Believe it or not, there are legitimate ways to get paid for watching videos online. Whether you’re viewing ads, movie trailers, short clips, or even TV shows, several platforms allow you to earn real money while indulging in your favorite pastime. While it may not replace a full-time job, it offers a way to earn extra money during leisure time.
How Does Getting Paid to Watch Videos Work?
Companies and advertisers are keen to increase engagement with their content. To achieve this, they collaborate with platforms that reward users for watching videos, advertisements, or promotional materials. By compensating viewers, these companies boost their content’s visibility and gather valuable feedback.
Want to Make Extra Cash Now?
- Surveoo: Get paid up to $9 per survey, plus enjoy same-day payments via PayPal, Venmo, or check! Join Surveoo Today!
- Freecash: Earn money testing apps, playing games, and completing surveys. Up to $497.82 per offer! Start earning now!
- Rakuten: Shop at over 3,500 stores and enjoy up to 30% cash back, plus a $30 sign-up bonus*. Join now to start saving!
One of the easiest ways to get paid for watching videos is by signing up for reward-based platforms. These platforms offer users points, gift cards, or cash in exchange for watching short videos, ads, or trailers. Many of these platforms have a wide variety of video content, ranging from movie trailers to product advertisements, so you can pick and choose the content that interests you.
- Swagbucks: Swagbucks is one of the most popular rewards platforms where users can earn “SB points” by watching short clips, movie trailers, and ads. These points can be redeemed for PayPal cash or gift cards to major retailers like Amazon and Walmart.
- InboxDollars: InboxDollars offers users the chance to earn money by watching videos, taking surveys, reading emails, and more. For each video you watch, you accumulate cash rewards that you can cash out once you reach a minimum threshold.
- MyPoints: Similar to Swagbucks, MyPoints allows you to earn points by watching videos, shopping online, and completing surveys. Points can be redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash.
- PrizeRebel: On PrizeRebel, users earn points by watching videos, completing surveys, and trying new products. These points can be exchanged for gift cards, PayPal cash, or other rewards.
2. Get Paid to Watch Ads
Many companies and brands are willing to pay people to watch their ads. These ads might be for new products, movie trailers, or promotional campaigns, and they are often used to gather feedback or increase brand exposure. By watching these ads, you help companies improve their marketing strategies, and in return, you get paid.
- Swagbucks Watch: This feature on Swagbucks specifically allows users to earn points by watching ads.
- InboxDollars: InboxDollars frequently offers ads to watch, and users are paid directly for their time.
- FusionCash: On FusionCash, you can get paid for watching advertisements, trying new services, and more.
- AdWallet: AdWallet pays users to watch targeted ads and provide feedback. Once you watch the ad and complete any required actions, you can earn between $0.50 to $3 per ad.
3. Watch Videos for Market Research Companies
Market research companies always seek feedback on ads, trailers, and promotional content. By signing up with a market research company, you can get paid to watch videos and provide your opinions through surveys or focus groups. These companies use your feedback to improve their marketing strategies and better understand consumer preferences.
- Nielsen: Nielsen is a well-known market research firm that tracks consumer behavior. You can participate in their surveys and studies, where they’ll pay you to watch videos and provide feedback.
- Vindale Research: Vindale offers opportunities to participate in market research studies, which may involve watching videos and filling out surveys for payment.
- InboxDollars: In addition to its reward-based platform, InboxDollars occasionally has video content specifically for market research.
4. Become a Movie or TV Show Reviewer
If you’re passionate about movies or TV shows, consider becoming a movie or TV show reviewer. This can be done through platforms like YouTube, personal blogs, or even freelance writing for websites and magazines. While this might take more time to build, it’s an excellent way to monetize your love for video content while sharing your opinions with an audience.
- Start a YouTube channel where you review or react to movies and TV shows. As your channel grows, you can monetize it through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate links.
- Create a blog and write reviews of movies, TV shows, or web series. You can monetize the blog through ads, affiliate marketing, and partnerships.
- Pitch your services as a freelance writer to movie or entertainment websites. Many websites pay freelancers to write reviews, analysis, or opinion pieces on popular video content.
5. Get Paid to Watch Videos on YouTube and Twitch
Some people make money on platforms like YouTube and Twitch by watching videos and providing live reactions. This type of content is popular in the form of “reaction videos” on YouTube or as live streams on Twitch. While viewers often come for your personality or insight, you are essentially getting paid to watch and react to videos in real time.
- YouTube Reaction Videos: Create a YouTube channel where you record yourself watching videos and reacting to them. Popular reaction channels focus on music videos, movie trailers, or viral clips.
- Twitch Streams: On Twitch, you can live stream your reactions to videos, TV shows, or even video games. Some streamers have dedicated sessions where they watch YouTube clips and interact with their audience in real-time.
6. Become a Video Tester for Apps and Websites
Some websites and app developers pay users to test their video platforms by watching videos and providing feedback. This is an essential part of user experience testing, as companies want to ensure that their video playback features work smoothly and that users enjoy the content.
- UserTesting: This platform pays users to test websites and apps, including video playback features. You may be asked to watch videos and provide feedback on how easy or difficult it is to navigate the platform.
- BetaTesting: BetaTesting is another platform where you can test websites and apps, including watching videos, and provide feedback for payment.
Social media evaluators are hired by companies to analyze the quality and relevance of video content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Your job is to watch videos, evaluate their effectiveness, and provide feedback on how they align with the platform’s algorithms or community guidelines.
- Appen and Lionbridge are two companies that frequently hire social media evaluators. Sign up to become an evaluator and get paid for watching and reviewing videos posted on social media.
Social media evaluators can earn $10 to $15 per hour, depending on the platform and the length of the contract.
Conclusion
Getting paid to watch videos is not just a dream—it’s a reality for many people who know where to find the right opportunities. Whether you’re watching ads, testing video platforms, or reviewing movies, there are numerous ways to monetize your screen time.
While some methods offer small payouts, with consistency and time, you can make a significant side income or even turn video-watching into a full-time gig. If you love watching videos and want to make some extra cash, explore these platforms and opportunities to start earning while you binge-watch. Happy viewing!
