Making money online by watching ads is possible through various reward-based advertising platforms that pay you for your time and attention. You simply sign up for one or more sites, view short video ads or interact with promotional content, and receive compensation in the form of cash, points, or gift cards[1].
How does it work? Most platforms are paid by advertisers to distribute their ads. When you watch these ads, the platform shares a portion of the revenue with you. After viewing an ad (usually 15–60 seconds), you earn rewards. These can be:
- Cash earnings: Withdrawable directly to your PayPal or bank account[1].
- Points or credits: Exchangable for gift cards, discounts, or cash once you reach a minimum balance[1].
- In-app or website currency: Used for premium platform features[1].
Top platforms to get paid for watching ads
- Swagbucks: Earn by watching videos, completing surveys, shopping, and more. Redeem rewards as PayPal cash or a wide range of gift cards[2][3][6].
- InboxDollars: Paid for watching ads, playing games, and online shopping. Rewards come as checks, prepaid cards, or gift cards[2][3].
- MyPoints: Offers video playlists, surveys, and shopping deals. Rewards include gift cards, travel miles, or PayPal cash[2][3].
- PrizeRebel, InstaGC, iRazoo: Similar “get-paid-to” (GPT) sites that reward you for watching ads, taking surveys, and other simple tasks. InstaGC, for example, has gift card redemptions starting as low as $1[3][4].
- JumpTask: User-friendly with quick pay in cryptocurrency (JMPT). Also allows for ad-watching directly on mobile devices[5].
- WeAre8: A social app that pays you to watch ads and supports donations to charity, with payouts via PayPal or to charitable causes[6].
Earning Tips
- Sign up for multiple platforms to maximize offers and earnings potential[2].
- Combine ad-watching with surveys or other platform tasks for faster payouts[2][3].
- Take advantage of referral programs and bonuses[2].
- Check payout thresholds and make sure the platform pays through your preferred method (PayPal, direct deposit, gift cards, etc.)[2][5].
How much can you earn? Realistically, the pay per ad is low—often a few cents or points per view. Depending on your activity, most users earn pocket money (a few extra dollars per week or month), rather than a substantial income[4][5][6]. The more time and tasks you invest, the more you can earn, but consider whether the returns justify your time spent.
While earning money online by watching ads is legitimate through trusted platforms, it is best approached as a minor side income or a way to monetize downtime, rather than a full-time job[1][5].
References
- [1] Get paid to watch ads in 2025: Everything you need to know – Whop
- [2] Watch Ads For Money – Earn Extra Cash 2024 – eCommerce Fastlane
- [3] Ultimate Tips: Make Money Watching Ads (2025) – AliDropship
- [4] How To Watch Ads For Money – I Tried 10+ Websites – The Budget Diet
- [5] Watch Ads for Money Online – Earn Easily with JumpTask
- [6] 10 ways to make money from watching videos – Save the Student