Making cash from online survey sites - new MSE guide

nandrews

I'm afraid that's the way it is pretty much across the board. You'd think volunteering your time for them you'd get more respect.
But it seems they look to get the best information and pay the least they ca get away with.
Have you tried the 'shopping' apps such a Shop & Scan, Consumer Pulse and Nielsen? 

KxMx

I think with YouGov I just got too few surveys, took far too long to reach a payout and not worth my time.

I do Nectar Canvass as well, that's a good payer especially for the longer diary studies.

ChickenAttack

Nice guide. Thank you, OP

TamG

Many survey sites screen you out if you are older so you get to complete fewer surveys - seems silver surfers opinions are not as valuable as younger participants, despite them likely having time if they're retired.
Not an issue as long as you're aware that available surveys will decrease as you pass retirement age / retire.

nandrews

I am 67 yo and do declare my real age but I've not been aware that my age is a limit.
Although I don't know, since I think rejection occurs after you have failed a section of a survey than a specific answer.
So you maybe answer age, gender, location but have been rejected by age and yet they carry on with the remaining questions! 

AlexJ88

I do surveys now and again, Prolific and Qmee, whats the current best ones? Best amounts and so on.

nandrews

From my POV they are all very much of a muchness. You will note that they all often use the same initial questions, down to even using the same words! So I think they all have the same idea which is that the resource (we who complete their surveys) are very much at their convenience and the least they can pay the better. If you do use Qmee (which is just an aggregator not a survey company) you will experience many surveys which you get dumped from either early on or later, with no regard for the time you have given to that point.

nandrews

You echo my thoughts.

reg091

Might be useful to give you my results of using multiple sites after five months. First some info:

1. I have spent time every single day on surveys (estimate 1-2 hours per day).
2. I attempt every single survey available to me (except for on Qmee where there are so many I tend to pick out the ones I want).
   
3. I estimate that I am screened out/the survey is no longer available of 80% of surveys I click through.
4. I only do survey sites that pay out in cash. I don't do vouchers.

Results for five months work:
PanelBase (£10 payout threshold) £24.50
Qmee (No pay out threshold) £137.07
OnePoll (£30 initial payout threshold) £37.70 (But still waiting for money transfer after nearly one month of reaching the £30)
Populous (£50 payout threshold) £16
Panel Opinion (£10 payout threshold) £7.76
Total earnings £223.03 of which I have been able to cash out £187.07
Conclusions:

1. The £50 threshold on Populous is ridiculous as they send you very, very few surveys.
2. I haven't even got to £10 on Panel Opinion in five months! They don't have many surveys. They do seem to have, more than the others, the type of surveys that sign you up for a longer series of surveys for "big" rewards (£20 for example for four 60 minute surveys/zoom interviews). But I always seem to get screened out of those.
3. Qmee is the winner by a country mile. 

nandrews

Thank-you for your contribution. I found it useful and reassuring.
You seem to have experienced much the same results as I.
I gather from that, that you are generally satisfied with what you have gained compared to the time and effort it has cost you.
I tend to be still very uncomfortable with the treatment that we (as in those of us offering to complete surveys) receive.
There is no code of treatment, nor much of any respect for the time and effort we put in. Not to mention that which goes to waste when we are rejected. Why should it be OK to ask many questions and then just drop the survey for any reason and not even compensate. The reason is clear, but the justification is not there!
If there were a body to represent us then it might change. But don't look to the MRS for any support, they are for and paid for by those asking the surveys! I have tried many avenues from MP to Citizens Advice and I might have thought MSE would take up the case, but so far I have not gotten thru' to any one there. It's certainly a big issue if you count in all the avenues these marketing activities include such as competitions, trials, street interviews all seeking to get marketing data, but with these least payout possible!
I hope you continue to find what you do worthwhile.