If you’ve ever searched YouTube for ways to make money online, chances are you’ve stumbled across videos promising fast cash—sometimes even hundreds of dollars—just for watching videos. The thumbnails scream bold numbers like “$700 a week!” or “Passive PayPal income!” and the idea is tempting. Who wouldn’t want to sit back, watch some clips, and get paid for it?
But are these methods real, or just another distraction keeping you from building long-term digital income?
In this article, I’ll break down my personal test of a viral claim: that you can earn PayPal cash by simply watching videos. I spent time trying four recommended websites, recorded my actual results, and then compared the effort with smarter, proven ways to build online income streams.
By the end, you’ll know:
- Which sites still work (and which are dead ends).
- How much money you can realistically expect.
- Why these “quick hacks” are usually a waste of time.
- Smarter alternatives like content creation, affiliate marketing, and digital products that can generate real income online.
The Video Claim: $700 Watching Videos?
The video I tested implied that you could earn up to $700 just by watching videos. While it never said this outright, the thumbnail clearly suggested it. The creator recommended four websites that supposedly let you watch and earn.
I wanted to be transparent, so I actually tested each of them while recording the process. Here’s what I found.
Site 1: IAREX.com – A Complete Failure
The first site, IAREX.com, was completely broken. It didn’t load properly, and it certainly didn’t provide any way to earn money by watching videosI tried it_ Earn Money Watching….
This highlights a common problem with viral side hustle videos: creators sometimes recommend sites that are outdated, broken, or long since abandoned, just to stretch their content past the 8-minute mark.
👉 Takeaway: If a site hasn’t been updated since 2019, don’t waste your time.
Site 2: BuxInside – Redirected to Casinos
The second website, BuxInside, was another dead end. Instead of letting me watch videos for PayPal rewards, it redirected me to a page about South African casinos. The original creator posted the recommendation anyway, even though the site hadn’t worked in yearsI tried it_ Earn Money Watching….
👉 Takeaway: Many of these “watch videos for money” platforms disappear quickly. Even if they once worked, they rarely last.
Site 3: FusionCash – Videos That Never Load
FusionCash was supposed to be a legit option. I signed up, navigated to the video section, and waited. But the videos never loaded. After minutes of waiting, I realized it was a complete waste of timeI tried it_ Earn Money Watching….
👉 Takeaway: Even sites that are technically still live often don’t function the way the videos claim.
Site 4: You-Cubes.com – The Only “Working” Option
The final site, You-Cubes.com, actually allowed me to earn a tiny amount of money. Instead of watching videos, the site paid me for viewing sponsored ads. Each ad required a verification code and forced me to stay on the page for a couple of minutesI tried it_ Earn Money Watching….
Here’s the problem:
- Each ad paid me €0.005 (half of one cent).
- I was limited to just a few ads per day.
- After testing, I had earned a grand total of €0.039 (less than $0.04).
When I ran the math, it would take 17,500 days—or almost 48 years—to reach $700 at that rateI tried it_ Earn Money Watching….
👉 Takeaway: Yes, you can technically earn PayPal cash watching ads, but the payout is so tiny it’s not worth your time.
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The Bigger Problem: Wasting Time on Pennies
The real issue isn’t just that these sites pay almost nothing. It’s the opportunity cost. Every hour spent chasing pennies on broken websites could be invested into creating something that compounds over time.
I call this “stepping over dollars to pick up pennies.” You waste your energy chasing shortcuts instead of building skills and assets that actually pay.
Time is the most valuable resource you have. And using it to earn fractions of a cent online is not only demoralizing—it’s financially disastrous in the long runI tried it_ Earn Money Watching….
Smarter Alternatives: Content Creation for Long-Term Income
Instead of clicking ads for €0.005, you could create content in almost any niche and monetize it multiple ways. For example, I coach my kids’ flag football team. That experience alone could be turned into:
- YouTube videos on drills for beginners.
- Digital playbooks sold as downloads.
- Affiliate recommendations for cleats, footballs, and gear.
- Membership communities for parents and coaches.
Even a small niche like flag football can open doors to YouTube ad revenue, affiliate commissions, digital product sales, and brand sponsorshipsI tried it_ Earn Money Watching….
Why Content Creation Wins
Here’s why content creation is a better path than “get paid to watch videos” sites:
- Scalability: A single video or blog post can generate income for months or years.
- Multiple Streams: You can stack ad revenue, affiliate income, product sales, and partnerships.
- Control: You’re building a platform-proof business, not relying on sketchy websites.
- Long-Term Growth: Every piece of content compounds, making your next dollar easier to earn than the first.
Most importantly, it doesn’t take 48 years to make $700. Many creators can reach that milestone in a few months or less.
The Myth of Overnight Success
It’s easy to look at big YouTubers or online entrepreneurs and assume they struck gold overnight. But in reality, most spent months or years posting consistently before they broke throughI tried it_ Earn Money Watching….
Don’t be fooled by “overnight success.” The real money comes from consistency, persistence, and building skills over time.
Monetization Pathways You Can Start Today
If you want to escape the trap of pennies-for-time sites, here are a few realistic strategies:
1. Affiliate Marketing
Promote products you already use and earn commissions when people buy. Start with Amazon Associates, or niche-specific affiliate programs.
2. Digital Products
Create an ebook, template, or mini-course once and sell it over and over. Even a $10 product can out-earn a “watch videos” site in a single sale.
3. Memberships
Offer premium content, community, or coaching in exchange for a recurring fee. This creates predictable monthly income.
4. AI + Automation
Use AI agents and automation tools to scale your content creation without burning out. This is how platform-proof entrepreneurs multiply their income streams.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Trade Time for Pennies
After testing the “earn PayPal cash watching videos” claim, the verdict is clear: it’s a waste of time. Yes, one site technically paid me—but at a rate so low it would take decades to reach even $700.
Instead of falling for these viral hacks, invest your energy in building digital assets that pay you long-term. Whether it’s content creation, affiliate marketing, or selling digital products, the opportunities are endless once you stop chasing shortcuts.
👉 Ready to start your own platform-proof income system?
Your future self will thank you for choosing the dollars over the pennies.