The promise seems almost too good to be true: download an app, watch a few advertisements, and earn a steady stream of income, with some claims reaching as high as 300 yuan a day. On platforms like Zhihu, questions and discussions around the viability of such software are rampant, often met with a mix of hopeful testimonials and sharp skepticism. While the headline figure of 300 yuan daily is, for the vast majority, an exaggerated or highly conditional best-case scenario, focusing solely on this monetary aspect misses the profound and multifaceted value these platforms actually offer. The real advantage of these "earn-by-watching" applications lies not in their potential to replace a full-time income, but in their innovative re-imagining of the user's role in the digital economy, their function as a low-barrier educational tool, and their psychological utility as a micro-task manager. To understand this value, we must first deconstruct the economic model. The core premise is a direct and transparent value exchange: your attention for a small monetary reward. In the traditional digital advertising model, users' attention is harvested and sold to advertisers by platforms like social media networks and search engines, with the users receiving "free" services in return but no direct financial benefit. "Earn-by-watching" apps disrupt this model by cutting out the middleman and allocating a portion of the advertising revenue directly to the user. This creates a sense of fairness and agency. You are no longer just a product; you are a active participant in a micro-economy. This psychological shift from being a passive consumer to an active "earner" is a fundamental part of the product's appeal and a significant value proposition in an era where data privacy and the ethics of big tech are under constant scrutiny. Furthermore, these platforms serve as an unintentional but effective introduction to the fundamentals of the gig and digital economy. For many users, especially those in regions with limited economic opportunities or individuals new to the concept of online side hustles, these apps provide a sandboxed environment to learn crucial digital skills. The process of registering, understanding tasks, managing a digital wallet, and cashing out teaches digital literacy. Users learn to navigate app interfaces, discern between legitimate offers and potential scams (a common topic on Zhihu threads), and manage small-scale digital transactions. This is a form of low-stakes, practical financial technology education. While the earnings are small, the learned competence in operating within a digital earning framework is a transferable skill that can be applied to more lucrative online ventures like freelancing, surveys, or micro-tasking on other platforms. The psychological benefits, often overlooked, form another core pillar of the product's value. The human brain is wired to respond positively to immediate, variable rewards—a principle well-documented in behavioral psychology and expertly leveraged by social media and gaming industries. "Earn-by-watching" apps tap into this same neurological pathway, but in a more tangible and controlled manner. Completing a task and seeing one's balance increase by a few cents provides a small, satisfying dopamine hit. This transforms otherwise mundane moments—waiting for a bus, standing in a queue, or during a television commercial break—into opportunities for micro-productivity. This feeling of "productive use" of downtime can combat feelings of idleness and contribute to a greater sense of agency over one's time and financial situation, even if the actual monetary impact is minimal. It’s a form of gamified personal finance where every small achievement is recognized. When examining these apps through the lens of a Zhihu product—a platform built on the sharing of knowledge and experience—their value is further amplified. Zhihu thrives on community-driven due diligence. The countless threads where users dissect different earning apps, share strategies, warn against scams, and post proof of payment create a collective intelligence network. This community aspect transforms the individual act of watching an ad into a shared social experience. A user isn't just earning for themselves; they are gathering data points that can contribute to the community's understanding. They learn which apps are legitimate, which offer the best earnings-per-minute ratio, and how to optimize their time. In this context, the app itself becomes a topic of inquiry and discussion, fueling the very engine of Zhihu: curiosity and the pursuit of practical truth. Of course, a clear-eyed assessment requires addressing the elephant in the room: the 300 yuan claim. It is crucial to approach this with realistic expectations. Achieving such a high daily yield is typically not sustainable through passive ad-watching alone. It often involves complex referral pyramids, where a user earns a significant commission from the activity of a large downline of users they have recruited. This shifts the model from simple task-completion to one of sales and network marketing, which requires a different skill set entirely and is viable for only a tiny fraction of top recruiters. For the average user, a more realistic earning might be enough for a daily cup of coffee or to top up a mobile phone bill. Framing the product's value around this realistic outcome is key—it is a tool for earning small supplementary rewards, not a path to financial independence. The true product value, therefore, is a composite of several elements: 1. **Micro-Monetization of Time:** It provides a legitimate, albeit small, way to convert spare moments into tangible, however modest, financial gain. 2. **Educational Gateway:** It demystifies the digital earning landscape and builds foundational skills for navigating the online gig economy. 3. **Psychological Engagement:** It offers a gamified, rewarding experience that promotes a sense of productivity and control. 4. **Transparent Value Exchange:** It empowers users by giving them a direct stake in the transaction of their attention. In conclusion, to judge "earn-by-watching" software solely on the sensationalized metric of 300 yuan a day is to miss the forest for the trees. While the financial incentive is the initial hook, the enduring value lies in its broader utility. It is a product that educates, engages, and empowers. It represents a small but significant step towards a more user-centric digital advertising model and provides millions with a low-effort method to feel more productive and financially active. The next time you see a discussion about these apps on Zhihu, look beyond the debate over daily earnings. See them for what they are: a fascinating intersection of behavioral economics, digital literacy, and community-driven inquiry, offering a unique and multifaceted value that far exceeds the sum of its tiny monetary parts.