Nathan 
Are you a freelance writer looking to earn extra cash? If so, then you might have come across METRO CNET and now you’re wondering whether or not it’s worth trying. If you are, then read this because I’ll give you a bit of info and provide you with a short review. Then you can decide if you should signup to become a freelancer with METRO.
What Is METRO CNET
METRO, sometimes referred as to METRO CNET, is a website/platform owned by CNET Content Solutions; They are a company owned by CBS Interactive. They dub themselves as content development and data service company. The platform touts that it’s easy for freelancers to hop on it, work and get paid, but for work that is approved.
The type of work available via the platform includes writing tasks, editing tasks and reviews to name a few. According to METRO CNET, you can tackle various projects, such as developing content, performing research and providing data services.
Signing Up With METRO CNET
Signing up for an account is fast and easy. All in all, it took only a few minutes to get an account. After you signup, you’ll have to go into your email and click on a link to verify your account. Then you’ll be a step closer to being able to claim work. Before you can do that, you’ll need to take a few assessments. I’ll explain more in the next section, but as for the signup process and the account creation process; It’s fast, easy and free.
Metro CNET: Edit, Comprehension & Writing Assessments
Shortly after signing up and after confirming your account, you will need to take a writing assessment. You’ll also need to take a comprehension (reading) assessment, which you complete before the writing assessment. If you do both and pass both, then you can take an edit assessment, which is optional. If you want to edit stuff, then you’ll obviously want to take that assessment.
The gist is:
. Take three assessments
. Time cap of 15 to 45 minutes
. One attempt on reading comprehension
. Three attempts on writing & editing
If you pass the reading comprehension assessment, you’ll then be able to do the writing assessment. METRO CNET will then notify you if you passed or failed.
My Review
Ok, so now you know the basics of METRO CNET, but now I’ll do a quick review on a few areas/aspects of the platform. This will include the following areas:
1. The Assessments- I completed the writing and reading comprehension assessments. I passed the comprehension part. It was a multiple-choice style assessment, and it took me around 10 minutes to complete. It wasn’t long at all; Maybe about a half hour. The results from the writing assessment took considerably longer to get, and it was rejected.
The writing assessment involved writing a 225 article on some product that Best Buy sells. It was a laptop and the instructions mentioned how the article should focus on the features and benefits that the product offers. METRO CNET has a specific style/guidelines that its members have to abide by; Although I’m not sure if that’s the reason the article was rejected. METRO actually didn’t give a reason.
2. The Work- As for the type of work available, there are articles, product descriptions, reviews and editing tasks you can tackle. However, many of the tasks (at the time of this writing), requires you to have specific credentials, such as state-specific. A lot of the tasks require you to have (again, for example) a Florida credential, which I actually have no clue what that means. To me, it sounds like you have to either be familiar with the state or live there to take on tasks that require a Florida credential. I actually couldn’t find anything on this in METRO CNET’s FAQs.
The amount of work on there tends to be consistent (at the time of this writing). However, there may be hundreds of tasks to do, but if you don’t have a Florida credential, Alabama credential and so forth, then you won’t be able to claim work. If that ends up being the case, then I guess the abundance of work via the platform is irrelevant.
3. The Pay- The pay actually isn’t that bad, when compared to other content writing/mill websites. I came across writer projects/articles that paid around $0.055. If you write an article or product description that requires 225 words (which I’ve seen on the platform), then that means you could make just over $12 for that task.
Do bear in mind that you only get paid if the work is accepted. If it’s rejected, then you can try to appeal it, but if the appeal doesn’t go through, then you’re pretty much out of luck.
Also, METRO CNET pays on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. So the payouts are frequent. Once again, you’re only paid for approved submitted work.
The Pros & The Cons Of Writing For METRO CNET
1. The Pros
Real quick, the main pros is that the pay is decent and METRO pays out frequently. As previously mentioned, they pay three times per week in approved work. If you write a lot and all of your tasks get approved, then you could do decent.
To sum up the above, the main pros are:
. The pay is alright
. They pay frequently
2. The Cons
The main cons is that the guidelines are quite strict and the list is wicked extensive. Not only that, but your work can be rejected for any reason. Even if you submit high quality work, it can still be rejected for seemingly any reason at all. Furthermore, you might not qualify for a lot of tasks. As previously mentioned, there are state-specific credentials and a bunch of tasks require different state-specific credentials, then you’ll probably struggle to find tasks you can claim.
To sum up the above, the cons are:
. Strict guidelines
. Work can get rejected for any reason
. Might not qualify for work
Final Thoughts
I have nothing against METRO CNET, but in my opinion you need to be prepared to have your assessment (the writing one) rejected at least once and finding work might be frustrating when you can’t find work you actually qualify for. The pay is decent, and you have nothing to lose by signing up for an account, except time. If you signup for an account and you find yourself spending way too much time revising articles or dealing with rejections, then I recommend looking for another platform to write for. Your time is valuable!
I say go for it. METRO CNET doesn’t charge anything, and your writing style might suit them well. But, don’t bank of making full-time income from METRO CNET for many years to come. In my opinion, having your own online business is the way to go when it comes to making money online. I wish you luck if you give METRO a go.
If you do decide to try it out, the link is here: METRO CNET. Good luck.
Hi Nathan,
Thanks for this post about working for METRO, and it’s very clear that I might not join this platform. The reason is simple and you listed in the section of The Pros & The Cons Of Writing For METRO CNET.
One thing I didn’t understand why our works can get rejected for any reason, it seems a bit non-sense to me since it should be listed at first for all the strict guidelines then we follow and write for the result, right?
Yeah, I also agree with you that I might not join this platform for all my time and find another platform.
Ok, the thought of doing a product research, creating a 225 word review only to be rejected doesn’t sound so motivating. Their payout isn’t so bad and it would be awesome if the rate of accepted articles was high. I would give it a try, do you have other suggestions?
Hi, thanks for this article it’s been very helpful and has saved me time. I don’t live in The US so, it’s likely that qualifying for work with CNet would be a time consuming challenge. Good luck, Steve C
Thank you for this review. I like writing and I am a good write having done articles and authored 3 books. This article sparked my interest because I have been wondering if I could take up an online career as a writer. Your explanations are quite frank and detailed and I appreciate that. I think I would prefer writing for a business that has guidelines that are easy to follow and contain fewer limits. That rejection for no reason can be a turn off for me but I guess it might suit some people. At least I know about this platform and your information will help me decide if I want to pursue this business.
Well, I’ve learned something new from you. I’ve heard of Metro Cnet before. I have considered trying to find some freelance writing work, so I might check out this company and see if I can qualify for a writing job.
Do you get a variety of jobs to choose from? Are subjects varied, and can you choose the subject you know the best about? What about length? Are length requirements different on different jobs?
I am very curious as to whether they would have something that interested me, so guess I’ll have to look them over.
Thanks for this forthright review of this company!
I knew nothing of Metro Cnet before reading this, but as I read this review, I developed a curiosity to join and see if they liked my writing style enough to secure a job with them. But only for a moment.
I really like your site, and your reviews are great! I especially like 6 Cool Ways to Make Money with Dogs.
The state names are just project names. You don’t have to live in or be familiar with the state to write the description. You just have to have above-average writing ability and pass the test. Client names can’t be used so U.S. states are used instead.
The tasks are a variety of products. Successful writers create feature-benefit-based copy.
It sounds like you’ve had some success writing for Metro. Would you go as far as to recommend? I’m more looking to Mill sites as a side hustle than a full time job.
My personal experience with Metro CNET was discouraging and humiliating. Not only was all my work rejected, but the feedback I received was downright insulting. I have a Master of Arts in Writing, so I’m not a complete imbecile.
I’ve worked for other content mills in the past, and in my opinion, Metro CNET is the absolute worst. Unfortunately, writers are scrambling for work during the pandemic, so I’m sure there will be plenty of applicants. But if you want to maintain a shred of self-respect, I would avoid this platform at all costs.