Can You Really Make Money Watching TikTok Videos? (The Truth About This Side Hustle)
Introduction
Hey everyone, it’s Tom here with This Online World. Hope we’re all having a fantastic day today!
Viral Claims: Is It Too Good to Be True?
- Earn $ for Every TikTok Video You Watch!
- Earn $ a Day Just by Scrolling Through TikTok Videos!
- Turn Your TikTok Obsession into a Passive Income Source!
These are the types of headlines I’m seeing everywhere. But can you really turn your love of TikTok dances and viral videos into real income? Or is this just another too-good-to-be-true side hustle?
Today, I’ll take a deep dive into this TikTok side hustle and expose some massive red flags. I’ll also share two legit ways to actually make money using TikTok.
Let’s get started!
TikTok Video Side Hustles: What’s the Hype About?
Alright, guys, let’s break down this TikTok money-making method that’s been trending all over social media.
Where Did This Side Hustle Come From?
One of the main videos I saw on this topic comes from a channel called Online Hustle TV, with a video titled:
“Earn $ Per Video Watching TikTok Videos on Your Phone – How to Make Money Online!”
With nearly a million views and tons of comments, this video promises an easy way to make money just by watching TikTok videos. But does it actually work? Let’s find out.
How This TikTok Side Hustle Supposedly Works
Step 1: Find Viral TikTok Videos
The first step is to scroll through TikTok looking for viral potential videos.
- Look for videos with tons of likes.
- Check out trending sounds and popular hashtags.
- Screenshot a viral TikTok that you think could gain more attention.
Step 2: Create a Clickbait Thumbnail Using Canva
Once you have a viral TikTok screenshot, head over to Canva to make an eye-catching thumbnail.
- Use TikTok templates in Canva.
- Add clickbait text like “Wow!”, “Amazing!”, or use 🔥 emojis.
- This thumbnail is what you’ll use to drive clicks.
Step 3: Share on Social Media Using ShrinkMe.io
Now, here’s where things take a turn. The video suggests using ShrinkMe.io, a URL shortener that pays you when people click and watch ads before accessing your TikTok content.
How ShrinkMe.io Works
- Paste the TikTok video link into ShrinkMe.io.
- It generates a shortened URL that you can share.
- When people click the link, they must watch ads first before accessing the content.
- You supposedly earn up to $220 per 10,000 views.
Sounds good, right? Wrong. Let’s talk about the red flags.
Red Flags: Why This Side Hustle Doesn’t Work
Problem 1: Hard to Get Clicks on ShrinkMe.io Links
The biggest flaw in this method? Getting people to click your links is nearly impossible.
- TikTok doesn’t allow ShrinkMe.io links.
- You need to share these links on other platforms like Pinterest, Reddit, or Facebook.
- Many social media platforms ban these links because they look like spam.
Problem 2: Too Many Steps for the Viewer
The video suggests:
- Posting your ShrinkMe.io link on Pinterest.
- Using Linktree to avoid bans.
- A user must click Linktree → ShrinkMe.io → Watch Ads → Finally see the TikTok video.
Who’s going to click that many times just to watch a 30-second TikTok video? The answer: Nobody.
Problem 3: ShrinkMe.io and Similar Sites Are Spammy
Even if your links somehow get traffic, many platforms ban ShrinkMe.io links because they are often used for spam.
🚨 Verdict: This is NOT a real way to make money online. It’s just another clickbait side hustle that wastes time.
Legit Ways to Make Money on TikTok
If you actually want to make money using TikTok, here are two better alternatives:
1. Use Reward Apps That Pay for Watching TikTok
YouTuber Prissy’s Corner explains how you can use Android gaming apps that offer rewards for watching TikTok.
- Apps like Cash Giraffe or JustPlay sometimes pay you to download TikTok and watch videos.
- You can cash out using gift cards or PayPal cash.
It’s not a huge income, but if you already use TikTok, you might as well earn extra cash while doing it.
2. Use TikTok for Dropshipping
Another legit way to make money is TikTok dropshipping, and Mikey Again on YouTube proves this works.
- He’s made over six figures selling trending products on TikTok.
- He tests products using multiple TikTok accounts.
- He leverages TikTok’s algorithm to find winning products.
If you want a deep dive into TikTok dropshipping, let me know in the comments!
Conclusion: Should You Try This Side Hustle?
🚨 Short answer: NO.
Watching TikTok videos for money using ShrinkMe.io is a waste of time. There are better ways to actually make money using TikTok, such as:
✅ Reward apps that pay for watching TikTok.
✅ Selling trending products through TikTok dropshipping.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Fall for Clickbait Scams
If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Making money online takes real effort, and viral clickbait side hustles like this one are just designed to get views.
