Do you have a knack for picking up words quickly and accurately over your keyboard? If so, this skill could be used for making some extra cash on the side. While it's not going to replace your day job entirely (if only), it might just give you something else that keeps you occupied while you wait for more secure employment opportunities to open up.
Here are three ways to get started with earning some extra income by doing what you already know best -- type fast!
You may have come across captchas when browsing online forums, signing up for newsletters, commenting on blogs, etc., but did you ever stop to think about how they actually help protect websites from spam bots?
When you submit a form through Google, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, PayPal, Amazon, etc., these sites use reCAPTCHA to verify if the user submitting them is human. This system prevents automated programs called "spambots" from filling out forms repeatedly. The service will also check to see if any of those submitted answers were correct.
This verification process requires users to click boxes indicating that they're humans rather than machines. As such, many people who aren't particularly adept typists prefer to solve them using their mouse instead.
But why should you care? Well, there are thousands upon thousands of companies around the world looking to hire employees like you. And because most of them need to employ fewer resources, you'll find yourself competing against less skilled workers.
So if you'd really love to land one of these jobs, then read on as we show you how to start getting paid for solving captchas...
2Captcha has been helping businesses worldwide since 2010. They've worked hard to ensure that all customers are treated equally, regardless of which language they speak or where they live. Their mission statement says it all: "We believe everyone deserves fair treatment."
The company was founded by two engineers who wanted to create a platform that would allow anyone to become a part-time worker without needing special skills or qualifications.
They offer four types of services: website testing, web surveys, data capture, and security checks. All of these require little effort once set up, though you must complete training before starting each specific task. Once trained, however, you'll spend no more time working on anything other than monitoring reports and responding to emails.
With 2Captcha, you'll receive $5 per test run, plus a small percentage of every completed survey. That means you'll typically be able to earn between $10-$20 per hour depending on how often you choose to take tests. Here's everything you need to know about registering and setting up tasks.
And yes, 2Captcha does pay its full-timers above minimum wage. In fact, according to Glassdoor, its average hourly rate is nearly double that of other similar companies. There are even positions available that pay better.
In short, 2Captcha offers great benefits and incentives for both experienced and new freelancers alike. Of course, it's worth mentioning that you won't be working directly with 2Captcha itself. Instead, you'll be dealing with third party contractors and recruiters.
That said, if you don't mind being placed under someone else's thumb, 2Captcha might be right for you.
As mentioned earlier, the amount of money you can earn depends largely on your individual experience level. Some people can easily handle 30+ captchas per hour, while others struggle to manage 10+.
Below we look at the top five most popular captcha solutions currently operating today. We've included screenshots of each page to demonstrate exactly how easy each of them are to navigate.
Verification Labs
For starters, VeriSign operates the largest public program for verifying accounts. It allows anyone to sign up for free, although they must provide proof of identity first. After registration, participants will be sent an email containing a link to a particular captcha solution.
Once clicked, the browser window opens allowing access to a screen similar to the ones below. Simply enter the answer into the provided text box and hit Enter. Next, select either Yes or No based on whether you got it correctly or not.
Then, after viewing your results, click Submit. Your account will then be verified. From there, you can simply repeat the process until you reach your daily limit.
Of course, if you feel comfortable with it, you can opt to skip the step involving clicking a button. Just copy and paste the code, press Return, and proceed immediately. However, keep in mind that you'll likely encounter multiple errors trying to register unless you follow instructions carefully.
Typetester [No Longer Available]
Next up, let us introduce you to Typetester. Unlike other solutions listed thus far, Typetester doesn't ask you to fill out information regarding your location nor does it request personal details whatsoever. Thus, you can rest assured that your privacy remains intact.
Upon opening the website, users will notice that Typetester includes a large blue font stating "Type Fast!" followed by several lines of random characters. Below this section lies another titled "Test Me". Underneath it reads "Click Here To Start Type!". Click it, and voila! You're done.
Unlike most other solutions discussed here, Typetester doesn't include a timer. So you're encouraged to go as fast as possible without stopping to rest your eyes. If you happen to miss a character somewhere along the line, you can try again later. Otherwise, you can continue onto the next challenge.
After completing enough challenges, you'll eventually unlock additional features including unlimited runs, faster completion times, and increased earnings. Additionally, Typetester provides detailed statistics related to your performance.
Typing Center
Last but certainly not least, we arrive at Typing Center. Like the previous sites, Typing Center lets users start right away without having to log in or register. Upon landing on the homepage, you'll see a long list of characters running down the left side of the screen.
To begin, scroll past the header until reaching the end of the list, then click the last number in view. A pop-up menu appears asking you to Choose Answer. Select whichever option matches the given letter. Then, select OK.
Like the previous sites, Typing Center doesn't contain a timer. Therefore, you're welcome to carry on until you finish each challenge. When finished, you can move onto the next one. Or, if you wish, you can leave the app and resume your session later.
Onboarding takes place automatically, so you shouldn't have too much trouble navigating the interface. But if you do, be sure to consult our guide detailing how to fix common PC problems.
It goes without saying that the amount of money you can make depends greatly on your ability level. Whether you choose to participate in one of the aforementioned programs or develop your own, you'll soon realize that you're capable of handling higher volumes if you practice regularly.
Accordingly, it's important to note that the figures cited throughout this article reflect averages. For instance, 2Captcha pays roughly half of its testers per month, whereas VeriSign typically rewards twice that amount. Finally, Typetester generally pays slightly less due to its lack of timers.
However, if you stick with it consistently, you'll gradually increase your earnings year-over-year. Plus, if you decide to pursue freelance work beyond captchas, you'll discover many other lucrative options waiting for you.
All things considered, how much money you can expect to earn ultimately depends on how well you perform. Keep track of your progress, improve your technique, and stay motivated. Eventually, you'll be rewarded accordingly.
You may know what it's like to be stuck behind your computer for hours on end, only getting up and stretching when the boss comes knocking at your door. You probably feel like this because of your skillset — specifically, your ability to use keyboard shortcuts to speedily input data into spreadsheets or word documents.
But did you ever think about using these same skills as part of a career path? If so, then you've come to the right place! There are plenty of opportunities where you could start making money simply by typing away. Whether you're looking to take advantage of a niche market or just trying to find something new, read on to discover more about all kinds of online employment options.
It depends on which country you live in. In America, yes, you will definitely find many companies hiring people who can type well. It might not always be related to computers, but if you have strong typing abilities (and maybe even some knowledge of programming), you should consider applying for a number of positions. For example, retail stores often need order entry clerks with basic typing skills. Other popular roles include customer service representatives, call center agents, medical transcriptionists, receptionists and even secretaries. Typing-related careers aren't limited to offices either. Some cruise lines offer typist jobs aboard ships, while other employers prefer applicants who can operate touch screens. And don't forget, there are also freelance gigs out there waiting for someone like you to fill them. All you'll need is a reliable computer, fast fingers and a great attitude.
In Canada, you won't run into any issues finding jobs that entail typing. While most workplaces still require candidates to show up physically, they typically allow those willing to apply via their websites or email addresses. These types of openings tend to be available in various fields, such as sales, administration, marketing, hospitality and food services. But if you're interested in becoming a writer, researcher, editor or journalist, you might struggle to land one of these traditional roles. However, you can still turn to freelancing sites like Upwork to seek out writing projects. Just keep in mind that you'll need to compete against thousands of others hoping to score similar contracts.
According to Statistic Brain, more than 40 percent of Americans over age 16 can type 60 words per minute. So if you happen to fall within that group, you'd best go ahead and sign yourself up for classes ASAP.
There are several ways to become employed typing books. If you already write professionally, you could try taking orders directly through Amazon's website or app. Or perhaps you have experience working in book publishing or another industry associated with printed media. Alternatively, you could opt to sell physical copies of eBooks or hardcovers. Many authors choose to publish their books themselves rather than going through big publishers, especially if they wish to retain full control of every aspect of production. Still others decide to self-publish after completing their masterpieces. Whichever route you choose, you must first create a quality product before attempting to attract customers. After all, potential buyers are likely to look elsewhere once they realize that the final result doesn't meet their expectations.
After having written a few drafts, you could send your manuscript to a publisher and ask its editorial team to review it. Most major publishers employ editors to ensure manuscripts adhere to strict guidelines regarding formatting, grammar, punctuation, sentence length and overall tone. They might also conduct proofreading sessions or request additional revisions following reviews. The process isn't exactly quick, however, since each publication house handles submissions differently depending on its needs. As such, submitting your own material to top publishers usually takes months or years.
Another way to enter the world of book printing involves creating your own press. This option allows you to produce books under your very own label while retaining ownership of intellectual property rights. To learn more, check out our article explaining how to print your own books.
As mentioned earlier, the vast majority of businesses in South Africa rely heavily upon digital technology. Therefore, anyone wishing to pursue a career in information technology must understand coding languages such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Additionally, IT specialists are required to possess excellent communication skills and analytical thinking capabilities. According to LinkedIn, demand has increased significantly throughout recent years, largely thanks to growing numbers of web developers. One reason why so many people are now pursuing degrees in software engineering is due to increasing competition between firms. More tech startups means less room for profit margins, meaning the field offers higher wages than most alternatives.
So what does this mean for you? Well, if you currently hold a degree in computing science, mathematics, statistics, business studies or equivalent fields, you should seriously consider changing things up. Consider spending time learning more about programming or joining a company that provides training courses. Although starting salaries vary greatly, expect to receive anywhere from R60 000 - R150 000 per annum based on your background. Another alternative would be to enroll in an internship program offered by a larger firm and gain practical experience prior to launching your career independently.
Depending upon your location, being able to type quickly might serve as an added benefit to your resume. If you reside in Australia for instance, you'll soon see the benefits of possessing superior skillsets when seeking employment in the healthcare sector. Job listings related to patient care professionals, nurses and doctors frequently mention that applicants should demonstrate proficiency with keyboards. A variety of hospitals and health centers also utilize telemedicine platforms to connect patients with physicians far away. Nowadays, most of us spend considerable amounts of time sitting in front of our laptops. Thus, we shouldn't underestimate how important typing skills really are.
And besides, typing is fun too! Check out our list of free typing games on Steam to play whenever you've got five minutes spare!
There are many ways to make money online but few of them pay as well as a job that requires only your time and some effort. If you have both skills and experience with computers then there's no reason why you shouldn't be earning more than what most people do on their jobs. Here’s how it works...
Most companies need someone who knows about coding languages such as HTML/CSS, JavaScript, PHP etc., so they offer these individuals employment positions. These positions require knowledge of programming languages like Java, C++, C#, Python, Ruby and others which allow users to develop websites, mobile apps, desktop applications and other software for businesses. The average salary for web developers in South Africa ranges between R300 000 -R 500 000 per annum depending on expertise and qualifications.
While this may seem like decent income if you're already qualified, it doesn't take long before you start looking into making extra cash through freelancing. You could even use your existing qualifications to freelance full-time while working part-time for yourself. This means having the option to choose what hours you would prefer to work and when you'd rather focus on personal projects. Freelancers usually get paid after completing each project. However, newbie freelancers face difficulty finding clients since prospective employers don't know where to find skilled professionals. In fact, most potential clients look for freelancer services on popular platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, Guru, People Per Hour, Toptal, Freelancer, Elance, ODesk, Scriptlance, Vworker, Weworker, Amazon Mechanical Turk (AMT), Facebook Marketplace, LinkedIn Jobs, Indeed Jobs and many others.
The following sections will guide you towards starting a career path as a freelancer. It won't matter what field you wish to pursue in because we'll show you how to set up shop anywhere. We also provide tips for improving your chances of getting hired.
Freelancing allows you to pick up odd jobs whenever you want without worrying about commute times and daily commutes. There's always something going on in every industry, especially IT. A lot of businesses outsource their tasks to freelancers. For example, medical doctors, lawyers, accountants, designers, programmers, photographers etc. all rely heavily on freelancers to carry out certain procedures. Other businesses hire coders to create custom solutions for their business needs. As a result, you can easily apply to any company to become one of those specialists.
Some freelancers might not feel comfortable doing design work or writing articles due to lack of confidence. Fortunately, there are plenty of places where you can learn and practice designing logos, flyers, banners, sales letters, website templates, brochures, newsletters, infographics, graphics, presentations, presentations, videos, marketing materials etc. Online courses are available for free on YouTube and Udemy. Some schools teach students basic design principles while offering certificates upon completion.
You can also sign up for short courses offered by universities including Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Technikon Natal, Stellenbosch University, North West University among others. Most institutions expect applicants to pass written tests and practical assessments prior to enrolling for classes. Alternatively, you can enrol in relevant programs at local colleges, institutes or universities to gain foundation training. Don't forget to check if you qualify for government student loans to help fund your education.
In addition to providing you with the necessary tools required to succeed in your chosen profession, freelancing offers flexibility regarding when and how often you decide to work. Unlike employees who typically spend eight hour days away from family members during normal working weeks, freelancers enjoy spending weekends together with their loved ones. They can also schedule regular breaks according to their availability.
Captcha helps protect websites against spamming attacks. When you visit a site, you must enter numbers and characters to complete registration. Captcha prevents automated bots from registering accounts. To solve captchas, you just need to click on the right answer from multiple choice options provided. Solving captchas pays around $0.10 per hour. Although it's less lucrative compared to actual programming languages mentioned earlier, it's still better than waiting tables.
According to Google, 10% of its search engine traffic comes from images. That's why sites like Imgur post thousands of captchas everyday. Many people also turn to it regularly to solve math problems. By building simple machine learning models using algorithms, you can automate the process of solving captchas. The technology behind Captcha solves CAPTCHAs (Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart) automatically. It does this by analyzing captured human pictures and comparing them to computer generated images. After identifying differences, it classifies humans and machines correctly. While solving captchas isn't a high paying position, it's worth mentioning because it provides motivation for further study.
It depends on several factors like number of captchas solved, location, country, previous experience, qualification level etc. According to Google, the hourly rate of CAPTCHA solvers varies between 0.05 USD and 1.5 USD per hour.
Here are some useful resources for understanding the basics of Machine Learning:
Machine Learning Course On LearnCodec Now!
Top 5 Courses to Help You Start Your ML Journey Today
Best Free Tutorials For Beginner Level Of Neural Networks & Deep Learning
3 Awesome Websites With Examples And Explanation Of Machine Learning [2019 Update]
Before beginning capturing, ensure that you fully understand the terminology associated with Captcha. Also, familiarise yourself with the types of questions asked. Once you've done that, select the best captcha type depending on the nature of question being answered. Each website has specific rules for choosing correct answers. Depending on the requirements of the client, you should consider the accuracy rates of captcha forms. Generally speaking, the higher the percentage of accurate responses, the greater chance you have of scoring a contract.
To increase response rates, try adding additional features like "next" buttons, auto-suggestions, hints, sound effects, flashing lights etc. Additionally, add security measures like reCAPTCHA verification, validation codes, CAPTCHAs etc.
One thing you need to keep in mind though, is that there are numerous websites that ask similar questions. Therefore, you'll need to identify unique patterns used in various captchas. Only then will your solution be able to accurately determine the correct answer. Since captchas change frequently, it's advisable to bookmark sources containing latest examples of captchas. Before submitting your request, test your code thoroughly first to avoid errors.
Nowadays, outsourcing is becoming increasingly popular amongst small businesses. Unfortunately, hiring freelancers for data entry, transcription, proofreading, translation and administrative support is expensive. Not only that, it takes longer to receive results. Instead of wasting precious capital, why not let the pros handle everything while enjoying peace of mind knowing that your confidential information remains safe?
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.