Searching for some answers - and I got cash!
Written: Feb 01 '01 (Updated Sep 18 '01)
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The Bottom Line
Search Cactus is fine for beginners. I would not recommended for advanced users.
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I discovered Search Cactus on a Surfing for Points message board. I was leery at first as I am with any online earning program. The first question I asked of the board was does this company actually pay out? The response was yes and in a timely fashion. I did visited the website and decided to sign up.
As I write this article I feel it important to point out that Search Cactus is listed under Search Engines. It is not listed with the other online earning programs. For this reason I will touch on both the earning and searching aspects of this website.
How can I earn money using Search Cactus?
Signing up for Search Cactus is a painless task. If it is the first time you have signed up for such a website online be sure to read all of the TOS (Terms of Service). Also be aware that online companies are notorious for changing their TOS on a whim and often they do not notify their members. Search Cactus has not pulled any stunts of that nature since I signed up last summer. I am also aware that many of these paid to search programs (or click programs) track your online activity.
You will be asked the basic information; Name, address, phone and & fax numbers are optional. You'll be asked your age in ranges that go up every five years. Gender, martial status, number of children at home, education, income level (I often wonder how many people click over $200,000. On these forms :chuckle: I am sure they want those pennies!). They also like to know things like do you own your own home or rent, how many hours a week you spend online, how much shopping you do online, how did you hear about their website and lastly your hobbies. Add your member name and password -- read and accept their TOS and your're a member of Search Cactus - and you are a full $2.00 richer! :smile:
Some basic information on earning at Search Cactus; You can earn .40 every 24 hours for searches, each paid search is worth .02 cents. You must be the age of 13 or older. You can request to be paid anytime after you have $20.00 in your account. This may take two months if you have no or few referrals. You will be referral income for only 12 months (standard from other programs I know) after the referral signs up. Up to four household members can be paid to participate with Search Cactus.
You're signed up now how do you earn the money? You will need to keep track of your log in total (I have scrap of paper on the desk). Go to the Home Page of Search Cactus and either (A) Type in your own search word or (B) Click a category. You then need to click on the Cactus Eye (see pictured on home page in the middle of the cactus -- it is not clearly an eye :smile: as it also resembles a sunset/rise). You can either count 20 clicks for your daily paid searches or make guess as to when you've clicked 20 - then log back in and see if your total has gone up .40 for your clicks. If you have referrals you also have to watch that number and make any adjustment to your .40 figure. Easy enough to do.
Search Cactus also gives you the opportunity to earn some Quick Cash. Quick Cash is money you can make through various sign-ups, from book clubs and Master Card's to 30 day trial use of a Vacuum Cleaner. I have not used Quick Cash myself as they offer nothing I am interested in at this time. I am confident in saying as long as you follow their directions that you should be paid for Quick Cash as promised. Be sure to use your same sign-up information and keep a receipt of your sign-up just in case you would have to forward it to Search Cactus
On one occasion I did have the pleasure of dealing with customer service. I had a question about pay-out and they responded in a timely and friendly manner.
What is the usefulness of Search Cactus as a Search Engine?
It works. Is it great? Not really. The first search results that will show up will be paid searches. Most of the searches I have made in sincere honest searches bring me to Look Smart which is another search engine. Those results can be helpful. I have found several topics with results I was satisfied with ~ However I must admit Search Cactus has not been the first choice I made when needing to do a web search. I have a quick habit of typing in yahoo.com or altavista.com simply because I have used them for years with satisfactory results. Perhaps (guilty me) I should make it my business to use my bookmark of Search Cactus more often when we need to find a topic online.
Who is Search Cactus most suited to?
1. Anyone who wants to earn a few extra dollars a month. I don't find the site loading time bad - and I can always multitask and minimize the screen while the pages load if I choose.
2. A person who is not looking for a fancy website as you will not find that at Search Cactus. The site appears simple and it is simple.
Something to keep in mind...
I would wager most users will find results suitable for their needs. This is not a bad search engine it is simply not a search engine most folks would think of. I'm not sure where the name came from. Perhaps it would do the company well to give away some of their baseball hats and t-shirts to promote the name of the site rather than to sell them to members. I for one would be happy to wear a baseball hat in the glaring sun at a soccer game - if I didn't have to pay for it that is.
In closing I would like to add I have used Search Cactus for several months almost on a daily basis. I have received prompt response from their customer service department and I have also received payment in a timely manner after each request I submitted. Online earnings programs are just pocket change but how many people would step over .40 cents laying on the ground? If I can do research or shop and get paid for it -- why not? Add Search Cactus to a few other programs and that change adds up.
Recommended:
Yes
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About the Author
Reviews written: 123
Trusted by: 214 members
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