The idea of getting paid to do something as simple as watching an ad seems too good to be true, but it's a real and legitimate way to make some extra pocket money. While you won't get rich, you can certainly earn a few extra dollars or gift cards in your spare time. This guide breaks down five realistic and proven methods for earning money by watching ads online.
5 Realistic Methods to Earn from Ads
1. Use Get-Paid-To (GPT) Websites
Websites like Swagbucks and InboxDollars are the most popular platforms for this. They are essentially rewards sites that pay you for a variety of small online tasks, with watching video ads being one of the easiest. You can let playlists of short ads run in a background tab on your computer while you do other things. You earn points for the videos you "watch," which can then be redeemed for PayPal cash or gift cards.
2. Download Reward-Based Mobile Apps
Many mobile apps, especially in the gaming category, will reward you with in-game currency or points for voluntarily watching a short video ad. While this doesn't pay you directly in cash, it can save you real money by unlocking premium features or items you would otherwise have to pay for. It's an indirect but effective way to earn from ads.
3. Use Crypto Faucets
Crypto faucets are websites or apps that give out tiny amounts of cryptocurrency for free. To claim these rewards, you almost always have to complete a simple action, which is often watching a 15-30 second ad. It's a very common model in the crypto space. The earnings are small, but it's a way to slowly accumulate crypto like Bitcoin or Ethereum just by viewing ads.
4. Install Lockscreen Ad Apps
There are apps that will pay you to place ads on your phone's lockscreen. Every time you unlock your phone, you'll see a targeted ad. You can choose to engage with the ad or simply dismiss it and unlock your phone as usual. Either way, you earn points just for having the app installed. It’s a completely passive way to earn from ads you barely have to look at.
5. Use the Brave Browser
The Brave browser takes a different approach. It blocks all traditional ads by default but gives you the option to opt-in to view its own privacy-respecting ads, which appear as small notifications. In return for your attention, Brave rewards you with its own cryptocurrency, Basic Attention Token (BAT). You get paid for the ads you choose to see while you browse the web.
A Realistic Side Hustle
Earning money by watching ads is a legitimate way to make some extra pocket money, but it's important to have realistic expectations. These methods won't replace a full-time income, but they are an excellent, low-effort way to earn a few extra dollars or gift cards each month for doing something incredibly simple.