How To Get Paid To Write Reviews – My 16 Favorite Ways
Did you know that 86% of consumers read local reviews when searching for products/services in their area, and reviews can be almost as powerful as personal recommendations.
So, it's no surprise that many brands and companies are willing to pay you to share your opinion about them. And that's why you can actually get paid to write reviews if you know where to look.
In this post, I'm covering 10+ of the best ways to write reviews for money that you can use to make some extra money on the side.
One of the ideas in this article even paid me $50 for just 10 minutes of my time, and there are plenty of other companies and websites that also pay quite well.
Looking for other easy ways to share your opinion for cash? Checkout:
- Branded Surveys – A popular survey site that pays you with PayPal and free gift cards.
- Swagbucks – A fun way to get free gift cards and PayPal cash for completing easy online tasks!
The Best Ways To Write Reviews For Money
I've been testing out different ways to make money online for years. And in that time, I've been paid for writing countless reviews as a freelance writer, as well as by different companies and paid review platforms.
1. Start A Review-Based Blog
I want to include blogging as a way to write reviews for money because, in my opinion, this is the most sustainable method out of everything I have listed.
Starting your own blog and growing an audience, while difficult and time consuming, can present a lot of money making opportunities.
It didn't take me too long to create a $100/month blog. And these days, WebMonkey makes over $20k a month between Mediavine display ads and affiliate marketing.
In fact, my blog made $272,000 in 2022, so this is personal proof that you can get paid to write reviews. And if you enjoy writing content in a niche that is popular for influencer marketing, you can definitely start making money with product or service reviews.
Just take a look at this review-based blog, WireCutter, down below. They write in-depth product guides and reviews about things like electronics and appliances, and the website earns commissions if readers end up purchasing the products they review.
It might take many months or years to grow a sufficient following, but this is a route you can embark on. Besides, affiliate sales + advertisement revenue are also factors to consider.
2. G2 Crowd
G2 Crowd is another one of my favorite ways to get paid for writing reviews, and it's actually one I use regularly to get free money.
With 700,000+ verified reviews G2 Crowd is definitely a major player in the space, but they have the same never-ending need to keep the positive (and paid for) reviews coming in.
And I know this is a legit way to write reviews for money since I actually earned a $50 USD free Amazon gift card for writing a review of PartnerStack, an affiliate management platform I use for this blog.
All I had to do was look for the opportunity on G2 crowd, share my experience with PartnerStack, and then upload some screenshots for proof that I use the software.
This was an easy way to make $50 fast, and plenty of other software reviews pay $10 or more on G2 Crowd.
3. Become A Freelance Writer
Like blogging, another lucrative option to get paid to write reviews is to make money with freelance writing.
I've been a freelance writer for the last three to four years. In this time, clients have paid me thousands of dollars to write review content for their websites. And I even got a full-time writing gig at one point just writing reviews every day as a freelance writer.
Freelance writing also gave me the freedom to quit my office job and make more money. And these days, I write full-time, traveling the world while making money with a laptop.
The downside to this online side hustle is that it takes time to find clients. But I made a video that shares how to find freelance writing gigs so you can get started.
You can also find easy writing gigs by looking for beginner jobs on Upwork, Fiverr, and remote job boards like FlexJobs. And I've even found gigs by asking my network in the past.
Overall, this is one of the more consistent, lucrative ways to write reviews for money. And it can even turn into a full-time job!
4. Amazon Vine
If you shop and review items on Amazon frequently, you may end up being invited to join Amazon Vine. And this is one of my favorite ways to write product reviews for money.
Amazon invites trusted reviewers to write reviews for new or pre-released items on the Amazon marketplace. The goal of Amazon Vine is to ultimately help other consumers make better purchasing decisions.
Vine members receive free products in return for their reviews. So, it's technically a way to get paid for reviews, and you can always sell the products you receive down the line on Facebook or Craigslist to make some cash.
To become an Amazon Vine reviewer, you must have a high reviewer rank and be invited. Reviewer rank reflects the quality and helpfulness of your product reviews, so keep this opportunity in mind the next time you write a product review!
Extra Reading – 18 Ways To Make Money On Amazon.
5. Write Fiverr Reviews
Now here's the funny thing about Fiverr and Amazon when it comes to writing reviews for money: Amazon actually sued over 1,000 fake Fiverr review writers in the past for this sort of stunt.
Fiverr used to be inundated with fake review offers, and while Fiverr fully complied with Amazon and banned sellers/restricted those sorts of gigs, there are plenty of people still trying to make a quick buck:
Some of these gigs even have the word ‘Amazon' in them, which I think is pretty damn funny considering the past lawsuit.
Anyway, Fiverr has a healthy mix of product, book, and Amazon review offerings, and while a lot of sellers are vying for free merchandise in exchange for their work, some clearly expect cash for a quick Amazon review or 5 star rating.
6. Private Facebook Groups
While Fiverr used to be the place to go if you wanted to write reviews for money, private Facebook groups are much more popular these days, especially for paid Amazon reviews.
A quick search of ‘Amazon Review Groups' in my search bar brought up plenty of budding communities of reviewers, and hundreds of posts are made in these groups on a daily basis:
As you can see, reviewers either get free products, massive discounts, or monetary compensation for providing positive feedback. Some groups require their members to be Amazon Sellers, but most don't.
This whole method definitely feels like an underground way to earn with review writing, and it honestly is, but this is the name of the game these days it would seem!
7. Local Classifieds
While this option to get paid to write reviews isn't as common, a search of ‘Amazon review' or ‘product review' on your local classifieds like Kijiji or Craigslist can turn up postings that offer free or discounted products in return for a favorable review.
Just check out the offer I found in my city on Kijiji: It gives you a free LED tape light strip if you test it and leave a review.
I have no idea if this is a scam or not, but these sorts of listings pop up pretty regularly. They do violate the terms and service from my understanding so they get taken down just as frequently, but hey, maybe there is some cash or freebies to be found here.
Extra Reading – The Best Things To Sell On Facebook Marketplace.
8. TryProducts
Anotjher way you can snag free stuff is to try product review gigs with companies like TryProducts.com.
With TryProducts, you get free merchandise and everyday essentials sent to you for free. You then write a review/piece of feedback to help the brand improve its products.
TryProducts works with over 300 brands to give its members free stuff. Examples of products you can get in exchange for your reviews include:
- Beauty products
- Snacks
- Home goods
- Baking supplies
- Outdoor gear
This is a similar concept to companies like PINCHme, although it's only available in the United States. You won't get rich with this site either. But it's an easy way to score free stuff which is basically making money for writing reviews.
Learn more about TryProducts (U.S. only.)
9. Capterra Software Reviews
When it comes to the world of software reviews, Capterra is one of the largest players out there. From cloud computing to accounting software, Capterra is a one-stop-shop for everything you need to know when making a purchase decision on software.
Like all review-based websites, it's the user submitted content that actually creates value. Since Capterra is interested in compiling as many great reviews as possible from real customers to make more money (through affiliate/lead generation deals), they are willing to pay for reviews.
Now here's the thing: Capterra makes it very clear in their guidelines that they vet reviews and only pay for reviews that pass approval.
When reviewing on Capterra, you verify your identity through LinkedIn, and as this Reddit thread describes, you might have to send screenshots of the software you are using/further proof you have real experience.
Regardless, if you frequently use software for work/school or are decent with language and can paraphrase other reviews, writing reviews on Capterra for money seems like an easy flow of $10 gift cards.
10. Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus was actually founded in 1933, and the Kirkus Reviews magazine is a successful magazine that brings the latest and greatest book reviews to readers around the world.
Kirkus is also currently looking for experienced book reviewers of English or Spanish works, and you can apply for the job on their website.
Just note, reviews are generally around 350 words and are expected to be completed 2 weeks following a book assignment, so slow readers should shy away from this one!
11. Gartner Peer Insights
Gartner is another popular software/technology review website, and like Capterra, the only way Gartner can provide value is through continuing to grow their list of user reviews and resources.
Like Capterra, Gartner is also willing to pay users to review software and offers a rate of $25 per verified review and a total of 10 reviews per year.
So, if you actually use a lot of software, this could be a decent way to make an additional $250 a year without much problem. Similarly, if you are looking for a new side hustle idea and don't have any ethical qualms about paraphrasing, you could probably make a quick buck anyway.
This Reddit thread breaks down some payment proof and tips for writing reviews on Gartner, and you should note that you need a business email address to work for this program…No Gmail or Outlook.
Extra Reading – How To Make $100 A Day On PayPal.
12. ApperWall
I'm using Apperwall for an example of how you can make money by reviewing apps or games but this website is really one amidst a sea of other sketchy platforms that sort of work.
The premise behind Apperwall is simple: create and verify your account/phone, and then earn money for downloading and reviewing specific apps.
Apperwall and similar websites generally pay out between $0.25-$1.50 for accepted reviews, but the main issue with these platforms is that they tend to come and go.
Writing fake reviews is against the Google PlayStore or App Store terms of service, so these companies rarely have a smooth ride. However, if you do a bit of research or even try out Apperwall for yourself, you might be able to make some decent side income in your spare time.
I've actually written a post that covers ways to make money by testing websites and games, and I would argue that user testing work is higher paying and more reliable than app review writing, so this is another option to consider as well!
Extra Reading – How To Make Money Playing Video Games.
13. Online Book Club
Online Book Club is exactly what it sounds like…An online book club.
On OBC, the process is simple. Each day a free or heavily discounted e-book will be announced, and users have the opportunity to read and review (if they wish) the book.
While most readers will probably not make money for their reviews, the most popular reviews can earn up to $50, and at the very worst this is just a straightforward way to get a bunch of free e-books every year.
If you are a serious fan of reading and like to voice your opinion for a chance to make money I'd recommend checking out Online Book Club!
You can read my OnlineBookClub.org review for all the details!
14. Other Book Reviewing Websites
If you want to get paid to write book reviews, there are plenty of other options publications or websites out there currently hiring reviewers, including:
- BookBrowse.com
- TheUsReview.com
- NewPages.com
- AnySubject.com
- PublishersWeekly.com
Just keep in mind, a lot of these publications are very competitive, so don't expect easy money from the world of online book reviews!
15. Start A YouTube Channel
Alright, I know this isn't exactly a way to write reviews for cash, but the premise is the exact same.
If you're an expert on something, you might be able to share your opinion for it on the internet and to basically get paid to give advice.
If you've ever searched for a product/service review on YouTube, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
Hell, you don't even have to be an expert. After all, channels like Ryan ToyReview grossed more than 20 million in revenue in 2018, and the channel is run by a kid.
Granted, you probably won't become the next Ryan, but if you have a passion for a niche you can probably take a crack at YouTube or blogging just to see how things turn out. You might be surprised at the results after a few months of hard work!
Extra Reading – How To Make Money On YouTube.
16. Try Slice The Pie
While Slice The Pie isn't my cup of tea, it's another way you can make money writing music and product reviews if you're completely out of options.
In a nutshell, Slice The Pie lets you review:
- Music
- Tech
- Accessories
- Various other products where you give overall brand feedback
Music is the most popular, and you have to listen to new tracks for at least 90 seconds and write a decent review. You don't earn much per review, maybe a few pennies to $0.05 to $0.10 at most, and it takes $10 to cash out with PayPal.
But, if you're out of options and want to get paid to listen to music, you could check it out.
However, I'd probably try websites where you get paid to test websites and apps before trying Slice The Pie. You can also check out Slice The Pie review for more information.
Extra Reading – How To Get Paid To Review Movies.
Can You Get Paid To Write Fake Reviews?
Yes, you can get paid to write fake reviews since companies are willing to pay people for favorable reviews. This is especially true for ecommerce websites or brands selling on websites like Amazon. However, you can get banned for this, and it's not the sort of job that usually pays a lot of money.
Additionally, search engines and marketplaces like Amazon are getting better at detecting fraud, and they are also making an effort to remove and ban fake reviewers from their platforms because it detracts from their reliability.
If you are actually serious about making money through review writing, you will probably have to spend many hours of unpaid work building up history on your Amazon, Google, Yelp, or whatever other account you will be using.
I suggest remaining honest and only writing reviews for products or services you use, but hey, do whatever you have to do.
Additionally, you might want to have backup accounts at the ready in case you get banned or your reviews just automatically get flagged as spam.
In my opinion, the best way to gain from writing reviews is to ask for free products in exchange for reviews, or to create your own blog that is in a very narrow niche and to pitch sponsored posts to companies.
At the end of the day, I think fraudulent reviews are never going to disappear , and you can definitely use review writing to make extra money on the side, but I wouldn't bank on this one for a long term, life-sustaining hustle.
What's The Best Way To Get Started?
In my opinion, starting a review-based blog is the best way to get paid to write reviews.This is because blogging is a long-term strategy where you can build a brand people trust and turn to in order to find info about various products and services.
My blog is an example of this. I made $22,000 blogging in 2020, and in 2021, WebMonkey earned $92,000. I then earned nearly $300,000 in 2022.
App reviews and side hustle reviews have always been a massive part of my content strategy. So, this is a real-life example of how you can start writing reviews for money and turn it into a full-time job.
There are also so many ways to monetize your review blog. Affiliate links are the obvious example, but you can also run ads with companies like Monumetric or Mediavine. Additionally, starting a blog opens the door for sponsored posts, selling your own products, and coaching.
This is just my opinion, but if you want a long-term strategy, I definitely recommend starting your own blog!
Start a blog with SiteGround today and start making money!
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide on how to earn money by writing reviews clarifies the best methods to start out this side hustle.
As mentioned, I think it's important to be honest and never write fake reviews since doing so can get you into serious legal trouble. Plus, it isn't ethical!
But, there are still loads of legitimate methods and free online jobs out there you can use to make extra cash every month!
Extra Reading:
