012 · Take Paid Online Surveys

Dedicating a few hours of your time to taking paid surveys is a good way to earn up to a few hundred dollars a month. However, this will depend on a number of factors which I will discuss in this article. This doesn’t require any special skills and can be done at any time you want, whether you’re at home, traveling, or anywhere else as long as you have a good Internet connection. However, you need to stay vigilant because some services are not very reliable, while others may even be fraudulent, and they might just waste your time. Let’s take a look at all this.

• Here's the program
• What’s it all about?
• Why a points system?
• Risks and precautions
• How does it work in practice?
• Bonus
• How to choose a good survey platform?
• Comparison of the Most Popular Paid Survey Sites
• Tips and tricks
• Conclusion
• EcoTips
• Pros and Cons
• Information recap

What’s it all about?

If you have ever searched for “how to make money on the Internet” via Google, chances are that one of the first results will invite you to participate in paid surveys. Over the past few years, these websites have multiplied on the web, and there is now a rather impressive number of them.

All of them work in a similar way: You create an account by filling in who you are (age, gender, family, and profession, etc.), then, depending on your “profile”, you will be invited to answer different surveys on various subjects, most of the time on common consumer goods (food, cosmetics, hi-tech, etc.). Some sites offer a wider range of topics (politics, culture, travel, etc.), and you may even be able to choose the ones you prefer.

Each survey will usually take between 3 and 20 minutes of your time and the amount you will earn will vary between 0,5$ and 50$, depending on the platform you choose, but also on the type, complexity, and length of the survey. I know, it’s a very wide range and you can imagine that those at 50$ are much less frequent than those at 0,50$. Ideally, you should answer the ones that don’t take you more than 10 minutes and are worth between 1 and 2$.

As you answer the surveys that are offered to you, you will accumulate points that you can then convert into cash (which you will receive in the form of a bank transfer or PayPal as soon as you have reached a minimum amount) or into gift cards.

Why a points system?

When a site or a service puts a point system in place instead of money, it’s because they want you to forget about it or to forget what it means in money. This type of site is not very lucrative, so according to this logic, it is more motivating to see that you have earned 100 points rather than $1.

Moreover, the points system is often associated with levels or loyalty statuses. The more points you accumulate, the higher statuses you can reach, offering additional advantages like better-paid surveys, exclusive contests, or discounts on partner products. This creates a gamification effect that encourages users to stay active on the platform.

Note also that the conversion of points into money can vary from one platform to another. Some offer more advantageous conversion rates, while others impose high withdrawal thresholds or additional fees. It is therefore preferable to carefully read the terms of each site to maximize your earnings.

Finally, platforms often use the points system to reward other activities besides surveys. For example, you can earn extra points by referring friends, participating in special activities, or completing profile surveys. These bonus points can accelerate your progress towards conversion thresholds and increase your total income.

There are many different types of questions that can be asked during an online survey. Here are the main ones.

Risks and precautions

Be careful because there are many fraudulent sites that will lure you with tempting gains, but which in the end will make you lose time and therefore money (survey not validated, account closed without reason, transfer not received, etc.). Some will even ask you for money to register or to provide your credit card information (don’t do it!). Hence the importance of choosing the right platform to work with.

By taking a few precautions, you can use paid survey sites safely and maximize your chances of earning without falling into scammers’ traps. Here are some practical tips that I encourage you to follow:

• Research reliable reviews: Before signing up on a survey platform, check reviews from other users on sites like Trustpilot, Google, or Capterra. Specialized forums and dedicated blogs can also provide valuable information.
• Check the registration conditions: Beware of sites that ask for registration fees or banking information upfront. Legitimate platforms will never ask you to pay to participate in surveys.
• Use a dedicated email address: Create a specific email address for your survey registrations and notifications to protect your main inbox and better manage survey-related emails.
• Watch for redirects and pop-ups: Be cautious of sites that constantly redirect you to other pages or display excessive pop-up ads. These behaviors are often associated with fraudulent sites.
• Protect your personal information: Never share sensitive information such as your social security number, bank details, or other personal data that are not necessary for completing surveys.

I also provide a comparative table of some of the most well-known and reliable survey platforms further down in this article. Don’t hesitate to register on several of them in order to increase your earnings tenfold.

How does it work in practice?

The number of surveys you receive and the money you receive for each one also depends a lot on your profile type. Indeed, what interests the big companies that order these surveys is to know the opinion of active people (meaning “who consume”) and whose purchasing power is high enough.

For example, Gucci won’t care what you think of their latest wristwatch collection, which costs about the same as your annual salary. I know, it’s quite cynical, but it’s the reality. That’s why some people cheat a little bit (on their professional situation for example) when they register, in order to fit the “perfect” profile a little better.

The best thing to do is to register on several sites to maximize your chances of receiving a maximum number of surveys. Generally, each site will send you between 3 and 6 surveys per week. If you manage to receive between 40 and 50 surveys per week, and spend 1 or 2 hours per day on them, you can reach your goal of $200 or $300 per month.

It is also important to note that some surveys are open to a specific and restricted audience. For example, a survey on high-end beauty products will mainly target women of a certain age with high incomes. Thus, having a diversified and complete profile can increase your chances of receiving a variety of surveys.

Above all, remember to check your account regularly on survey platforms. Some surveys have a participant limit and can fill up quickly. By staying on the lookout for new surveys, you can seize the best opportunities before they disappear.

Finally, in case you are not always available, don’t hesitate to use task management tools or reminders to optimize your time and not forget to respond to surveys. Plan specific times of the day for this activity, so you can integrate paid surveys into your daily routine without interfering with your other responsibilities.

There are many different types of online survey, here are the main ones.

Bonus

Last but not least, you should know that some sites offer a sponsorship system that will allow you to earn a few extra dollars. The principle is simple: You receive a unique link that you can share with your friends and family, and you will receive money as soon as someone registers on the site and starts to answer some surveys.

Some also offer various bonuses such as a small amount of money as a welcome gift when you complete your first surveys, participation in a free lottery, or a percentage based on what you have already earned on your registration anniversary.

Moreover, some sites offer monthly or weekly challenges where you can earn extra points by achieving certain goals, such as completing a specific number of surveys within a given time frame. This adds a fun dimension and encourages you to stay active.

There are also loyalty programs where the more surveys you complete, the more loyalty points you accumulate. These points can be exchanged for various rewards, such as gift cards, free products, or discounts on online purchases.

Finally, some sites organize special events or temporary promotions, offering opportunities for increased earnings over a limited period. Keep an eye out for these offers to maximize your benefits and fully enjoy the advantages offered by paid survey platforms.

Comparison of the Most Popular Paid Survey Sites

Tips and tricks

To successfully maximize your earnings and optimize your experience with paid surveys, here are some additional strategies and tips.

• Create a dedicated email address: Use a specific email address for your survey registrations and notifications. This helps keep your main inbox organized and ensures you don’t miss any survey opportunities.
• Use survey apps: Some survey platforms have mobile apps that allow you to complete surveys on the go. Download these apps to take advantage of surveys during your downtime, such as while commuting or during breaks.
• Participate in surveys as soon as they are received: Respond to survey invitations as quickly as possible, as some can fill their participant quota rapidly. By acting fast, you increase your chances of completing more surveys.
• Complete your profile in detail: Provide precise and complete information on your user profile. Platforms use this data to offer you surveys that match your characteristics, which can increase the number of surveys you receive.
• Sign up for multiple platforms: Don’t limit yourself to just one survey platform. By registering on multiple sites, you increase your opportunities to receive more surveys and therefore earn more money.
• Check the points usage conditions: Some sites impose deadlines for using accumulated points. Make sure you know these conditions to avoid losing your points due to prolonged inactivity.
• Use browser extensions: Some browser extensions can notify you when new surveys are available. Install these tools to never miss an opportunity to complete a survey.
• Refer friends and family: Take advantage of referral programs offered by some platforms. Each new registration through your referral link can earn you additional points or money.
• Be honest in your responses: Answer surveys honestly. Inconsistencies can lead to the disqualification of your responses and loss of points. Honest responses maintain your profile’s credibility and reliability.
• Schedule dedicated survey time: Incorporate surveys into your daily routine by setting specific times to complete them. This helps you stay consistent and optimize the time spent on this activity.

Conclusion

Can you really earn hundreds of dollars a month by answering surveys? Well, the answer is yes, but only if you have a “good” profile, and especially if you take this activity seriously and work at it every day. Then you will be able to make a decent extra income.

The truth is that you will have to spend a lot of time to earn relatively little, usually less than an average hourly wage. But the big advantage here is that you can work from home, at your own pace. I think it’s a good side hustle for people who like jobs where you don’t have to worry about anything.

Voilà! That’s about all I can tell you about it. But on your side, don’t hesitate to share your experiences in comments—I’m highly interested.