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Frequently Asked Questions About Online Paid Surveys

Are paid surveys for real? How does it work? How much can I make doing paid surveys? Answers to the frequently and most asked questions, and the truth you need to know about making money with online paid surveys.

Can I really get paid to take online surveys? Is Paid Surveys a Scam?

YES, you can really get paid taking surveys online, and paid surveys is for real, NOT a scam – there are many legitimate market research companies pay consumers like you for taking market research surveys and expressing your opinion on products, services, ads, ideas etc.

Over the years I have found and joined many legitimate online survey panels – many of the best panels (such as LifePoints, OpinionOutpost, PineconeResearch , SurveyJunkie and I-Say) are founded by leading market research companies.

I have listed them all on my United States Paid Survey Listand within my detailed Survey Site Reviews, I also posted the payments I have received from those panels, which show that those legitimate survey companies are for real since they actually pay!

Is there a cost to take surveys and get paid?

No – There is absolutely NO COST to take online paid surveys. Legitimate surveys companies never ask you to pay to take surveys. They are always FREE to join, and it cost absolutely NOTHING to take surveys and get paid!

How do paid surveys work?

You sign up with (join) a market research/paid survey company’s market research panel, provide your contact information (such as email and home address) and basic (and sometimes a little more detailed) demographic information such as your name, gender, age etc… When the survey company has a market research survey that fits your profile, they will send you an email inviting you to participate. They will indicate what the reward will be for completing the survey. You take the survey, if you qualify and complete the survey, you will get paid by the survey company. Often if you don’t qualify for the survey, you will still earn a entry to enter in a sweepstakes drawing.

How do I get paid for taking online surveys?

Survey companies offer various rewards to panel members for taking online surveys. Most survey companies on my Paid Survey Lists offer Cash rewards that can be paid via Check or Paypal, and some companies pay cash through prepaid debit cards. Gift cards for popular retail stores and Amazon Gift certificates are also popular choices of compensations. Other forms of rewards include prize and merchandise as well as sweepstakes entries.

Please note: for some survey panels, members earn “points” for taking surveys, and points can be redeemed for cash and gift cards/amazon certificates. One of the reasons for this is some panels reward members “points” (usually a low amount) for trying to take the surveys but disqualified as a way to compensate members’ time and effort.

How much can I make from taking paid surveys?

The answer really depends on several factors: 1). How many legitimate paid survey sites did you sign up with; 2). Your demographic profile which determines the number and types of surveys you get and qualify; 3). The amount of time you spend participating in surveys, focus groups, etc; 4). How lucky you are when it comes to drawings, rattles and sweepstakes.

I would say if you signed up a number of good survey sites and take the majority of the surveys you are invited, you could make $1000 to $2000 a year in cash, gift certificates and prize combined.  After over 3 years doing surveys, currently I personally earn average $200 a month (spend about an hour a day) from taking online surveys (no counting referrals).

Can you really make $100 an hour? – It is possible to make $100 for an one hour focus group discussion, but you won’t have this kind of opportunity to fill a whole day’s work.  The truth is, you are not going to get rich or make a full time income by doing paid surveys.  However you certainly CAN make pretty good extra cash.

Why people think paid surveys are scams?

I think there are FOUR main reasons:

First, there ARE many scam sites claiming to be paid survey companies and pay people taking online surveys, but in fact they just want to have your personal information, not only they will turn around later sell it so you will get tons of spam.

Second, there are many websites promoting those “scam” survey companies just for commission no matter what, therefore it is difficult to tell what is real legitimate and what is not for survey beginners. Examples of those websites are those so called Survey Directory/Database sites who sometimes even charge a membership fee for accessing their list of survey sites – they almost always exaggerate how much money you can make by taking surveys in the hope that you will believe that their membership fee is worth paying for.

Third
. Many paid offers sites advertise themselves (or claim on their own websites) as paid survey sites. The truth of the matter is, even some of them do have surveys (usually low paying ones), their main “business” is actually paid offers. Paid offers are those you get paid for trying the trial offers and often times you have to pay upfront. This could make people confused and often give false impression that paid surveys are NOT FREE, and unfortunately give paid surveys a bad name.

Finally, lot of survey beginners do not realize that it takes a while to get paid. Two or three weeks after signing up and taking some surveys, you don’t see the money coming in and you start questioning this paid surveys thing is just another online scam. Lot of people just give up this way because they don’t know if they signed up with legitimate survey companies and completed surveys, they will get paid, however, it takes time– lot of survey companies have minimum payout requirement to cash out reward, and it certainly takes time to reach that requirement. Also, it takes average 2-3 weeks for surveys companies to process payment.

How to find legitimate paid survey companies and NOT get scammed?

Can you really make money taking online paid surveys? How much can you make. This articles answers most asked questions about online paid surveys! https://mysurvey123.comTo be honest, finding real legit paid survey companies is NO easy task these days, especially for newbies. As a beginner you might be able to find a few good survey sites on your own, but the chance that you will get trapped into scam/spam is pretty high.

There are only a few honest websites that provide good list of survey sites, and MySurvey123.com definitely is one of the best, simply because:

  • I only recommend legitimate survey sites that worth joining and actually pay.
  • My survey site listings is much more comprehensive/complete comparing to any other sites.
  • Since I am actively taking surveys myself, I have first hand information and experience for each panel, therefore you can find detailed and honest survey panel reviews;
  • You will also able to get survey site news and updates on my site.

I honestly believe that MySurvey123.com IS THE BEST RESOURCE for anyone who wants to do paid surveys, and you can find all (almost all) legitimate paid survey companies on my free paid survey lists!

How do I start to make money taking online surveys?

Getting started to make money with online surveys is easy, all you have to do is to sign up with the legitimate online survey panels,  starting from following TOP 10 SURVEY SITES BELOW:

I suggest you set up a separate email address just for online surveys invitations and open a free Paypal account if you don’t have one.

  1. PineconeResearch
  2. LifePoints
  3. OpinionOutpost 
  4. SurveyJunkie
  5. Ipsos
  6. AmericanConsumerOpinion
  7. SurveySavvy
  8. MySoapBox 
  9. Toluna
  10. Swagbucks

If you would like to have more survey opportunities, you should sign up with more survey panels. Just select from the survey lists below based on your country of residence, confirm your panel membership, and you will start receiving survey invite emails.

For more detailed paid survey guide, survey tips and how to avoid survey scams, please read my other articles Paid Survey Guide For Beginners  and How to Avoid Paid Survey Scams and Find Legitimate Online Paid Surveys.

70 thoughts on “Frequently Asked Questions About Online Paid Surveys”

  1. Yes, list is great, I am always looking for new survey sites to try because I have been searching all over google and it takes me forever in a day to try to find some that work.

    Thanks

    Reply
  2. to all filipinos looking for availabilities to earn money online. cashcrate is one of the best choices. also surveysavvy and permissionresearch. though lesser offers are available to the philippine there are still some surveys provided according to the profile you’ve enteres while signing-up. but there may be some options available for you under the “Bonus Surveys” tab and “Cash Tasks” tab (see attachment).

    Reply
  3. 🙄 [quote name=irisi]I have tried to use different websites to earn some extra money but most of them had limitted surveys, or a certain number of videos to watch, or emails to read …

    The best website that I would suggest to everyone is cashcrate.com
    This is site that allows you to earn money by taking online surveys absolutely free. You fill out basic information about yourself, such as your name, address and city and voluntarily sign up for spam. Creating a new e-mail for the spam is a must-do method in order to achieve success with this program and to make money with Cash Crate.
    It’s against the rules to use false information so I use my real info, but I’ve never received any phone calls or anything, just e-mail spam.
    How much can you earn with CashCrate?
    The amount you make is dependent on the effort you put in, but with my current system I am making around $15 an hour filling out these forms.
    Most 100% free surveys are between .50 cents and 1 $, but there are frequently surveys in the $1-$2 range.
    In general, completing a single CashCrate survey takes around 5 minutes, but with my new method I complete around 15 surveys in 10 minutes. Not every survey clears and gets credited every time, but a high % of them do. Even using this method at a slow pace, you can easily complete 55 forms per hour, averaging out to around $20 an hour. Following the guides of other CashCrate reviews is unlikely to produce these results.[/quote]

    Reply
  4. I have tried to use different websites to earn some extra money but most of them had limitted surveys, or a certain number of videos to watch, or emails to read …

    The best website that I would suggest to everyone is cashcrate.com
    This is site that allows you to earn money by taking online surveys absolutely free. You fill out basic information about yourself, such as your name, address and city and voluntarily sign up for spam. Creating a new e-mail for the spam is a must-do method in order to achieve success with this program and to make money with Cash Crate.
    It’s against the rules to use false information so I use my real info, but I’ve never received any phone calls or anything, just e-mail spam.
    How much can you earn with CashCrate?
    The amount you make is dependent on the effort you put in, but with my current system I am making around $15 an hour filling out these forms.
    Most 100% free surveys are between .50 cents and 1 $, but there are frequently surveys in the $1-$2 range.
    In general, completing a single CashCrate survey takes around 5 minutes, but with my new method I complete around 15 surveys in 10 minutes. Not every survey clears and gets credited every time, but a high % of them do. Even using this method at a slow pace, you can easily complete 55 forms per hour, averaging out to around $20 an hour. Following the guides of other CashCrate reviews is unlikely to produce these results.

    Reply
  5. Hi
    I am from India, want t know which is the link i have t click in the list of surveys.. is it ok if i select the international surveys.
    thank you.

    Reply
  6. good information kindly please also do lemme know wich website wud b a legit website to start with as i am just a student n want to make good pocket money by my own…. 🙂 thanks in advance

    Reply
  7. Thanks for all the information,I did pay to get a list of paid surveys. After reading your site I am going to see if I can get back my money. Thanks for all the information. Good job.

    Reply
  8. you keep saying they sites have to belegitimate, which do you recommend that actually pay ? and will accept teens to take the paid survey?
    thanks

    Reply
  9. Hi John, the Google ads are random and I have blocked some ads that I know are basically “junk” sites… I do NOT approve these ads and you have to use your own judgment.

    For Gain Opinion – if ask for you to pay, so skip it – it’s not a real paid survey site.

    Hope it helps. 🙂

    Reply
  10. Hi Mlynn….

    There are Google ads on your website for paid survey sites, one of them being for
    Gain Opinion. Do you approve these ads or are they random from Google and should NOT be trusted? This particular ad mentions
    P&G as being a sponsor.

    Thanks,
    John D
    Cincinnati

    Reply
  11. You sure can have a life while still doing surveys..lol. I only check my survey email box once or twice a day. The key is you need to sign up with REAL survey sites, not SCAMs.
    [quote name=Claudette Klempka] I guess you have to be on line all day to get anything. I DO HAVE A LIFE. This sure looks like a scam to me.[/quote]

    Reply
  12. I have registered w. several sites, over 6mo. ago and have yet to receive any rewards. I guess you have to be on line all day to get anything. I DO HAVE A LIFE. This sure looks like a scam to me.

    Reply
  13. I just want to thank everybody for your kind comments! I was “shocked” and honored to learn that my site was mentioned on AARP magazine. I am very glad to learn many people find this site is helpful. I will continue to work on and improve this site to make it a great resource for anyone who want to make extra money with legitimate online paid surveys.

    Reply
  14. HI there.. good thing I read this article. I’ve been looking for a real work-from-home job..I signed up to a lot of websites but haven’t started until now. how about those get paid by posting ads. Do you have any idea about that?
    I was about to give up on searching. No need to give up now.let me try paid servey…
    Thanks fro writing this.

    Reply
  15. HI! I ALSO FOUND THIS INFO TO AARP AND YOUR SITE ADD UP TO MY KNOWLEDGE ABOUT PAID SURVEY. I GOT PAID FROM MY SURVEY IN FOCUS GROUP TOO…SO THANK YOU FOR THE HELPFUL TIPS…

    Reply
  16. Thanks for the info and being mentioned by AARP. I have already started receiving surveys and getting either pai or rewarded in some way.

    Reply
  17. Yes, if the whole world was as honest as Mei then the world would be a much better place. Keep up the good work. You know they always say what go’s around comes around……..

    Reply
  18. What is legit, and works, then give it a try. Thank you for the insight and reviews into free surveys. Opinions of others are very important and valuable when trying to help other people in this society today.

    Reply
  19. I,am an AARP member and I am trying to earn extra income due to an early retirement and personal obligations due to tropical hurricanes in the area effecting my home and other family obligations. February 8, 2009, my church anouncement mentioned the availability for AARP services i.e. income tax preparation and daily programs for members and local 50 plus senoirs who wish to partake of the services.

    Reply
  20. You know I get a lot of juck e-mail and some was about get paid doing online surveys and they ask for money to get started, I was so glad when I saw the article in AARP. I’m going to give this a chance because I don’t have to pan outmy money. I hope this works for me, I thinking that it will. Thank you for the best free information ever! :woohoo:

    Reply
  21. I have been looking for something to do that would help bring in extra cash. When I got my March/April 2009 AARP magazine, and I got to reading the article Earn Extra Money-fast that started on page 30. What really caught my eye was the online survey. :zzz

    Reply
  22. Reference to your site is found in the March/April 2009 “The AARP” magazine in an article titled, “Earn Extra Money-Fast” written by Sally Abrahms. It is on page 32 but you can find it online through the magazine link on the AARP website.

    Reply
  23. Wether or not I decide to use the information you’ve provided here, thanks a ton for preventing me from wasting time and money elsewhere. You rock!!!

    Reply
  24. Hi Patty,

    Thank you very much for the heads up! I really really appreciate it!

    May I ask which issue of AARP magazine, do you think I find it online?

    Thanks again for the info, I am excited to hear that! 😀 :zzz

    Reply
  25. Hi There,
    Just wanted to let you know I found your info in the aarp magazine and you come recommeened so I’m goint to give thia a try..Thanks, Patty

    Reply
  26. Wow! I finally found an honest person I can trust. One question, what is the best way to receive payment for each survey?
    Thanks!! 🙂

    Reply
  27. I have enlighten upon reading this topic,
    Since i am a beginner and looking for legitimate work at home jobs, where do i will get started? I’m new here…

    Thanks

    Reply
  28. Hi Kerry,

    I make average $200/month spending about hour a day – not counting referrals, just from surveys. However, I can make more if I spend more time.

    My demographic: married with 2 young kids, work part time, main grocery shopper for the household, and main/shared decision maker for everything in the house. 😀

    I am with all the survey sites on my survey list, except the ones just for college students/African American/Hispanic Americans.

    Hope it give you more ideas. 🙂

    Reply
  29. If you already clarified this on site I apologize but just wanted to make sure when you say how much you earn per month that you are not including the money for referrals-only money earned from actually taking surveys. Wanted to check before I dive in :-). By the way, thanks for soo much info. I know it took alot of time.

    Reply
  30. Hi JryL,

    Please read next article “Paid Survey Guide for Beginners” and follow the step by step instructions to get started doing paid surveys! Good luck!

    Reply
  31. Hi Ang,

    Thanks for the kind comment.

    Have you read my article “Paid Survey Guide for beginners”? – which is basically set up a free dedicated free emails address then sign up with all the paid survey sites on my Paid Survey Lists..The survey sites will send you surveys…

    You can contact me through the contact forum (the link is at the top of the site..)

    PTR – Click the “Paid To Read Email” link on the main menu…

    Look forward to hearing from you.

    Reply
  32. 🙂 , Well Mei, it’s a very nice information since I tried to browse about this one for long time, could you give me more information about the recent real paid survey, PTR, PPC and etc please, and where I can email you privately?

    Thank you very much

    Reply
  33. I definitly recommande your site, at last some one is honest in the jungle’s scam of the net. stop the dream and face the thrue, even the big firms are suporting the thiefs. Thank you and long life to you

    Reply
  34. Hi Scott,

    Yes I know it’s not much..but for me surveys it’s just a way to make extra cash, not a JOB. Also I take surveys only on my spare time, while watching TVs or surfing the net…And I consider it an extra bonus… 😀

    Reply
  35. so what you’re saying is for about 50 hours of work a month, you make $200? Do you really work for $4/hr.? Why would any one do such a thing? :sigh:

    Reply
  36. While looking at all the websites that seem to charge for this information, you give it here for free.I found it on accident. You saved me money and headaches. There are still kind people in this world after all.
    Thank You,

    Reply
  37. Hi misshunter,

    You are welcome and thanks for your comment! I am glad you found this site helpful! Good luck to you!

    Best regards,

    Reply
  38. I found your info by chance also. Thank you so much for being honest and you really did answer every single question I had! I have received at least 500 spam messages over the past 7 days! I noticed that every “survey” site I sign up for thus far wants money!! I have never had to pay anybody for me to make some extra money, that is a little backwards!! Thanks again!! 🙂

    Reply
  39. Hi Patty,

    Thank you for visiting my site!

    Sorry I can’t tell you how much you can make by June. But I can tell you you probably won’t make much. Since it does take time for beginners to start making money. If you want to make money fast, you might be disappointed.

    However, I still suggest you give it a try. Just take a couple of days signing up with ALL the survey sites and start taking surveys and see how it goes. At the mean time, looking for other ways to make extra money.

    Read my advice article: Paid Survey Guide for beginners first, then sign up with ALL the survey sites on my list. You will start receiving surveys.

    Good luck to you and don’t hesitate to ask questions if you need help.

    Best regards,

    Reply
  40. I’m new and want to make some money to pay for my wedding. I have a job but would like to work from home as well, I saw your sight and thought this might work, can you help me get started. Honestly how much could I really make by June.
    Patty

    Reply
  41. Hi Paul,

    Thank you for the kind comment, I am glad and it’s a pleasure to know this site is helpful to others. 😉

    Best regards!

    Reply
  42. Mei, thanks for being honest and also for your consideration for others. It seems as if liars, scammers, and thieves are omnipresent on the internet these days. That said, it can be almost impossible at times to get the truth from any source. Thanks for being a good considerate person.

    Reply
  43. Hi while searching for some way of toping up my income from home, I came across your site. I have not done paid surveys be for so the information you are giving is very interesting. Thank you very much 😕

    Reply
  44. Thank you for clearing up some very important issues. I had found your site by chance while searching for legitimate paid surveys, since I am just starting myself.

    Thank you again 🙂

    Aly

    Reply

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