Frequently Asked Questions About Paid Online Surveys
Published 8/15/07 (Modified 3/9/11)
By MoneyBlueBook
What are paid online surveys?
Filling out a free paid online survey is an interesting way to pass the time and make some money on the side. Your opinion is valuable to many companies for market research purposes and they are willing to pay you for your opinion. Your participation is used to influence and guide companies on how they go about developing products and services to meet consumer needs.
How much money can I make?
You'll most definitely make some money by completing online surveys but don't expect to get rich, even if you completed every single one out there. The shorter surveys that take less than 5 minutes pay not as much, while longer surveys that take 15-30 minutes or more, pay much better (anywhere from $1 to $50+). If you made it onto a live person focus group, those could even pay up to $250. Keep in mind that survey payout varies greatly depending on what you qualify for based on your profile and background.
How many surveys will I get?
After you register with a survey agency and fill out a profile listing your demographics, interests, and statistics, the company will usually e-mail you regularly with surveys to complete. The frequency of receiving surveys from the companies varies depending on your demographics. For example, if the company is trying to poll individuals who are home owners, and in your profile you indicated you were a renter, then you won't receive a survey for that issue. But you can generally expect a steady stream of e-mail surveys. Completing them isn't too painful, especially since you are getting paid.
Will I get spammed or have to pay them money?
No, you don't have to worry about either. Surprisingly, I have not received any junk e-mails as a result of signing up and only very occasionally do I receive update newsletters from the companies. You can usually easily opt out of those if you wish. There are some survey companies out there that do charge you a fee to use their listing, but I highly advise against ever using a paid service. Remember, the companies want to hear from their consumers and are willing to pay you to complete their surveys. It shouldn't be the other way around.
How To Get Started With Paid Online Surveys
If you have some spare time and want to earn enough for a few gift cards or movie rentals, then online paid surveys might be right for you. I use the following sites to make a steady $50-$75 equivalent a month:
January 1, 1970 at 12:00 am