We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Technology

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is an Online Proofreader?

Tricia Christensen
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 25,083
Share

An online proofreader is someone paid to read web text, other Internet communications, or offline text, and find the errors in it. They might correct these errors, or point them out to others for correction. These editors chiefly hunt for things like misspelled words, errors in grammar or poor punctuation. However, they could do more editing as required, including checking facts or rewriting.

It is abundantly clear that the Internet needs a lot more online proofreaders than those already employed. People don’t have to look far to find significant grammar and spelling errors. Not everyone wants to pay for this service though, and sometimes websites that provide content chiefly hire people without strong skills in the English language. The reason they do so is because they can pay these writers a dollar or two per article. They don’t want to add on more cost by hiring a proofreader, even though this might improve the work.

Savvy website owners, conversely, may realize quickly, that they appear more professional when any content on their site is in clear English (or written impeccably in another language). The online proofreader can certainly be helpful here to create more polished text. People who proofread typically must have a good eye for errors and strong writing skills. Those interested in this business can take proofreading classes, and it may be necessary to learn standard proofreading symbols, though this isn’t always the case. Fairly skilled writers can often pick up proofreading easily and learn proofing symbols too.

Finding proofreading jobs may be harder than finding the misplaced comma. There are plenty of sites that charge money to allow people to bid for freelance proofreading jobs. The amount charged may be fairly high, and it might not be economically wise to begin in this direction. Instead, people might consider free job sites first, and look around for writer’s job sites that have a proofreading section. Even companies like craigslist have a writing gigs section, which offers the occasional proofreading job, though there are many scams listed on the site too.

Another way of getting work as an online proofreader is through self-marketing. Visit websites everyday and start offering proofreading services to the site owners. It helps if there’s some experience to back up claims of skill in this area. People might want to begin by first doing a few proofreading jobs for free for friends, business associates, or community service groups that have websites. With a few referrals in hand, it’s easier to make a claim that proofreading skills are strong, and this creates a better resume. Owning a website where the topic of proofreading is discussed in blog form, might also be a good idea, especially if it provides a handy link to a webpage about proofreading services provided.

Rate of pay for the online proofreader and amount of available work can vary depending upon experience, proven success and also the market rate. Some people can easily make $30 US Dollars (USD) an hour or more. Others may work at much lower rates. There are companies that advertise they will help people make unbelievable sums of money through proofreading, but it’s likely these companies overstate their case dramatically. The smart online proofreader should learn to first edit expectations of financial glory when considering this work.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By tdavis — On Dec 23, 2013

In order to improve your chances of getting an online proofreading job, you should obtain a degree in English or Journalism. If a degree is not possible, then you should take college courses in English and grammar.

Your resume should highlight any proofreading experience that you have including any volunteer work as a proofreader.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-an-online-proofreader.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.