Is Being a Netflix Tagger a Good Side Hustle?

Have you ever wondered how you go about getting a job that pays you to binge-watch Netflix all day? Well, there are a couple of roles at Netflix that let you do just that, including becoming a Netflix tagger.

So, what is a Netflix tagger job?

Taggers watch Netflix content and assign tags to help the algorithm make recommendations to viewers. Although it sounds straightforward, tagging is a highly structured and analytical role that requires a background in film and television studies. Taggers also need a highly developed attention to detail and an understanding of audience trends and the viewing market.

Netflix tagger job basics

Taggers watch and analyze Netflix's shows, movies, and games and assign specific labels, or "tags," based on the genre, mood, themes, or other defining details of the content. Netflix's algorithm uses these tags to categorize the content and provide personalized recommendations to viewers.

If you've ever scrolled through Netflix and decided to watch something based on the descriptions of "irreverent humor," "small town scares," or "witty delight," you can thank a tagger. Taggers also provide metadata about the shows' demographic targets, such as adult, teen, or family.

Tagger jobs are highly sought after and can pay well, depending on your background and experience. However, you likely won't see the term "tagger" in any Netflix job descriptions. Instead, the company posts roles under titles such as Content Analyst, Metadata Strategist, or something similar.

If you're looking for one of these roles, it pays to occasionally browse the openings and read the job descriptions on the Netflix site, since you may not always immediately find the title you expect to see.

Job qualifications

To become a Netflix tagger, you need more than just a willingness to binge-watch all the latest shows. Taggers must be detail oriented and possess strong analytical skills, ideally with an extensive background in television and film.

You may not need a formal education to become a successful tagger. However, experience in media studies, film analysis, or content creation is helpful, as recognizing multiple genres and themes and communicating them quickly helps the categorization process.

Taggers often provide clear and concise metadata descriptions to help Netflix's algorithm, so you'll need strong writing skills. It's also helpful to be familiar with data trackers and management systems, such as Google Sheets or Airtable.

One benefit of being a tagger is that you can often work remotely, although this requires self-discipline and a strong work ethic. Additionally, you'll need the soft skills of collaboration, adaptability, and attention to detail.

Tagger positions may be specific to a particular category or market, such as children's shows, games, or animated films. So, depending on the department you work for, you may only have access to a select set of what Netflix has available.

Job responsibilities

The responsibilities of a Netflix Content Analyst or similar position involve several key components. Taggers must be able to analyze, research, and write detailed insights for the content they review while also keeping an eye on the larger goals of Netflix and the audience it represents.

Below is a recent job posting for an international Content Analyst job. According to the posting, the position's daily responsibilities include:

As you can see, you can get paid to watch Netflix, but several other responsibilities come with a tagger position.

Netflix tagger salary and benefits

The average monthly gross salary for a Netflix tagger is between $5,000 and $9,000, according to Glassdoor, which translates to an annual salary of between $60,000 and $108,000 per year. Netflix says that, depending on the role, employees can choose between receiving their compensation as a salary, stock options, or a mix of both.

In addition to salary, Netflix has a pretty robust benefits package, including medical benefits based on the country you're working in. In the United States, employees receive health plans, mental health support, health savings, and flexible spending accounts.

Netflix also offers a 401(k) with employer matching, stock options, life and serious injury benefits, and disability programs. Netflix states that all full-time employees accrue 35 days of paid time off, which includes sick leave, vacation, and holidays. The company also offers commuting benefits and even relocation expenses for some roles.

Additionally, Netflix also offers family-forming benefits to help employees with preservation, fertility, surrogacy, or adoption. The benefits are open to all full-time employees, regardless of gender or marital status, which is pretty impressive.

Netflix employee reviews

Generally, most employees appear to enjoy working at Netflix. A review from a Netflix tagger on Glassdoor gave the company five stars but offered some cryptic feedback, saying:

Other Netflix employees who aren't in the tagger/Content Analyst role also seem to find Netflix a good place to work. Many employees on Indeed discuss the high autonomy of working at Netflix and enjoying the people they work with.

However, some mention a challenging work environment.

Netflix has an overall rating of 4.0 out of 5 stars on Indeed, based on more than 800 reviews. On Glassdoor, Netflix has a 4.2 out of 5 stars rating based on over 2,300 reviews, and 84% of people who left a review on Glassdoor would recommend working at Netflix to a friend.

How to apply for a Netflix tagger job

You can apply to be a Netflix tagger by searching for a Content Analyst or other role directly on Netflix's website. You can also find listings on different job boards, such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor, or Indeed.

I like going directly to Netflix because it allows you to upload your resume or CV to its website and helps you match directly with potential opportunities you may qualify for.

When you find a job you want to apply for, click the red Apply Now button in the job post. You'll need to upload your resume (if you haven't previously) and supply your contact information, including your name, email address, phone number, and the city and country you live in. You can also upload additional documents, including art or design portfolios or other work samples.

You'll next need to answer three questions about working for Netflix in other capacities.

When I reviewed a job posting in the U.S., I also encountered questions about being a veteran, disability status, gender, and ethnicity. However, those are voluntary questions, and you can choose not to answer them.

According to comments from current and former Netflix employees on Glassdoor, you'll likely need to complete multiple interviews and a phone screening before being offered a position with Netflix, depending on the role you apply for.

Similar job opportunities

Of course, being a Netflix tagger isn't the only potential job option out there. There are numerous ways to make money from home, and some of them even involve working for companies like Netflix or others in a similar capacity.

Closed captioning

If you want to stay in the TV and film space but don't see tagger opportunities, consider applying for a closed caption role. Closed captioners write captions for pre-recorded videos and audio files. Sometimes, they also attend live events and write captions for the speakers in real time, among other duties.

A closed captioner position requires strong language and typing skills, and it may also require a certification or training. Depending on where you apply, you may have to take a typing and accuracy test as part of your application process. According to ZipRecruiter, closed captioners earn an average hourly wage of $17, or approximately $35,147 annually.

Other side hustles

If neither tagging nor closed captioning appeals to you, there are numerous other side hustle opportunities available. You can play games, take surveys, or watch videos through your phone. You could also consider developing a freelancing business by putting the skills you already have to use.

Freecash

Freecash is available as both an app for Android and a website for desktop or iOS devices. It pays you to complete various activities, including downloading games, taking surveys, or watching ads and videos. Freecash pays out via bank transfer, PayPal, gift card, or other methods.

Visit Freecash |Read more in our Freecash review.

Survey Junkie

If you prefer taking online surveys, check out Survey Junkie. This online platform only offers surveys, but Survey Junkie also features a Surf to Earn option, which includes a browser extension that tracks your browsing history for market research purposes. It requires a minimum of $5 to cash out, and you can receive your money via bank transfer, PayPal, or a merchant gift card.

Visit Survey Junkie |Read more in our Survey Junkie review.

Upwork

Upwork is best for freelancers with in-demand skills looking for work from home jobs. It connects freelancers with clients through its job board and handles most of the administrative details. Although Upwork is free to sign up, the competition is fierce, so be strategic about the opportunities you bid on.

Read more in our Upwork review.

Bottom line

Becoming a Netflix tagger requires some specialized skills and a background in film and television. Opportunities to watch Netflix content and tag it based on themes, mood, and genre are also relatively rare. If you're interested in one of these roles, frequently check the Netflix jobs website to look for openings.

While you wait for a tagger position to open up, spend time developing your skills in film analytics, pattern recognition, and content categorization to increase your chances of success. While becoming a Netflix tagger may not be as easy as some of the best side hustles, if you have the qualifications and persistence, it could become a dream job.