If you’ve ever wondered how Rakuten works, the short answer is: Rakuten pays you to shop. The longer answer is: Rakuten partners with over 3,500 stores, and those stores pay Rakuten for sending them customers (that’s you!). Rakuten then shares that money with the shoppers (that’s you again!) in the form of Cash Back.
Simply start your shopping trip through Rakuten so your purchase can qualify for Cash Back. Then shop as you normally would at your favorite stores, and watch the Cash Back roll in. Rakuten will pay out your Cash Back balance every three months via either check or PayPal.
How exactly do you start your shopping trip through Rakuten? That’s what this guide is here to answer. You can shop online or via mobile, using the Rakuten website, mobile App or Browser Extension. But there’s so much more than that (including in-store shopping)! Read on for more details on Rakuten’s plethora of shopping options.
All the Ways to Shop With Rakuten
Shop on Rakuten’s Website
You like to keep things simple, and there’s nothing wrong with that. No mobile web, no App and no Browser Extension for you! Skip the installation stage altogether and simply visit Rakuten.com, pick a store, click through to the retailer and shop like normal. Your Cash Back will be automatically added to your account.
Shop With the Rakuten Mobile App
You’ll get simplicity with Rakuten’s website, but you’ll get convenience with Rakuten’s mobile App. The App allows you to search stores, activate Cash Back, shop and track purchases from your phone or tablet, no matter where you are. The App is available for both Apple and Android devices.
Shop With the Rakuten Browser Extension
If you thought the website was simple and the App was convenient, wait until you see the Rakuten Browser Extension! This is the set-it-and-forget-it option: Simply install the extension on your favorite web browser (it’s available for Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Edge), and you’ll be alerted automatically to Cash Back opportunities, have Cash Back activated automatically and often have Rakuten coupons and discount codes applied automatically at participating stores. That’s a lot of “automatically”!
Shop With the Rakuten Mobile Extension on iOS Safari
If the Browser Extension seems like a dream come true but being confined to a desktop or laptop sounds like a waking nightmare, you’re in luck! The Rakuten Browser Extension is also available on iOS Safari for on-the-go shopping with Apple devices.
Shop In Store
Online shopping is amazing (and, as you’ve read, Rakuten offers plenty of options for that particular approach to purchasing). But there’s something special about shopping at a brick-and-mortar location. You can make sure those pants aren’t too snug, that throw pillow isn’t too coarse and those kitchen scissors aren’t actually humongous novelty scissors for ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Trust us, it happens.
That’s why Rakuten features In-Store Cash Back in addition to its web and mobile offerings. With Rakuten’s In-Store Cash Back, you can link your eligible Visa, Mastercard or American Express card to the Rakuten App and activate in-store offers before you shop. You’ll save some money and also avoid having to figure out how to return a gigantic pair of scissors. Win-win!
Shop Gift Cards
Some people are impossible to buy for: your niece whose interests change monthly, your dad whose only request every birthday is “quiet,” your Secret Santa coworker whose only cubicle decor is a free mousepad from an insurance company. That’s where gift cards come in. They’re quick, they’re easy and they’re (almost) always appreciated. And when you can earn Cash Back on gift cards, they’re even more perfect.
Earn Cash Back Dining Out
Whether you’re treating yourself after a hard day at work, celebrating a special occasion or grabbing something quick for the family, Rakuten Dining can score you Cash Back at a huge network of participating restaurants.
Why Rakuten Is a Highly Dependable Way to Shop
“Dependable” can be a subjective term for a business, but it often comes down to longevity, transparency and clearly defined policies. Here’s how Rakuten stacks up.
- It has been around for decades. Rakuten has been helping shape the way people shop online since its founding in 1999.
- It has a huge member base and has paid out billions of dollars. Rakuten has more than 17 million members and has paid over $4.6 billion in Cash Back in the U.S.
- It has a straightforward model. Rakuten’s structure may seem confusing at first, but it’s really quite clear: Stores pay Rakuten for sending them shoppers, and Rakuten shares that money with its members as Cash Back. That’s it!
- It has a clear payment schedule and multiple payout options. Rakuten pays its members their Cash Back every three months through one of four payment options: Big Fat Check, PayPal, American Express Membership Rewards points and Bilt.
- It publishes its privacy policy and terms. Rakuten provides a formal privacy policy that explains how its tracking works when you click through to a merchant, including the use of unique IDs to attribute purchases. The company also publishes terms and conditions for its Browser Extension that describe how extension-collected data is handled in accordance with its privacy policy.
Quick Tips to Make Rakuten Work Reliably
- Always start your shopping trip through Rakuten’s website, App or Browser Extension so the visit is tracked.
- Use the Browser Extension if you often forget to manually activate Cash Back. The automated nature of the Extension will cut down on the Cash Back you accidentally miss out on.
- Make sure your credit card is linked and offers are added before you pay for in-store purchases and Rakuten Dining experiences.
- Watch confirmation timing. Some categories, such as travel, can take longer to verify the Cash Back you’ve earned.
Popular FAQs
1) What is Rakuten and how does it work?
Rakuten is a shopping rewards platform that lets you earn Cash Back when you start your purchase through Rakuten (website, app, or browser extension) and then shop at participating retailers as usual.
2) What are all the ways I can shop through Rakuten?
You can shop through Rakuten via:
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Rakuten.com (desktop or mobile browser)
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The Rakuten app (iOS / Android)
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The Rakuten browser extension (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari on Mac)
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In-Store Cash Back (linked card + activate offers)
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Rakuten Dining (linked card + eligible restaurants)
3) Do I have to use the Rakuten app to earn Cash Back?
No. You can earn through Rakuten using the website or browser extension without the mobile app. The app is just a convenient way to shop and track your rewards from your phone.
4) Which way is the most reliable: website, app, or extension?
For most people, the browser extension is the most reliable on desktop because it reminds you to activate Cash Back while you’re already shopping. On mobile, the Rakuten app is usually the simplest method.
5) Can I use Rakuten on my phone without the app?
Yes. You can shop through Rakuten.com in a mobile browser, and Rakuten also supports a Safari mobile extension on iOS (setup depends on your iPhone/iPad Safari extension settings).
6) Can I still use Rakuten if I shop in physical stores?
Yes—Rakuten offers In-Store Cash Back at select stores by linking eligible payment cards and activating offers before you pay in-store.
7) How does Rakuten Dining work?
Rakuten Dining typically works by linking a card and using it at eligible participating restaurants after you add/activate dining offers (availability depends on your area and restaurant participation).
8) Why didn’t my Cash Back track?
Common reasons include:
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You didn’t start the shopping trip through Rakuten (or didn’t activate)
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The store visit was interrupted (switching devices/tabs)
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Ad blockers / privacy settings interfered with tracking
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You applied a coupon that wasn’t eligible for Cash Back
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The purchase category has longer confirmation times (like some travel bookings)
9) How long does it take for Cash Back to show up?
Many purchases show as “pending” or appear after a short delay, but timing varies by store and category. Some purchases (like travel) can take longer to confirm.
10) Is Rakuten legit and dependable?
Rakuten is considered dependable because it has a long operating history, partners with major retailers, publishes how rewards and payouts work, and has established payment options and schedules.
11) Does Rakuten cost money to use?
Rakuten is generally free to join and use. You earn rewards when you shop through participating stores (some exclusions may apply by retailer).
12) What’s the best “set it and forget it” setup?
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Install the browser extension on your main desktop browser
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Keep the mobile app on your phone
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Enable notifications/reminders (optional)
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For in-store/dining, link your card and add offers before paying
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