Awesomely Easy Ways to Get Paid to Watch Videos

If you love TV and movies, the idea of getting paid to watch videos might seem like a dream come true.

Well, it’s time to wake up to a great new money-making opportunity! The truth is, you can make money watching videos, and that’s what we’re going to talk about today.

Generally speaking, there are three different types of companies that will pay you to watch videos: media companies (like Netflix), online businesses (like Swagbucks), and apps. Some of these opportunities are things you might do in your spare time, whereas others can pay significantly or even become your full-time job.

Which one of these will be right for you?

Watch Videos Online and Earn With Media Companies

Love Netflix? Who doesn’t?? If you’re a super-fan of the streaming media company, guess what: Netflix will occasionally hire people to be their “taggers.” Taggers are responsible for watching the content on Netflix and tagging them with the right content notes. This helps Netflix keep its massive inventory sorted… and it helps make the suggestions better for their viewers. If you’ve ever loved (or hated) a Netflix-recommended show or movie, you can thank (or blame) the taggers; if you’re fortunate to get one of these tagging jobs, you’ll have the chance to do even better. You can keep an eye on their (massive) job board here.

Nielsen is a major media company that spends a lot of time, among other things, studying the TV-watching habits of Americans. If you’re in the US and your household happens to be randomly selected to be a Nielsen family, you’ve got a new opportunity to make money watching whatever TV programming you want. Getting paid to do something you were going to do anyway? It doesn’t get much better than that. Keep your eyes open for your invitation as you will receive a mailer if selected. There is no application.

Joining a panel is another way to get paid to watch TV and other media. National Consumer Panel occasionally run panels that will pay you to track your media usage, including TV watching. You won’t earn more than a couple hundred dollars per year for doing a panel, but it’s also easy money and interesting work. Plus, that’s a couple hundred dollars you wouldn’t have otherwise.

The entertainment industry will occasionally hire TV watchers to keep their eyes peeled for interesting clips to include on specific tv shows (think late-night TV shows and other clips-oriented programming). The pay typically starts around $8/hour, and if this interests you then you can start scoping entertainment industry job boards (like this one) using the search term “TV Watcher” to see what you can find.

Online Companies That Pay You to Watch TV

This is generally not the fast-track to real money, but if you like browsing the web and watching interesting videos, you might as well get paid to do so! Here are a few good ones that will pay you more than a fraction of a penny per view:

Swagbucks is far and away my favorite way to earn money by watching videos online, and that’s because I love pretty much everything SwagBucks does. You can earn SBs for each video (or video collection) you watch, and a lot of the videos available on their video channel are really interesting. Redeem your Swagbucks for cash, gift cards, or merchandise when you’re ready to cash out.

Inbox Dollars is another web-based rewards company that includes a video component. There are tons of different ways to make money in your spare time with Inbox Dollars, and adding video-watching to your tasks there can take your bottom line even further.

Like those all-in-one money-making websites? Try QuickRewards, a survey company that also pays you to watch videos, play games, and more. The more dedicated you are, the more you’ll make! And here’s another one: Creations Rewards. Right now, new members get a $5 sign-up bonus!

Watch Videos and Make Money With a Smartphone App

It’s no surprise that there are quite a few apps that will pay you to watch videos.

First, I have to mention the Swagbucks app. You can earn SBs using their app on your phone for some quick, easy wins.

This list is by no means exhaustive, but these are the opportunities I’ve vetted for you (and even used myself). What’s your favorite way to make money watching videos?

Published August 2017. Updated May 2020.