Ibotta

What is Ibotta

Ibotta is a performance marketing company and mobile application that provides users with cash back on in-store and online purchases. Founded in 2012 by Bryan Leach, the company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The core purpose of Ibotta is to make every purchase rewarding for consumers. It achieves this by partnering with hundreds of consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands and retailers. Users can browse offers within the app, add them to their account, and then redeem them by scanning their receipt or linking a store loyalty account. For businesses, Ibotta offers a performance marketing platform called the Ibotta Performance Network (IPN), which allows brands to deliver targeted promotions to a large consumer base.

Ibotta Features

• In-Store Cash Back: Users can browse and add offers for specific products at various grocery stores, pharmacies, and big-box retailers. After purchasing the items, they upload a photo of their receipt to receive cash back.
• Loyalty Card Linking: For many major retailers, you can link your store loyalty card to your Ibotta account. This automates the redemption process, crediting your cash back automatically after a qualifying purchase without needing to scan a receipt.
• Online Shopping Portal: Ibotta features a mobile shopping portal and a browser extension. By starting their shopping trip through the Ibotta app or using the extension, users can earn a percentage of their purchase total as cash back from hundreds of online retailers.
• Pay with Ibotta (Gift Cards): This feature allows users to purchase digital gift cards for various retailers directly through the app. They instantly earn a percentage of the gift card's value as cash back, which can be used immediately for the purchase.
• Bonuses and Streaks: Ibotta offers numerous bonuses for redeeming multiple offers, buying specific brand combinations, or completing tasks within a certain timeframe. These bonuses provide extra cash on top of the regular offer value.
• Referral Program: Users receive a cash bonus for each new person they refer who signs up and starts using the app to redeem offers.

Ibotta Pricing Plans

For consumers, the Ibotta app is completely free to download and use. There are no subscription fees or charges for redeeming offers. The company's revenue comes from its brand and retail partners, who pay Ibotta a fee when a user purchases their product through an offer. For businesses looking to use the Ibotta Performance Network, pricing is performance-based. This means brands pay based on actual sales generated through the platform, rather than paying for clicks or impressions. Specific pricing models are customized based on the brand's goals and scale.

Ibotta Free Plan

The Ibotta service for consumers is entirely free. Users can download the app, create an account, and start earning cash back without any cost. There is no premium version or paid tier for individual users. It is important to note that Ibotta may deduct a small account maintenance fee from a user's balance if the account remains inactive for an extended period (typically six months or more).

How to use Ibotta

1. Download and Sign Up: First, download the Ibotta app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and create a free account.
2. Find Offers: Browse through the available offers. You can search by store, category, or specific product. Tap the '+' button to add desired offers to your list before you shop.
3. Go Shopping: Purchase the selected items at the specified store. Be sure to get a printed receipt.
4. Redeem Your Offers: After shopping, open the Ibotta app and tap 'Redeem'. Select the retailer and follow the prompts to take a clear photo of your entire receipt. Ibotta will match the items on your receipt with the offers on your list.
5. Link Loyalty Accounts (Optional): For an easier process, link your store loyalty accounts. When you use your loyalty card at checkout, Ibotta will automatically process your eligible offers.
6. Withdraw Your Earnings: Once your account balance reaches a minimum of $20, you can withdraw your cash. You can transfer the money directly to your bank account, PayPal, or choose from a wide variety of digital gift cards.

Pros and Cons of Ibotta

Pros:

• Free to Use: There is no cost for consumers to use the app and earn cash back.
• Wide Retailer Network: Ibotta partners with hundreds of major grocery chains, pharmacies, and online stores.
• Flexible Payouts: Offers multiple ways to withdraw earnings, including bank transfer, PayPal, and gift cards.
• Multiple Earning Methods: Users can earn from in-store receipts, linked loyalty cards, online shopping, and gift card purchases.
• Bonus Opportunities: Frequent bonuses provide ways to earn extra cash quickly.

Cons:

• Requires Pre-Planning: You must add offers to your list before you shop, which can be time-consuming.
• $20 Payout Threshold: You cannot access your money until you have earned at least $20.
• Offer Specificity: Many offers are for specific brands, sizes, or varieties, requiring careful attention while shopping.
• Inactivity Fees: A maintenance fee can be deducted from your earnings if your account is inactive for a long period.

Ibotta integrations

Ibotta's primary integrations are with retailer loyalty programs, which simplifies the cash back process for users. By linking a store's loyalty account, purchases are automatically tracked, and cash back is credited without the need to manually upload a receipt. Key integrations include:

• Walmart: Link your Walmart account for grocery pickup and delivery orders.
• Target: Connect your Target account for automatic earnings.
• Kroger and its affiliates: Link your Plus Card for seamless redemptions at stores like Kroger, Fred Meyer, and Ralphs.
• Albertsons and its affiliates: Connect your for U account for stores like Safeway, Vons, and Albertsons.
• Other major retailers: Many other regional and national chains offer loyalty card linking.

Ibotta Alternatives

• Rakuten: A leading alternative that focuses primarily on online shopping. It offers cash back as a percentage of your total purchase and typically pays out quarterly via PayPal or a physical check.
• Fetch Rewards: Simpler than Ibotta, as it does not require activating specific offers beforehand. Users scan any grocery receipt and earn points for purchasing products from partner brands. Points are redeemable for gift cards.
• Checkout 51: Works very similarly to Ibotta, with a list of offers that updates weekly. Users buy the products and upload their receipts to earn cash back. It sometimes features different brands than Ibotta.
• Shopkick: Offers more ways to earn rewards beyond just purchasing. Users can get 'kicks' (points) for simply walking into stores, scanning barcodes of specific products, and watching in-app videos, in addition to making purchases.

Ibotta API

Yes, Ibotta provides an API for business partners through its Ibotta Performance Network (IPN). This API allows other companies, known as publishers, to integrate Ibotta's extensive library of cash back offers directly into their own websites or mobile applications. This is part of their 'Rewards as a Service' platform. Access to the API is not public. Interested businesses must apply to become a partner through the Ibotta website. Once approved, they will receive documentation and API keys to begin the integration. There is no public developer portal for self-service API key generation.

Ibotta Affiliate program

Ibotta offers a partner program for affiliates and influencers. Through this program, partners can earn a commission for driving new, active users to the Ibotta app. The commission structure is typically a flat fee paid for each new user who registers and successfully redeems their first offer. Rates can vary depending on the affiliate network and the partner's volume. To join, interested parties can look for the Ibotta affiliate program on major networks like Impact or apply directly through the partnership section of the Ibotta website. Payments are managed and distributed by the affiliate network the partner signs up through.