How to Earn Money by Watching Ads and YouTube Videos in India (2025) - Legit Ways to Make Extra Cash Online

How to Earn Money by Watching Ads and YouTube Videos (Yes, It’s Real!)

Let’s face it: Wouldn’t it be amazing to make money while lounging on your sofa, phone in hand, during those endless scroll sessions? What if I told you that’s exactly what platforms like Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and even YouTube offer? Whether you’re a student saving up for concert tickets, a parent sneaking in screen time between diaper changes, or just someone glued to TikTok compilations, earning cash for watching ads or videos is as effortless as it sounds. At Tamil Entrepreneur Society, we’ve tried these methods ourselves, some of us even fund our weekend sambar ingredients this way! Let’s unpack how it works, which platforms won’t waste your time, and how to dodge those sneaky scams.

Wait, You Can Really Get Paid to Watch Ads?

Yup! Companies are desperate for your eyeballs. They’ll toss you a few rupees or points just to watch their 30-second ad for a new snack or shampoo. Why? Because your feedback matters. Imagine a Chennai-based startup testing a chaat masala ad, they’ll pay platforms to show it to you, and you earn rewards for your two cents.

It’s not gonna replace your salary, but for minimal effort? Sweet deal. My cousin, Deepa, in Madurai, puts it this way: “I watch ads while my morning coffee brews. It’s ₹500 a month, enough for my Ola rides!” Platforms like Swagbucks or Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel let you earn points for simple tasks. No bossy upsells or sketchy fees.

Top Ways to Earn Money by Watching Ads

Not every app’s the same. Here’s the lowdown:

• Survey Apps with Ad Bonuses: Google Opinion Rewards (my go-to while waiting in ration shop queues) mixes quick surveys with ads. Answer three questions about toothpaste, watch a 20-second ad, and boom, ₹10 richer.
• Ad-Only Platforms: FusionCash or PrizeRebel are like ad marathons. Log in daily, binge-watch ads for detergent or scooters, and stack up rewards.
• YouTube Hacks: Playbuzz or Branded Surveys team up with creators. Watch a sponsored makeup tutorial, answer, “Would you buy this kajal?”, and pocket Amazon vouchers.

Swagbucks is great for gift cards (I snagged a Starbucks one last Diwali!), while InboxDollars pays cold, hard cash.

Read More: TubePay Honest Review: Can You Really Make Rs.1000 Per Day Using this Simple Application? Registration Process, Earning Methods & Withdrawal Options

How Does Watching YouTube Videos Earn You Money?

You know YouTubers earn from ads, but you can too, without filming a single video! Here’s the trick:

• Ad-Watching Apps: Apps like Hideout TV pay you to stream YouTube videos. Imagine watching a 10-minute ad for a new mobile brand during your train ride from Central Station, cha-ching!
• Ad Revenue for Creators (Long Game): Start your own channel. My friend, Karthik, posts Chennai street food reviews. After hitting 1,000 subscribers, he now earns ₹8k/month from ad revenue.

Take Priya, a college student in Coimbatore. She watches 10 YouTube videos daily on Playbuzz during her bus commute. By month-end, she’s got enough for Netflix and a Saravana Stores splurge.

How to Start Earning Today (Like a Pro)

Ready to turn screen time into cash? Follow these steps:

1. Pick Trusted Platforms: Skip random apps. Stick to Swagbucks, InboxDollars, or Nielsen (yes, the TV ratings folks). We at the Tamil Entrepreneur Society vouch for ’em.
2. Stay Consistent: Treat it like brushing teeth, daily habit! Watch 5 ads during breakfast idli time. My aunt does this while her dosa cooks.
3. Cash Out Smartly: Hit the minimum payout (₹500-ish), then redeem via Paytm or Flipkart vouchers.

Pro tip: Combine 2-3 apps. But don’t go overboard, no one wants to stare at detergent ads all day.

Pros and Cons: Is It Worth It?

Pros:

• I’ve spent only 30 seconds.
• Earn rewards like ANA biscuits. Another benefit is that it helps buy school supplies for my kiddo.

Cons:

• Unclear terms on some platforms, are you really getting what you expect?
• Requires patience.

Like Raj, a Coimbatore freelancer, says: “It won’t pay my rent, but it covers my tea stall runs!”

Avoid Scams: Don’t Get Played

Not all that glitters is gold. Protect yourself:

• Never Pay Upfront: Legit apps don’t ask for money. If they do, it’s a scam, block and report!
• Google Reviews: Search “[Platform Name] + scam.” I almost fell for a fake Swagbucks clone until Reddit warned me.
• Test Payouts Early: Withdraw ₹100 first to check if it’s real. My neighbour learned the hard way after waiting months for a scam site’s “payment.”

Also Read: Online Data Analyst Job | TELUS Work From Home Jobs | Best Part Time Job in India Using Your Mobile Phone

Final Thoughts: Pocket Money, Not Porsche Money

Let’s keep it real, this won’t buy you a BMW. But it’s perfect for funding weekend movie tickets, PVR popcorn, or mobile recharges. Pair it with selling homemade pickles or freelancing for bigger bucks.

So, why not try it? Sign up for Swagbucks during your next tea break. Who knows, you might earn enough for that biryani delivery tonight!

P.S. Curious about more side hustles? Grab our free guide on selling kolam designs online or freelancing for global clients. At Tamil Entrepreneur Society, we’re here to help you earn smarter, not harder.