Today’s data-driven economy thrives on the constant exchange of information, with
businesses employing a host of innovative ways to extract data that can help them
craft targeted marketing strategies.
That makes your personal a valuable commodity.
But it’s been tough to earn money with your data because so many
companies historically collected it without your knowledge or consent.
However, that’s changing in likely to help you profit.
But let’s back up a bit.
In the mid-90s, companies like DoubleClick started incorporating personal data
into advertising strategies, sparking a 30-year battle for user data.
But, instead of giving users control of their data and compensating them
for it, tech giants like Google and Facebook have built “digital mouse
traps” to collect personal data without users’ knowledge or consent.
That’s sparked a backlash and public for stricter data protection laws.
In fact, several new laws have passed both in the U.S. and abroad to give consumers
more control over what they share.
The upshot is that when you go to many websites, a privacy policy will
pop up and ask whether you accept or reject their tracking cookies.
Because a lot of people are saying “no,” another industry has emerged — companies
that help you strategically sell your data.
Whether you want to make money by streaming shows, working out, or shopping online,
these companies promise cash and other valuable rewards for selling the information
you previously gave away for free.
Services like Fetch, Pogo, and Surf are competing in this evolving landscape,
each offering unique features and approaches to data monetization.
Fetch rewards users for sharing data their favorite apps, for example.
Pogo pays users for sharing location data.
And Surf operates as a browser extension rewards users for browsing the internet.
However, a company called provides an even better option.
Earn cash with Caden.
Caden aims to put control back in users’ hands and let everyone participate and
benefit from the open data economy.
To make this happen, Caden brought together a group of industry veterans who created
an app that allows users to control their data, gain valuable insights, and earn
money from what they choose to share.
The guiding principle was simple but revolutionary: everything the app does must
benefit users and preserve their privacy.
Focused on transparency and control, Caden offers users insight into
what your data says about you.
It then provides you with the ability decide which businesses can access it.
And it pays users cash each month, based on a formula that rewards you for the type of
data you share and how widely you share it.
Privacy control.
This young app puts consumers in complete control of their “data vault,” deciding
what to share and what to hold back.
Notably, the data is anonymized and aggregated before sale, so
buyers don’t know who you are.
To be sure, selling your won’t generate a fortune.
Caden estimates that the average consumer earn between $2 and $50 per month.
That said, as users demand more robust privacy laws, your data is
likely to become more valuable.
And as more people flock to apps like Caden, seeking to monetize their
data, businesses will be forced to adapt and rethink their strategies.
That gives you more power — a greater ability to profit.