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Google Opinion Rewards brings its free Play Store credit to five more countries
Your next Android game is on the house
Paid apps and games usually only cost you a few bucks, but that's still money you can put towards your next coffee or beer (you know, depending on the time of day). Google Opinion Rewards makes it easy to pick up a movie rental or to splurge on in-app purchases in your favorite games just by answering a few simple questions. If you've been waiting for it to arrive in your region, you might want to check out today's updated list.
How to see when your Google Opinion Rewards credits will expire
Hint: It's as easy as opening the Opinion Rewards app
If you're still a little salty about having your Opinion Rewards earnings unceremoniously obliterated in late 2019, you're not alone. The backlash prompted Google to add an explanatory banner to the Opinion Rewards app and ultimately provide a way to view when your credits will expire in the future. Here's how to keep tabs on those expiration dates so that your credits are never squandered again.
Tip: Google Opinion Rewards can be spent on YouTube Premium, Google One, Stadia games, and more
Don't let them expire before you get a chance to redeem
Google Opinion Rewards users were caught off guard in late 2019 when their hard-earned credits suddenly vanished due to a Google policy change. With credits now set to expire exactly one year after being earned, it’s easier than ever to lose them without even realizing it. To make sure you never miss out on cashing in your credits, we've assembled a comprehensive list of all the ways you can spend your Google Opinion Rewards on apps, games, movies, and more.
Remember that mass expiration of Google Play credit that happened last month? Google later explained that this was because credits were set to expire one year after they were issued, but that explanation in isolation didn't justify exactly why so many people saw such a big chunk of their balance disappear all at once — this isn't a regular yearly occurrence. Some assumed it was a rule that was simply never enforced, but it turns out that a very specific change in Google's terms and conditions as of November 8th, 2018 is to blame.
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Last week, Google went on a cleanup spree and deducted large chunks of Play Store credits that people had raked over time in Opinion Rewards. Our tips mailbox quickly filled up with reports of balances unexpectedly shrinking by tens of dollars, while Google stayed mum on what appeared to be a widespread concern. The company just broke its silence on this issue with a short explanation appearing for many within the Rewards app.
The Google Opinion Rewards app is a good way to get a few bucks of Play Store credit with almost no effort, turning targeted surveys into cash you can spend on apps, books, movies, and games (though there is a cost in terms of privacy). However, those of you raking in credit might want to fire up the app and check your current balance, as there are several recent reports that Play Store credits appear to be expiring en masse and without notice.