Are there really websites that pay you just to watch videos?
Honestly, I thought it was a scam. But after spending a few hours testing different platforms during my lunch breaks, I made $38 in just 3 days — no referrals, no technical skills, and nothing more than a phone.
In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly what I did, the platforms I used, and how you can start earning a few extra dollars a day doing something as simple as watching videos.
π― Who Is This Side Hustle For?
If you’re new to making money online, don’t want to invest in any tools, and are looking for something simple to start with — watching videos is one of the lowest-barrier options out there.
This is for you if:
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You’re a student or stay-at-home parent with limited time
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You want to earn a few dollars during your downtime
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You don’t have special skills, followers, or money to invest
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You need motivation by seeing real cash hit your PayPal account
Let’s be clear: watching videos won’t make you rich. But it can help you build momentum and give you the confidence to explore more serious online income streams.
π What Types of Videos Are We Talking About?
When we say "watching videos for money," it doesn't mean watching YouTube for fun.
Instead, these platforms pay you to:
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View short ads or trailers
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Watch educational clips or surveys
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Keep video windows open in the background
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Interact with brand content in exchange for points or cash
π» 3 Legit Sites That Paid Me to Watch Videos
After testing a dozen sites, I found that only a few were worth the time. Here are the 3 that actually paid me — and how much I made from each.
1. πΊ InboxDollars
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What I did: Watched about 12 short clips through their "TV" section. Each was 1-3 minutes long.
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Earnings: $6.75 in two sessions
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Bonus: You get a $5 sign-up bonus
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Cash-out method: PayPal, gift cards
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Pro tip: Watch the “LifeTips” and “Entertainment” channels — they refresh daily.
π Time spent: ~45 minutes
2. π₯ Swagbucks
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What I did: Used the "Watch" section powered by Hideout.tv. Ran videos in the background while doing other tasks.
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Earnings: $12.10 over 2 days
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Other perks: Daily check-in bonuses, surveys, cashback
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Cash-out method: PayPal, Amazon, crypto
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Pro tip: Stack with other Swagbucks tasks to earn faster.
π Time spent: 1 hour (videos + a couple of offers)
3. π¬ ySense
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What I did: Completed video offers and small ad tasks
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Earnings: $19.20 in 3 days
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Cash-out method: PayPal, Payoneer, Skrill
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Pro tip: Offers vary by country. Try accessing via desktop + mobile for more tasks.
π Time spent: ~90 minutes total
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⚠️ Things You Should Know (Before You Get Too Excited)
Let’s manage expectations here:
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✅ You will earn real money — but slowly.
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❌ It’s not passive income — you need to engage with content.
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❌ Don’t fall for sites that require payment to join.
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✅ Do combine these platforms for better earnings.
π§ My Personal Tips for Maximizing Results
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Use multiple platforms
Open different tabs for Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and ySense to run tasks in parallel. -
Watch videos during idle time
Eating lunch? Waiting in line? Just open the video sections and let them run. -
Be consistent
Most people give up after a day. Stick with it for a week and the numbers will add up. -
Use referral links (later)
Once you test the platform yourself, you can invite others and earn commission passively.
π‘ Is It Worth It?
It depends on your goal.
If you're looking to make a full-time income, this isn't it. But if you want an easy, no-stress side hustle to earn a few dollars a day — while commuting, relaxing, or multitasking — this is a great way to start.
I didn’t think watching videos would turn into a money-making task, but when that first $10 hit my PayPal account, I realized: this could be the gateway drug to something bigger.
π AI Tools Build Pipeline Revenue:
If you're serious about making money online and want to move beyond watching videos, I wrote a beginner-friendly guide that walks you through automated side hustles using AI:
π Ebook: AI Goldmine – How to Build Passive Income with ChatGPT and AI Tools
AI Goldmine is your ultimate beginner-friendly guide to leveraging ChatGPT and powerful AI tools to generate passive income online. Whether you're a freelancer, entrepreneur, content creator, or complete newbie, this book will walk you through step-by-step strategies to turn AI into your money-making machine.
π You Might Also Like:
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✅ [How I Made $100 Writing AI Content With No Followers]
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✅ [5 Passive Income Sites That Pay Monthly via PayPal]
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✅ [How to Start an Online Side Hustle in Under 1 Hour]
Thanks for reading! Let me know in the comments which platform you're going to try first.
And don’t forget to bookmark this blog for more tested and real online income strategies.