Best Platforms to Get Paid for Searching the Web
Branded Surveys
$0.50 – $5 on average per survey with bonus points ($1 sign up bonus)
Average survey length is 10-20 minutes and minimum payout is $5
Collect rewards in PayPal, Direct Deposit or gift cards (100+ brands)
Swagbucks
$0.50 to $1.50 per survey – earn up to $100 each month using Swagbucks
18 unique ways to earn money and free gift cards, plus $5 sign up bonus
Redeem e-gift cards from $1 or withdraw $5 minimum payment from PayPal
Survey Junkie
$0.50 – $3 per survey + extra ways to earn up to $100 with focus groups
Each survey time varies, but on average it takes 15 minutes to complete
Redeem rewards using PayPal, e-giftcards or bank transfer when earned at least $5
15 Platforms to Get Paid for Searching the Web
Swagbucks
Swagbucks Summary
- 18 ways to earn money and e-gift cards
- $5 sign up bonus
- Up to 10% cashback when shopping online
- $1 minimum e-gift card withdrawal
After you sign up to the Swagbucks platform, you can earn points for a variety of online tasks including Swagbucks Search. This pays you to use the Swagbucks search engine for your online activity. This engine uses Yahoo! Search, so unless you are looking for quite obscure information, you’re not likely to notice any difference in the results you get compared to Google.
You’ll receive 50 points for each hour of search activity. This converts into $0.50. Once you accumulate $1, you can redeem your earnings for PayPal cash or gift cards. It will take you quite a while to reach this point with Swagbucks search alone. However, there are other ways to earn points including participating in surveys and getting cashback on your online shopping.
InboxDollars
InboxDollars Summary
- $5 sign up bonus
- Referral program – 30% that referral makes
- Most of the surveys pay $0.01 to $2.50
- 13 different ways to earn money
InboxDollars is one of the most well known and largest GPT sites. The platform currently has over 10 million members. You can get paid for a variety of tasks including searching the web, answering surveys, signing up for promotional offers and reading emails.
The sign up process is simple.
- Provide a valid email address
- Create a Password
- Confirm via a link sent to your email
- Answer some basic questions to create your profile.
The only potential downside is that you need a minimum of $10 to cash out. You can claim your earnings via PayPal, check or gift card.
MyPoints
MyPoints Summary
- $5 sign-up bonus upon email confirmation
- $0.27 to $2.13 on average per survey
- Over 10 different ways to earn money
- Pays by gift cards and PayPal
- Cash out with gift cards starting at $3
- MyPoints mobile apps: iOS and Android
MyPoints is another site that rewards you for completing tasks such as searching the Internet, doing online shopping, and printing coupons. If you already do a lot of online shopping, you can earn gift cards and other rewards.
The number of points you earn varies according to your spending and the store where you shop. For example, you can earn 4 points for every $1 you spend with UnderArmor.
You can also download the MyPoints search engine. Yahoo powers this, so you can perform all your usual web searches. However, there is no consistent pay rate for using this search. Instead, you’ll get entries into a draw to win up to 170 points, which works out at approximately $1.
Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel
Nielsen Summary
- Earn up to $60/year by installing an app
- Earn up to $1000 from sweepstakes
- 15 different types of rewards
- Win up to $500 by downloading PC app
You may already have heard of Nielsen, which conducts market research on your television viewing habits. However, the Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel has a focus on your internet habits. This app collects information on how you use the internet.
This is an entirely passive way of getting paid for searching the web. Once you register, answer a few basic questions and install the app, you’re good to go.
You’ll receive a credit to your account each month. As soon as your balance is $5, you can cash out via gift cards from major brands such as Amazon, Starbucks and Target.
Wonder
Wonder provides questions from clients. You’ll then get paid to find the best answers or research the topic and provide the client with your information sources.
When you sign up to Wonder, you’ll need to complete a sample search. The wonder team will assess your search and make a judgment about whether you are approved for the platform. So, make sure that you conduct your sample search thoroughly.
The advantage of this platform is that it offers excellent pay. You can make $8 to $35 per query. Simple questions will pay at the lower end of the scale, while more complex queries pay more.
This makes for a great work from home opportunity. You’ll receive your pay via PayPal every two weeks.
Microsoft Rewards
Microsoft owns the Bing search engine. This was created to compete with Google, but it has yet to achieve this goal. This creates an opportunity for you to get paid for searching the web. You’ll receive five points for each search, with a maximum of 50 points each day.
The Microsoft Rewards platform also has other GPT activities including shopping at Microsoft or Windows stores, taking quizzes or playing trivia games.
Unfortunately, there is no cash option. You can redeem your accumulated points for gift cards from major retailers such as Starbucks or Amazon. You’ll need approximately 5,000 points for a $5 gift card.
Honeygain
Honeygain Summary
- Earn $1 for every 10GB of data shared
- Get $5 for each person you refer
- Maximize earnings with more IP addresses
- 2 payment options – PayPal and Bitcoin
Honeygain is a little different. Rather than allowing you to get paid for searching the web, you’ll get paid for sharing your internet connection. Honeygain uses your internet connection to collect market research and data. It doesn’t spy on you or track your browsing behavior.
The company is very transparent about your daily earnings and any money you earn from referrals. You can also maximize your potential earnings by connecting up to five devices.
You’ll receive 1 credit, worth approximately $0.01, for every 10 MB of traffic through your internet network.
Qmee
Qmee also works a little differently. Once you sign up, you’ll see a prompt to install the Qmee browser extension. This allows Qmee to monitor your searches in the background of your device. It doesn’t pay per query, but rather offers opportunities to save or earn cash back rewards.
For example, if you’re searching for the best microwave oven, Qmee may offer 10% cashback if you buy the item through its partner. You may also be asked to watch an ad about a particular microwave oven brand or take a survey on how you use your kitchen appliances.
The great thing about Qmee is that there is no minimum cash out. At any time, you can transfer your accumulated balance to PayPal.
SavvyConnect
SavvyConnect is a market research app that collects data in the background of your device. This requires no real effort, but you can boost your earnings by completing surveys.
There is the potential to earn $5 per device per month. You can install the app on up to three of your devices. You can also earn up to $3 per survey you complete. Bear in mind that certain demographics are more valuable. So, unless you’re in a preferred group, you’re not likely to get many surveys.
You can redeem your earnings via check.
MobileXpression
Mobile Xpression Summary
- Earn a $5 gift card every few weeks for keeping app acitve in background
- Get paid $0.50 per survey
- New members receive an entry into a $100,000 sweepstake
- Donates tree if you keep your new account active for 90 days
MobileXpression is another data collecting app. To join, you’ll need to complete a quick registration form and download the app on to your device. The app will work in the background of your device and shouldn’t compromise performance.
This is another completely passive way to get paid for searching the web. You don’t need to alter your internet habits or perform any extra tasks.
There is also the option to participate in surveys to earn additional rewards. You can claim your rewards via Amazon gift card. The alternative is to use your rewards for sweepstake entries.
CrossMedia Research Panel
CrossMedia Research Panel is an app that was acquired by Google. It collects information on your internet usage that relates to the company’s products and services. After you sign up, you’ll see a prompt to download the app on your computer or mobile devices.
It works in the background of your devices, gathering data. You can earn $1 per week per device.
Since the app was acquired by Google, it has become more tricky to sign up. Your best chance to get an invite is to sign up or the Google Opinion Rewards platform.
Opinion Outpost
Opinion Outpost will pay you for voicing your opinions, taking surveys and answering questions. This is not as simple as just searching the internet, but it can be more lucrative.
- The surveys typically take up to 15 minutes.
- These pay 5 to 50 points.
- Each point is worth approximately $0.10.
To begin, you’ll need to sign up with a valid email address. You’ll need to provide some basic information about yourself, so Opinion Outpost can determine your demographics.
You can exchange your points for gift cards or cash. You can also earn entries into occasional prize draws to win up to $10,000.
Smart Panel
Smart Panel is an easy way to earn nominal amounts of cash. To qualify, you’ll need to complete a three minute questionnaire.
You’ll receive $5 for simply meeting the qualifications and joining the platform. After this point, you’ll receive $5 per month to keep the app installed and small amounts for using your device as normal. This will allow Smart Panel to analyze your search activity and results. This creates a potential to earn as much as $110 in a year.
In addition to getting paid for searching the web, you will be contributing to the development of digital products and services.
FusionCash
The FusionCash app allows you to get paid for watching videos, using its search engine and completing other tasks. The sign up process requires just some basic information, so it is quite easy.
The earnings vary according to the task. Additionally, you’ll need to accumulate $25 before you can claim your earnings. You can redeem your earnings via check, PayPal or direct deposit.
User Testing
UserTesting Summary
- Flexible work schedule
- Work from home
- Earn $10 to $60 per hour
- Free to use
User Testing is a platform where you can earn rewards for giving your opinions on the performance of different websites. Over 34,000 companies rely on User Testing to provide feedback to develop effective marketing strategies and techniques.
You can get paid $10 for visiting a website and providing feedback. This typically takes less than 20 minutes of your time.
