How to Make Money on Rakuten: A Simple Guide to Earning While You Shop
What if you could earn money just by shopping online? Sounds too good to be true, right? But with Rakuten, that’s exactly what you can do. Formerly known as Ebates, Rakuten is one of the most popular cashback platforms out there, offering users a chance to earn real money on purchases they were already planning to make.
Whether you're new to Rakuten or want to maximize your earnings, this guide will show you exactly how to make money on Rakuten — no gimmicks, no catch.
🔍 What is Rakuten?
Rakuten is a free cashback website and app that partners with thousands of online retailers. When you shop through Rakuten’s links, you earn a percentage of your purchase back in cash. They get a commission from the store, and they share part of that with you. Simple.
💸 How to Make Money on Rakuten (Step-by-Step)
1. Sign Up for a Free Account
Go to Rakuten.com and create a free account. If you're new, Rakuten often offers a welcome bonus (like $10 or $30) when you spend a certain amount (usually $30) within the first 90 days.
👉 Pro tip: Use a referral link from a friend to get an even better sign-up bonus.
2. Install the Rakuten Browser Extension
The Rakuten browser extension is a must-have. It automatically alerts you when cashback is available on a site you’re browsing, so you don’t miss out.
Works on Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge
Activates cashback with one click
Applies promo codes at checkout
3. Shop at Partner Stores
Rakuten partners with over 3,500+ stores, including:
Amazon
Walmart
Nike
Macy’s
Sephora
Best Buy
Target
Before you shop, go to Rakuten.com or use the app to find your store, then click through their link. That’s how your purchase gets tracked.
4. Refer Friends and Family
Rakuten’s referral program is one of the easiest ways to earn more.
You get a bonus (often $30)
Your friend also gets a bonus
No limit to how many people you can refer
If you’ve had a good experience with Rakuten, share your referral link via email, social media, or your blog.
5. Use Rakuten for Travel Bookings
Rakuten also offers cashback on:
Hotels
Flights
Car rentals
Vacation packages
Partner sites include Expedia, Booking.com, and Priceline. Travel purchases often have higher cashback rates, especially during seasonal promotions.
6. Watch for Double Cash Back Events
Rakuten runs special promotions where certain stores offer double or triple cashback. These usually happen during:
Back-to-school season
Black Friday/Cyber Monday
Holidays and special sales events
Bookmark the Double Cash Back section and check regularly.
7. Get Paid
Rakuten pays you every quarter via:
Check (Big Fat Check)
PayPal
Minimum payout: $5.01
If you don’t reach the threshold, your balance rolls over to the next quarter.
🧠 Bonus Tips to Maximize Rakuten Earnings
Stack savings: Combine cashback with store promo codes and credit card rewards.
Use in-store cashback: Link your card and shop at local stores to earn cash.
Check cashback rates before you buy: Rates vary by store and can change daily.
Download the app: Great for shopping on the go and finding in-store deals.
🎯 Final Thoughts
Rakuten is a legit and easy way to earn extra money without changing your habits. Whether you’re buying groceries, booking a flight, or shopping for the holidays, getting paid to shop just makes sense.
The key is to be consistent: always activate cashback before you make a purchase and refer others when you can. Over time, those small earnings can add up to hundreds of dollars a year.
Start now and get your bonus — because earning while you shop is smarter than just shopping.