So there are many sites that are complicated to use, difficult to navigate, confusing, have multiple sites inside of it and are basically a waste of time. I don’t know if I can believe the people that say “I make thousands of dollars a month doing this.” So far, the amounts of money I’ve seen have been little if anything. The only really legitimate site I have seen that will pay out no matter what you make for the week has been youdata.com. I will talk about it in a minute. For the other ones, however, they seem to be a waste of time looking through windows trying to figure things out.

Youdata.com allows you to look at ads for sites that advertise through it. You begin by filling out a pretty long survey. The survey has questions involving all topics imaginable about living situation, finances, household status, education, hobbies, family, extended family, friends, all of theirs’ and your health problems, wine, music, your body, entertainment and a lot of other topics I forgot about. So you finish filling out this survey. Apparently, if you fill it out, you are more likely to receive ads especially those that are catered to your own interests. I am not sure if it really works like that although most places I have read and the sites themselves say that this is true.

So, what youdata then does is presents ads based upon your “data” that you submit to them. (get it, youdata!) You can install a program that will let you access it from your computer instead of having to use the web interface (I deleted this immediately – I would rather use the internet browser). The pop up 5 or so small ads, and you have to visit the sites. There’s no time requirement for you to view the ad or stay on the website, you really just have to look at it. That’s it. No other requirements. Pretty sweet because most other sites require you to stay on their site for 30 seconds or so.

Even more importantly, the websites that are advertising are actually surprisingly cool. There are a lot of small websites and vendors that aren’t really well known but are interesting. For example, foodzie.com was advertised to me. I sent that link immediately to my mom – I’m sure she would appreciate it. Several other blogs and other vendors were suggested that I had never heard of.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t last long. I started making slightly over 2 dollars a week – that’s right only two dollars – and now I went a month straight without having a single ad. Now I’m getting one ad a week at 14 cents. Great. So, you’re not going to make money looking at ads. You might, however, find an interesting website that will keep you occupied or fulfill a niche you have been looking for.

If anyone has found any better alternatives, or has found a website that you can actually earn money from, feel free to comment. I’d love to find an alternative.