16 Legit Ways to Get Paid for Searching the Web

Are you trying to figure out if there’s a legit way to get paid for searching the web?

If so, good news – there is.

If you feel like you’re an excellent researcher or just want to get paid for doing the searches you already perform, you can.

The first way to do this is through rewards sites.

These can earn you up to a couple of hundred dollars per year. The second way is as a freelance researcher or search engine evaluator, which could help you pull in a part-time income.

If you’re ready to get started, here are the best ways to get paid to search the web.

If you’re looking to get paid for the searching you already do, there are several sites you can sign up with. Two of the most popular are Swagbucks and InboxDollars.

However, if you use Microsoft Edge as your browser, the Microsoft rewards program might be the best fit. It will reward you for using the Bing search engine.

Here are some of the best rewards sites to look into.

Get Paid for Searching the Web with These Rewards Sites

1. Swagbucks
2. InboxDollars
3. Qmee
4. Microsoft Rewards
5. PCH Search and Win
6. MyPoints
7. AskWonder
8. Fancy Hands
9. RWS
10. Indeed/FlexJobs
11. Appen
12. Telus International
13. Teamwork.ai
14. MobileXPression
15. Nielsen Mobile and Computer Panel
16. SJ Pulse

1. Swagbucks

Swagbucks

Swagbucks is the “OG” get paid for searching the web. It was founded in 2008 and has given its users thousands of dollars worth of rewards.

To get started, all you need to do is create an account then use the site to perform your searches. When you do, they’ll randomly reward you with points called “SB.” You can cash in your SB points for rewards like gift cards, Paypal cash or use them to enter into sweepstakes.

It only takes 300 points to earn a $3.00 Amazon gift card.

Check out some Swagbucks alternatives here.

2. InboxDollars

InboxDollars

InboxDollars is another rewards site that’s been around for a long time and is 100% legit. If you want to get paid for searching the web, check it out.

It works very similarly to Swagbucks – simply use its search feature, and they’ll randomly reward you for doing so. One big difference is that instead of rewarding users with points, InboxDollars rewards in cash.

You’ll need to accumulate at least $30 before you can cash out your account.

Luckily, InboxDollars automatically gives new users $5 for creating an account. There are also other ways to increase your earnings, including games, offers, and paid emails.

3. Qmee

Qmee

Qmee is a browser app that will pay you for your searches. But to be completely upfront, it’s much more intrusive than Swagbucks or InboxDollars.

Here’s how it works:

  • Install the Qmee browser extension
  • When you’re searching or shopping online, Qmee will bring up related results on the left-hand side of your computer screen
  • Some of these results will have a reward attached to them
  • Click the result, and Qmee will credit your account with a reward

Qmee also shows coupon codes and price comparisons when you’re shopping online. However, you don’t get paid for clicking on them –  you’ll only receive money for clicking the ads with a reward amount listed.

Qmee also has a mobile app you can download that will allow you to take surveys for money.

4. Microsoft Rewards

Get Paid For Searching The Web - Microsoft Rewards

Microsoft Rewards gives you points for searching on Bing. They have different levels to their rewards program.

For instance, level 1 members can earn up to 5 points a day for a total of 150 points per month. You can reach level 2 by using Microsoft Edge and Bing together. This will allow you to earn up to 600 points per month.

As a Microsoft Rewards member, you can trade in points for gift cards, sweepstakes entries, or you can donate points to a charity.

5. PCH Search and Win

Get Paid For Searching The Web - PCH Search and Win

Ok, this one is a bit weird, but it turns out, Publisher’s Clearing House has a “search and win” feature. 

To participate, all you need to do is register and use their website for your searches.

By using the PCH search engine, you’ll earn a daily entry into the PCH Millions sweepstakes. You’ll also have a shot at winning an instant prize such as a gift card, cash, or electronics.

With this one, you’re not going to earn cash, but if you like sweepstakes, it’s worth a try.

6. MyPoints

MyPoints

MyPoints used to be known primarily for the cashback they offered from shopping at partner stores. But in actuality, they’re pretty similar to Swagbucks and InboxDollars, with several ways to earn rewards, including searching the web.

When you use the search feature on MyPoints, they’ll randomly reward you based on the keyword in your search. You can redeem points for prizes such as gift cards.

Get Paid for Searching the Web as a Freelance Researcher

If you consider yourself an excellent researcher, you can kick your earnings up a notch by signing up with one of the companies below. This could potentially earn you a part-time to full-time income.

7. AskWonder

Get Paid For Searching The Web - AskWonder

AskWonder pays work-at-home researchers to gather data for their clients. 

The freelancers who work for this company get to choose from several different assignments including, comparing products, gathering statistics, determining the size of a specific market, and more.

If you want to get a position at AskWonder, you’ll have to submit an application, take a skills test, and perform a trial assignment.

They base their pay on the type of question a researcher is answering plus the amount of time it takes to research it. However, according to salaries reported on Indeed, the average hourly pay is $23.52 per hour.

8. Fancy Hands

Fancy Hands

Fancy Hands is a virtual assistance company that hires freelancers to perform various tasks for their customers. One of those tasks is researching and gathering data.

The great thing about working at Fancy Hands is that even though many different types of jobs are available, you only have to complete the ones you’re interested in. Plus, you can work as little or as much as you want.

So, if you’re looking for a place you can get paid to research when you want, Fancy Hands is worth signing up for.

9. RWS

Get Paid For Searching The Web - RWS

RWS hires experienced researchers to help with studies. 

They also allow anyone to submit research on some of their general studies. Those who submit the best answers earn cash. Also, by submitting excellent research material to the open studies, you’ll increase your chances of being brought on as a paid hourly researcher. 

You can learn more about RWS here.

10. Indeed/FlexJobs

Get Paid For Searching The Web - Indeed/FlexJobs

If you’re looking for a full-time web research position, check Indeed.com and FlexJobs. Both of these sites have listings for research-related work-at-home jobs.

FlexJobs requires a paid subscription but is it worth it if you want to work from home. This is because they filter through all their job postings to confirm their legitimacy. Plus, all of the jobs on their site are remote or telecommuting positions.

You can also check out these FlexJobs alternatives for more good job sites.

Become a Search Engine Evaluator

If you’re looking for a part-time income or a job that guarantees you at least a few hours per week, you can apply to become a search engine evaluator. 

Search engine evaluators perform specific searches on top sites like Google, Yahoo, and Bing. They then evaluate the relevance of the search results based on the instructions provided.

Here are some of the top companies that hire search engine evaluators:

Get Paid For Searching The Web - Become a Search Engine Evaluator

11. Appen – This is one of the major players when it comes to search and social media evaluation. They regularly employ part-time contractors for these positions. To get started, you’ll need to sign up as an Appen contributor. You can then qualify for one of their open projects.

These projects can last for weeks to months at a time. Luckily, when one project ends, you can qualify for another.

12. Telus International This company (formerly Lionbridge) hires social media and search engine evaluators across the globe. To find a relevant job, you’ll need to filter the search for the United States then look for “US rater” jobs.

13. Teamwork.ai – This company is a crowdsourced marketplace with tons of different job openings for independent contractors worldwide. One of the jobs they fill is search engine evaluator. 

They offer flexible schedules and provide their search engine evaluators with 10-25 hours’ worth of work per week.

Related Idea: Install One of These Data Collection Apps

If you’re looking for an easy way to get paid for your internet activity, you can install a data collection app. These work by running in the background of your computer and tracking your internet use for market research purposes.

I’m not gonna lie – at first, these apps seem kind of creepy. However, everything they track is anonymous, so it’s not tied directly back to you. 

So, if you’re up for installing one of these apps, there are quite a few you can choose from. All you’ll need to do is create your account, set up payment info, and install the app or browser extension.

Here are a few of the most popular to check out:

Related Idea: Install One of These Data Collection Apps

14. MobileXPression – MobileXpression will pay you weekly rewards for installing their tracking software on your mobile device. Each week you’ll receive notifications from them saying you have credits to claim. You’ll then need to click the notification to claim the credit. 

You can cash out for gift cards. According to their website, new users can earn enough credits for a $5 Amazon gift card during their first week.

15. Nielsen Mobile and Computer Panel – Nielsen is one of the biggest market research companies in the world. They have a computer and mobile panel that tracks their members’ internet usage in exchange for rewards and sweepstakes entries. 

Unfortunately for this one, the pay is pretty low. For signing up, you can earn $5, and then they’ll enter you into a monthly sweepstake.

16. SJ Pulse  – SJ Pulse is Survey Junkies data collection app. You can download it on a computer or Android phone. When you join SJ Pulse, you’ll automatically earn rewards that you can trade-in for Paypal cash or gift cards.

Related Questions

Can you make money searching on Google?

Unfortunately, no. Google does not have a rewards program like Microsoft has for Bing. The closest you’ll get to earning off of Google searches is signing up with a data collection company like Nielsen Computer Panel or SJ Pulse. These companies will anonymously collect your internet usage habits and pay you a small reward for doing so.

Another option is to apply for a search engine evaluator job. Some of these jobs will require you to perform searches on Google and then evaluate the results for relevancy.

What are some jobs related to searching the web?

If you’re interested in becoming a freelancer, there are a few jobs related to searching the web. One of the most common is freelance writing. Writing blog posts and articles takes a lot of research skills, but you’ll also need writing skills.

Other related jobs include becoming a virtual assistant or a freelance researcher.

How can I get paid to watch videos?

If you’re interested in getting paid to watch videos, many sites will pay. You can check out this list of 20 sites that will pay you to watch videos.

Conclusion

If you want to get paid for searching the web, you definitely can. The most popular way is signing up for rewards sites like Swagbucks or Inboxdollars and using their search feature. Doing this can earn you up to a couple of hundred dollars per year for something you’d be doing anyway.

You can also watch the video below and see some weird online businesses that actually work

If you’re a good researcher, you can also make money by answering questions or evaluating the results in search engines. These could potentially earn you enough to equate to a part-time income.

Affiliate Disclaimer: I may (and probably do) receive affiliate commissions from any products I recommend or links I put on this page. My opinions are my own but they are truthful and I do my best to recommend products that I have vetted and/or purchased myself.