Who couldn’t use a little extra income these days? Four years after I first published this post on how do I earn Swagbucks, this rewards program remains every bit as popular as it was when I first joined. And with good reason, I think! There are some super easy ways for anyone to benefit from this platform.
Swagbucks is a handy option for earning limited amounts of extra income online. Moreover, there are multiple ways to save money on stuff we all buy regularly. Get savings on things like groceries, cleaning products, or maybe back-to-school supplies.
Tens of thousands of individuals search for information on this program in Google every single month. People search for things like, is Swagbucks legit? How do I earn more Swagbucks? And, how much money can you make with Swagbucks? In short, there’s still a ton of interest that led to this 2020 update of my review.
So, let’s try to answer as many questions as we can!
What Is Swagbucks?
Swagbucks is an online rewards program that awards virtual currency called Swag Bucks (SB) for engaging in various online activities. This platform is an example of a GPT (Get-Paid-To) website where consumers are paid to complete tasks. Tasks include things like taking surveys, completing offers, shopping with online retail partners, watching videos, and more.
By completing tasks, you accumulate Swag Bucks. You can then redeem SBs for gift cards to your favorite online retailers or for cash via PayPal. Each Swag Buck equals 1 cent.
Prodege, LLC, an online market research company, owns Swagbucks which they launched in 2008. Prodege also owns Inbox Dollars and MyPoints.
Swagbucks is free and easy to join for members worldwide who are 13 years of age or older. To date, the platform has paid more than $439 million to members.
Is Swagbucks Legit?
Swagbucks is unquestionably a legitimate platform. I base that conclusion on my own personal experience as a member for 4 years plus the following factors:
- Swagbucks is 100% free to join and requires nothing more than an email address. You even receive 30 Swag Bucks just for joining.
- They definitely payout rewards. In my first 5 days as a member, I earned 531 Swag Bucks and redeemed 500 Swag Bucks for a $5 Amazon gift card. Now, after being a member for years, I’ve earned hundreds of dollars with minimal effort.
- The earnings potential is very limited, but Swagbucks does not make any claims that you can get rich quick. Realistically, you can earn $30 to $50 per month. It’s not life-changing income, but it can be helpful. Over time, it adds up!
Join Swagbucks for free here.
How to Earn Swagbucks in 9 Ways
(1) Shop with Participating Vendors Via the Swagbucks Site
Swagbucks partners with over 1,500 participating retailers including Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Priceline, and others. You receive a discount on your online purchase in the form of a specified number of Swag Bucks per dollar spent. If it’s for a purchase you were going to make anyway, this can represent a great savings opportunity.
Just make sure to start your online shopping by using the Swagbucks portal. It’s absolutely essential to click the link on the Swagbucks website to get your discount. Are you wondering how this all works and how Swagbucks can afford to pay its members rebates?
Every time you click a Swagbucks link to start shopping, Swagbucks earns a commission. There’s a unique tracking code embedded in the link. Swagbucks then shares a portion of its affiliate commission with you and everyone benefits.
If you do a lot of shopping online, cash rebates can make a significant difference in your budget. There are also other cash rebate sites you might want to investigate such as TopCashback or BeFrugal.
By using the Swagbucks site you can also save on in-store purchases. Add deals to your shopping list and then upload your receipt to earn SBs. There are also a ton of coupons available that you can print and use at any retailer to save.
I want to save money with #Swagbucks Discounts
(2) Purchase Gift Cards From a Variety of Vendors
Buying gift cards offer savings similar to online product purchases. But these savings are a bit more flexible because cards may be used at local store locations. Savings vary by vendor and are expressed as a percentage of the dollar value of the gift card. Movie theaters and restaurants participate in addition to retail shops.
Buying gift cards through Swagbucks can be a super way to expand your entertainment budget in addition to saving you money on everyday stuff. Earn Swag Bucks when you use the card.
(3) Take Surveys
If you enjoy completing surveys, give this a try. Swagbucks is considered one of the best sites out there to get paid for your opinion. Some surveys are very short and pay only 5 Swag Bucks. But there are many opportunities to earn 75 or 80 SBs.
You may see surveys offered that pay up to 300 Swag Bucks. Surveys require some patience. and it’s important to recognize that you won’t qualify for all of them. Every survey is designed for a specific target market. Companies want feedback to improve their products which means they look for insights from people who are likely to buy their goods or services.
But the large number of surveys offered by Swagbucks means there’s always a survey available for you to attempt.
(4) Watch Videos
Yes, you read that right. You can earn from 1 to 3 Swag Bucks for watching videos on varying topics. In my experience, videos are actually a series of 1-minute video clips. So, for example, you might watch 18 clips to earn 3 Swag Bucks. Some are interesting. But remember, this is a promotional site.
There will be an ad at the beginning of each clip, and unlike other Internet video scenarios, you can’t skip the ad :). The screenshot below will give you an idea of the video categories available.
(5) Search the Internet Using Swagbucks’ Search Engine
From what I’ve seen, this is a very random, hit, or miss technique. I’ve performed as many as 10 searches in a row with no reward. Then I’ve received 18 Swag Bucks for a search as you can see below. I have not detected any sort of pattern yet.
But hey, I search all the time and it’s free so why not take advantage of this? If you want to maximize the potential from searching, you can set the Swagbucks search engine as your default engine. Yahoo powers its engine.
(6) Play Video Games
If you regularly engage in online gaming, this might be of interest. Swagbucks has some original free games where you earn random SB. When you play games through Swagbucks partners, you must make an in-game purchase to earn Swag Bucks, so this is not a feature I’ve explored.
(7) Print Store Coupons
If you’re a serious coupon clipper, you will love this feature. You can save on grocery purchases and also earn Swag Bucks for the same item, thereby further increasing your savings.
Let me “fess” up here. I was never very good about the coupon clipping thing. But that was before I began to understand the benefits of double and triple-dipping. Oh, yeah! That is definitely possible with all the rebates and shopping apps that you can join for free.
Why not check out my reviews for Ibotta, Checkout 51, and Shopkick to see how you can combine discounts and score some free stuff!
(8) Install Your Swag Button
Swagbucks has an extension you can download for your browser called the Swag Button. As you browse the Web, this extension gives you a pop-up notification to let you know that Swagbucks discounts are available on a site. Just click the pop-up to save.
This button also alerts you 
when a new swag code is released. You can redeem Swag Codes for free Swag Bucks. Swag codes get released randomly and are only active for a brief period, so it’s best to grab them as soon as you see the alert.
You can click the notification message to go instantly to the Swagbucks Facebook (or another) notification page. Just locate and copy the Swag Code, paste it into the swag code text box, and click redeem.
Typically, you earn between 2 and 6 Swag Bucks. Easy peasy!
Some swag code alerts are money-saving coupon offers on promotional items that have an expiration date. Others offer bonus Swag Bucks for purchases made with select vendors. You don’t have to take advantage of the offer to get the Swagbucks available with the alert, but occasionally it might be just what you’re looking for.
(9) Refer a Friend
The best way to earn a larger number of Swag Bucks is through referrals. Everyone who signs up automatically receives a referral code. Share this code with your family and friends on your Facebook page or in emails. Getting referrals is the only way to earn Swag Bucks fast.
When someone clicks your link and joins the program, you can each earn bonus Swag Bucks, If your referral earns 300 Swag Bucks in the first 30 days of membership, you both earn 300 bonus Swag Bucks. You also receive 10% of the Swag Bucks earned by your referral for life. So, for example, if the friend you refer earns 500 Swag Bucks, you will be credited with 50 Swag Bucks. Sweet deal!
After reading these tips, if you’ve decided “I need Swagbucks,” you can
Join Swagbucks for free here.
Earn Swagbucks on the Go
Download Swagbucks Mobile for either your IOS or Android device. You can then start earning rewards for shopping, taking surveys, or watching videos from anywhere. The next time you’re standing in line somewhere or sitting in a waiting room, you can make that time productive.
How Will You Get Paid?
Once you accumulate enough Swag Bucks, you can claim your reward in one of three ways:
- Receive a gift card to dozens of popular vendors
- Get cash via PayPal
- Donate earnings to charity
Minimum payout thresholds are low which means you’ll see rewards quicker. There are several egift cards including Amazon available for $3 (300 SB). And, you only need 500 SB for a $5 cash withdrawal via PayPal.
It’s actually possible to get a $1 Amazon gift card. But, I advise being a little more patient because you’ll pay a premium at this level. The $1 card will cost you 140 SB.
When you redeem your reward, Swagbucks indicates it may take as long as 5 business days to complete the processing, But I never waited more than 24 hours to receive my award. Here’s my latest proof of payment.
Final Thoughts
I hope you found this post on how do I earn Swagbucks helpful. Furthermore, f you know others who might benefit from 9 easy ways to earn Swagbucks, I hope you’ll spread the word. Swagbucks is a legitimate program that can help to modestly supplement your monthly income.
Earning discounts and rewards through Swagbucks can be helpful, I think. Survey and rewards websites like this can be a great way to get a taste of what it’s like to make money online. And, a few extra bucks a month always comes in handy. But the reality is, you can’t earn a significant income with any survey or rewards site.
Are you interested in making more? You may want to explore the industry-leading platform where I built my website and learned the ins and outs of affiliate marketing. Launch a potentially lucrative online business where the sky’s the limit.
Over to You
So, do you think you’ll join Swagbucks? If you’re already a member, I would love to hear about your experiences with Swagbucks, both positive and negative. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Like It? Please Share It!
I was wondering if Swagbucks was a scam or not and I guess it isn’t after reading your review. I’m looking to earn extra money but it seems like this program takes a lot of effort for a little reward. The fact that they actually pay out is a good sign though so I might give it a go since it’s free.
Thanks!
Hi David,
I really do think the program is worth a bit of time. It’s true it doesn’t pay a lot but there’s certainly nothing wrong with earning some free gift cards. I shop on Amazon all the time and I have no problem saving $5 🙂 Truth be told, it’s also not a lot of effort. Tasks are very simple and uncomplicated. Let me know how it works out for you.
Hey Linda, great and complete review! I’ve used Swagbucks over the past few years and I’ve made good money from it.
You actually can’t make a lot if you don’t refer people to the site tho. So I would recommend anyone who wants to earn with this site to learn how to promote it.
Hi Sim,
Thanks for your comments and confirming that you can make some money with Swagbucks. Good tip about learning to promote it.
This seems like a really good website. You nearly sold me swagbucks after I read your post, and then I realised why I was on your website.
I had a look at the other pages and they’re all very good. I like the way you lay the pages out with both text and pictures. It feels very homely and therefore trustworthy. I think many people will buy into it.
Hi Jake,
I appreciate the positive feedback SO much! Homey and trustworthy is exactly the type of site I’m working to create for my readers. Trying something new like an online business can be a little intimidating and I want my visitors to know it doesn’t have to be 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts!
Swagbucks is one of my favorite sites for getting gift cards. Each week I earn about $5 in gift cards and use that to buy groceries! I make most of my swagbucks watching videos through the mobile app. I find it’s easier to let videos play on there while you do other things. Love it!
Hi Gabriela,
I’m happy to hear we’ve had similar positive experiences. I love Swagbucks also. I tend to use my gift cards for Amazon purchases 🙂 Thanks for your comments.