, but it’s easy money.
All you have to do is download their app and then use your computer or phone just as you would normally, whether you are watching movies online or playing games.
You also get entered into sweepstakes, so you could potentially get more than $50 a year.
Every month, the company gives away $10,000. That money is split between 400 winners every month, with the biggest winner getting $1,000.
The set-up is easy. All you have to do is give your basic information, create a username and password, and install the app. Then you’re done. If you’re going to be online anyway, this is a good opportunity to make a bit of cash off of it.
Click Here To Start Earning With Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel