How to Participate and Earn from Online Surveys, Focus Groups, Testing, Research, and More

Online surveys, focus groups, testing, research, and other similar activities are some of the ways you can earn money or rewards by sharing your opinions, feedback, or experiences. These activities are conducted by various companies, organizations, or platforms that want to gather data, insights, or ideas from different types of people. In this article, we will explain what these activities are, how you can participate in them, and how much you can expect to earn from them.

Online Surveys

Online surveys are one of the most common and popular ways to earn money or rewards online. Online surveys are usually short and simple questions that ask you about your preferences, habits, opinions, or experiences on various topics, products, or services. Online surveys can be taken on your computer, smartphone, or tablet, and usually take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour to complete.

To participate in online surveys, you need to sign up for one or more online survey sites or apps that match you with surveys that suit your profile and interests. Some of the best online survey sites or apps that you can try are:

• Branded Surveys: Branded Surveys is a reputable online survey platform that offers 100 points ($1) just for signing up and has several brief survey questions to get to know you better. You can earn points for completing surveys, referring friends, taking daily polls, and more. You can redeem your points for cash via PayPal, bank transfer, or gift cards. Branded Surveys also has a loyalty program that allows you to earn bonus points and access better survey opportunities as you advance through bronze, silver, and gold levels¹.
• MyPoints: MyPoints is an online rewards program that lets you earn points for answering questions, taking polls, watching videos, and completing other online activities like shopping. You can also earn points even when you don’t qualify for a survey, and get a welcome bonus of either a $10 Amazon gift card or a $10 Visa gift card. You can redeem your points for gift cards from over 70 retailers and restaurants².
• Survey Junkie: Survey Junkie is a popular online survey site that pays you cash for sharing your opinions. You can earn points for completing surveys, profile questions, and referring friends. You can cash out your points via PayPal, bank transfer, or e-gift cards. Survey Junkie has a high rating on Trustpilot and a low minimum payout threshold of $5³.

The average payout for online surveys ranges from $0.30 to $3 per survey, depending on the length, complexity, and availability of the survey. However, you may not qualify for every survey you see, so you need to be patient and consistent in taking surveys to maximize your earnings.

Focus Groups

Focus groups are a type of online research activity that involves a small group of people who discuss a specific topic, product, or service under the guidance of a moderator. Focus groups are usually more in-depth, interactive, and engaging than online surveys, and can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours or more. Focus groups can be conducted via video call, phone call, chat, or online forum.

To participate in focus groups, you need to sign up for one or more online research platforms that recruit and screen participants for various focus group projects. Some of the best online research platforms that you can try are:

• Respondent: Respondent is a high-paying online research platform that connects you with researchers who are looking for participants for focus groups, interviews, usability tests, and more. You can browse and apply for projects that match your profile and interests, and get paid via PayPal after completing the project. Respondent pays an average of $140 per hour for participating in research studies⁴.
• User Interviews: User Interviews is another online research platform that offers focus groups, interviews, tests, and more. You can create a profile and get invited to projects that suit your demographics and preferences. You can choose the time and method of the research, and get paid via cash, gift cards, or donations. User Interviews pays an average of $50 per hour for participating in research studies.
• FocusGroup.com: FocusGroup.com is an online research platform that specializes in focus groups, both online and in-person. You can register and fill out a profile to get matched with focus group opportunities that fit your criteria. You can participate in focus groups via webcam, phone, or online chat, and get paid via prepaid Visa card, check, or gift card. FocusGroup.com pays an average of $75 to $150 per focus group session.

The average payout for focus groups ranges from $50 to $200 per session, depending on the topic, duration, and type of the focus group. However, you may not qualify for every focus group you apply for, so you need to be selective and responsive in applying for focus group projects to increase your chances of getting accepted.

Testing

Testing is another type of online activity that involves trying out a product, service, website, app, or game and providing feedback on its usability, functionality, design, or quality. Testing can be done on your computer, smartphone, or tablet, and usually takes anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour or more to complete.

To participate in testing, you need to sign up for one or more online testing platforms that connect you with clients who are looking for testers for their products, services, websites, apps, or games. Some of the best online testing platforms that you can try are:

• UserTesting: UserTesting is a leading online testing platform that pays you to test websites, apps, games, and more. You can sign up and take a practice test to qualify as a tester, and then get invited to test projects that match your profile and device. You can test by recording your screen and voice as you complete a set of tasks and answer questions. UserTesting pays $10 for every 20-minute test you complete, and up to $60 for live interviews.
• TryMyUI: TryMyUI is another online testing platform that pays you to test websites, apps, games, and more. You can sign up and take a qualification test to become a tester, and then get notified of test opportunities that suit your profile and device. You can test by recording your screen, voice, and face as you complete a set of tasks and answer questions. TryMyUI pays $10 for every 20-minute test you complete.
• Userlytics: Userlytics is an online testing platform that pays you to test websites, apps, games, prototypes, and more. You can sign up and create a profile to become a tester, and then get invited to test projects that match your profile and device. You can test by recording your screen, voice, webcam, and mouse movements as you complete a set of tasks and answer questions. Userlytics pays $5 to $90 per test, depending on the complexity and length of the test.

The average payout for testing ranges from $5 to $90 per test, depending on the type, duration, and difficulty of the test. However, you may not get invited to every test you see, so you need to be quick and reliable in accepting and completing tests to earn more money.