Time-based rewards are a reward model where users earn based on how much time they spend in an app, rather than for completing a specific action or milestone. Instead of tying a payout to a specific event, time-based rewards accrue continuously the longer a user stays engaged. For example, a time-based reward in Mistplay may encourage a user to play for 10 minutes to earn units redeemable for a reward.
Time-based rewards are earned through duration of engagement, while event-based rewards are earned by completing specific in-app actions or milestones. The two aren't mutually exclusive: many reward campaigns combine both, since users tend to fall into different motivation types. Some are driven by steady, ongoing engagement, while others respond better to discrete goals.
Time-based rewards give advertisers a way to reward continuous engagement rather than a single action, which can help extend session length and build a habit of returning to an app. Because the reward accrues the longer someone stays active, it creates an ongoing incentive to keep engaging rather than stopping once a milestone is reached. Overall, this can support stronger day-over-day retention and mitigate users churning after hitting a specified milestone.