Rakuten Canada, originally launched as Ebates.ca in 2012, is a cashback and rewards shopping platform that helps Canadians earn money back on everyday purchases. Ebates itself was founded in 1998 in the U.S. and was acquired in 2014 by the Japanese tech giant Rakuten Group, Inc., leading to the Canadian rebrand as “Rakuten.ca” in 2019. The app works by partnering with hundreds of retailers across fashion, electronics, groceries, home goods, and more. When users shop through Rakuten’s links, the company earns a commission and shares a portion of it as Cash Back. Its simple affiliate-marketing model, wide store network, and easy rewards system make it one of Canada’s most trusted cashback platforms.
has expanded into a major cashback platform partnering with more than 750 Canadian retailers. The company reports that, since its launch, it has helped members earn over CAD $140 million in Cash Back. However, there is no publicly available data regarding Rakuten Canada’s annual revenue, net income, or the total number of employees dedicated to the Canadian market. While the parent company releases global financial information, these figures cover multiple business divisions and do not represent Canada-specific performance. As a result, any claims about “Rakuten Canada’s revenue in 2025” or estimates of its Canadian-only earnings would be speculative unless officially provided by Rakuten itself.
Rakuten Group, Inc., the global parent company of Rakuten Canada, was founded in 1997 in Tokyo by Hiroshi Mikitani. As of December 2024, the company employs approximately 29,334 people worldwide. Beyond cashback services, Rakuten operates a wide range of businesses, including e-commerce, fintech, digital content, messaging, and mobile networks, making it one of Japan’s most diversified technology groups.
✅ Is Rakuten App Still Active (Market Status 2025)
Yes — Rakuten.ca remains active in Canada. The site and app continue to operate, support cashback shopping, and partner with Canadian retailers. rakuten.ca+2Newswire+2
The rebranding from Ebates to Rakuten.ca completed in 2019 and services have continued under the Rakuten name. Newswire+1
Download the Rakuten App (iOS & Android)
- Open your device’s App Store on iOS click here or Google Play Store on Android click here
- Search for “Rakuten” in the search bar.
- Look for the official Rakuten Cash Back shopping app published by Rakuten Rewards.
- Tap “Download” or “Install” to start downloading the app.
- Once installed, open the app and sign up or log in to your Rakuten account.
- Enable necessary permissions (notifications, browser tracking, etc.) for the best cashback tracking performance.
- Start browsing partnered stores and shop through the app to earn Cash Back.
What They Do for Consumers
- Rakuten runs a cashback and rewards-based shopping platform.
- Consumers shop through the Rakuten website or mobile app at partnered retailers.
- Retailers pay Rakuten a commission for sending customers to their store.
- Rakuten shares part of that commission with users as Cash Back.
- Shoppers can earn money on everyday purchases across fashion, electronics, beauty, travel, groceries, home products, and more.
- Rakuten provides exclusive deals, coupons, promo codes, and bonus offers to help users save even further.
- Simple summary: Retailers pay Rakuten → Rakuten pays shoppers → everyone benefits.
Purchase on Rakuten & Earn Cashback
1. Start by Opening the Rakuten App
- Launch the Rakuten app and make sure you’re logged into your account.
- Ensure your internet connection is stable for proper cashback tracking.
2. Browse a Store
- Use the search bar or category filters to find your preferred retailer.
- Check the cashback percentage listed beside each store — it varies daily.
3. Tap “Shop Now” to Activate Cashback
- Select the store and press “Shop Now”.
- Rakuten will redirect you to the retailer’s official website inside the app.
- This redirection is what activates your cashback tracking.
4. Shop Normally on the Retailer’s Website
- Add items to your cart just like normal online shopping.
- No coupon codes or extra steps required (unless the store offers extra bonuses).
5. Complete Your Purchase
- Finish checkout on the retailer’s site while staying in the same window.
- Don’t switch apps or force close — it may interrupt tracking.
6. Wait for Cashback Confirmation
- After the order is placed, Rakuten sends a “Cash Back Activated” confirmation.
- Cashback usually appears in your account within minutes to 48 hours, depending on the store.
7. Track Your Cashback Earnings
- Open the “Cash Back Balance” section to view pending, confirmed, and upcoming payouts.
- Rakuten also displays bonuses, referrals, and seasonal rewards here.
8. Get Paid During Rakuten’s “Pay Day”
- Rakuten issues payments quarterly via:
- PayPal
- Cheque (Big Fat Cheque)
- PayPal
- Minimum payout requirements apply, depending on region.
9. Boost Cashback with Bonus Features
- Use Rakuten Bonus Events to stack extra cashback.
- Apply Rakuten-exclusive coupons before checkout.
- Invite friends using your referral link to earn additional rewards.
💰 When Will You Get Paid on the Rakuten App?
Rakuten follows a quarterly payment schedule, meaning you get paid every 3 months. Cashback is only released after it becomes “Available Cash Back” in your account.
📅 Rakuten Payment Schedule
Rakuten pays members four times a year:
- February
- May
- August
- November
✔ Payment Requirements
You will be paid in the next payout cycle if:
- Your cashback has cleared (not pending).
- You have at least $5.00 in available cashback.
- Your shopping transactions have been confirmed by stores.
⏳ Why Cashback Might Be Pending
Cashback takes time because stores must:
- Confirm your purchase
- Verify you didn’t cancel or return items
- Send final approval to Rakuten
This can take 30–90 days, depending on the retailer.
💵 How You Will Get Paid
Rakuten offers multiple payment options:
- Direct deposit / bank transfer
- PayPal
- Paper Check (“Big Fat Check”) (U.S./Canada depending on region)
- Sometimes gift cards (with bonuses)
🔥 Best Rakuten Hacks to Maximize Your Cashback
1. Use the Rakuten Browser Extension (Biggest Money Saver)
- Instantly alerts you when a site offers cashback
- Automatically activates cashback with one click
- Finds and applies the best coupons at checkout
- Prevents you from forgetting to activate cashback
👉 Many users earn 2–3× more cashback just by using the extension.
2. Activate In-Store Cashback for Real-World Shopping
- Open the Rakuten app → tap In-Store Cash Back
- Link your credit or debit card once
- Shop in-store at participating retailers
- Cashback tracks automatically after the purchase
👉 Works great for groceries, clothing, electronics, and local stores.
3. Stack Cashback With Store Sales & Promo Codes
- Combine Rakuten cashback with:
- Seasonal sales
- Store coupons
- Credit-card rewards
- Seasonal sales
Promo codes
👉 You can save 40%–70%+ when stacking deals correctly.
4. Use Double Cash Back Events
- Rakuten regularly boosts rates (e.g., 5% → 10%, 10% → 20%).
- Check the app homepage or “Double Cash Back” category.
👉 Best used during shopping seasons: Black Friday, Boxing Day, Back-to-School.
5. Refer Friends for Bonus Cash
- Rakuten gives $25–$40+ referral bonuses during promotions.
- Your friend also gets a welcome bonus.
👉 Perfect for quick extra earnings.
6. Shop Through Rakuten for Travel (Hidden Gem)
- Earn cashback on hotels, flights, rental cars, and vacation sites.
- Works with big brands: Booking.com, Expedia, Trip.com, etc.
👉 Travel bookings often give high cashback rates (2%–10%).
7. Check Rakuten’s Daily Hot Deals
- “Hot Deals” show limited-time offers up to 30% cashback.
Refresh daily for bonus rates.
8. Always Activate Before Checkout
- Open Rakuten → find store → click “Shop Now”
- Or let the browser extension auto-activate
👉 Ensures every purchase is tracked correctly.
⚠️ Rakuten App – Common Issues & Quick Fixes
1️⃣ App Crashing or Freezing
- Update Rakuten to the latest version
- Clear cache/data or reinstall the app
- Try switching from WiFi to mobile data
2️⃣ Cashback Not Credited
- Check each store’s “Terms & Exclusions”
- Use only Rakuten-approved coupons
- Make sure you started your shopping journey inside Rakuten
3️⃣ Cashback Stuck in Pending
- Retailers often take weeks/months to confirm purchases
- Monitor status under “Pending → Confirmed”
- Keep your order receipt for backup
4️⃣ In-Store or Extension Cashback Not Tracking
- Disable ad blockers/content blockers
- Use the Rakuten app or official browser extension
- Ensure tracking pop-ups are allowed
5️⃣ Login, Referral, or Account Issues
- Log out and sign in again
- Reinstall the app if needed
- Verify your email and contact support with order proof
🛠 Tips for the Best Rakuten Experience
- Always start shopping from the Rakuten app or browser extension
- Disable any ad blockers before shopping
- Review cashback eligibility before making purchases
- Take screenshots of large purchase confirmations
- Keep the app updated for smoother performance
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