A Smarter Way to Shop: How to Earn Cashback with Rakuten
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If you're shopping online without using Rakuten, you're missing out on easy money. Rakuten is a free cashback service that rewards you every time you shop at one of their partnered stores—and right now, new users get a $30 bonus just for signing up and making their first qualifying purchase.
This guide walks you through what Rakuten is, how it works, and how you can start using it to earn real cash—not points or store credit—on everyday purchases.
What is Rakuten and How Does It Work?
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) is a cashback platform that pays you a percentage of your purchases when you shop through their links at participating retailers. The concept is simple: stores pay Rakuten a commission for sending them customers, and Rakuten passes part of that commission back to you.
It costs nothing to use, and the cashback adds up fast—especially if you’re already shopping online for clothes, electronics, home goods, or travel.
How to Use Rakuten and Start Earning
1. Sign Up for a Free Rakuten Account
Go to Rakuten to receive a $30 welcome bonus. Create your account using your email, Google, or Facebook login. To qualify for the bonus, you need to make a purchase of $30 or more within 90 days.
2. Install the Rakuten Extension
Rakuten offers a browser extension that works in the background while you shop. When you visit a participating site, it alerts you and lets you activate cashback with a single click. This ensures you never forget to use Rakuten.
3. Shop at Your Favorite Stores
There are two simple ways to activate cashback:
-Through Rakuten’s website: Log in, search for the store, and click the Rakuten link to start shopping.
-Through the extension: When you land on a Rakuten partner store, a prompt will appear asking if you want to enable cashback.
After clicking through, complete your purchase as usual. Rakuten tracks your order and adds the cashback to your account.
4. Complete a Qualifying Purchase to Unlock Your Bonus
Make a purchase of $30 or more (not including taxes or shipping) at any eligible store. Once Rakuten verifies the transaction, the $30 bonus will be credited to your balance.
5. Get Paid
Rakuten distributes payments every quarter, either via PayPal or mailed check. Here’s the current payout schedule:
| Shopping Period | Payment Issued |
|---|---|
| January – March | May 15 |
| April – June | August 15 |
| July – September | November 15 |
| October – December | February 15 |
You can track pending and confirmed cashback from your Rakuten dashboard at any time.
Tips for Earning More with Rakuten
-Watch for special promotions: Some stores offer limited-time increased cashback rates.
-Use Rakuten for booking travel: Earn cashback on hotels, car rentals, and flights through Expedia, Booking.com, and more.
-Combine cashback with coupons and discounts: Rakuten won’t cancel out store sales—you can stack your savings.
-Refer others: Rakuten rewards you with bonuses for referring friends who also make purchases.
Is Rakuten Legitimate?
Yes—Rakuten has been in business since 1997, has paid out billions to its users, and is part of a global e-commerce company. It partners with trusted brands and major retailers, and there’s no catch or hidden fees involved.
You get paid simply for clicking through their platform before you shop.
Conclusion: Rakuten Makes Earning Easy
If you're looking for a low-effort way to earn extra cash, Rakuten is one of the most straightforward tools available. You can use it with almost any major online store, and once it’s set up, it takes just one extra click to activate cashback on every eligible purchase.
Plus, the $30 bonus makes trying it risk-free and rewarding from the start.
Sign up for Rakuten today and get your $30 bonus → Join Now!
Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links. This means I may earn a commission if you click on one of the links and make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
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