I would like to present Rakuten — not the streaming service, but its cashback platform, which works in a similar way to TopCashback, Swagbucks, Quidco, etc.
Rakuten is one of the most popular cashback platforms in the world. However, its popularity in the UK still falls behind TopCashback and Quidco. That said, they are trying to change that with a very generous sign-up offer of £25 for both the referrer and the referee.
In this post, I’ll break down how Rakuten works, how much you can realistically earn, and answer the most common questions.
💡 What is Rakuten?
Rakuten is a cashback platform that partners with thousands of online retailers. When you click through Rakuten and make a purchase, the retailer pays Rakuten a commission — and Rakuten shares part of that with you.
Think of it as:
👉 You shop normally
👉 Rakuten tracks your purchase
👉 You get paid cashback
⚙️ How Does Rakuten Work?
- Sign up for free
- Search for a store (e.g. eBay, AliExpress, etc.)
- Click through Rakuten
- Make your purchase as usual
- Earn cashback
💡 Important: You must click through Rakuten before buying, or the cashback won’t track.
💰 How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary depending on:
- The retailer
- Current promotions
- Your spending habits
Typical cashback rates:
- 1%–3% → everyday stores
- 5%–10% → fashion & lifestyle
- 10%+ → special promotions
👉 Realistically:
- Casual users: £5–£20/month
- Active users: £20–£100+/month
🧠 Tips to Maximise Earnings
- Stack with credit card cashback
- Use during seasonal sales
- Install the browser extension
- Check for boosted cashback events
How Can I Earn my £25 Signup Bonus?
- Register using this link here.
- Spend £50 total when you shop through Rakuten platform. It can be several purchases across many retailers (Ebay, Currys, etc). Only worth if you were already going to spend the money anyway.
- After your qualifying purchase(s) you get £25 and I get £25.
Yes — Rakuten is a large, established company used by millions worldwide. Payments are reliable as long as your cashback tracks correctly.
2. How do you get paid?
Rakuten usually pays via:
Bank transfer
PayPal (in supported regions)
Payments are typically made quarterly (every 3 months).
3. Why didn’t my cashback track?
Common reasons:
Ad blockers enabled
Didn’t click through Rakuten
Used unsupported discount codes
Purchased via app instead of browser
👉 Always disable ad blockers and complete the purchase in one session.
4. Can I use voucher codes?
Yes — but only approved codes listed on Rakuten are guaranteed to track cashback.
5. Is Rakuten available in the UK?
Rakuten has limited presence in the UK compared to platforms like TopCashback or Quidco, but it can still be useful for certain international retailers.
6. How long does cashback take?
Pending: within a few days
Confirmed: 30–90 days (depends on returns/refunds policy)
7. Can I use Rakuten on mobile?
Yes, via:
Mobile browser
Rakuten app (availability varies)
But tracking is generally more reliable on desktop.
8. Is it worth using?
👉 Yes, but with expectations:
It’s not a full income stream
It’s a “set and forget” beermoney method
Perfect if you already shop online and want free extra money.
