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Tired of mindless scrolling? Who isn’t?
But what if you could turn that watching time into cash? Believe it or not, watching videos online can actually pay bills (or at least fund your next shopping spree).
No special skills are required. All you need is a device and a love for watching content. We’re talking everything from hilarious cat videos to mind-blowing documentaries.
The best part about watching videos is that YOU control your hustle. Want to spend a casual hour watching makeup tutorials? Go for it! Feeling ambitious and aiming for a bigger payout? Just increase the watch time.
Get ready to ditch the guilt and get rewarded for watching videos.
In this article, we will explore the 8 BEST ways to turn your viewing habits into a money-making adventure.
How Paid Video Watching Works?
You might ask, “Why would anyone pay me to watch videos online? Is there a catch?” No, there’s no catch.
It’s actually a great deal for you and the businesses that pay you. Companies pay viewers to get valuable feedback, data, and an exposure for their products or services. They use this info to improve their marketing plans, boost their sales, and grow their viewership.
What Kind Of Videos Do You Have To Watch?
It depends on the platform you pick.
You will be asked to watch short ads or promotional videos about different brands or products, or longer videos like movies, TV shows, documentaries, or educational videos. Some platforms let you pick what you want to watch based on your interests.
How Much Can You Make Watching Videos?
Your earnings will depend on:
- Platform you use
- Kind and length of videos you watch
- Number of videos you watch in a day or a month
Generally, you can get anything from a few cents to a few dollars per video.
Some platforms might even give bonuses, rewards, or entries into prize drawings for watching more videos or completing certain tasks.
Things To Keep In Mind While Watching Videos For Money
There are certain things you should keep in mind:
- Always check for the legitimacy of the platform before investing your time and energy
- Read and understand the rules about how your personal info and privacy are protected
- It’s just a cool and easy way to get a little extra cash
- Be honest about your opinions and feedback
- Enjoy making money watching videos
8 Simple Ways to Make Money Watching Videos
I have listed below the BEST ways to make money by watching videos online.
Some ways are straightforward and fun, others may need a little effort or an additional skill. But they all can help you turn your downtime into a source of income.
1. Online Surveys and Market Research Platforms
One of the simplest and most common ways to make money watching videos online is through online surveys and market research platforms. These websites or apps pay you for sharing your thoughts on various topics, goods, or services.
How Does This Work?
Well, you sign up for free, fill in a profile with some basic details about you. Then, you get a range of surveys and tasks based on your interests and demographics. Some of these tasks might include watching videos and answering questions about them.
For example, you would be asked to watch a video ad for a new product and rate how likely you would buy it. Or watch a tutorial video and rate its helpfulness. Or watch a TV show clip and share your thoughts about it.
Survey Platforms And Earnings
Depending on the platform, you could get paid in cash, gift cards, or points that can be traded for rewards.
With so many survey apps and websites out there, it’s tough to find the best and most legitimate options. To make things easier for you, I have compiled a list of the BEST and LEGIT Survey Apps to take for money.
I have listed both Reward Sites and Survey Sites offering paid online surveys in the table below. You can read detailed reviews of each Survey App here.
| Reward Apps | Minimum Cash Out (PayPal) |
| #1. Swagbucks | $10 |
| #2. InboxDollars | $15 |
| #3. MyPoints | $25 |
| #4. Zap Surveys | $10 |
| #5. KashKick | $10 |
| #6. PrizeRebel | $5 |
| #7. Drop | $25 (Gift Card) |
| #8. Qmee | None |
| Survey Apps | |
| #9. Survey Junkie | $5 |
| #10. Pinecone Research | $3 |
| #11. Toluna Influencers | $10 |
| #12. Branded Surveys | $5 |
| #13. LifePoints | $25 |
| #14. Ipsos iSay | $5 |
| #15. Eureka Surveys | $5 |
| #16. Attapoll | $3 |
| #17. 1Q | None |
| #18. Surveys On The Go | $10 |
| #19. Poll Pay | $5 |
| #20. Survey Club | $25 |
| #21. Survey Pop | $5 |
| #22. Google Opinion Rewards | $2 |
| #23. iPoll | $12 |
| #24. Opinion Outpost | $5 |
| #25. The Opinion Panel Community | £25 (Gift Card) |
Tips for Boosting Earnings:
- Join several platforms to increase your chances of getting more surveys and tasks involving watching videos.
- Keep your profile up to date to get more relevant and higher-paying surveys and tasks.
- Watch videos on topics you enjoy or know something about to make the process more enjoyable and easier.
- Always be honest and consistent with your answers and feedback to avoid getting banned from the platforms.
- Regularly check your email or notifications for new opportunities.
2. Product Review and Feedback Websites
Another way to get paid for watching YouTube videos and more is by joining product review and feedback websites. These sites or apps pay you for testing and reviewing different products or services online.
How Does This Work?
You sign up for free and apply for testing opportunities that match your profile and preferences. Then, you get the product or service to test (either physically or virtually). You have to follow the instructions on how to use it and what to look for. These instructions might involve watching videos about the product or service.
For instance, you could be asked to watch a video demo of a new app, then use the app yourself and share your thoughts. Or you might watch a video presentation of a new course, then sign up and give your feedback. Or you might watch a video review of a new product or service and then compare it to your own experience.
Survey Platforms And Earnings
Depending on the website, you could get paid in cash, gift cards, free products or services, or discounts.
UserTesting is one of the popular and trusted site that pays you for testing and reviewing websites, apps, software, and other digital products online. You can watch videos and answer questions about them, or watch videos and test the products yourself. You can also earn money by taking surveys, participating in interviews, and more. You can earn about $10 for every 20-minute test you complete (via PayPal).
Strategies To Deliver Effective And Valuable Reviews
- Follow the instructions carefully and complete all required tasks.
- Always be honest, detailed, and constructive with your feedback.
- Speak clearly and loudly when recording your voice or video.
- Use a good microphone and camera when testing products or services that require audio or video feedback.
3. Beta Testing for Upcoming Shows and Films
Another exciting way to get paid for watching YouTube videos and others is by becoming a beta tester for forthcoming series and movies. This role allows you to preview unreleased content before others and provide feedback to the creators or producers.
This way, you contribute to improving their work while also enjoying some exclusive entertainment. Platforms like Hulu and Netflix offer such beta testing opportunities.
Hulu, a streaming service, has a beta testing program named Hulu Labs where you can preview new series and movies and share your thoughts. Netflix, another streaming service, occasionally invites its subscribers to test out new features or content and rewards them with gift cards or cash.
To be a productive beta tester, consider these guidelines:
- Enroll in beta testing programs that align with your interests and preferences.
- Follow the provided instructions and deadlines by the platform or creator.
- Watch the content attentively and jot down any issues or suggestions you come across.
- Provide sincere, constructive feedback that’s clear and detailed.
- Respect the confidentiality and privacy of the content and avoid sharing it with others.
4. Subtitle Creation and Online Tutoring
Another way to watch videos and earn money is by leveraging your skills and knowledge to assist others. You can achieve this by creating subtitles for videos or becoming an online tutor. These tasks require you to watch educational or entertainment videos and offer help or translation to other viewers.
Platforms like Rev hire freelancers to generate captions or subtitles for videos in various languages.
To enhance your skills for these tasks, consider these tips:
- Select a niche or subject that you’re passionate and well-versed about.
- Enhance your communication or writing skills by watching videos and explaining or summarizing them in your words.
- Familiarize yourself with the tools and software required by the platform or the client.
- Stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in your field.
- Seek feedback and improvement suggestions from those with more experience or expertise than you.
5. Mobile Apps That Pay for Watching Videos
There are mobile apps that pay you for watching videos. These apps can give you rewards like cash, points, or gift cards just for watching videos on your phone.
Some of these mobile apps are:
- Swagbucks: It’s a highly liked app where you can make money watching videos, doing surveys, playing games, and more. When you collect enough points, you can get PayPal cash or gift cards from various stores. Plus, the videos can play on their own, helping you earn passive income. Sign up and get a $10 bonus!
- AppTrailers: This app pays you to watch trailers of new apps, movies, and shows. Answer trivia questions or give ratings on videos for extra points. Redeem points for cash or gift cards.
- KashKick: You can make money by watching videos, doing surveys, or browsing the internet. Unlike other platforms that give you points or gift cards, KashKick pays you directly to your PayPal account.
- Inbox Dollars: Earn money by watching videos from various categories. You can also earn by doing surveys, playing games, and other activities. Get paid via PayPal, check, or gift cards.
- MyPoints: Here, you get paid to watch videos on different topics. You can also earn by playing games, reading emails, and more. Redeem points for cash or gift cards. Get a $10 bonus when you sign up!
- ClipClaps: Laugh and earn by watching funny videos and clips. Earn extra by playing games or referring friends. You can cash out via PayPal or gift cards.
- FusionCash: Watch videos on various topics and earn money. You can also earn by doing surveys, referring friends, and more. Get your money via PayPal, check, direct deposit, or gift cards.
- Idle-Empire: Get paid for watching videos on different topics. You can also earn by doing surveys, playing games, mining cryptocurrency. Redeem your earnings for cash, cryptocurrency, gift cards, or game codes.
- Nielsen Computer And Mobile Panel: Earn money by sharing your internet usage data. You don’t need to actively watch videos, but you can earn passively by just doing what you usually do online.
To maximize your earnings:
- Install several apps. Different apps offer different rewards, so having a variety increases your chances to earn more.
- Watch videos in your free time. You can watch while waiting, commuting, or just relaxing. Just ensure you have a good internet connection and enough battery life.
- Be selective with the videos. Some videos pay more than others. Always avoid inappropriate or scammy videos.
6. Make Money Watching Videos on Video Ad Platforms
One of the easiest and most typical ways to earn money by watching videos is through viewing advertisements on video ad platforms. These are sites or applications that pay you a little money every time you watch an ad.
You can pick from various ad categories like entertainment, health, travel, and others, and watch them on your PC or phone.
To maximize your earnings from watching ads, consider these tips:
- Register on multiple video ad platforms to boost your chances of getting more ads.
- Utilize your free time to watch the ads, such as while waiting, commuting, or unwinding at home.
- Activate notifications or frequently check your emails to get notified when new ads are available.
- Ensure honesty and attentiveness when viewing the ads and responding to questions about them.
7. Earning Money from Video Game Streaming
If you love playing video games, you can make money by streaming your gameplay online. Streaming your video game play is a big industry and attracts people who enjoy watching live or recorded games.
Here are a few platforms where you can do this:
- Twitch is a leading platform for video game streaming. You can interact with viewers and make money through donations, channel subscriptions, sponsorships, or ad revenue.
- YouTube Gaming is a part of YouTube dedicated to gaming. You can make money through donations, channel memberships, sponsorships, or ad revenue.
To be successful in making money from streaming video games:
- Choose a less popular game. Famous games have a lot of competition. By choosing a less-known game, you may have a better chance to stand out.
- Build a loyal audience. To earn money from video game streaming, you need a big audience that regularly watches your streams and supports you financially.
- Invest in good equipment. For smooth and professional streaming, you need good tech, including a computer, fast internet, a quality microphone and camera, and comfortable gaming gear.
8. Participate in Online Video Competitions
If you’re creative and good at storytelling, you can make money by joining online video competitions. These are contests where you create a short video on a certain topic.
Here are a few platforms where you can participate:
- Filmora is a video editing software that hosts monthly contests. You can win cash prizes, software licenses, and gift cards.
- Mofilm platform matches filmmakers with brands that need videos. You can win cash prizes and get feedback from industry experts.
To improve your chances of winning:
- Follow the rules. Each contest has its own rules. Make sure you follow them to avoid disqualification.
- Be original and creative. Judges look for unique, engaging videos. Avoid copying others and use good equipment to produce your videos.
- Know your audience. Research who will be watching your video. Understand their likes and dislikes, and make a video that appeals to them.
Tips and Tricks for Maximizing Earnings Watching Videos
Making money by watching videos may sound easy and fun, but it’s not a way to get rich fast. You need to invest time and work hard to earn a good amount.
Here are some useful tips to help you earn more while watching videos:
- Use time wisely. Watching videos can be fun but can also take up a lot of your time. So, you need to plan your time well. Decide how long you’ll watch videos each day, and use your time smartly. You could watch videos while traveling, during short breaks, or before sleep.
- Always give honest and useful feedback. After watching videos, some platforms might ask you to fill out surveys, write comments, or do other tasks. These tasks help those who created the ads and videos to improve their offerings, and they also determine your payment.
- Sign Up for multiple platforms. Don’t just rely on one platform to get paid for watching videos. Different platforms offer different types of videos and payment schemes. By joining various platforms, you can find more videos that you enjoy and earn money from different places.
- Learn new things. Watching videos isn’t just fun, it can also teach you new skills or knowledge. You could watch videos that teach you a new language, a new hobby, or even a new job. In this way, you can not only make money watching video content but also learn and grow.
Potential Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Like any online job, getting paid to watch videos can have some problems.
Here are a few common issues you might face and how to tackle them:
- Small earnings. Watching videos usually doesn’t pay as much as other online jobs like freelancing or blogging. The amount of money you can make depends on things, like how many videos are available, their length and quality, the tasks you need to do after watching, and the payment the platforms offer. Be realistic about your goals and see watching videos as a way to make some extra money ONLY.
- Frauds. Sadly, some platforms that promise to pay you for watching videos are scams trying to steal your personal data or money. To avoid these scams, research any platform before you join. Look for other users’ reviews, ratings, testimonials, and complaints. Confirm the platform’s contact details, privacy policy, terms and conditions, and payment methods to check its credibility. And never pay any fees or give any sensitive information before you start.
- Getting bored. Watching videos can be fun at first, but it can get repetitive and boring over time. To avoid getting bored, change the types of videos you watch and combine them with other activities. Choose videos that you find interesting or challenging. Take breaks between watching sessions and do something that you enjoy or that energizes you.