Swagbucks is one of the biggest online survey and reward platforms with over twenty million members. The site has given out nearly $580 million in rewards to its members since 2008 when it was founded.
You have the option to choose from many ways to earn SB Points as a member. These points can be converted into cashback or gift cards.
You can complete tasks in your spare time, such as taking surveys or watching videos.
Although it isn’t passive income, you will have to put in the time to earn points. However, Swagbucks can be a great way to make some extra cash while you’re away from work.
This is not a thing to quit your job, but you can make enough money each month to go out for dinner.
This post will cover Swagbucks in detail, from how it works to how much you can make and whether it is worth your time.
Swagbucks Features
Let’s take a look at the Swagbucks platform.
- Get a free membership
Swagbucks is a rewards-based platform. The membership process should be your first step.
The rule of thumb when it comes to surveying websites is that they should not charge any fees. Sites that charge fees are often scams and a waste of time.
Why? Because the earning potential on sites like Swagbucks is very low. You will not be able to make a lot of money. The earning potential will always be held down by the value of any membership fees.
Swagbucks however, offers a completely free interface. You can sign up online and start earning SB points by completing tasks.
- Mobile App
Consider how many hours you spend scrolling through the phone, playing games, or watching videos. You can make that time more valuable with the Swagbucks mobile application.
You can use the app to do all the tasks that are on the website. Swagbucks app is available for both Android and iOS.
- Cash rewards
Many survey sites limit redemption options to gift cards and discounts on purchases. Simply put, to access your earnings, you must spend money.
Swagbucks’ biggest draw is the possibility of getting paid in cash to your PayPal account. The minimum amount of SB points required to cash out is 2500, which is equal to $25.
Transferring the money to your bank account will incur a fee. However, you can use your PayPal cash online to shop wherever PayPal is accepted.
Earning points takes some time. However, it is possible to reach the threshold if you use this platform frequently.
- Gift cards
You can also redeem points by purchasing digital gift cards from top retailers such as Target, Amazon, and Walmart. You can also purchase American Express or Visa reward cards.
The conversion rate of SB points to gift cards is generally the same as cash payouts. For a $25 Amazon gift card, you will need 2500 SB points since one SB point equals $0.01.
You don’t need to wait to cash out until you reach 2500. Gift cards payouts are available for as low as $1
Swagbucks offers regular sales on selected gift cards. These typically range between 1% and 10% off. There may even be discounts of up to 20%.
Discounted gift cards have the highest points value, provided that they are offered by retailers you would shop at.
How Does Swagbucks Work?
Swagbucks is also unique in that you can earn rewards in many different ways.
Swagbucks offers more than just browser extensions and surveys.
Here’s how Swagbucks works:
1. Answer Online Surveys
Swagbucks allows you to connect with various surveys and polls that are run daily by marketers or brands.
You’ll be able to access a list of surveys each day along with the payoff and how long it will take.
Surveys can cover many topics, and you may need to be a part of a certain demographic to qualify.
You will often be asked to complete a screener before you can apply for surveys. This process can take up to five to six minutes. This will help you to calculate your hourly earnings.
The more difficult the survey, the higher the payoff. While some surveys can pay up to 5,000 SB points ($50), the majority of the surveys you’ll find will only be worth 50-100 SB points.
2. Shopping Online
Swagbucks is a cashback program that allows you to earn SB points for purchases made online.
This is similar to a rewards card. You’ll get a set number of SB points with each retailer.
You can earn points by going to the shopping portal, and selecting the website you wish to use. You’ll get rewards points as long as your transaction was initiated with Swagbucks.
Another option is to download the SwagButton browser extension, which automatically alerts you if any coupons or SB points are available for the website you’re currently on, With this, you won’t lose points if the Swagbucks website isn’t used before you shop.
The goal is to earn points for things you already buy. If you shop only to earn SB points, it will be worthwhile. However, don’t go crazy buying things to make more points because you’ll run broke before you make anything decent.
3. Watch Videos
While watching videos is the easiest way for you to earn points it also has the lowest payouts. Expect to earn a minimum of one SB point per video.
In Swagbucks Video, videos will continue to show ads without you clicking on the next one. This allows you to leave it running while doing other things online.
4. Find Deals
Swagbucks Discover is one of the most lucrative areas on the platform. You can earn SB points by trying new products or services. This could include anything from a bank account to streaming services.
These special offers may be limited to just a few points or even thousands.
As you can see, the more points available, the more money or time it will take to get them. It is important to search for services you are already interested in signing up for.
5. Use the Search Engine
Swagbucks search allows you to earn extra points for your normal search engine activity. Swagbucks search is powered by Yahoo! It works in the same manner as other search engines.
Swagbucks search can be used by simply changing your browser settings. When you search the internet from your address bar you will automatically be directed to your Swagbucks results.
You won’t get many points for each search that earns you points. You should still see some extra points due to the fact that you can do a lot of searches every day.
Swagbucks Search also works with Chrome, Firefox, and Internet Explorer.
6. Play Games
There are many options for those who love to play games on their phone or laptop.
Some of the game’s rewards are based upon microtransactions. You earn SB points for each dollar spent.
Others, like casino games, require you to deposit money.
You can find some free options but the payouts are usually lower.
7. Scanning Receipts
Magic Receipts allows you to earn SB points for shopping in-store. Simply make a purchase at a partner retailer and scan the receipt to earn points.
Magic Receipts are only valid for grocery shopping. Eligible grocery stores include Kroger, Costco, and Target.
8. Refer a friend
Swagbucks can only be used to make a passive income this way.
You’ll receive 10% of their lifetime earnings, in addition to the 300 SB points bonus that you earn when your referral earns their 300th point within 30 days.
Share your referral link easily on social media networks, or send an email directly from swagbucks.com to get started.
Is It Free To Use Swagbucks?
Swagbucks is a completely free platform. There are no membership fees. When you consider the cost of a Swagbucks Account, there is only one thing that matters: your time.
Swagbucks, no matter what features you use to earn points can quickly become tedious.
You’re not serving the purpose (making big money) if you spend too much time on it when you could be making more money in other areas, such as starting a business.
This is why Swagbucks should be used only when you are free or away from work.
You can, for example, take surveys while watching TV or run videos in the background while you do your work from home. Or refer friends to earn passively.
This way you don’t have to sacrifice time for less.
How to Sign Up for Swagbucks
It takes only a few seconds to sign up for Swagbucks. You can sign up for Swagbucks by visiting the website or downloading the app. Once you have entered your email address, confirm it, and then you are good to go. Link your phone number to earn additional SB points.
The platform can be overwhelming at first. It’s not difficult once you get used to it.
There will be daily and monthly tasks that you need to complete. You can also track your balance in the upper right corner of your dashboard.
Is It Really Safe To Use Swagbucks?
Swagbucks is/has a secure website, so your personal information is safe.
Swagbucks has connections to thousands of merchants and third-party ads, so there is no guarantee that your data will be secure when you visit these external sites.
Swagbucks and other survey sites are masters at monetizing consumer data. If you don’t feel comfortable disclosing your information, then this may not be the right avenue for you.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Platform is free
- There are many ways to make money.
- Cash payouts
- Refer a friend and get a great referral bonus
Cons:
- Earning potential is low
- Limited customer service
- Security questions
Swagbucks Alternatives
You can also check out these other survey sites:
- Survey Junkie
- Branded Surveys
- Survey Club
Is Swagbucks Really worth it?
Swagbucks is a great way to earn money.
However, if you plan to use it, know this. It’s not a side-hustle that can generate enough cash to launch a business or pay off debts. Swagbucks is simply a great personal finance tool for easy cheap or rather spare cash.
Swagbucks members can save money on purchases and make extra money passively through referrals.
It is important to use it correctly. It’s likely you’d be shocked at how much electricity your phone is wasting, and not accomplishing anything.
Let’s turn that downtime into dollars, and cents!
