9 Real Ways to Get Paid to Search the Web

There are several ways you can make money on the side with little effort. One option is to get paid to search the web from your phone or computer.

You can earn cash while getting search results similar to what you’d receive with Google. Better yet, many platforms offer additional ways to make money when you’re not searching for an answer to a question.

We’ve found the top ways to get paid to search the internet so that you can give your bank account a boost.

What Are the Best Apps That Pay You to Search the Web?

Many websites let you earn extra cash while finding the information you need. Here are some of the best options to make money using your high-speed internet connection.

1. Swagbucks

Swagbucks is one of the most popular rewards programs since it offers several easy ways to make money online. It has a web search engine, a mobile app, and a browser extension.

It’s possible to earn up to 1,000 bonus points ($10) for search queries. However, not every web search earns points, so you may need to perform several before you randomly win points.

Most reward queries earn a few points at best. Consider this get-paid-to-site site if you want to complete other short tasks online that earn a consistent income.

Other ways to earn money include:

• Completing surveys
• Using their online shopping portal
• Scanning receipts
• Redeeming coupons
• Watching sponsored videos
• Playing games online

You can even get $3 if you refer a friend.

The number of options to earn money makes this side hustle platform one of the best microtask sites on the internet.

You can start redeeming your points for Amazon gift cards with a $1 balance (140 points). Other gift card rewards require a minimum balance of $3 (300 points), while PayPal awards start at $5 (500 points).

The platform also lets new members earn a $10 signup bonus. Better yet, you only need to be 13 to use the site.

Read our detailed guide about earning money on Swagbucks to learn more.

2. InboxDollars

InboxDollars pays users to ditch traditional search engines and use theirs instead.

For every four searches you complete, you can play a digital scratch game and win rewards. The top earnings for the game are $10, $25, or $100.

Typically, you can earn anywhere from a few cents to $0.25 per search. The online rewards platform also provides a $0.05 bonus after completing a single search on four consecutive days.

Setting the InboxDollars search feature as the homepage on your computer is the best way to remember to use it. You can also use the mobile app.

Other ways to make extra money include:

• Testing new products
• Downloading coupons
• Watching sponsored videos
• Reading sponsored emails
• Shopping online
• Buying groceries
• Answering online surveys

You can redeem earnings once you reach $30, and InboxDollars pays you $5 to start. While the ongoing redemption threshold is high, new members can request payment once their balance reaches $15.

Payment options include PayPal cash and free gift cards. Users must be at least 18 to register for the site.

3. Survey Junkie

Taking online surveys is the primary way to earn real cash from Survey Junkie. The survey site and mobile app let you complete multiple studies each day.

Most take 20 minutes or less. You can get paid via direct deposit, PayPal, and gift cards with a $5 minimum redemption.

This app is also one of the best ways to get paid to watch ads on your phone. Joining the SJ Pulse program lets the market research company know which ads and search results you see as you surf the web.

You even get bonus rewards for each mobile device or browser extension you add.

It’s free to join this survey app, and the minimum enrollment age is 18 years. However, you may prefer other outlets if you want multiple paid task options.

Read our Survey Junkie review to learn more.

4. KashKick

KashKick lets you make money by searching the internet and doing other online tasks.

You can also complete these paid activities:

• Watching videos
• Shopping online
• Downloading apps
• Playing games
• Answering online surveys

The best reason to use this site is to answer surveys for cash to quickly reach the minimum $10 payout threshold for PayPal rewards.

Unfortunately, this platform doesn’t offer gift card rewards. You must have a PayPal account to redeem your earnings.

Users must be at least 18 years old to register for the site.

5. FusionCash

FusionCash is another excellent option to get paid to search online. You can earn a few rewards for each query.

Unfortunately, this site doesn’t have a mobile app. However, the platform is mobile-friendly on your phone or tablet browser and accepts users as young as 13.

Additional ways to make money in your spare time with this platform include:

• Taking surveys
• Watching sponsored videos
• Using their cash-back shopping portal
• Downloading mobile apps and games
• Posting in the online forum

New members receive a $5 bonus when they sign up and complete their profile.

Payments are processed via PayPal, check, or direct deposit. The minimum balance required to cash out is $25.

6. instaGC

InstaGC is one of the top microtask sites. It has a $1 payout minimum for many gift cards.

The ways you can make money with this site include:

• Searching the web
• Watching videos
• Shopping online
• Online surveys

You earn points for each activity, and 100 points equals $1. The redemption minimum is lower than most paid online surveys.

This platform can be a great option if you want a gift card to your favorite retail store or restaurant. There are more than 300 options, but PayPal or prepaid cash cards are not among them.

When you join, you can get a signup bonus of ten points worth $0.10. Users as young as 13 can create an account with their parent’s consent.

7. Qmee

Qmee is one of the best survey sites since there isn’t a redemption minimum for PayPal or Venmo payments.

The site will pay you to search the internet and complete shopping offers. All you have to do is add the browser extension or install the mobile app.

Brands pay to appear in Qmee’s search results, so you do not need to make a purchase from these sponsored results to earn money.

However, you will see default results from the search engine partner plus the sponsored listings the general public won’t see.

Each time you search, you’ll earn points you can redeem for cash or gift cards.

The other side gig activities on the platform, like completing surveys, also earn reward points. This flexibility with earning and redeeming rewards makes Qmee one of the best money-making apps.

Users must be at least 16 to join the site.

8. Microsoft Rewards

Microsoft Rewards (formerly Bing Rewards) allows people to get paid for internet searches. It’s free to use and gives you points for searching on Bing.com.

The easiest way to earn points is by using the Microsoft Edge web browser and connecting your Microsoft account. Edge users can also earn more points per day than other Microsoft Rewards members.

You can use the Windows search box on any PC to search with Bing, which makes it easier to earn.

It’s also possible to install the Bing browser extension for a non-Microsoft browser or install the Bing app on your mobile device.

Some of the other ways to earn Microsoft points include:

• Daily trivia games
• Shopping on the Microsoft Store
• Xbox purchases and in-game quests

Each web search can earn five points. Online shopping offers the ability to earn more points but requires a purchase.

Collecting points on each search makes this one of the best online rewards sites when you can utilize the redemption options.

The redemption minimum for Microsoft Store and Xbox Rewards is $1.25 (1,700 points). Gift cards for retailers like Target and Walmart have a minimum $5 balance (5,250 points).

Other redemption options include sweepstakes and charity donations. Cash awards are not a payment option.

*Related: Want to donate plasma but don’t know how to start? Read our guide on how to donate plasma for money to learn the requirements and how much you can earn each month.*

Points will expire if there is no earning activity in 18 months. This rewards program is best if you are at least 13 and redeem points for Microsoft or Xbox purchases since the gift card selection is limited.

9. AskWonder

AskWonder can be the best opportunity when you have prior experience as a strategy-based search engine evaluator and need extra money.

You can get a full-time job as a personal research assistant who earns between $15 and $18 per hour. Payouts are deposited into your bank account.

This platform pays you to complete queries for major businesses and academic institutions. Then, you analyze the result to look for problems and develop solutions.

Some of the position requirements include:

• Finding sources using Boolean language
• Having strong English and math skills
• Writing concise briefs and action steps

A bank account and a bachelor’s degree or higher are also necessary.

This position has stricter requirements than most web search rewards sites but pays more. Plus, the work can provide a greater sense of purpose.

How to Increase Earnings

While the payouts aren’t always the best when searching online, there are ways to increase your earnings. Here are some top ways to start earning cash from this side hustle idea.

Use Multiple Companies

Joining several platforms can increase your earning potential. Many apps have a daily limit for the number of web searches that can earn reward points.

In addition to using several programs, you can download an app like Nielsen Computer and Mobile Panel to earn extra income as you browse the web.

Consider using a separate email address exclusively for online rewards sites because you will receive many promotional messages daily.

Don’t Use Google as Your Primary Search Engine

Most rewards sites only let you earn money searching online if you use their search engine or set your default search engine as a Google alternative.

For example, you may need to use Bing instead. The smaller search engines partner with rewards programs to increase their usage.

While your results may differ slightly from what Google provides, you earn extra money online and can find similar results.

Search for Questions You Have

Many rewards search engines let you earn bonus points on multiple search queries each day.

Researching your random questions throughout the day lets you get paid for searching the web and automatically earn points.

Bottom Line

If you want to get paid to search the web, there are plenty of options. While Google is the most well-known search engine, various alternatives provide similar results.

Since you’re searching online anyway, it makes sense to use some of these platforms to earn extra cash.

You may not get rich, but the extra money or gift card rewards can diversify your income, help pay a bill, or contribute to savings. You also get to make money from your phone and have fun.

What’s one mindless way you make money online?