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You can make money easily from online surveys, but they usually pay no more than a few dollars an hour, much less than what you would get with a part-time job with a minimum wage. However, better as a distraction than scrolling through Twitter, especially if you have to wait somewhere like the airport or the DMV.
How do paid online surveys work?
Information about your buying habits is a valuable asset. To better understand consumer behavior, companies rely on market research to make decisions based on focus groups, product tests, and surveys. To save time and money, some research companies are paying consumers to conduct surveys online. Most use a reward point system that can be redeemed for cash or, more often, gift cards from companies like Amazon or Starbucks.
The disadvantages of paid online surveys
Aside from the low pay, the biggest trade-off with paid online surveys is that you sell personal information. So you need to be comfortable sharing a lot of personal information, including your email address, age, gender, race, and annual income.
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Unfortunately, this information can also exclude you from a survey – sometimes abruptly while you are conducting a survey – as market research firms may only be interested in information about specific demographics. This can be frustrating as some surveys take 15 to 20 minutes to complete. These surveys also lead to a lot of spam in your inbox. You should therefore set up a new, separate email account before you begin.
Get started with paid online surveys
Unfortunately, there are many fake surveys that scammers use to steal your personal information, so stick to legitimate websites. The DollarSprout personal finance site has a good look at some of the best and most trusted survey sites to get started with Here.
Most sites offer around 50 cents for a completed survey, but keep an eye out for survey sites that can offer $ 1 to $ 5, such as: Brand surveys, Pine cone research, KashKick or Valued opinions. Some of these websites also offer sign-up bonuses, either in the form of points or cash. Inbox dollars offers $ 5 to sign up (although you won’t be able to redeem it until you’ve earned $ 30) while new Swagbucks Members can claim a $ 10 sign up bonus after spending at least $ 25 at any of the site’s featured retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart.
