The holiday season is upon us, and between prepping gift lists, planning for big‑sales like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and managing family budgets, every extra penny back counts. That’s where ShopBack comes in.
This year, you can make your savings go even further with ShopBack’s Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) Cashback promotion, running November 18 – December 5. Whether you’re shopping for toys, household items, groceries, or even travel, ShopBack can help you earn money back on what you already planned to buy.
But if you’re completely new to ShopBack, don’t worry. I’ve been testing out this platform and learning more about how it can help with my holiday spending this year. In this in‑depth review, I’ll cover how ShopBack works, how to get started step‑by‑step, how much you could earn, whether it’s legit, and other tips like how you request a payout.
So What is ShopBack Exactly?
In short: ShopBack is a cashback platform (website + app) that partners with thousands of online (and in some markets, offline) retailers. When you click from ShopBack to a retailer and make a purchase, ShopBack receives a commission from that merchant, and passes a portion of it back to you in the form of cashback.
Some key points:
ShopBack works with over 20,000 stores worldwide.
The concept is simple: shop what you were already planning to buy, but go through ShopBack so you earn money back.
According to reviews, quite a few “regular shoppers” find that every little bit — even 1‑3%, plus bigger percentages during sale events — adds up quickly.
How ShopBack Works: Step by Step
Here’s how you, as a savvy shopper (especially if you’re budgeting for a family, like many readers here), can integrate ShopBack into your routine.
1. Sign up for free.
Visit ShopBack here to sign up.
2. Browse or search for your favorite store via ShopBack.
Using the website or app, find the retailer you want by name or category (for example, electronics, clothing, or travel). Click through the “Shop Now” or “Get Cashback” button.
3. Complete your purchase as usual.
Once you click through to the retailer from ShopBack, make your purchase: add items to cart, checkout, etc. The important step is to click through from ShopBack so that the purchase is tracked. You can also download the free ShopBack Google Chrome extension, which makes it easier to activate the cash-back offer with partner retailers.
4. Track the cashback status.
After purchase, you’ll often see the transaction marked as “pending” until the retailer confirms it (returns, cancellations, etc. can delay things). Then it will move to “confirmed” and you’ll be able to withdraw.
5. Request a payout (or use the cashback).
Once the cashback is confirmed, you can usually withdraw the cash to your bank account, PayPal, or similar payout methods. Or you may choose to use it for future purchases.
Bonus ways to earn more.
Use ShopBack during big sale events (like the Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotion) to stack discounts and cashback
Use the browser extension (if available) or mobile app to make sure you don’t miss cash-back opportunities.
Consider referring friends. ShopBack rewards you when a friend signs up and makes a purchase through a partner retailer.
How Much Can You Earn with ShopBack?
Now, you’re probably not going to retire off your cashback (ha!), but you can earn a nice little chunk of change back on purchases you were planning to make anyway. Of course, it depends on how much you shop, where, when, and how big the cashback rates are. The cash‑back percentages vary by retailer and by the size of your purchase. Some everyday purchases might only give 1‑4% back; during special promotions you might see 10% or more.
Let’s say you spend $200 on holiday gifts, and you shop through a store that’s offering 10% cashback. That’s $20 back in your pocket! Add in a few grocery orders through Instacart, maybe a pair of shoes from Nike or something fun from Amazon during a flash sale, and suddenly you’re looking at $50–$75 in cashback, just from shopping smart. And that’s money you can use toward groceries, gas, or just to give yourself a little breathing room.
Another thing I really like about ShopBack is that you don’t have to jump through a ton of hoops. No scanning receipts or chasing down offers. You just click through their site or app before you shop, and it tracks automatically. Once the retailer confirms your purchase, your cashback will move from pending to available, and then you can cash it out via PayPal, bank transfer, or however it works best for your setup.
Payouts & How to Get Your Money
This part’s super easy, and honestly, it’s the most satisfying part, right? Once your cashback is confirmed and ready, you can cash out straight to your bank account or PayPal.
ShopBack will show your earnings right in your account, and once you reach the payout minimum (this can vary depending on your location, but it’s usually around $10 or so), you can hit withdraw and send the money to your preferred method. I like to let mine build up a little and then cash out right before the holidays for a little extra wiggle room in my budget. It feels like a reward for being intentional with my shopping!
Just make sure your payment info is set up ahead of time so you’re not scrambling when it’s time to transfer your earnings. And, if anything doesn’t match what you expect, their support team is responsive and helpful.
Is ShopBack Legit?
I get it. Anytime you hear about a cashback app promising to give you money just for shopping, your guard naturally goes up. Mine did, too. But after testing it out and doing some research, I can confidently say: yes, ShopBack is 100% legit.
It’s been around for years and is used by millions of shoppers worldwide. They partner directly with well-known retailers like Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, and Macy’s, and when you shop through their links, the store pays ShopBack a commission. Then, ShopBack turns around and gives a portion of that commission back to you as cashback. That’s how it works. No catch. No sketchy business.
Now, just like with any cashback program, things can take a little time. Your cashback might not show up right away because the store needs to confirm your purchase. And if you return something or cancel an order, that cashback can disappear. But if you follow the steps mentioned in this article and stick to what you were already planning to buy, you’ll find yourself saving money.
Black Friday & Cyber Monday: What to Watch
Okay, let’s talk about the real excitement: ShopBack’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday (BF/CM) promotion. This is hands-down their biggest cashback event of the year, and it’s packed with amazing deals across some of the top brands we all know and love.
The promotion runs November 18 through December 5, and during that time, ShopBack is rolling out both full-day deals and flash sales with extra high cashback rates. One you absolutely don’t want to miss? The 1-hour Amazon Flash Sale on November 28 (Black Friday) from 4PM–5PM PT where you can earn 50% cashback (capped at $15) during that window. Yep, you read that right…50%! It’s limited to one order per user and only valid during this time, so it’s worth setting a reminder for.
Beyond that, you’ll see 10% cashback at Best Buy, Walmart, eBay, and Home Depot, up to 50% at Temu and 15% at places like Macy’s and ULTA Beauty. There are also special flash deals for DoorDash, Uber Eats, Sam’s Club, and more sprinkled throughout the weekend and on Cyber Monday.
Here’s what I recommend: take a few minutes now to make a shopping list. Then, when the sale hits, use ShopBack to click through to those retailers and snag the best deals. That way, you’re not just scoring holiday savings. You’re earning money back on top of it.
Shop Smart, Save Big, and Get Paid for It
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: if you’re already shopping online, especially during the holidays, you might as well earn a little money back while you do it. ShopBack makes that super simple, and I love that it works with stores I already use and trust.
Is it life-changing money? Probably not. But it’s real money that you can use toward your family’s needs, add to your savings, or just tuck away for a rainy day. And with all the amazing Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals coming up, now is truly the best time to give ShopBack a try.
Ready to start earning cashback on your holiday shopping? Sign up with my affiliate link here.
