research interviews for money

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35 Paid Online Research Studies Seeking Participants

How can one participate in paid online research studies and get paid for your brain, your health, and your opinions?

• Inbox Dollars - Get paid to check your email. $5 bonus just for signing up!
• Survey Junkie - The #1 survey site that doesn't suck. Short surveys, high payouts, simply the best.
• Nielsen - Download their app and get paid $50!

Well, you’re in the right place.

Today, let’s look at 35 different opportunities to get paid as a participant in research studies.

Types of Paid Online Research Studies

A medical study involves a group of people within an age group, gender, race, ethnic group, or individuals with the same specific health issues.

Participating in these studies often involves answering a combination of interviews, tests, surveys, or experimentation to be able to answer questions on how to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure health disorders and diseases.

Aside from paid medical studies, market research makes use of paid online research to find out what customers want or need from various products and companies.

The cool thing about paid online research studies available today is that even if you are not a part of the target audience, you can still participate in the study in another capacity.

Online research studies can be either quantitative or qualitative.

Quantitative studies are the ones with static, pre-planned answers. A questionnaire with multiple-choice answers is a good example of this study. It is made as such so that the researcher can easily analyze the results.

Qualitative studies are a bit more complex since they involve open-ended answers.

However, this type of study ends up with better data. Focus groups and interviews are both methods used in qualitative studies.

How Much Can You Earn from Paid Research Studies?

Imagine earning up to $1,000 just for sharing your opinion, review of a product, or thoughts about a particular experience without even stepping out of the house.

You don’t even have to spend a cent to participate in these research studies.

Most of the time, you’d only have to be at least 18 years old and currently live in the US.

Even when you’re below 18 years old, researchers sometimes allow you to participate as long as you had a waiver from your parent or legal guardian.

The amount you earn from joining research studies depend on the following:

• Method of research — Did you join a focus group? Answered a lengthy interview? Filled out a survey form?
• Length of study — Some interviews only take an hour and earn you $150. Some focus groups could take several sessions and end only after several weeks.
• Type of payment — Not all companies pay cash. Some use PayPal, while others prefer checks, gift cards, prepaid cards, and so on.

Quick surveys can be as little as $10 and high as $100.

Focus group sessions range between $50 and $500 per session.

Interviews can earn you somewhere from $50 to $400 for an hour of your time.

Simply put, the amount you’ll be paid will vary from study to study.

Join These to Start Making Money Today!

Before digging into the list below, I suggest you sign up for the 3 best focus group/market research companies.

Anyone can participate and you will be invited to take part in research studies, focus groups, and product testing opportunities.

These companies pay in cash and offer cash signup bonuses to get you started.

• SurveyJunkie - Get paid CASH to share your thoughts on some of the world's biggest brands.
• Branded Surveys - Work directly with companies like Nike, Samsung, Amazon, and Disney to improve their product lines.

On to the list!

35 Ways to Get Paid for Research Studies Online

The following universities have year-long research studies in a wide range of topics.

1. Northwestern University Department of Psychology

Earn from $10 to $40 an hour if you participate in one of the school’s online studies.

The studies change regularly and vary widely from topics such as phone usage, changes in thoughts and feelings, Artificial Intelligence,  sleeping patterns, psychosis, aging, and even products like hearing aids.

2. Harvard University Psychology Study Pool

Join Harvard’s Psychology Study Pool and earn from $10 to $25 an hour, paid via gift cards.

The online studies are available year-round for both Harvard students and guests.

3. Carnegie Mellon University

If you’re at least 18 years old, can read and speak English, and have never joined any research studies at the Center for Behavioral and Decision Research at Carnegie Mellon, you can sign up for their paid online research studies.

Topics range from personal beliefs, attitudes, decision-making, human judgment, interpersonal perceptions, and group performance, among others.

You’ll earn $8 an hour, paid in gift cards. Each study takes anywhere from 5 and 20 minutes.

Paid participants are needed for in-person studies in labs on campus, but may sometimes be able to participate online on a home computer.

Note that only students are accepted (ID will be requested).

4. Center for Decision Sciences Columbia Business School

For participating in an online survey or study, you can earn $16 an hour, as long as you’re 18+ years old and have a PayPal or Amazon.com account to receive payments.

No need to be a student at Columbia Business School, but you need to register in the CDS Virtual Lab Online Panel.

5. MIT Behavioral Research Lab

There are in-person and paid online research studies available at MIT.

Payment amounts vary from study to study, but participants usually earn $11 to $20 per hour for online studies.

Anyone aged 18 or older, residing in the United States, and proficient in spoken and written English can join the BRL participant pool.

Membership is open to all; you don’t need any association with MIT to participate. Other requirements may be needed for studies requiring specific respondents.

6. University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business

As long as you’re a current Smith student (and eligible for certain studies), you can get paid for research studies online here.

Make sure you create an account, sign up for the studies that you want to participate in, and get paid once you fulfill your role.

7. Purdue University

You can find a lot of paid online studies here.

Currently, they have studies on Parkinson’s disease (and other neurodegenerative diseases), flavored water, biosensors, mushroom nutrition, linguistics, cancer, and so on.

Participants are paid somewhere between $10 and $500.

What’s great about Purdue University is that the studies are varied and open to the public.

8. Stanford Graduate School of Business

You’ll be paid up to $25 an hour for online research studies, but you’d have to be eligible and complete a prescreen form.

You also can’t participate in the same study more than once.

9. UCLA Anderson School of Management

The behavioral lab has some paid online studies, if you’re interested in topics like consumer behavior, organizational behavior, judgment, and other similar topics.

Most studies here pay from $10 to $20 an hour.

They also have in-lab and in-person studies.

10. Boston University Behavioral Lab

If you’re interested in human behavior and is willing to participate in online studies, try to join if you’re eligible.

These studies pay between $10 and $20 an hour.

The studies from Boston University’s Behavioral Lab is open to both BU students and the general public.

11. University of Maryland Department of Psychology

You need to create an account at the SONA System website to see available research studies.

Each of the studies have different eligibilities and payment.

12. University of Nebraska-Lincoln

This college holds a wide range of research studies revolving MRI research, human brain, behavior, and so on.

There are studies exclusively for seniors, and those that are for teens.

There are two ways to volunteer for these studies:

• Join the CB3 Research Participant Volunteer Registry (and wait for them to e-mail you)
• Pick the study and contact researchers directly.

Pay can go as high as $80 per study.

13. American University Psychology Department

Topics vary widely, but they are related to psychology and human behavior.

You can earn up to $20 an hour for just filling out a form as a smoker’s first-hand experience during stressful situations.

14. Respondent.IO

This next one isn’t a university, but it’s a comprehensive resource if you plan to participate in numerous market research and other online studies.

Pay ranges from $25 to $200.

Eligibility requirements vary between studies.

Make sure to check details and never pay to join a focus group or study.

15. Brand Institute

Want to be at the forefront of the pharmaceutical industry?

Join consumer market research panel groups by signing up with Brand Institute.

16. mindswarms

It’s sort of like an interview since you are required to answer ten questions with a video.

In exchange for your thoughts, you’ll be paid $50.

Earn somewhere between $50 and $250 by participating in healthcare or consumer market research studies.

18. Probe Market Research

The company pays people for online, phone or group interviews about their clients’ products, services, ads, or other campaigns.

Payment goes as high as $400.

19. Penn State University

(Quick shoutout to my Alma Mater… We Are!)

… and they are seeking just about anyone who’s alive to participate in a research study. With over 200 current open studies, odds are, you’ll qualify for something they have available.

Keep an eye out for “Total Compensation” to see just what the study pays.

20. User Interviews

Get paid for your feedback on real projects.

Create an account by filling up a form and wait for project invitations if you’re eligible.

There are online and in-phone interviews available.

21. Yale School of Management

If you live anywhere near Yale campus, be sure to sign up for their newsletter as they frequently put out requests for both in person and paid online research studies.

You will be paid, in cash, at the completion of your study.

They also have a Facebook group that announces when new studies are available to participate in.

22. Georgetown University Department of Psychology

Georgetown’s Department of Psychology is regularly looking for both students and non-students alike to participate in studies.

Average pay will run you about $10 per hour, so it can be some nice change to pick up in your spare time.

Their research includes personality, memory, and impulse control tests to name a few.

23. UCLA Semel Institute

UCLA offers both in-person and online research studies to check out.

They have a massive list of open opportunities for you to click through. The highest paying ones often need you to come into their offices for scans and interviews, but there are a lot of remote positions available too.

24. PingPong

Web designers and developers working on websites and applications value the input of real-life users and are willing to pay for these users’ opinions and insights

You can get paid anywhere from €15 to €40 per hour and even up to €100 for special projects.

Payment is credited through Transferwise or PayPal.

25. American Consumer Opinion

Yet another survey site, American Consumer Opinion (ACOP) pays you for your answers to their survey questions.

You can even get paid up to $100 if you fit a certain demographic and able to participate in special projects.

Research studies on this site may not be constantly available, though. It’s best to check back frequently.

26. Recruit and Field

Recruit and Field is a market research company that hosts paid online research studies all around the US and even in international locations.

They look for participants from any gender and age for their studies, including professionals and medical professionals (doctor, nurse, lab technician).

They normally pay via PayPal but also offer Amazon or digital gift cards.

The pay ranges from $100 to $275 for phone interviews, online surveys, and sometimes in-home product testing.

27. Focus Group

Focus Group is an aptly named online community comprised of participants interested in sharing opinions and views on popular products and brands through in-person, telephone, or online surveys.

The pay ranges from $75 to $200, and specialized health studies may pay more.

28. 20|20 Panel

Since 1986, 20|20 Panel has been recruiting participants to share their opinion on various companies.

They specialize in qualitative market research, which is achieved via in-person or online roundtable discussions. You can get paid from $50 to $350 to participate in these discussions.

They also send out quick surveys for which you can get paid smaller amounts (from $1 to $10).

29. FindFocusGroups

Wouldn’t it be great if there were a directory of all the paid research opportunities in the country?

FindFocusGroups is probably the closest one, as it lists more than 75,000 verified and legitimate focus groups in the country.

It’s quite simple to search by city and state, and check the information for details on whether the discussions are online or in-person.

It’s difficult to know how much the average payment would be, but upon browsing the first few studies on the homepage, they range from $50 to $300.

30. SIS International

SIS International conducts focus group discussions in cities all over the US and globally and collects consumer feedback on anything from appliances, skincare products, gadgets, and just about anything.

Rates range from $25 to $200 for 2 to 3 hours of your time.

31.  Apex Focus Group

Apex Focus Group connects regular people like you and me with researchers, who will pay for participants to join clinical research trials, phone interviews and focus groups.

As a participant at any Apex Focus Group study, you can be paid up to $750 a week.

Online and in-person studies are available.

32.  Fieldwork

If you live near New Jersey, New York City, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, or Minneapolis, you can participate in current Fieldwork research studies.

Most of the paid focus groups are face-to-face (but online are sometimes available).

Each study lasts about 1 or 2 hours. Participants earn between $75 and $100 for their time.

33. Rare Patient Voice

This company mostly looks for participants who have rare diseases and medical conditions. As such, only eligible people can benefit from the studies.

However, anyone who qualifies will receive $120/hour.

You can share your views via online surveys, clinical trials, or web-assisted phone interviews.

34. ClinicalTrials.gov

The federal government continually seeks individuals willing to participate in clinical trials testing different medications and treatments.

Studies are often conducted by the National Institutes of Health.

You can check out a list of ongoing clinical trials at clinicaltrials.gov.

Unlike other paid online research studies on this list, DScout is an app you can download.

You need to register to become a “scout” and participate in research “missions,” which will earn you money after completion.

DScout studies are usually 1-on-1 interviews or video responses, so you’d have to be comfortable in front of the camera.

Missions pay from $50 to $100, each lasting about 30 minutes.

Can I turn these Paid Online Research Studies into a Full-Time Job?

While paid online studies are highly interesting and offer legitimate side cash, this gig cannot replicate the steady income and benefits you can get with a full-time job.

You’d have to consider that many research studies:

• have eligibility requirements (which means you’re not guaranteed a slot every time)
• cannot be joined twice (once you’ve participated in a specific study, you can’t do a repeat)
• have varying payments (there’s no stability in such income)

I do think it’s a legitimate side gig if you’re in between jobs or have a lot of free time on your hands.

You can also get paid answering surveys , joining focus groups , or testing products .

READ THIS NEXT: The EASIEST ways to make money online. See how.

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User Interviews Review: We Earned $55 Per Hour Answering Market Research Questions

Vanessa Zeigler, Contributor

• Updated September 05, 2023

User Interviews is a research platform that pays members to participate in one-on-one interviews, focus groups and other types of research studies. It’s similar to paid survey sites like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie, but the studies take longer to complete and are more involved, often requiring a phone call or video chat. They’re also harder to qualify for. 

As a result, the pay rates are significantly higher. We tested User Interviews for two weeks, completing eight studies and earning $360 for 4 hours and 51 minutes of work. That amounts to a fantastic pay rate of $74 per hour. When factoring in the time it took to search for and apply to studies, that rate went down to a still great $55 per hour. 

In this User Interviews review, we’ll cover how the platform works , what it’s like participating in studies , and who stands the best chance of qualifying for studies .

You can also jump directly to the data on our earnings , as well as our final verdict on the platform.

User Interviews offers outstanding pay rates and an easy-to-use platform, although not everyone will qualify for the absolute best-paying studies.

• We earned a net rate of $55 per hour.
• Getting paid is smooth, fast and easy.
• Applying for studies takes about 1 minute, so failing to qualify doesn't result in a huge waste of time.
• Studies are time-consuming and must be completed during normal business hours.
• Our qualification rate was only 8%.
• The most lucrative studies usually require specialized skills or a specific professional background.

Table of Contents

User Interviews: The Basics

User Interviews was launched in 2015 after its co-founders, who were trying to gather data to test and validate other ideas they were developing, realized that it was difficult to find qualified research participants.

The company is very open about its background , leadership, staff and clientele, which is welcome in an industry that can be less than transparent. Their full staff roster is available to the public, and they list the likes of Amazon, Pinterest and Kaiser Permanente as research customers. 

Five Key Facts About User Interviews

• Basic qualifying information for each study is provided upfront . User Interviews does a good job supplying information about a study’s desired participants, which means you can quickly pass over studies that you won’t qualify for and focus your efforts elsewhere.
• Payments are primarily issued as gift cards, not cash . All of the studies we participated in offered an Amazon gift card option. A few also offered Reward Link, which is a service that provides a number of retailers to choose from. There is an occasional PayPal option, but these opportunities are very limited.
• The average pay per study is >$50 . When collecting data for this review, we found that the payment range for studies on the site is between $10 and $350, with an average of $119 per study. However, the highest-paying studies are typically aimed at very specific audiences and are difficult to qualify for. Our average pay per study was $45.
• There is no cash-out minimum . The company says that participants receive their gift cards via email within 10 days of completing a study; we received ours within three days, on average.
• The average study duration is 66 minutes . During our testing period, the available studies ranged between 5 and 225 minutes and the ones we qualified for averaged 36 minutes in length. 

User Interviews Study Types

There are a few study types available on the platform. In our experience, one-on-one studies are by far the most common, with “unmoderated tasks” coming in second. We did see a few multi-day studies posted, and even participated in one focus group, but both were much less common.

• One-on-one : These are online webcam, phone or in-person interviews between you and a researcher. You may be asked to provide your thoughts on a prototype, or to answer questions about a specific topic. During our testing, we reviewed a mobile app, two websites, and answered questions about our eating habits. All of these discussions occurred during normal work hours, which may be a problem if you have a full-time position with little flexibility.
• Unmoderated tasks : These are tasks you can complete on your own time, as long as you complete them by a researcher-provided deadline. After you finish the task, you may need to complete a survey. During our testing, we reviewed an ad campaign, a mobile app and a website, and were required to answer survey questions for each.
• Focus groups : You’ll meet with several other participants, through an online forum or an in-person session, to provide feedback in a group setting. We took part in an online focus group where everyone answered product packaging questions in real-time by anonymously typing responses.
• Multi-day or “diary” studies : These are longer commitments where participants complete tasks or interviews over a series of days or weeks. While we were not chosen to participate, we were interviewed for a flooring study where we would have taken a survey at four critical points in the home flooring replacement process.

User Interviews Study Topics

The pay and time involved in each study differ significantly. However, the correlation between pay and the participant’s skill specialization is obvious. 

Below is a sample of some of the studies we saw at various pay rates, including their headlines. You can see that the highest paying studies require highly-specialized backgrounds that will exclude most potential participants. However, I wouldn’t mind chatting about my financial decisions in exchange for $60! In other words, even the “low-paying” studies pay pretty well.

• $325 for 60 minutes: Paid Financial Services Research Study.
• $300 for 60 minutes: Paid Study for Neurologists Serving MS patients.
• $250 for 120 minutes: Research With Identity and Access Management (IAM) Administrators.
• $175 for 90 minutes: Washing Machine Study (Recent Purchasers).
• $150 for 90 minutes: Have You Set up a DevSecOps CI/CD Pipeline Recently? Let’s Talk!
• $130 for 60 minutes: Familiar With Customer Journey Analytics?
• $70 for 90 minutes: Love to Drive a Car? Exploring Options of Owning a Car.
• $60 for 45 minutes: Let’s Talk About Financial Decisions.
• $30 for 60 minutes: Are You a Creative Person?

So as you can see, there are opportunities for a wide range of backgrounds. However, we think most users will need to focus on the “low” end of the spectrum, which tends to include general studies that are open to a wide demographic set. These studies still pay well, but it’s important to go in clear-eyed about how much you’ll likely earn.

Our User Interviews Experience

We applied to 100 studies and successfully participated in eight over a two-week testing period. 

We only applied to those that seemed like a natural fit. In other words, we did not pretend to be neurologists, IT experts, or CEOs for testing purposes. 

100 studies is a lot, but the application process is short at less than a minute on average. Many of the applications request demographic details, like your age, location or total annual household income. However, the majority of the questions are focused on ensuring you meet the study criteria. 

For example, we participated in a study targeting parents with young children. During the application process, we were asked the following questions to ensure we were a good fit:

• How many children do you have? 
• Please list the ages of your children. 
• Do your children wear glasses? 
• When was your child’s last eye exam?

The platform worked well through the application process and we didn’t experience any technical issues. 

Two studies took a few minutes longer than the estimated time. Three were shorter, and three were right on the mark. All of the researchers we spoke to in our one-on-one interviews were friendly and professional. And most importantly, we received our gift cards as promised.

What It’s Like Participating In Studies

After you apply to a study, plan to monitor your email. If chosen to participate, you’ll receive a message with a subject line that states, “You’ve been approved to participate in…”.

We received these messages within a day of applying. If you receive one, open it quickly and follow the link to sign up for the study: the number of study participants is capped, and we qualified for two studies that filled up before we could pick a time slot.

While on that topic, we should prepare you for the onslaught of emails you’ll receive. You’ll get emails… 

• After signing up, as User Interviews suggests studies for you. 
• Every time you apply for a study. 
• Whenever you’ve been accepted, scheduled or paid for a study.
• When it’s the day of your study (to remind you to show up).
• And at other various intervals. 

At the height of our testing, we received 24 emails in one day, which we view as somewhat extreme. Unfortunately, we were unable to selectively opt out of specific email types. 

Here’s an example of our inbox from a single day during our testing:

This email bombardment is somewhat par for the course when it comes to paid survey and other get-paid-to platforms, and we recommend using a dedicated email address when signing up for these sites.

Aside from this onslaught of correspondence, participating in studies is a pleasant experience. You may get to try, or be asked your opinion about, products or services that aren’t yet on the market. (Don’t be surprised if you have to sign a nondisclosure agreement to participate.) 

You may find the one-on-one interviews to be a bit strange at first, but after a minute or two we got used to the idea of being recorded and settled in. For unmoderated tasks, all you need to do is follow the instructions you’re given and answer any questions by the deadline. 

Regardless of the study type, be prepared to be as honest as possible. We noticed that the researchers got especially excited when we highlighted how bad certain aspects of their prototypes were, so don’t be afraid to say you don’t like something! The point of these studies is to identify issues so they can be addressed before launch.

Who is Most Likely to Qualify?

Although we didn’t log every study we saw and categorize them all by profession, IT-related studies were the most common. However, there are a good number of general-audience studies available.

User Interviews sends you an email when they think you’ll fit a specific study based on your profile information and previous applications. These aren’t always relevant. For example, we received an invite to a study for mobile RPG players; this invite was not representative of any of the 100 studies we applied to, and was definitely not a good fit. In fact, we deleted all but one of the direct requests we received. 

In other words, the User Interviews invitation algorithm could use some work. To get the most out of the platform, be prepared to search through the available studies yourself on a regular basis.

As you’re searching, if you determine you aren’t a fit, we recommend you click on the eyeball with a line through it. This hides the study so you won’t see it every time you log in, greatly reducing the time it takes you to scroll through the available options.

User Interviews Earning Potential

During our first round of research, The Ways To Wealth’s editorial staff found 56 available studies. We collected data from all 56 of those studies to give you a general sense of the time commitment required, as well as the earnings you can expect. 

How long do studies take?

How much do studies pay, our actual user interviews earnings.

Because the studies used for the estimates above were documented at a single point in time, what is available when you explore the platform will be different. 

Here’s how we fared during testing.

• Total number of studies applied for : 100.
• Testing period: 14 days.
• Qualification rate: 8%.
• Completion rate : 100%.
• % paid at or above advertised rate: 100%.
• Total earnings : $360.
• Time participating in studies: 4 hours and 51 minutes.
• Time applying for studies: 1 hour 40 minutes.
• Earnings per hour : $74 per hour, or $55 per hour if you include the 1 hour and 40 minutes we spent applying for all 100 studies.

Here’s a rundown of the studies we completed:

Getting Paid

The vast majority of study payments are made through gift cards. Every study offered at the time of testing was paid via Amazon gift card, while a few also offered Reward Link (which allows you to choose a gift card from a number of different retailers).

Researchers on the platform can also opt to manually distribute payments. This is rare, but it does happen. Payment options from researchers may include PayPal deposits, direct deposits, store gift cards, Visa gift cards, checks, free products or access to free subscriptions.

Within a few days of completing a study, you’ll receive an email with information on how to redeem your gift card. Ours arrived an average of three days after our studies were completed. Follow the instructions to be rerouted to Amazon or Reward Link to receive your incentive.

If you’re paid directly by a researcher instead of by User Interviews, payments can take up to 10 business days after the completed session.

We had no issues processing the gift cards. One of our studies even paid us $10 more than we were expecting! If you do have issues, click on the “My Studies” section of the site to see who to contact regarding payment concerns. Some of the incentives are paid by User Interviews while others are paid directly by the company running the study.

One important note to keep in mind, per User Interviews’ participant support page : the IRS requires total payments of $600 or more to be reported as taxable income. User Interviews will send you a 1099 if the payments they make on their clients’ behalf exceeds $600, but this won’t include payments issued by researchers. You’ll need to add those earnings back in when you prepare your taxes.

User Interviews FAQ

Not only is User Interviews legit, it’s the highest-paying online market research platform we’ve tested. We completed eight studies and were paid promptly (ahead of schedule) for all of them. Plus, we appreciate that the company is unusually transparent about its leadership, staff and business practices. All of these factors should give you confidence that the platform is legitimate and safe.

There are a few sites that are somewhat similar to User Interviews. We earned $31 per hour while testing the Respondent , the platform’s most direct competitor. Other popular research platforms include paid survey sites like Swagbucks and Survey Junkie . These platforms usually pay rates of around $5 per hour to users who complete relatively short surveys. There are also a handful of interview/focus groups companies, including Find Focus Groups and Schlesinger Group . And finally, there are numerous companies that offer product testing opportunities .

By connecting your LinkedIn and/or Facebook accounts, you will likely increase your chances of being selected for studies. Not only will you seem more trustworthy by showing that you’re a real human, but researchers can also view your work experience on LinkedIn to see how closely your background aligns with their ideal tester.

User Interviews recruits study participants from Canada, Australia, the UK, France, Germany, South Africa, and the United States. Researchers have the option to select participants from specific countries or allow any of the above to apply for their listings.

Yes. Click on the “View referral opportunities” button at the bottom of the “Browse Studies” page. For every new participant that completes a study you sent, you will earn a $30 Amazon gift card. Unfortunately, if the person you refer already has an account, you will not receive a referral payment.

Our User Interviews Ranking Methodology

We rated User Interviews a 4.2/5 based on the following factors:

Notes about these ratings :

• User Interviews gets strong marks in our highest-weighted category, potential earnings per hour. The hourly rate we earned is 10-20 times higher than on traditional survey sites.
• While opportunities are abundant on the platform, you may only qualify for a small percentage of them. Even if you’re eligible for a study, you must complete a prescreening questionnaire to participate.
• The company has mixed reviews from other users — primarily because of the high disqualification rate. It’s common to qualify, complete a prescreening questionnaire, and then get rejected.

To learn more about our testing and evaluation process, see our survey ranking methodology page .

User Interviews Review: Final Verdict

User Interviews offers the best pay rates we’ve found among market research platforms that are open to the public . Signing up is fast, applying to studies is easy, and the platform was glitch-free from start to finish. The companies we dealt with had interesting topics and friendly researchers, and they all paid promptly.

What’s not to love? 

Our two minor critiques of the platform are the barrage of study-related emails and the limited applicability of the studies that User Interviews recommended for us. 

But aside from those two minor nitpicks, our experience with User Interviews was extremely positive. The $360 we earned wasn’t enough to pay the mortgage, but it was enough to help offset our online Christmas shopping. 

One open question is whether or not a user could maintain that pace of earnings. Given that we limited our test window to a two-week period, we’re not able to say how frequently new studies appear on the platform, or whether our qualification rate would go down over time, after picking all the low-hanging fruit. User Interviews states that they add around 2,000 studies per month, so this may not be a concern.

Even if that turned out to be true, we’d recommend the site for anyone looking for a solid way to make money whose daily schedule is flexible enough to accommodate daytime interviews and who shops online enough to put the gift cards to good use. 

Learn more at UserInterviews.com .

My country is not on list that User Interviews can work on. Do you have any way that I can use it to work on and get money from this platform? Help please.

Unfortunately, no. We never recommend that users violate a site’s terms of service for a variety of reasons. And practically speaking, most platforms have systems in place to block people rom trying to circumvent their rules. We recommend sticking to an option that’s available where you live.

Been a waste of my time to date for myself.

Applied for perhaps half a dozen studies, one in my wheelhouse (equity trader for two decades) and not selected. Likely abandon this nonsense end of this month.

Hi David, our research and testing would suggest that half a dozen is way too few studies. As noted in the review, we applied to 100.

As a point of comparison, I have applied for just over 2000 studies in the past year and a half and have been accepted for 66 studies, which is an acceptance rate of 3.28%. My average hourly rate works out to $32.84 per hour. For just 2022, I have applied to 1114 studies and been accepted for 41 studies for an acceptance rate of 3.68% and an equivalent hourly rate of $34.80 per hour. In calculating the hurly rate, I added the time I spent on the actual interviews (including prep time) and I assumed an average of 2 minutes per each survey I filled out. The actual time for per survey may actually be closer to one minute, so the hourly rate may be understated.

That’s good info, Rick. Thank you for sharing.

We’ve been hearing as well as the site has grown, the acceptance rate has gone done. Looking to update our review here soon.

I don’t understand why they pay in Amazon gift cards. Can you redeem these cards for cash (on par) or deposit them in your bank account?

Companies often choose gift cards because they’re easy to distribute, cost-effective, and generally well-accepted. While you can’t directly redeem these gift cards for cash or deposit them into your bank account, there are a few options to consider:

1) Use the gift cards to purchase items you would have bought with cash anyway, effectively freeing up the cash in your budget.

2) Sell gift cards on gift card exchange websites such as Raise. You will likely receive less than the full value (around 90% in my experience).

3) Trade the gift cards with friends or family members for cash.

You can also look at Respondant, a similar platform, that does pay via PayPal: https://www.thewaystowealth.com/reviews/respondent-review/

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15 Legitimate Places to Participate in Paid Research Studies

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From testing products and services to sleep and diet studies, here's a list of vetted places you can participate in paid focus groups.

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A few years ago, I got an invitation to attend a research study hosted by a local skincare company. They were launching a new line of products and wanted feedback from 20 to 25 year-old-women with dry skin.

Since I was a new college grad who needed extra cash, I decided to go. They asked me various questions regarding my current skincare regimen, the products I used, and how I felt about them. It only took an hour, and I got a $75 Visa gift card and a few product samples. Not a bad way to kill an hour.

If you like the idea of getting paid to share your opinions, you’re in luck. There are plenty of places that host paid research studies. While the study I did was in-person, there are many online research studies you can do at home.

Websites That Offer Paid Research Studies

You can find online focus groups that’ll pay you for your time and feedback through a variety of websites. Each site has its own requirements and payment structure, so it’s a good idea to explore all the options available.

1. Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is a survey site that’s been around since 2005. It will pay you to take surveys and express your opinions to big brands who want to improve their products and services. After you answer several questions about yourself and create a profile, the site will match you to surveys that are relevant to you.

Any time you complete a survey, you’ll earn virtual points, which you can redeem for PayPal cash or online gift cards. Most surveys take anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes, and you can expect to make between 100 to 200 points or $1 to $3 per survey. You won’t have to buy any products or sign up for other websites.

2. American Consumer Opinion

American Consumer Opinion is a survey panel that partners with large companies who want customer opinions. To join, you’ll enter basic information such as your age and where you live. Then, you’ll take a general household survey where you’ll share details about your lifestyle.

You’ll likely receive survey invitations via email several times a year. The number of points you’ll rack up will depend on the length of the surveys.

While short surveys are typically worth anywhere between 5 and 50 points, you can earn up to 5,000 points with longer ones. One point equals $0.01, and you can cash your points in for PayPal cash or donate them to charity.

Related: 17 Best Places to Take Paid Online Surveys for Money

3. Respondent

Respondent is unique because it organizes one-on-one paid research studies online and in person. You can sign up with your email address or via your Facebook or LinkedIn profile through the site.

Once you do, you’ll fill out some basic personal information such as your name, birthday, and email address. They’ll also ask for demographic details like your gender, ethnicity, and educational background.

After you’ve signed up, you’ll browse all of the “projects” available and details like the pay and how long they take to complete. When you see a project that interests you, you can apply to it through a short questionnaire. You’ll be emailed if the company chooses you for their project.

Most of the projects focus on small business or technology and pay anywhere from $50 to $85 via PayPal for 45 minutes to an hour of your time.

4. FocusGroup.com

FocusGroup.com began in 1988 and offers surveys as well as in-person and online focus groups via phone and webcam. After you create a profile, you’ll be emailed surveys and focus group invitations.

The majority of the site’s surveys and focus groups revolve around health and wellness, pet products, finances, and shopping habits.

You’ll earn between $75 and $150 if you participate in focus groups and points for surveys, which you can apply toward a prepaid Visa debit card. You can cash out 100 points for $1.00.

5. Plaza Research

Plaza Research pays parents, kids, teens, students, doctors, and business professionals to share their opinions on new products and services. It hosts surveys and a variety of in-person focus groups throughout the country.

If you attend a focus group, you’ll likely be asked to try a new product, watch a TV commercial, or discuss your thoughts about future products. To receive survey and focus group invitations, fill out an online form. The form will ask you questions about your education, electronic use, employment, household, pets, and more.

You’ll get an email if you’re a good fit for a survey or focus group. The amount you’ll earn depends on its length and scope. Most participants will earn between $50 and $200, paid via check, for two hours of their time.

Related: How to Get Paid to Write Reviews

6. Mindswarms

You can create an account online or via the Mindswarms mobile app and get paid to answer questions via your smartphone or webcam.

After you apply to a survey that appeals to you, you’ll answer a few targeted questions to make sure you’re a good fit for it. If you are, you’ll answer seven questions and earn about $50. The money will be sent to your PayPal account within 24 hours. You can also redeem your earnings for an Amazon gift card.

7. Fieldwork

Fieldwork has facilitated marketing research studies since 1980. The company hosts in-person focus groups in 11 cities across the U.S. If you don’t live near any of these cities, you can still register for Fieldwork’s national database and participate in online or phone interviews.

To register, fill out an online questionnaire and wait for Fieldwork to call or email you when an opportunity is available. Most in-person focus groups last between one and two hours and can be on random topics such as cereal and video games. Compensation is usually a $75 Visa gift card.

8. User Interviews

User Interviews organizes focus groups in-person, via phone, or video streaming about products, services, and websites. For a chance to participate, create a profile with your birthday, gender, household income, marital status, and education level.

If you find a project that interests you, complete a short screener survey to see if you’re eligible. If you are, you can sign up for the focus group and earn an average of $50/hr. You’ll get paid via check.

9. Brand Institute

Brand Institute is a branding agency that supports healthcare and pharmaceutical companies with their marketing initiatives. You can become a Brand Institute panel member after you fill out a short online registration form. If you qualify for a paid research study, you’ll get an email notification and can participate right away.

Payment depends on the survey you take, and you’re more likely to receive invites for higher-paying surveys if you have a medical background. You can earn between $2 and $30 via check or PayPal. Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and others in healthcare report that they receive about four surveys a month.

Engage finds respondents for various market research and usability studies. It offers both in-person focus groups and online discussions for panel members. You can join the healthcare panel if you’re a medical professional or consumer panel if you’re an everyday consumer.

You’ll have to provide information about your income, marital status, education level, and job. Once you do, you’ll receive an email notification whenever you qualify for a study. Most studies cover topics like cars, electronics, food products, music, and medical conditions. They usually pay $50 to $250 via check or PayPal.

Universities that Facilitate Paid Focus Groups

  You can also find paid focus groups at colleges and universities. Many of them offer year-round opportunities and focus on psychology and human behavior. While most of these studies are performed online, a few require that you participate in person.

You don’t have to be a student to participate, and payment is typically in the form of PayPal cash, gift cards, or a check. If you’d like to earn money via college-run focus groups, take a look at the schools near your home. Their websites will likely include details about these types of opportunities.

• Purdue University ( See studies )
• Center for Decision Sciences Columbia Business School ( See studies )
• Northwestern University Department of Psychology ( See studies )
• Harvard University Psychology Study Pool ( See studies )
• MIT Behavioral Research Lab ( See studies )

DollarSprout co-founder Jeff Proctor participated in a six-week research study on high-fat diets at Virginia Tech. During the study, he was compensated with meals and $500.

“It was a great experience but very involved,” he said. “I had to check in every day to get weighed, choose my meals, and get several blood and urine samples taken.”

How to Tell if a Focus Group Opportunity is Legit

Even though many focus group opportunities are legitimate, there are plenty of work-from-home scams out there. If you have to pay to participate or reveal confidential information such as your Social Security number or credit card details, that’s a red flag. Stay away from any focus groups that force you to buy products or services or sign up for other websites.

If you find an opportunity that interests you, do some online research to make sure it’s valid. Check the Better Business Bureau to see its rating and read any complaints. This way you can avoid a situation where you get excited about a focus group and then find out it’s a scam.

A legitimate company will never charge you to attend a focus group or take a survey. In addition, they’ll have a privacy policy that’s prominently displayed on their website and will only email you from a business email account, rather than one from a free service like Gmail or Yahoo.

Related: How One Woman Earns $5,000 per Month as a Surrogate Mother 

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User Interviews Review: Earn an Average of $40 to $200 per Survey

Author: Choncé Maddox

July 5, 2021 6 Comments

One of the easiest ways to make real money online is to share your opinion by taking surveys. Not all survey sites are the same or pay the same amount. The best way to maximize your earnings is to consider a site that offers a variety of short surveys , and longer focus groups and panel studies. 

User Interviews is one of the top and highest-paying survey and remote focus group sites. In this User Interviews review, I’ll go over how this site works, what to expect, and outline some key pros and cons. But first:

What Is the Difference Between an Online Survey and a Focus Group?

Both surveys and focus groups involve collecting market research. Companies want to know your thoughts and opinions about certain brands, services, and experiences you’ve had. With an online survey, you may be asked a series of questions that you can read through and select a multiple choice answer. 

Focus groups are a bit different. They usually involve a more in-depth interview with the actual brand or a representative. This could be one-on-one or in a small group with others. Each focus group participant is encouraged to contribute to the conversation and share their honest thoughts and opinions. 

Like surveys, you also need to qualify for focus groups, so this may require filling out some preliminary questions. Since focus groups tend to be longer and more involved, they pay much more than surveys. User Interviews provides primarily focus group opportunities (which are also referred to as research studies) and can pay anywhere from $40 to $200 per study. 

How User Interviews Works 

User Interviews is a site that provides you with research study or focus group opportunities across a wide selection of companies and brands. They are a market research company that works with several clients looking for feedback on different services and products. The best part about User Interviews is that you can do surveys and research studies solely online. 

Some of the opportunities you can find on the site include:

• Panel studies:  One-on-one interviews
• Focus groups:  Similar to a panel study but with a group of participants
• Multi-day studies:  Panel studies that are hosted in parts or segments that last for a few days
• Surveys:  Short-answer survey opportunities that pay well for your time

How this site works is simple.

Step 1: Create an Account

Head to User Interviews and click the button in the upper right-hand corner that says ‘Sign up to Participate.’ From there, you’ll be asked to fill out some basic information about yourself and create an account.

Step 2: Fill Out Your Profile Details

This is probably the most essential step. Brands want to know specific details about you to see if you would be a good fit for a research study. So be sure to fill out your profile details in full and include information like what industry you work in, your age, whether you’re married and have kids, interests, brands you use regularly, and more. 

Step 3: Look for Studies and Complete the Screener Survey

When you’re finished creating your profile, you can immediately start searching for online panel studies or surveys to take. You will need to complete a pre-screen survey and answer a few general questions to qualify you for the study. You may not get selected each time, but it’s good to keep applying for ones you are interested in to increase your chances of getting picked. 

Step 4: Confirm Your Study, Participate, and Get Paid

If you get selected for a study, be sure to confirm the time you must appear online for the interview. Once you’re approved for the study, you’ll receive instructions and an online meeting link to use at the scheduled start time. Or, if it’s a survey, you can likely take the survey right away.

With panel studies and focus groups, make sure you participate even if others are in your group. Since you’re also getting paid, it’s important to voice your opinion and answer any questions honestly. Once you complete your panel study, you’ll be paid in 10 business days.

How Long Is the Average Survey or Panel Study?

The average length of a panel study can range between 30 minutes to two hours or more. Remember, there are also multi-day studies available where you may need to participate for a set number of hours over a series of days. Or you may be asked to test out a product for a week and then do a 90-minute, one-on-one study to discuss your thoughts and feedback. 

Most online surveys will take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes to complete.

How Payment Works

With User Interviews , focus groups and panel studies pay you very well for your time. You can browse through a few sample opportunities before signing up to see how they are compensated. Panel studies that run for an hour pay around $60 to $125. 

There are also some 2-hour studies that pay as much as $400. User Interviews will pay you within 10 days of completing your panel study or survey. They offer several payment options, including check, PayPal, Amazon, or Visa gift cards. 

User Interviews Reviews

User Interviews is a legitimate company that offers hundreds of new survey and focus group opportunities each month. I did some digging to see what actual users were saying about the platform, and most responses were very positive.

On  Reddit , there is lots of positive feedback from users saying they enjoyed the survey opportunities and got paid on time. This is great news for anyone looking to make extra cash flexibly online by simply sharing their opinion.

Who Can Join User Interviews?

User Interviews accepts participants from the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Germany, France, and the UK. According to their  terms of use , you must be at least 13 years old to join and have a parent’s consent. However, users who are 18 or older have a better chance of getting picked for panel studies. Currently, they have a high demand for participants who are data scientists, software engineers, product managers, IT managers, and small business owners, but they also have general types of studies too.

Pros and Cons

• It’s easy to sign up even if you’re not 18.
• Surveys and panel studies pay well for your time.
• There are a variety of panel study types and genres to choose from.
• There are a variety of payment options.
• Pre-screening surveys are required, so you’ll need to apply before getting selected.
• Payment could take up to 10 days.

Summary: Should You Sign Up for User Interviews?

It’s not every day that you come across a high-paying online survey site that also offers online focus groups and panel studies. User Interviews makes it easy to earn money for your thoughts and opinions from the comfort of your own home. 

If you’re looking to earn extra money online, you should consider giving this site a try. Realize that this probably won’t be a consistent job, but it can be a great way to earn some extra money on the side with very little time or effort on your end. 

Ultimately, the best way to know if User Interviews is right for you will be to sign up and see for yourself. It’s free, and you can do that  here . 

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About the Author

Choncé Maddox

Choncé Maddox is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), blogger at My Debt Epiphany , and freelance writer who loves to talk about everything personal finance. Her writing has been featured on sites like Business Insider, AOL, Credit Sesame, Barclaycard, and the New York Post. She lives with her husband and son in the Midwest. When she's not writing, she is spending time with her pets, trying out new recipes, being active outside, and looking for new Netflix shows to get into.

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Reader Interactions

April 5, 2022 at 5:58 pm

I would like to be a product tester. I have signed up with sites and focus groups. I have not heard from any of these companies for one year. Very frustrated. I would like to find someone to help me or mentor. Please help me.

April 6, 2022 at 7:07 am

For focus groups, you have to be the target audience they are looking for — so it may take some time. My suggestion is to sign up with multiple sites, and then work on other things while you’re waiting.

Here is a list of focus groups: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/money-focus-groups/

Website testing is another good side earner: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/test-websites/

And short tasks too: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/short-task-sites/

January 7, 2022 at 6:17 am

I’m interested in these surveys though I’m a Lesotho national residing in South Africa. Please try cater for us too😒

January 7, 2022 at 6:26 am

User Interviews and Respondent are available to South Africans.

For more worldwide gigs, see this post: https://www.theworkathomewoman.com/worldwide-work-from-home-jobs/

July 5, 2021 at 9:00 am

Hi, How do I sign up for these online surveys? Does it cost Indy to start it up? What if I dnt have a bank account that is known WOrldwide?

July 10, 2021 at 9:23 am

Yes, it’s free to sign up!

User Interviews accepts participants from the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Germany, France, and the UK.

Go here to sign up: https://bit.ly/3qYWDeI (affiliate link)

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Online Focus Groups: 26 Paid Research Companies that Pay Up to $250 an Hour for Your Opinion

I recently participated in a paid focus group in San Francisco. You know, the kind with the one-way mirror on the wall.

We talked about travel habits and preferences for an hour and half, and I got paid $150 for my time and opinions. Not bad!

The whole thing was pretty quick and painless—and actually kind of interesting—which got me thinking that this could be a great side hustle . Especially if I could do it from home!

So down the rabbit hole I went, trying to find other companies that conduct paid research studies online .

And I should note before we get started that these aren’t the typical companies that pop up when you search for “online surveys.” Those companies, like Swagbucks and  InboxDollars , are legit, but pay relatively little .

The companies I was after here were the ones that pay bigger sums to make it more worth your time. I earned $100 an hour for my little focus group adventure, and you can too.

Earn $50-150/hr, with thousands of new studies added each month.

Earn an average of $75 per project, and get notified of upcoming studies you may qualify for.

Patients and caregivers can earn $120/hour while helping advance medical research.

1. User Interviews

2. respondent, 3. rare patient voice, 4. survey junkie, too many choices, 5. product report card, 6. lightster, 7. pingpong, 8. fieldwork, 9. focusgroup.com, 10. experience dynamics, 11. american consumer opinion, 12. l&e opinions, 13. focusgroups.org, 14. findfocusgroups.com, 15. sis international, 16. surveyfeeds, 17. recruit and field, 18. field voices, 19. probe market research, 21. glg insights, 22. prolific, 23. watchlab, 24. mindswarms, 25. 20|20 panel, 26. focus insite, other online focus group and paid research study options, online focus groups alternatives, market research groups: your turn, serious about making extra money, frequently asked questions.

User Interviews facilitates in-person and online consumer conversations about products, websites, and services. The pay rates vary, but the average seems to be around $50-100 an hour.

I’ve earned $105 through the site so far, in exchange for about an hour a half.

In one of my studies, I earned a $10 Amazon gift card for completing a short online survey for bald guys! It said it should take 15 minutes, but all the questions were straight yes/no, so it probably only took 5.

User Interviews is a legit facilitator of online (and in-person) consumer research studies. Participants can get paid (generally $50-150/hr) to share their opinion and shape future products and services. While this won’t replace your day job, it can be a nice supplemental income.

• One of the best-paying survey companies I've found.
• Easy to sign-up.
• Lots of new studies added every week.
• Can be difficult to get selected.

Click here to join User Interviews .

Or check out our full User Interviews review .

Respondent is a cool service that facilitates consumer research studies online—and often pays $100+ an hour !

Once you create your account, you’ll be able to browse all the open studies you might qualify for. The research brief shares the type of person the company is looking to connect with, the expected time commitment, and pay rate .

If it looks like a fit, answer the brief screener questionnaire to throw your hat in the ring. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get selected right away—I’ve been selected for 5 studies out of 50 screeners so far.

While there are some “general population” studies, the best-paying opportunities are for industry professionals— up to $750 an hour!

The company takes a 5% processing fee, but the rest of the funds you earn will hit your PayPal account within 8-10 days of your study. (I’ve earned $395 through Respondent so far! )

Click here to join Respondent .

Read our full Respondent.io review here .

(Since recording, I’ve done a couple more studies.)

A leading source for medical research, Rare Patient Voice pays patients and caregivers $120 an hour. You can browse a full list of available studies on their site—nearly all of which are phone or webcam interviews.

If you suffer from any sort of medical condition (even if it’s not super rare), this one is worth a look.

The site is open to residents of United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand.

While most Survey Junkie earning opportunities don’t pay much, you’ll occasionally get emails for better-paying focus group and product testing studies.

These admittedly are pretty rare, but pay up to $75.

Still, power users of the regular Survey Junkie site/app report earning up to $40 a month. 

The site boasts more than 20 million members and pays out more than $1 million every month.

Click here to sign up for Survey Junkie .

Start here instead. Punch in your name and email below I'll show you step-by-step how to add $500 to your bottom line.

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Another well-established market research company is Product Report Card . They offer paid surveys, product testing and review gigs, and online focus groups.

The best-paying work is for in-home product tests and remote interviews and focus groups — often in the $75-$150/hour range.

Product Report Card will also give you a $5 welcome bonus for completing a short survey after you join. There’s a $25 minimum to cash-out.

Lightster is a unique money making app , where you get matched with brands and researchers based on your profile.

To get started, you’ll add some demographic information about yourself and answer some questions about your experience and interests.

After that, you may see some questions pop up in the app. Answer those to qualify for paid research conversations that pay $1 per minute.

I got invited to my first half hour session within a couple weeks of downloading the app, and got paid (via Amazon gift card) right away.

I was excited to discover PingPong as a newcomer to the online market research field. The service specializes in user experience testing for apps and websites, with pay rates ranging between €40 and €100 an hour. (Roughly $45-110.)

You might be curious—with the rates in euros—if this one is open to non-Europeans. PingPong let me join as an American and says they welcome testers from all over the world.

Since joining, I’ve received invites to several studies but haven’t been able to book one just yet.

Fieldwork was the company that hosted the San Francisco focus group I participated in. They have locations throughout the US:

• Los Angeles (Orange County)
• Minneapolis
• San Francisco

Compensation starts at $75 for participating in focus groups, which usually last between 1-2 hours. The drawback was I got paid in Visa gift cards instead of cash, so I went to the grocery store and bought Amazon gift cards with them instead.

FocusGroup.com offers nationwide paid research opportunities. (The site is powered by Sago, a leading market research company.)

Be on the lookout for the “National” studies that pay between $75 and $200 . These are scheduled over the phone or webcam so you can take the calls from anywhere at times that are convenient to you.

It took a while, but I eventually earned $115 for an online study related to a well-known Seattle-area company.

The next one I did was an hour-long online focus group on credit cards that paid $100.

Other studies I saw were  related to cars, technology, and banking.

I receive a few email notifications every month with studies. Those range from around $2 for 20-minute surveys, up to $150 for 90-minute in-person or online focus groups.

Check out my full FocusGroup.com review to learn more.

Experience Dynamics specializes in user experience and user interface testing (UX and UI). Corporate clients pay Experience Dynamics to help “make their users smile,” and they turn around and pay people like you for honest feedback on website designs and software applications.

According to the site, they recruit testers worldwide with all levels of technology experience. Most studies pay between $50-$150 dollars.

Experience Dynamics also facilitates:

• Field Studies, 1-2 hour interviews at your home or work.
• Diary Studies, where you to record your thoughts over 1-2 weeks.
• Phone Interviews
• Online Focus Groups
• Online Surveys

American Consumer Opinion is another market research company where you can qualify for several surveys a year.

Annoyingly, they insist on using their own “virtual currency” point system. Still, you can earn up to $50 worth of points for longer market research surveys.

There’s a $10 minimum to cash out and you can deposit your earnings directly into PayPal. To give you an incentive to complete the low-paying screener surveys, American Consumer Opinion will add your name to a monthly $50 drawing .

On L&E Opinions , I found nationwide studies paying $125-250.  The company has been in business over 30 years and pays out millions of dollars in research incentives every year.

FocusGroups.org is an aggregator service that lists focus groups and paid research opportunities around the country. When I registered, I saw online focus group options that paid anywhere from $75 to $625!

Topics included pets, hygiene, cooking, luxury cars, and lots more. There are some handy filters you can use to select only online or “National” studies.

Another site that pulls in lots of different paid studies, FindFocusGroups.com was a great find. 

At press time, they had the best-looking interface of most of these sites, but hadn’t been updated in several months.

When I checked, the compensation for these ranged from $50 to $200.

Through “compensated interviews” and focus groups, SIS helps brands figure out direction for their products. You can see a full list of available paid studies on this page .

I found rates from $25-200, depending on the time required and complexity of the topic. SIS recruits participants from all around the world, not just the US.

Similar to FindFocusGroups above, SurveyFeeds isn’t a market research company itself, but instead a promising “feed” of paid survey opportunities.

I found their Facebook page updated more frequently than their website, so it might be worthwhile to check there and see what you might qualify for.

The online studies I saw ranged from $75 to $300 .

Recruit and Field is one of the longest-running national market research companies. Since 1977, they’ve built up a participant database of over 300,000 consumers, business leaders, and medical professionals.

The company works with lots of name-brand clients and typically pays $100-275 for in-person and online surveys.

I recently earned $250 for a 1-hour call about business banking!

When I checked out Field Voices , I found a couple available studies to apply for. One was a neighborhood improvement interview that paid $150 for one hour, and the other was a group workshop on snacking habits that paid $300!

This firm works directly with companies as well, which means they’re not just pulling together lists of other research projects.

Consumers, medical professionals, and executives are in demand for Probe Market Research’s panels. Focus groups pay between $50 and $400, and you can often participate online or over the phone.

Major brands enlist Probe to conduct online surveys, mystery shopping gigs , mock juries, product trials, and more .

The popular and well-rated dscout app connects you with “engaging research missions.” Through those, you can get paid to share your feedback on a product or service.

Typical studies pay anywhere from $2 to $100 , paid out via PayPal. The biggest complaints from users are that the often in-depth screener surveys are unpaid.

Less of a market research firm and more of a consulting marketplace, GLG Insights aims to match you up with their clients looking for industry-specific expertise. Request to become a “Council Member” to get notified when relevant paid studies are available.

On GLG, you’ll be asked to connect your LinkedIn profile and upload a resume (or link to an online resume) to verify your career credentials. You can also name your own consulting rate — usually $100-150 and up .

After that, I answered a series of ethics questions based on GLG’s terms and conditions.

When academic and research institutions need opinions from the general population, they turn to Prolific . It’s easy to sign up and start completing online surveys.

The pay on Prolific is a bit lower — often in the $8-15/hr range. But in my Prolific review , I found plenty of quick and easy surveys available, and you can cash out to PayPal.

WatchLab has an obnoxiously inadequate website, but they claim to facilitate all sorts of focus groups, usability tests, interviews, mock juries, and more.

The pay varies depending on the research, and may be in the form of gift cards or cash. I saw ranges from $100 to $175 for 1-2 hour focus groups. WatchLab has locations in San Francisco and Chicago, as well as online options.

For in-person focus groups, you get paid on the spot — online may take 4-6 weeks.

Mindswarms is a unique video consumer research platform. They’ll pay you $50 via PayPal to answer 10 questions about a product or service.

These studies normally take around 10 minutes and can be recorded via your webcam or smartphone, but competition to get selected can be fierce.

To create your account you’ll need to record a 60-second video about one of your passions. Or you can do this through the Mindswarms app on iOS or Android .

Earn $50-150 for online focus groups and studies. While the website doesn’t necessarily inspire confidence, 20|20 Panel has been around for over 30 years.

I found several online focus groups paying $50-200 on Focus Insite . The company popped up in my Instagram feed, a signal they’re actively recruiting new participants.

You can join their panel database as a medical, technical, or business professional, or just as a general consumer. Alternatively, you can apply directly to the available market research studies listed.

The companies listed above certainly aren’t the only research companies around, and for this side hustle, it makes sense to join as many firms as you’re comfortable with.

That way, you’re presented with all the opportunities available, not just the projects managed by one company.

Here are a few more to consider:

• Ascendency Research — On average, studies pay $60-350. Many are local to the Twin Cities, MN, but they have some national studies, too.
• Elliott Benson — Conducting paid market research since 1995.
• PRC Market Research — You can browse upcoming projects (and their pay rate) before registering. Most studies pay $100-300/hour.
• NewtonX — Strictly for industry professionals to share their insight and get paid.
• Focus Forward — A unique aggregator of paid focus group and survey opportunities.
• UserTesting – Earn $10 for completing 20-minute online user tests of websites, apps, shopping portals, and more. This is pretty fun but you have to be fast because these tests get snatched up quickly.
• Pulse Labs – Earn up to $100 a week providing video feedback on products.
• Intellizoom – Get paid an average of $10 testing and reviewing websites.
• UserBrain – Receive new websites to test every week, an earn $5 for each 5-15 minute test.
• Google User Experience – Google pays gift cards for feedback on their products.
• Nelson Recruiting — Nationwide market research company established in 1980.
• Marketade – Specializes in remote usability testing, market validation, navigation research, and more.
• Engage Studies – Earn as much as $100 per focus group through this research company.
• Tell Us Your Opinion – Mainly operating in Tulsa but may have online/phone opportunities as well.
• Adler Weiner Research – In-person studies in Chicagoland and Southern California, plus remote studies nationwide.
• Advanced Focus – Hosts market research panels and focus groups in New York City.
• Nichols Research – Get paid to participate in in-person focus groups, primarily in Northern California.
• Herron Associates — In-person studies in Indianapolis, IN and Tampa, FL.
• PrizeRebel – Earn $10-12 an hour doing surveys or completing other tasks. (Just avoid the low-paying ones.)

As with any side hustle, there’s an opportunity cost. As in, what else could you be doing with your time?

I encourage you to check out our monster list of side hustle ideas , but here are a few that are similarly flexible.

Become a Bookkeeper

One of the first jobs that many companies hire out is “someone to keep the books.” If you have experience in this field, or just love numbers, becoming a remote bookkeeper could way to make extra money.

Most businesses don’t need a full-time bookkeeper so they’re open to hiring someone part-time. Most virtual bookkeepers charge $100-300 per client per month.

Network with business owners locally or online and let them know about your service. It might make sense to check out this  free training on how to start a remote bookkeeping business .

Alternative Investments

If you’re after passive income , you might consider adding some alternative investments .

For example,  Fundrise  allows you to invest in professionally-vetted commercial real estate. This spreads your risk around with properties in multiple geographical locations–and minimums as low as $10 .

Disclosure: I’ve been a Fundrise investor since 2015, and earn a commission when you join through my referral link. Opinions are my own.

Resell Furniture Returns

Reselling furniture returns is a unique low-risk side hustle .

How it works is you join Sharetown as a local “reverse logistics” rep. Sharetown partners with direct-to-consumer mattress and furniture brands to handle their return requests.

When customers decide they don’t want to keep the item, you’ll get dispatched to go pick it up. After that, you’ll:

• clean it up
• photograph it
• list it for resale on sites like Facebook Marketplace

The Sharetown reps I’ve connected with target $150-250 per flip — and, importantly — you don’t have to pay Sharetown for the inventory until the item sells.

Check out my full Sharetown review to learn more.

Sharetown reps make money by reselling gently-used furniture and bed-in-a-box mattresses. Top reps earn $4000+ per month.

• Low startup costs
• Great earning power
• No hunting for inventory
• Requires a truck or SUV
• Bulky items to store
• Not available in all areas

Mobile Notary Service

Becoming a mobile notary loan signing agent is one of the most popular gigs among the Side Hustle Nation community. The flexible, part-time side hustle involves walking new homeowners through their stack of mortgage documents.

Appointments typically take around an hour and pay $75-150.

One big drawback to focus groups or online surveys is you’re limited in how much you can earn. It’s a great side hustle, but it’ll never be a full-time income.

Focus groups or paid research studies won’t pay your mortgage, but one or two a month will definitely help build your side hustle snowball .

Have you had any success in landing paid focus group studies? What do you think of this little supplemental side hustle?

Let me know in the comments below!

• Start Your Free $500 Challenge . My free 5-day email course shows you how to add $500 to your bottom line.
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The award-winning Side Hustle Show is a Top 10 Entrepreneurship podcast with over 1,200 5-star ratings!

Listen in your favorite podcast app or directly in your browser.

Is there such thing as an online focus group?

Yes! Several companies facilitate online consumer research focus groups, which is great because that means you can earn money from the comfort of your home or office. Check out our full list to learn more.

How much do focus groups pay?

The pay for focus groups depends on how long the session lasts. Most commonly, you’ll find rates average around $100 an hour.

Where can I find legit paid focus groups?

Companies like Respondent, Fieldwork, and FocusGroup.com are all legit facilitators of paid focus groups. Or, for the best results, you might try an aggregator service like FindFocusGroups.com, which pools together focus group opportunities from several sources. Be sure to check the list of providers on Side Hustle Nation as well.

How do online focus groups work?

Online focus groups work either via conference call or more commonly, through a group video chat to more closely mimic the in-person experience. A moderator will lead the group discussion and participants can chime in through their webcam and computer microphone or phone line.

********* Stock photo  by Akhenaton Images via Shutterstock

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About the Author

Nick Loper is a side hustle expert who loves helping people earn more money and start businesses they care about. He hosts the award-winning Side Hustle Show, where he's interviewed over 500 successful entrepreneurs, and is the bestselling author of Buy Buttons , The Side Hustle , and $1,000 100 Ways .

His work has been featured in The New York Times, Entrepreneur, Forbes, TIME, Newsweek, Business Insider, MSN, Yahoo Finance, The Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Financial Times, Bankrate, Hubspot, Ahrefs, Shopify, Investopedia, VICE, Vox, Mashable, ChooseFI, Bigger Pockets, The Penny Hoarder, GoBankingRates, and more.

58 thoughts on “Online Focus Groups: 26 Paid Research Companies that Pay Up to $250 an Hour for Your Opinion”

Nice job, Nick! I have only ever been able to score low paying “mystery shopper” gigs. I get a free meal and $15 or $20 for my trouble. It usually takes about an hour, so am making $15 – $20 per hour. I have repeatedly mystery shopped a “Roy Rogers” restaurant that is on the NYS thruway. Almost every time I have had to travel to or from my daughter’s college campus I have been able to get a free meal, $10 or $15, and a portion of my tolls paid. I wouldn’t make the effort except that I am already driving by and there is a good chance that I would need a bathroom break anyway. Everybody wins. :>) I will be checking on a couple of the sites you provided to see if there is anything I qualify for.

Thanks Kevin. I’ve been half-heartedly attempting to find a mystery shopping expert to school me on how it really works :)

Hi Nick – If you are still reading these comments, I hope you will remove User Interviews from your list. After reading your article, I applied with them and was excited at first, but they have a serious flaw. They do not screen what the companies post for the surveys. First you have to take a questionnaire to see if you will be selected for the survey. Time after time you spend time answering the flawed questionnaire, and then not being selected, probably because of being forced to complete an answer that is not correct. Here’s an example that I just sent to Tabitha at User Interviews:

“I was applying for the Medical Injectibles survey, and the first several questions went well. Then there was the question “Do you care for a child with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis?” with the options of yes or no. I checked no, and I cannot imagine there are vast numbers of people who would have been able to check yes.

The next question was required, and it asked for the age of the person I care for, and had a box, also required, asking for the required medications.

Why was I prompted with that question when I had answered no?”

So that was yet another questionnaire that was flawed that completely wasted my time because I could not proceed. I have asked them to remove me from all further communication as I want nothing to do with them anymore, and I honestly don’t think you should be recommending them.

Hmm sorry for the trouble, Balinda. I agree, their conditional logic on the screener surveys could be better — or they could just advance to a “thanks but you’re not a fit” page. When those types of funky follow-up questions happen for me, I just back out and go back to the list since it’s clear I’m not going to qualify.

Nick, this list is AWESOME! I’ve been using User Interviews for about a month and a half and it seems like I hardly ever get selected for any of the surveys. In fact, I’ve only been selected for 1 so far (which literally took 10 minutes and I got a $30 Amazon gift card) and the second one I got approved for, by the time I got around to actually confirming my spot that evening, it was already fully booked up! I’m wondering with all the different options available if it would be feasible to make some decent side money – assuming the time commitment doesn’t get overwhelming. I’m gonna dig into this a little I think and see what I can come up with.

Hey Kyle, I hope you found some good “side jobs.” You mentioned that you used user interviews and only got 1 job. I’m so surprised by that. I have been using them for a few months and I have made a good bit of money. I had a 20 minute telephone survey and was paid $150! I had another that was in person. They came to my apt (they originally said to see my wardrobe in closet, but never did) they interviewed me on camera for about 10-15 minutes and then we went to a clothing store! They asked me if I liked the store, clothes, etc. In all I was with them about an hour. I got $350! I could have made another $100 for doing “homework,” but I was too busy. That’s just 2 of jobs I had from them. Anyway, I just wanted you to know, bcuz you should keep trying with them. I plan on hitting all these new ones, thanks to Nick! Good Luck!

It’s funny you bring this topic up. I LITERALLY started signing up for focus groups last Monday (going on two weeks) and I’ve already made $650. Most have came from respondent. I also signed up for the Reddit r/paidstudy group as well as the cool work ideas.com FB which posts multiple studies a day. I’m loving it so far!

Hi Nick, I’ve been using ACOP for a few years now it does take a long time to gather up money. I usually wait till I get up around $50 or so to cash in. The problem I find is it takes two to three months for it to show up in my Pay Pal account, very slow turn around.

Nick, I’ve been doing these for several years. I probably average about $1,000 per year doing these. This a great comprehensive list!

I tried Mindswarms. I had no trouble creating a profile video (though it really does not flatter me, nor had I trouble applying for studies. However, I have been on there for over a month, and I have been rejected for every. Single. Study. Besides that, they do not ever bother telling me, or giving me helpful suggestions. Their FAQ section is so useless as to be counterproductive. And I suspect that my mind and my interests are not average enough to make Mindswarms (or online studies/surveys in general) worth my while.

Here is a good rule of thumb: if you prefer the musical works of Vasily Kalinnikov (or just know who Vasily Kalinnikov was) over “Lady” Gaga, do not bother with surveys. Only the most average individuals with the most average minds can succeed with this rubbish. Or so my experiences would indicate.

Actually, the opposite is true. just regular surveys do kind of suck. However, the focus groups and interviews and so forth, all the ones that I’ve actually gotten into have been because I’m weird or different. That’s why so many people get declined. They look for people who don’t conform, mostly because they’re looking for new and innovative ideas. Why would you research the monotonous and mundane?

Thanks so much for the information. I signed up on Respondent today and have a 71% match on 1 survey. We’ll see how it goes.

I just tried to sign up with Respondent, and probably I’m the only one in the world with this problem of not having any social media sites. They want to verify your work on LinkedIn or your FB profile. I don’t have a FB account nor do I have a LinkedIn account. I know, I must be living in a cave, but the work I do does not allow me to use social media. What to do? I guess Respondent is out. Bummer.

This is pretty much the same for me too, Shari. Even if I had an account on social media I would only have my family and close friends on it. I wouldn’t want to give some site access. I also ran into one (can’t remember the name) where they wanted you to upload a video of yourself in order to get the surveys. I am also not comfortable with that. I’ve signed up with all that was listed above. We’ll see how it goes. Good luck to you!

Since I haven’t seen it noted in the comments or main blog anywhere I just wanted to put it out there that technically if you make over $600 with any single company like this they are supposed to issue a 1099 for your payouts. Normally if you accumulate that much over a year they may not bother BUT I was lucky enough to get into a study that paid $875 which immediately put me over that threshold. So then they issued a 1099 for all my earnings from them in that year. That hurt at tax time. This year I’m going to spread it out over as many companies as I can to hopefull get a lot but no single one over $600. And if you are lucky enough to get into a single high paying study, keep the tax implication in mind.

Very nice blog post. Thanks for sharing. On respondent I made $30 today. Not bad!

Thanks Nick, this list is AWESOME! I’ve been doing surveys and focus groups for about a year. I’ve had some great paying, easy jobs. I’ve also spent, what felt like like forever, time trying to qualify for them to no avail. However, from my experience, I can definitely say not to give up! Surveys are time consuming with little pay, for the most part. Focus groups, interviews, etc., is where the money is! I have been looking for more sites and you just gave me a bunch! I am gonna try them all! Keep the info coming! Thanks again!

I’m wondering if the earning need to be claimed on our taxes? Is there a record that we are being paid? Do these companies ask for any personal information? Thanks

Try Jackson/Adept in Los Angeles. They have a Beverly Hills and Encino location.

Here are Metro Detroit Focus Groups and my reviews of them

Morpace Inc. 31700 Middlebelt Road Suite 200 Farmington Hills, MI 48334 Phone: (248) 737-5300 http://www.morpace.com Pays $80-$250 Focus Group Surveys (In Person). If they over fill the group which happened to me on one occassion then you get paid instantly without doing the survey. They pay by check or cash after the 1-2 hour in person survey. They offer surveys 1-2 times a year.

Shifrin Hayworth 26400 Lahser Rd #430, Southfield, MI 48033 Phone: (248) 223-0020 https://www.shifrin-hayworth.com/ Pays $50-$300 Focus Group Surveys (In Person). They pay by check or cash in person after the 1-2 hour survey. They offer surveys about 1-2 times a year.

I recently learned that you can only participate in 1 survey every 6 months which is why after being asked if you’ve done one recently you get disqualified.

I just did a study for them last week. They promised a $200 virtual gift card within 48 hours but it’s been a week and still nothing. They’ve stopped answering my emails and I can’t find a phone number for them, which seems pretty shady.

Did they ever get back to you/pay you?

So I have had really good luck with a lot of these companies you listed. I am a stay at home mom have been looking into all this and actively participating for about 6 weeks and made over 3000 dollars I have made 630 dollars on users interviews, 585 on respondents, 310 on user testing, 270 on validately usability studies , 250 on 20/20 panel, about 140 on intellizoom/ what users do Usability studies, 90 dollars on TrymyUI, and 50 on ping pong research. I have also made 375 dolars from focus point global. plus more companies that i got under 20 each from so there is money to be made here if you invest the time. I have done one on one studies with a web cam, phone interviews, product testing (shampoos, and even new cereal), online diary studies (usually about things you eat), and lots of usability studies. the key is knowing how to answer the screener questions. Thank you so much for your list I am going to check out the companies I have not uses yet

Whoa that’s awesome Casondra – thanks for sharing!

Hi Nick-I just found this post and thank you for “heads up”… I’m writing to share with you two top performers here in Seattle for in-person focus groups. In-Sight Space and Fieldwork / Seattle.

I’ve been fortunate enough to have had a few gigs with each of these company’s who conduct only focus groups. Most of the time the pay is cash on the spot and the groups range from 45 minutes to 2 hours. These two company’s have frequent remarkably high-paying gigs. It’s fairly common to attend a 90 minute focus group that pays anywhere from 150.00 – 350.00. On occasion I’ve landed one of their mock jury groups, sometimes held at one of Seattle’s finest hotels and lasts close to 8 hours. These mock jury groups have paid me between 300.00 to 550.00 for the gig and always provide a catered breakfast and lunch. Again, thanks for sharing your information and I hope you’re able to use my information and experience to help others.

Sincerely, Jason B.

Nice, Jason — thanks for sharing!

I’m registered with two companies for focus group and mock jury participation. I’ve done both and found them enjoyable and worthwhile. Usually payment was cash. One time it was a VISA gift card. The mock juries required more hours than the focus groups. One was Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Saturday evening. My experience has been food and beverages were provided when the event was more than 3 hours.

Participants were usually limited to one event in 6 months.

I’ve seen a large dropoff in opportunities since I reached a certain age. Sigh.

Very occasionally the local newspaper has a classified ad for focus group participants.

I need the mock jury site

Ok…I see several people are interested in Mystery Shopping so I thought I’d share a little info. I have done a lot of mystery shopping in the past and love it. Not amazing money but interesting and I enjoyed it. So…here are a few sites to start with…I hope this is OK…I see a few people said they would send information, but a lot of others requested info and I don’t know if they got what they needed. I hope this helps. So…first… this is the official website of the Mystery Shopping Professionals Association…it has a ton of good info and resources https://www.mspa-global.org/index.html Work available always depends on the type of job you are interested in and where you are located so the best companies to work with will vary for different people. Here are some other resources that may help… https://www.mysteryshopperjobfinder.com/members/resources/mspa-interview/ https://www.mysteryshopforum.com/ https://www.mysteryshoppermagazine.com/?source=forum-top-discussions and last but not least… https://www.shadowshopper.com Shadow Shopper…the first thing that pops up when you google Shadow Shopper will be scam alerts. I’m here to tell you it is not a scam. I have used them for years off and on. They do have a fee option, and to get anywhere, you probably will want to use it at least for a short time. But a lot of job boards charge a small fee. Basically it is where companies post work that they need to get done and shoppers go to find work. It’s a great way to see what is available in your area and skill set and interest and sign up with those companies offering that work. You can go out on your own and start just looking into shopping sites, but that sign up processing can be lengthy and if you pick one that doesn’t offer work in your area or jobs you want, you have wasted time and effort. Once you sign up with a few companies that you’ve found on Shadow Shopper, move on until you want to look for more. No need to keep your subscription if you have the work your want. Just my suggestion, but it has landed me several really good opportunities. One lasted years and was around made me around $2000/yr. Oh…and if you are wanting a list of companies…go here… it’s a tedious process to choose, but it’s an option… https://www.mysteryshopforum.com/companies/ Good luck and enjoy :)

Thank you Anna!

I’ve used Focus Pointe Global and Schlesinger in the Boston area for years. I’ve made really good money with them ($75-200 per session). People seem to over-estimate how difficult this all is. Sign up in the database, fill out a survey if you get an e-mail, if you pre-qualify for a study they call you to screen you again, you either qualify or you don’t on that phone call. If you’re picked, you go to their office and sit with the other people picked and just give your opinion for about 90 minutes. The hardest part for me is fighting traffic to get to the office in the city. These focus groups have been a lifesaver for me in periods of unemployment.

Will you get called every week about a survey? No, you definitely won’t, maybe not every month either. But if you sign up with 5-10 companies your chances of getting picked go up. And I agree that sites like Swagbucks are more or less a waste of time. It’s very small money.

Everyone is asking: How do I join? You have to go to the companies website and sign up for the panel (“Join the Panel”) and then wait. Also, the bigger companies post surveys on their Facebook pages so sign up for their notifications.

I do the best with Respondent, User Interviews and UTest.com. Also check out Affectiva’s job listings if you’re in the Boston area. I’ve made a lot helping to test out their automotive AI.

I have been doing focus groups online for prob 3 years or so. I have done a lot of them with watchlab and user interviews. Also accelerant research is a good one. Field work is another I’ve done them with. I’m sure there is more that I’ve used but i gotta tell u that these have been a life saver for me at times. I most recently did one that paid $400 which is the most I’ve made. I am signed up and in the databases of all that u listed plus a few others like accelerant research. Oh yeah another great place is Elliot Benson research.

Thanks for sharing Shelley!

you might try Mturk if you money to pay…

Great job on this article! I’ve been doing focus groups for many years. Probably made about $2,000 or so altogether.

I’d also recommend instapanel. I’ve been using them for several years to complete video surveys. They pay $20 for about 5-10 minutes of work. Here’s a link: https://instapanel.com/ .

I work for one of the market research companies that hire these focus group facilities/recruiters to get us the research we need. For in person focus groups (in facility) you can expect to get paid around $100 per hour, and more expensive if you’re in a specialty group (certain ailments, professionals such as tech). For online focus groups they run around $75 per hour.

If you want to know the panels to join around your area to join focus groups, I’d recommend going on Green Book (for research) and search on recruiters or facility around your neighborhood. This is where researchers go to find panels to do research with and you’ll get more opportunities with the facilities/recruiters there.

I don’t recommend online surveys bc you might terminate out of many surveys before you complete one and they won’t pay you more than $5 for one, and that’s on the rare end. Hope this helps!

Appreciate the insight — thanks Michelle!

I love love love all the great information I just obtained by reading your blog. OMG ! If anyone has any leads for Indiana specifically please let me know. I know of Herron Associates does a lot of research focus groups. Just go to their website and sign up. Ive done a few for them in the past and made anywhere from $50-150 for about an hour or so in person focus group. I think those are great and very interesting. If anyone wants to contact me to give me some tips on the mystery shopping I’d greatly appreciate it. TIA ( Thanks in Advance) Carrie

Thanks a bunch for the informative post! I signed up for several of the ones you have on this list and already got selected for a study. Just curious – most of the prescreen questions ask if you’ve recently participated in a study. If you have (I’ll fall into this bucket once I complete the study I just got picked for), does that greatly reduce your chances of being selected for another one?

Hi, are any of these open to people under 18?

All clinical trials are for ages 18-99.

Amalia, I apologize. I read your question to quickly & transposed the numbers. I thought you said 81.I’m rarely asked to prove my age, but they may have some way of checking. Product reviews are open to 16+, I believe. I’ve never had to show my ID online, only when I do things in person. Obviously medical care you’d show your ID.

Withpower.com is a great website to checkout medical trials. There are all sorts & bonus if you need medical care & don’t have the money to pay for it. Some just monitor or interview you…all the way up to getting medicated treatment for your condition. I even saw dental work on there.

Every clinical research compensated me for my time & travel. It’s always paid out very well for me & it’s definitely worth the time. I got $365 for downloading an app on my phone that I recorded how long I slept the night before.They sent a little survey with 4 questions every day to the app & I told them what time I went to bed, did I wake up during the night, how long did it take me to get back to sleep, and what time I woke up. I got paid in intervals at week 2, 6, 10, & 14. Super easy money.

I’m on #4 of this list now. User interviews has been fair to me. I’ve seen product reviews, online, and focus groups on there. If they let you know that you are qualified, act quickly!

Clinical research & focus groups are my favorite. I used to like doing product reviews & I still do. But once you really start getting into it, the rewards get better & better. Thank you so much, Nick. Yes, I referred you when signing up. You deserve it.

Hi Nick, this is a great job.

Many of these websites do not authorize participants from Nigeria and Africa. They have country-based restrictions. It sucks.

I have a master’s degree in business administration. I have a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. I have a postgraduate diploma in economics, a postgraduate diploma in education and a professional diploma in early childhood education. I have a CEFR Level C1 in IELTS exam. I have done some surveys in my country, Nigeria and I performed well.

What survey sites do you recommend that do not have country-based restrictions? I am really curious Nick.

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Table of Contents

19 Paid Research Studies

Survey junkie.

Survey Junkie Summary

• $0.50-$3 average earnings per survey
• Get 2-3 extra points if you screened out of survey
• Additional ways to earn up to $150
• Install Survey Junkie extension for bonus

Survey Junkie is one of the most well-regarded survey platforms available. You can earn money simply by sharing your honest opinions, which brands can use to improve their products and services. What makes Survey Junkie stand out from other platforms that offer paid research studies is that you can start making money immediately. 

During sign-up, you will need to provide some of your personal details, so Survey Junkie can match your personal profile with research studies and surveys. You can then earn up to $100 per survey or focus group. Nonetheless, high-paying opportunities are rare and most surveys pay $0.50 to $3.

You can redeem your earnings via PayPal or via gift card starting from just $5. Depending on how active you are on the platform, you can stand to earn up to $200 per month.

American Consumer Opinion

American Consumer Opinion Summary

• Easy to understand point system
• Longer surveys can pay up to $50, but most of them pay $0.50 to $2.50 on average
• Product reviews pay up to $200
• Low minimum payout threshold of $10

ACOP, also known as American Consumer Opinion , has accumulated millions of members since it began in 1986. This platform offers some great opportunities to participate in paid research studies . Most shorter surveys will pay you around $0.50 to $2.50, but there is the potential to earn up to $50 with longer studies.

You can redeem your earnings via PayPal starting from just $10. If you prefer, you can alternatively donate your points to charity or use your points to enter into sweepstake draws for the chance to win cash or other prizes. 

Ipsos i-Say

i-Say Summary

• You can earn as much as $50 each month
• Earn $1 for each friend you invite
• Low minimum cash out threshold of $5
• Instant cash out for e-gift cards

Ipsos i-Say believes that personal opinions can make a massive difference in the world. This platform has more than three million members who regularly earn rewards from paid research studies conducted via surveys.

On average, you can earn up to 150 points per survey. In addition, one unique feature of the platform compared to other platforms on this list is that you will receive 5 points even if you get screened out of a survey. The platform also features a loyalty program, and you can earn more points per survey the more surveys that you take. 

When you accumulate at least 1530 points (worth $15) in your account, you can withdraw your earnings via PayPal .

Note that it can take up to 3 weeks for your earnings to appear in your PayPal account.

Respondent Summary

• Earn up to $700 per hour for your opinion
• Get between $20 to $50 for each referral
• Get paid even if the study is cancelled
• Get paid via PayPal, usually within 5 days

Respondent is a platform that frequently conducts market research through online focus groups and in-person studies.

When you create your Respondent account, you can browse the available studies that you qualify for based on your demographic information. You will also see the number of hours you will need to commit to each study and how much you can earn.

If you are interested in a project, you will need to answer a brief screener questionnaire to determine whether you qualify for it.

How much can you earn with Respondent?

You can earn an average income of $140 per hour by participating in the company’s paid research studies. Respondent charges a relatively low 5% processing fee. Your earnings will usually arrive in your PayPal account within 10 days of completing the study. 

User Interviews

User Interviews Summary

• 4 types of studies you can join to earn
• Over 2k new studies launched each month
• Get a $30 bonus when you refer a friend
• Earn up to $100 per hour for your opinion

User Interviews is a popular platform that organizes online and in-person paid market research studies. In general, study participants can expect to earn $50 to $200 per hour. Depending on the study’s goal, participants could discuss anything from their financial decisions to the types of skincare products they use.

Like most other platforms on this list, you will need to answer a screening survey before each study to determine your eligibility.

Before answering the screening survey, you can see what the research study pays. Thus, you can decide which studies really interest you.

Related: 10 Sites for Phone Surveys

Valued Opinions

Valued Opinions offers paid research studies that pay up to $5 per survey. On average, it takes 15 to 20 minutes to fill out one survey and you may need to complete 2 to 20 surveys to reach the $10 threshold. 

Once you have at least $10 in earnings, you can redeem them for gift cards. You can claim gift cards from Amazon, Target, Macy’s, The Home Depot, and Restaurant.com.

The paid research studies topics typically revolve around:

• Environmental issues
• Blockbuster films
• Fashion trends
• Favorite food

Toluna Influencer

Toluna Influencers is a market research platform that has been around for over 20 years.

Some of the paid market research studies you can earn money by participating in include:

• Focus groups
• Product testing

On average, most opportunities on the platform will reward you with around 100 points. You can also earn more points by referring family and friends. You will get 500 points for each successful referral, up to a maximum of 10 friends per month.

You can redeem your earnings for a $10 PayPal payment.

Related: 9 Highest Paying Survey Sites for Money

Mindswarms is an innovative market research platform that uses video surveys instead of traditional online surveys . Thus, this means that you will have to record yourself answering each question in a survey. Similar to other platforms on this list, you will need to answer some qualifying questions to determine your suitability before each survey.

Each project will have specific instructions that you will need to follow. Typically, you will need to record your answers for up to seven questions. Usually, there is also a set time for you to answer each question. 

Up to $50 can be earned per project. However, shorter surveys typically offer $10 per question. Mindswarm processes payments through PayPal, and generally, the money will be in your account within 1 day of submitting your video recording.

Brand Institute

Brand Institute is a branding company that specializes in the medical industry. Although the company has surveys on various topics, the medical surveys are the best paying. Regular surveys can pay up to $5, whereas medical surveys can pay up to $30. 

To join the platform, you need to complete a simple questionnaire with your basic personal details.

Brand Institute also gives priority to applications from medical professionals such as:

• Pharmacists
• Medical technicians

However, note that the company processes payments quite slowly. Brand Institute only releases payment when surveys close, so you may sometimes need to wait several weeks to receive your payment.

Nonetheless, there is no minimum cash-out threshold, and you can redeem your earnings via PayPal or check. 

Engage Studies

Engage Studies regularly advertises for participants to join the various market research studies that it organizes. The format of the paid research studies hosted by Engage Studies can range from online discussions to in-person focus groups .

To join the platform, you need to provide some personal information. Engage will then review your application, and you will receive an email notification when a suitable study becomes available. 

The topics of research include:

• Electronics
• Food Products
• Medical Conditions
• and many more

You can expect to earn $50 to $250 for your participation, paid via PayPal or check. 

Focus Group

Focus Group Summary

• Many ways to earn money
• Make money online
• Earn $1 to $10 per survey
• Work from home or on the go

As its name suggests, FocusGroup .com conducts paid research studies and online focus groups. 

The company conducts national research studies that can pay between $75 to $200 each. You can participate in research studies over the phone or using a webcam. As with most other platforms, you will need to complete a relatively simple screening survey to qualify for projects.

The research studies conducted by the company can be on any topic ranging from banking and pets to entertainment and beer. As such, you are sure to find the best paid online focus groups that align with your hobbies and interests. 

Related: 20 Places that Offer Paid Research Studies

PingPong is a relatively new online market research company. Unlike most of the other platforms on this list, PingPong does not conduct its studies through surveys. Instead, the platform specializes in website testing for websites and apps. You can test these products and get paid for providing feedback on your user experience. 

On average, you can earn between $45 to $110 per website testing job. Each job usually takes no more than an hour to complete.

Payments are made via PayPal or Wise within 7 days of completing each job. 

Fieldwork is one of the most popular companies that carry out in-person paid research studies in various cities across the USA.

The company has locations in:

• Minneapolis
• Los Angeles
• San Francisco

Typically, most sessions hosted by Fieldwork take around one to two hours to complete. Compensation for participating usually starts from $75. Fieldwork usually pays via Visa gift cards and you will receive your payment on the spot after each study.

WatchLab is a leading company that facilitates all types of focus groups and research studies. The pay varies for each project, although it typically ranges from $100 to $175 for a 1 to 2-hour focus group. 

The company has locations in Chicago and San Francisco, where you can receive on-the-spot payments for joining a focus group. You can also work online, but you will need to wait four to six weeks to receive your payment. 

Related: 28 Online Paid Focus Groups for Money

Probe Market Research

Probe Market Research also regularly conducts research panels for medical professionals, executives, and consumers. You can participate over the phone or online to help researchers gather the data they need.

The company works with major brands and manufacturers, conducting mystery shopping projects, online surveys, product trials, and other paid research studies. 

Focus groups conducted by Probe Market Research typically cost between $50 and $400 and last just a couple of hours.

Survey Feeds

SurveyFeeds isn’t a market research platform itself but provides access to the best paid online focus groups and survey opportunities. The projects are mostly online, but there are some that are conducted physically throughout the US. 

This company frequently updates its website and social media feeds. Thus, you can browse its Facebook page or visit its website to get an idea of the types of paid research studies available. 

The payout for each study can vary, although most studies typically pay between $75 to $300. 

Resolution Research

Resolution Research offers paid research studies in various subjects. After you create your account, you can immediately start participating in opportunities.

Once you have earned at least $10, you can withdraw your earnings via Payoneer or exchange them for gift cards. 

Recruit & Field

Recruit & Field is one of the longest-running platforms on this list and has been conducting paid research studies for over 40 years.

As a participant, you can participate in various types of studies to earn money, such as:

• Online surveys
• Phone interviews

In general, you can expect to earn between $100 to $275 per research study. The company typically pays participants via PayPal, but some studies may offer the option for payment via gift cards. 

Research studies on the platform are open to participants of any age or gender. However, medical professionals such as nurses, doctors, and lab technicians get priority for participation slots.

Carnegie Mellon University Research

If you’re an English speaker over 18 years old and have never joined any studies at this research center, you can join paid research studies at Carnegie Mellon University Research . 

The topics of the studies vary, and can include topics such as:

• Decision making
• Personal beliefs
• Interpersonal perceptions

Online studies typically take 5 to 20 minutes and you’ll earn approximately $8 per hour.

However, the institution does not compensate study participants in cash. Instead, participants will get gift cards as a token of appreciation for their time.

What Is a Paid Research Study?

Companies pay research studies to get honest feedback about their products and services from consumers. Online surveys are one of the most common ways that companies conduct such studies.

In general, paid research studies take the following format:

• A business hires a market research company to get feedback on their product
• The researcher creates a survey or focus group
• Participants answer questions in the survey or focus group anonymously
• The researcher collates the data and presents it to the business
• The business uses the feedback collected to improve their product

What Are the Requirements for Research Studies?

Most studies are designed to gather feedback from a target demographic.

Depending on the goal of the survey, you may need to:

• Be of a certain gender
• Be of a certain race
• Fit into an age range
• Have a specific occupation
• Meet some other criteria

Due to the targeted nature of paid research studies, you will usually be asked to answer some screening questions before each survey. These screening questions identify whether you fit the target demographic of the survey. If you don’t you may be disqualified.

Most platforms offering paid research studies do not provide any compensation if you screen out of a survey. However, there are some platforms that will pay you a small amount even if you do not qualify for a survey, such as Ipsos i-Say .

Do You Get Paid for Research Studies?

Depending on the platform that you join, you could earn up to $100 or more per hour by participating in paid research studies.

For instance, Respondent pays its market research participants one of the highest rates on the market. Research study participants on the platform can earn an average of $140 per hour. Participants from certain in-demand demographics can even earn up to $700 per hour.

Are Focus Groups Safe?

Focus groups are generally safe. However, you need to ensure that you choose a legit platform. As with most industries, some scam companies promise unrealistic pay and usually require you to sign up for something. 

If you choose a legit company, you can rest assured that participating in a focus group is safe and a fun way to earn cash in your spare time. 

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To get involved, follow one of the links below. From there, you can sign up for one of our panels by providing a profile of yourself – the basics of who you are and what makes you tick. You are not going to qualify for every focus group, online survey, or taste test, so we pay you when you do. Once we have a paid research study that matches your demographics (your gender, age, location, buying habits, etc), we send you an email or text with screening questions to determine if you qualify. If you’re the right fit, the questions will either be automatically presented to you online OR we will call to schedule a time and provide you with all of the details for an online or in-person focus group, taste test, mock jury, or even a shop-along/ride-along. Once you have completed the study, we will either email you an electronic payment or mail/hand you a check or Visa cash card. It’s an easy way to make extra money – not rewards or points – just by voicing your opinions!

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Paid one-on-one interviews

Get paid to participate in interviews about products and services that interest you as a user. In a user interview, a researcher will typically have a one-on-one conversation either in person or remotely. Participating in user interviews and market research is a powerful way to supplement your income. Use the below filters to find and apply to the studies that are most relevant to you.

Type of research

Research methodology, paid studies faq, how does participating in a paid research project work.

The first step is to apply to a project, you can do this by signing up as a participant or logging in and selecting 'Start Screener' on the project you are interested in. Researchers will then review your responses and invite qualifying participants for the project. You will receive an email notification if you have been selected, with instructions on how to participate in the research session. Upon successful completion of the project, the researcher will typically initiate payment within 5 business days.

How much can I earn with Respondent incentives and how long does it take?

Research incentives vary from one research project to another and can range from $5 to $1000 per project, the average incentive for an active participant is around $100. Before you apply to a project you will be able to view the time required for the research task, the type of research and the incentive offered. Research studies on Respondent are typically open for 1-2 weeks and incentive payout is usually processed within 5-10 business days after successful participation.

Is Respondent legit? Can I really make money here?

Respondent is 100% legit and pays participants for completing research studies and is an attractive source of side income. Successful participants on Respondent create a strong, accurate profile and apply to relevant projects, and share their insights with researchers in different kinds of research tasks. Highly trusted platforms such as G2 and Side Hustle Nation rate Respondent as a reliable platform for supplemental income.

How can I find participants for a research project, as a researcher using this service?

Researchers can publish their projects to this page and to the entire Respondent participant panel in 3 easy steps: 1. Create a researcher account 2. Create your project and define the target audience 3. Publish your project Learn more about how to recruit participants with Respondent.

15 Best Sites Like User Interviews (Paid Online Focus Groups)

Looking for the best User Interviews alternatives? Below you’ll find a selection of websites like User Interviews where you can make money participating in paid research studies.

Everything has a monetary value these days, and if I tell you you can earn by simply speaking your mind, you will probably think I’m bluffing.

Well, I’m not, and User Interviews is proof of that. The market research site promises to pay you to participate in online research activities sponsored by marketers, engineers, and business people seeking a view of their brand, product, or service from a third party’s eyes.

For every task you complete, User Interviews pays you through PayPal, direct bank transfer, or a gift card.

Making $10-$50 per study, which doesn’t have a right or wrong answer, isn’t bad really, is it? But there are things about the site that cast a shadow on its positives.

For one, it has limited opportunities and immense competition for tasks.

Secondly, there is no guarantee you will earn from all opportunities in the work pool.

Lastly, clients are mostly Americans and will prioritize American feedback, meaning your chances of earning are even lower if you reside outside the US.

Thankfully, there are many other sites like User Interviews that don’t necessarily bear these shortcomings. Here are 15 that you can switch to.

The best User Interviews alternatives

1. respondent.

Respondent serves dozens of repeat clients including Dropbox, Intuit, SendGrid, GoDaddy, Microsoft, and IBM. It pays just as handsomely as User Interviews and has a referral program that you can complement your earnings with.

Geographical inclusivity gives Respondent an edge over User Interviews, in my opinion. Well, it’s still the American firms that make up the bulk of the clientele, but there are never lengthy dry spells exclusive to international contributors.

The pay rates are pretty good too. Not many platforms like User Interviews pay $100-$700 per hour. And even if they did, it would be difficult to find one that matched Respondent’s consistency in providing high-paying opportunities.

On the flip side, you are not always guaranteed payment following an interview. Given the nature of the service, Respondent gives researchers the right to end an interview early (and not pay for it) if they deem your answers contradictory, wrong, or misleading.

2. Survey Junkie

To many, the name Survey Junkie is synonymous with short low-paying online surveys that many websites like User Interviews offer as an after-thought. Sure, surveys are the main focus of Survey Junkie, but there are also focus groups, which pay better.

In-person focus groups can fetch you a good $150, while product testing and phone surveys can pay $50-$100.

You won’t get so many of these well-paying opportunities on the dashboard or in your email inbox. However, they are worth grabbing hold of the few times they pop up.

I’d recommend you join Survey Junkie only if you intend to perform micro tasks. Focus groups are rare and will almost always target participants from certain areas or that fit certain personas.

3. Ipsos i-Say

While Ipsos i-Say seems to focus on short surveys that pay no more than $1.50 a survey, occasionally you will bump into longer surveys and focus groups, paying $50-$100 per hour.

As an Ipsos contributor, you will not need to visit third-party websites to complete surveys. All work is done on the i-Say platform, which explains why Ipsos is considered one of the friendliest focus group sites for beginners.

Another notable upside is the multiple payment options it offers. You can redeem your i-Say points for PayPal cash or Walmart, Starbucks, and Amazon gift cards.

When joining i-Say, make sure to fill out every bit of the profile form and use the right keywords so Ipsos can accurately match you with the right opportunities.

4. Recruit and Field

Recruit and Field is yet another platform that provides a mix of surveys and focus groups. While not exactly a world-beater at work availability, it has one of the simplest assignment systems among sites like User Interviews.

To find work, you don’t need to log in and keep refreshing some dashboard or engage in bidding wars. The dirty work is done for you and all you’re left to do is wait for opportunities in your email.

That is not to say you can’t control the amount of work you receive. You can get more work than the next person by setting up a more “visible” profile. The more accurately you describe yourself, the more likely you are to get invited for interviews you can actually complete.

Recruit and Field pays up to $100 per task, which is luscious but misleading. You won’t run into $100 opportunities every day. Most surveys and interviews will pay a fraction of that.

5. American Consumer Opinion (ACO)

American Consumer Opinion was founded in 1986. Up until the mid ‘90s, the membership-based survey panel conducted its surveys through the US mail.

That changed in 1996 when it went online and became an international employer of hundreds of thousands. As at the time of writing this article, the organization had well over 7 million users, the bulk of them freelancers.

If you decide to join the ACO crowd, you will need to register an account and then take what’s known as a New Member Survey. After that, you can start participating in focus groups.

ACO will send every survey they think matches your profile direct to your email. For each survey you complete, you will earn points, which you can then redeem for PayPal cash or a gift card.

More websites like User Interviews

6. fieldwork.

Fieldwork is a market research company with physical focus group facilities in over 10 US cities. These include Seattle, San Francisco, and LA-Orange County in the West Coast, Denver, Phoenix, and Dallas in the South, Minneapolis and Chicago in the Midwest, and Atlanta, Boston, NJ-Fort Lee, and NYC in the East.

To register for in-person focus groups, you have to be a local of one of these cities and specify it in the sign-up form. Some cities will have more opportunities than others, although the pay per focus group will be roughly the same ($35-$75).

Online research studies include taste tests, in-home interviews, phone interviews, and product trials. These understandably pay less but they also don’t require you to show up for a round table somewhere.

Still, you can only be a Fieldwork member if you live in one of the above-mentioned cities.

7. Mindswarms

On paper, Mindswarms seems like a normal everyday survey site. But there is something unique about it; instead of textually answering questionnaires, you give your answers through a video.

Everything else about Mindswarms seems typical of most sites like User Interviews. Focus group invitations are made based on your location and other profile information like gender, marital status, race, health, etc. You can also earn through a referral program.

As regards earning potential, invitations are few and far between. But when they come, you can earn up to $50 per survey.

All payments are made via PayPal approximately 24 hours after you submit your answers.

8. Survey Feeds

Survey Feeds gets slated for having an ordinary-looking website. And how does it make up for that? By offering competitive pay rates.

Unlike User Interviews, which hardly crosses the $50 mark per survey, Survey Feeds pays upwards of $175 regularly and sometimes up to 500 for 60-minute in-person surveys.

Participants have even been paid $2,000 for full-scale two- or three-day market research workshops.

What’s the catch? Surveys are hard to come by, and there is a lot of competition for the few that pop up.

Additionally, besides surveys, there are no other ways to make money on Survey Feeds.

On the brighter side, the site sends your earnings directly to your bank account as opposed to using the slow and sometimes costly online payment services.

9. iOpinion

Plaza Research has a platform called iOpinion , which assembles participants for focus groups across US cities.

You can hop on numerous market research opportunities, spanning industries like beverages, computer products, snacks, and pet food, and get paid for your opinion.

Note, however, that Plaza Research doesn’t facilitate meet-ups or offer escrow services. All they do is find focus group opportunities and display them all to you in a single interface. Everything afterward is decided by you and the market research company you work for.

Make a point of inquiring about things like payment options before committing to an iOpinion focus group.

10. Focus Group

Focus Group by Schlesinger is a research study platform that also pays redeemable reward points for online surveys, web chats, personal discussions, video diaries, telephone conversations, and product tests.

The pay range is thus pretty wide, with some tasks taking only minutes and others days to finish.

What sold me on Focus Group is the participant inclusivity it flaunts. Anyone, from moms and dads to mothers with newborns through to pet lovers, gamers, and workout enthusiasts has a category and will almost likely receive invitations if they hang on long enough.

Also, although Focus Group has offices in only 16 US cities, it has loads of work for its international participants.

Other sites similar to User Interviews

11. survey squad.

Survey Squad is owned by Focus Forward and is one of the many platforms like User Interviews that pay well for interviews and surveys but provide very few opportunities.

Still, it’s worthwhile joining the site as it won’t cost you anything or inflict on you the hassle of searching for work.

Most surveys on Survey Squad are a few minutes long and will pay you about $1-$5. You can withdraw your earnings anytime, but you might want to let them accumulate substantially since all payments are made by check.

I feel this is the biggest undoing of Survey Squad, which otherwise has what it takes to go head-on with the very best on the market.

12. Find Focus Groups

Since its inception in 2006, Find Focus Groups has listed more than 70,000 focus groups across the US and helped millions of freelancers earn money by giving their opinion.

The site is a tad different from User Interviews in that it doesn’t actually offer services other than listing focus groups. In essence, you can view listed focus groups without first registering an account. You will only need to provide your email and personal details if you want to receive email alerts.

Find Focus Groups targets US participants, particularly residents of large cities like NYC, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta. Your best bet to earn as a non-US resident is through paid surveys.

13. Inspired Opinions

Inspired Opinions is another market research panel by Schlesinger. It works in a near-identical fashion as its sister platform, Focus Groups, only it mostly targets British companies and participants.

As a contributor on Inspired Opinions, you can earn in three main ways:

• Paid surveys
• Research activities
• Referral program

All surveys and researches are invite-only, and albeit you won’t be receiving many invites, you will make decent money anytime you are chosen.

Payments are made via Visa gift cards. There is no threshold to withdraw your earnings, and there are no specific dates to request payouts. Sadly, the Visa gift cards are sent through postal mail and can take up to 8 weeks to reach you.

14. Apex Focus Group

Apex Focus Group (AFG) has some discouraging user reviews on the internet, but I did a credibility check, and it’s indeed a legit site.

Unsurprisingly, all the grumbles are about spam email and the annoying registration process, which requires applicants to share too much personal information.

I didn’t have a problem with these shortcomings since they are common with most survey and focus group sites, but the fact that AFG is a marketplace for random focus groups on the internet didn’t sit well with me.

The site doesn’t provide escrow services or any protection whatsoever against scams. It only lists focus groups and leaves you to negotiate terms and rates on your own.

15. PingPong

PingPong may be one of the newer sites in the survey game, but with clients like Dropbox, McKinsey, Nestle, and Skyscanner, you’d see why it’s seen as an authority platform.

PingPong connects more than 175,000 testers with companies, marketing agencies, and individual researchers looking for user opinions about their products.

All research interviews are video-based, so you need a good camera and the guts to face it. You also need to be quick to seize opportunities as there is huge competition for the few surveys that show up.

PingPong interviews last for either 30 minutes or 60 minutes. The former pay €15 and the latter €30. If you are lucky to be invited for the special interviews that target individuals from specific backgrounds, you can earn up to €200.

Payments are made through PayPal and will be sent within 1-2 weeks of you completing an interview.

Final Thoughts

Many of these sites provide similar opportunities, but none offers the same user experience as the other. Let me know which one you are familiar with and how you like it.

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AI knowledge gets your foot in the door for job interviews, says study

U .K. employers are significantly more likely to offer job interviews and higher salaries to graduates with experience of artificial intelligence, according to new research published in the journal Oxford Economic Papers .

Researchers from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) conducted an experiment by submitting CVs for job vacancies from British 21-year-old applicants who held a 2:1 degree. Some of the applicants possessed AI capital—they had studied an "AI in business" module—and this was mentioned in their cover letter for the application.

A matched pair of male applicants, one with AI capital and the other without, submitted applications, resulting in a total of 1,360 applications from male applicants to 680 companies. A total of 1,316 similarly matched applications from female applicants were sent to 658 firms.

Male applicants with AI capital received an interview invitation in 54% of cases, whereas male applicants without AI capital were invited to interview in 28% of cases.

Female applicants with AI capital received an interview invitation in 50% of cases, whereas female applicants without AI capital received one in 32% of cases.

In large firms, applicants with AI capital were 36 percentage points more likely to be invited to an interview than in small-medium sized firms.

Male applicants with AI qualifications were shortlisted for jobs offering wages that were, on average, 12% higher than those for male applicants without AI capital, while female applicants with AI qualifications were offered interviews for jobs offering wages that were, on average, 13% higher than without AI capital.

Lead author Professor Nick Drydakis, Professor of Economics at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), said, "In the UK, AI is causing dramatic shifts in the workforce, and firms need to respond to these demands by upgrading their workforces through enhancing their AI skill levels.

"Our study clearly indicates that employers value AI knowledge and skills among job applicants. Those applicants with AI capital were significantly more likely to be invited to interview and were also more likely to have access to better paid jobs.

"Job applicants with AI capital might possess the knowledge, skills and capabilities related to data analysis, data-driven decision-making, creativity, innovation, and effective communication, among other factors. These skills can enhance business operations, making them more efficient and potentially contributing to increased productivity within a firm.

"Larger firms particularly valued AI capital, possibly because they tend to undergo more AI-based structural technological transformations and have greater capacity for innovation."

More information: Nick Drydakis, Artificial intelligence capital and employment prospects, Oxford Economic Papers (2024). DOI: 10.1093/oep/gpae005

Provided by Anglia Ruskin University

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A watch and 2 advisories in effect for 3 counties in the area, ‘they are not alone’: hundreds walk, run in jacksonville beach to raise money for brain cancer research.

Aaron Farrar , News4Jax reporter

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – About 1,500 people helped raise money for brain cancer and tumor research Saturday morning by running or walking in the Waves of Gray 5K in Jacksonville Beach.

Logan Cake is 17 years old and is wrapping up his junior year of high school.

He is a brain cancer survivor.

Cake was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was just 10 years old, becoming legally blind and losing some of his hearing during his fight.

He went into remission last year.

“In the beginning and being hit with it, I just had to take it and slowly process how everything was going to change and just look for the light at the end of the tunnel,” Cake said.

Melissa Cake, Logan’s mother, described her son as “resilient.”

“I have learned that he will conquer anything that is put in front of him, even to being in a coma for a few days this summer and in the hospital for 40 days and he was like I am going to school and he turned it around within a week right before school,” Melissa said.

Thousands of people raised money for people like Logan, through the Waves of Gray 5K.

The goal was to raise at least $100,000 to support research programs through Baptist MD Anderson.

That money would go to helping Nora Clark, who was diagnosed with Glioblastoma after suffering her first seizure in March 2023 and had brain surgery two months later.

RELATED | ‘He was an amazing man’: Woman remembers late husband ahead of 5K for brain cancer awareness

Her family praised her as a fighter and someone who exudes tremendous strength.

“They keep me fighting every day. I wake up every day, determined to beat this for all of these people,” Clark said.

Peyton Clark, Nora’s daughter-in-law, said hundreds of people have shown their support by praying, bringing meals and sending cards.

People who participated in the 5K got a T-shirt with a circle on the front. Within that circle, there are close to 200 names of people who have died from brain tumors.

This 5K was founded after Fred Fenton died in 2016 from Glioblastoma. He died less than a year after being diagnosed.

His wife, Dianne Fenton Waters launched this event hoping it serves as an inspiration for people to know that they are supported in their respective fights.

“I hope people take away a sense of family. A sense of community. A sense of that. They are not alone. Someone knows that they can talk to who knows what they are going through,” Fenton Waters said.

A big support system all with the same mindset -- finding a cure for brain cancer.

Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.

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Survey: Women Are Confident Money Managers Who Crave Shame-Free Support

Investopedia & REAL SIMPLE research reveals how women are thinking about, talking about, and engaging with money.

As women are poised to inherit $30 billion of assets from older generations by 2030, a joint survey from Investopedia and REAL SIMPLE found this demographic needs more wealth-building guidance and shame-free support, even within friendships.

The 2024 Her Money Mindset Survey polled a representative sample of U.S. women to learn how women across generations and income levels are thinking about, talking about, and engaging with money. 

Key Takeaways

• On average, 63% of women's income is directed to necessities and 64% of women have under $500 at the end of each month after their necessities are paid. 
• Only 39% of women are invested, and participation varies based on age, income level, and financial literacy.
• 1 in 5 women have helped someone cover a significant expense and are currently struggling to meet at least one expense of their own.
• While money talks between friends are fairly common, the level of detail shared (and how truthful those details are) varies.
• Overall, women are confident financial decision makers and want to learn about saving money and investing. 

"Too often, we're discouraged from talking about money. We worry it might seem crass, impolite, or inappropriate. But experts agree that open conversations around our finances help normalize the topic, motivate us to save, and make complex situations less confusing," said REAL SIMPLE Editor in Chief Lauren Iannotti . “Collaborating with Investopedia, we set out to uncover the barriers hindering women's financial confidence because when we determine what's holding us back, we can set a plan to move ahead.”

The study, which was conducted during a period of high inflation and ongoing economic uncertainty, found that even on a tight budget, women are generous, and actively seek out more information. They have more to learn—and talk about—but overall, women are resilient, confident money managers. 

Women Are Focused on Short-Term Finances

One thing that U.S. women have in common across generations and income levels is that the majority of monthly income (63%) is spent on necessities, including housing, transportation, healthcare, education, and child care. Another 20% goes to flexible spending, and approximately 17% helps fund their financial goals. 

Monthly bills are eating up a lot of dollars, too. The 2024 Her Money Mindset Survey found that 64% of women have just under $500 left each month after covering the necessities—$422 on average. Another 44% have less than $250 left each month. 

Overall, although most women are able to cover monthly expenses, 54% said they are currently struggling to cover at least one type of monthly expense. 

Most women surveyed (67%) carry some debt, too. Credit card debt is the most common, followed by mortgages and car loans. 

While stretching dollars, women are very aware of where their money is going, and have big short-term goals, too. More than ¾ of women (76%) keep an eye on where their money goes every month, while 72% are saving for short-term goals. 

In addition to covering bills and other necessities, the most common three-year financial goals include saving for retirement , buying a car, and paying (or paying down) credit card debt. 

Some Women Are Investing, But Mindset Varies 

The narrative surrounding women investors is often one of underrepresentation and hesitance, but that is not the whole story. Women's investment behavior is nuanced, and The 2024 Her Money Mindset survey highlights the interplay of age, income, and financial literacy in how women see themselves as investors. 

Overall, 39% of women surveyed currently hold investments. When you break that down further, the rate of women investors is higher among those in Generation X or older (42% of which currently hold investments). Women who make more than $75,000 annually are also more invested (58%), and are more likely to hold multiple types of investments.

Retirement accounts, stocks, and mutual funds are the most common types of investments held. Cryptocurrency is more popular among women who are millennials or younger, too.  

51% of invested women are proud of an investment decision they have made. 

The survey asked women to share more about their investing decisions, and four main themes emerged from the anonymous responses: Women take pride in seeking professional help from financial advisors, teaching themselves about investing, discussing their strategies, and detailing the habits they have developed along the way. 

For example, one Gen X survey respondent said: 

“I am most proud of myself for investing part of my savings into the stock market and learning about everyday trends within the market.” 

Investing for Independence

What’s Holding Some Women Back?

Despite positive investing sentiment, knowledge gaps are hindering some women from investing—or even just thinking of themselves as investors. 

For example, a little over half of the women told Investopedia & REAL SIMPLE that they are not invested (53%), but 10% of those respondents went on to say they have a retirement account, such as a 401(k) or IRA . 

The reality is, if you hold such an account, you are in fact invested. 

Why aren’t more women investing? The most common reason reported was that women don’t feel like they have enough money to invest. Perhaps unsurprisingly, women with lower household incomes are more likely to cite this reason.  

Another reality? You don’t need thousands of extra dollars to start investing .

"Think about putting aside money to invest every month as another way you are actually paying yourself. Just like you wouldn’t work without getting paid, pay your future self—even if it’s just a little bit—every month," said Investopedia Editor in Chief Caleb Silver . "Investing something as small as $50 a month can grow into tens of thousands of dollars by the time you retire. Start simple with index funds or ETFs, and watch your initial investments and their dividends compound over time."

Aside from feeling like money may not spread far enough to pay bills and invest, fear and uncertainty impact women's willingness to jump into investing with both feet: 29% of those who aren’t invested say it’s because they fear losing money, and 25% don't know where to start. 

Women with higher household incomes are actually more likely to cite a lack of knowledge or a fear of losing money as their primary reason for not investing. 

There is curiosity, though: nearly 1 in 4 women say they want to learn more about investing. 

Women Are Financially Generous, Despite Own Struggles

Most women surveyed (67%) have acted as a financial supporter for someone in their life. That rate jumps to 73% for younger women, too.  

This level of generosity extends to smaller purchases, too. On an ordinary day, almost all women say they would pay for a friend's meal, which has an average cost of $24. 

For many, generosity is not dependent on a woman’s financial well-being, either: 1 in 5 women said they have at one point helped someone cover a significant expense and are also currently struggling to cover housing expenses. 

If they need financial help themselves, women are actually more likely to have asked a friend for a loan before asking a significant other or family member. 

Money Conversations Are Complicated

When it comes to communicating about money, women have ambivalent feelings. The 2024 Her Money Mindset survey found that while there is often some degree of money talks happening between friends, the level of detail shared—and how truthful those details are—are a mixed bag. 

Overall, 70% of women say that they sometimes talk to their friends about money. Younger women (millennials and generation z ) tend to be more comfortable talking about money matters with friends and those with household incomes above $75,000 are most likely to broach these topics with their friends.

The women we surveyed told us that talking about money with friends can lead to bonding, and a greater support system. Among those who talk to their friends about money, budgeting and planning for the future are the most common money conversation topics, and 1 in 3 have also discussed investing decisions with their friends. 

However, while the women we surveyed told us that talking about money with friends can lead to bonding and more support, sharing details is rare. Half (51%) of women who talk to their friends about money say they share very little about their own financial situation. 

Fewer than 1 in 4 women who talk with their friends about money have shared with their friends how much money they make. 

Of those who will not discuss money with friends, most (54%) say it is because they feel it is not appropriate. This response is more common among women who are Gen X or older, while younger generations are more likely to avoid talking about money because it’s too awkward. 

Income differences and financial financial situations play the biggest role in women avoiding money conversations with friends. Fear of judgment and shame are common, especially among women with household incomes below $75,000 a year, and those in different financial situations than their peers. In some cases, these feelings result in lies or omissions. 

Here’s what some Her Money Mindset survey respondents across generations told us anonymously when asked to share a time they lied about money:

“I was embarrassed to share how much debt I had or how little I had in my bank account, so I lied.” -Gen Z woman (18-26 years old)

“I felt ashamed that I couldn’t pay off my student loan and credit card debt compared to some of my friends. The financial burden of helping out my parents (sharing expenses under the same roof) seemed to be the differentiator, since many of my friends had younger parents who were working and supporting them.” -Millennial woman (27-42 years old)

“I was asked by a friend if I had any debt and I said no even though I have medical debt. I was embarrassed.” -Millennial woman (27-42 years old)

“I didn’t want to let on how difficult of a financial situation we were in when both me and my husband were laid off around the same time so downplayed it and said we had enough in savings to live on, which was untrue.” -Woman age 59 or older

Money & Relationships

Overall, Women Are Confident Financial Decision Makers

Tight budgets, knowledge gaps, and uncomfortable conversations aside, the 2024 Her Money Mindset survey found that women are taking charge of their finances. 

More than half of all women (58%) told Investopedia and REAL SIMPLE that they feel somewhat or very confident in their ability to make good financial decisions, and that confidence increases with age and income.

The 2024 Her Money Mindset Survey found 66% of women have made at least one financial decision they’re super proud of.

When comparing their financial know-how to friends and partners, 40% of women feel confirmed they know more than their friends, and 36% feel they know more than their partner and are able to make more responsible decisions. 

Ahead of a great wealth transfer that will put more wealth in women’s hands than ever before, women are directing this confidence into action and leading, or in some cases owning, financial decision-making for their household.

Our survey found 60% of all women make decisions about their finances independently, and the other 40% share financial decision-making with someone else. Half of the women surveyed are married or living with a significant other, and in that citation, women said they are talking about money with their partner, sharing finances, and sharing responsibilities, despite often earning less than their partner. 

Women are taking an active role in learning more about managing finances, too: 39% of women said they look for financial information at least monthly. That rate is even higher for millennials and younger women (48%). The preferred sources of education? Financial information websites, online searches, and talking to friends and family. 

Methodology

For the 2024 Her Money Mindset Survey, REAL SIMPLE and Investopedia surveyed 2,002 American women (aged 18+) from January 9th to 22nd, 2024. The survey was fielded online via a self-administered questionnaire to an opt-in panel of respondents from a market research vendor. 

Quotas were implemented in sampling using benchmarks from American Community Survey (ACS) from the U.S. Census Bureau for region, age groups, race/ethnicity, and household income. Respondents must have reported at least partially managing their own finances in order to qualify.

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How a health scare led Caprice to change her lifestyle and support a special cause

The model is helping raise money for brain tumour research.

Caprice Bourret is in her element as she joins HELLO!  for an exclusive interview and photoshoot at Epsom Downs Racecourse. 

"I actually grew up at the races," says the 52-year-old model, actress and businesswoman, who is showcasing colourful millinery creations ahead of the Epsom Derby on Friday 31 May and Saturday 1 June. 

"I used to be quite lucky as a child because I would instinctively pick the winners," continues California-born Caprice. "It was quite an ongoing joke as I would know nothing about betting. But just recently, I tried betting on instincts and failed miserably, so I guess that technique didn't roll over into my adult life." 

Supporting Brain Tumour Research

Caprice – the mum of ten-year-old sons Jett and Jax with her financier husband Ty Comfort - is certainly on winning form on our shoot. She's also supporting a cause close to her heart.

The six show stopping hats and fascinators she's modelling are part of an exclusive collection of 15 haute couture pieces launched to raise awareness and funds for Brain Tumour Research  on its 15th anniversary. 

"I've been a patron of Brain Tumour Research for the past five years," says Caprice, who had neurosurgery in 2017 to remove a thumb-sized tumour – a benign meningioma – from the front of her skull. 

"I've not only donated a substantial amount of money, but I've fought to raise funds and awareness endlessly to find a cure for this horrible, horrible disease."

Hats on display

A collaboration between Brain Tumour Research, the British Hat Guild and the Jockey Club, the initiative sees the carnival-themed masterpieces – created by top British milliners including Stephen Jones and Jane Taylor – go on display at the Newmarket Rowley Mile Racecourse this month. 

The exhibition will conclude at the Betfair Derby Festival at Epsom Racecourse, while the hats are being auctioned online – or can be bought on site before then – to raise vital funds for the charity. 

"I rarely wear hats, but these are exceptionally gorgeous. They'll look good on everyone," says Caprice. 

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Caprice's personal style.

Voted GQ's Woman of the Year and Maxim's International Woman of the Year for three years running after first finding fame in the 1990s, Caprice describes her personal sense of style as "classic" – not that it's always been that way, she adds. 

"OMG has [my style] changed – thank goodness! I look back at some pictures and literally cringe in horror. My sense of style now is quite classic, very simple lines. You can never go wrong with a simple black dress, which I probably had 5,000 of." 

Her health scare

It's not only Caprice's fashion sense that has changed. 

Seven years after her health scare , she is stronger than ever, with a fresh outlook on life and enhanced appreciation for her wellbeing. She has "changed significantly" since being diagnosed with a brain tumour while taking part in Channel 4's celebrity skiing series The Jump.

"I was very fortunate. I had the surgery where they removed the entire growth and found out it was benign," she says. "But working with Brain Tumour Research, I have had relationships with a lot of people that had tumours that were cancerous. It is absolutely devastating. 

"And I will keep on raising awareness, raising funds for this important charity, and find a cure so we can save lives." 

"When you have a health scare like that, it is a major shake-up. But I never played the victim," she continues. "I took responsibility and changed my lifestyle."

That change included "eliminating as much stress as possible", she says. "Let me tell you something, you don't have control over what happens in your environment, but you do have control over how you react to these various circumstances." 

Family time

Finding time to relax is essential with such a busy life. Caprice juggles family time with multiple successful business ventures, including running her own luxury brand, By Caprice, and taking on acting roles. 

But her favourite role is looking after her family. "I find it quite empowering being a devoted wife and mother," she says, smiling.

A Carnival of Colour hat auction is open until 12pm on Monday 10 June. Visit  braintumourresearch.org/hat-auction

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Money blog: Vinted forced to apologise to sellers; Taylor Swift to boost UK economy by nearly £1bn

The American superstar is coming to the UK - and bringing her massive economic influence with her. Read this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news in the Money blog - and leave a comment or your money problem in the box below.

Wednesday 15 May 2024 07:49, UK

• Taylor Swift to bring nearly £1bn boost to economy
• Michelin-star chef reveals his top Cheap Eats in London - including an unbeatable sub sandwich
• Vinted forced to apologise for cash withdrawal delays
• AI-powered mortgage lender cuts rates twice in a week

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Taylor Swift's Eras Tour has been predicted to provide a £997m boost to the UK economy. 

Fans are expected to fork out an average of £848 to see the star on one of her 15 tour dates. 

That's according to data from Barclays, which has added up the total spending of the Swifties lucky enough to get a ticket.

After tickets, fans will spend the most on accommodation at around £121, with other notable costs including £111 on travel and £56 on an outfit. 

Those visiting London, Liverpool, Edinburgh and Cardiff for the concert are expected to spend £79 each on official merchandise, as well as £59 on a pre-show meal. 

The average amount spent on an Eras Tour ticket is £206, yet for 14% of fans, including those who purchased VIP ticket packages with premium seating and exclusive merchandise, the total exceeds £400.

Dr Peter Brooks, chief behavioural scientist at Barclays, said fans of "cultural icons" like Swift have a "powerful" spending power. 

"Whoever came up with the phrase 'money can't buy happiness' clearly wasn't a Swiftie," he said. 

"When it comes to cultural icons like Taylor Swift - like we saw with Elvis and Beatlemania in the 50s and 60s - supporters have such a strong connection to the artist and to the rest of the fandom that the desire to spend becomes even more powerful.

"For non-fans, £848 may seem like an enormous amount to splash out on a concert - but for Eras Tour ticketholders, every pound they spend is an investment in the memories they'll create."

Every Wednesday we get Michelin chefs to pick their favourite Cheap Eats where they live and when they cook at home. This week we speak to Andy Beynon, chef patron of Behind in London - which was awarded a Michelin star after being open for just 20 days. 

Hi  Andy, c an you tell us your favourite places in London where you can get a meal for two for less than £40?

I love Lahore Kebab House in Whitechapel. It's family run and I've been going there for about 15 years. I used to go with my dad - we'd get a couple of lagers from the shop next door, then tuck into lamb chops, tarka daal, the Peshwari naan, which is always cooked fresh on the tandoor, and all the dips on the menu. 

You can't beat a "That Spicy D" from Dom's Subs . There's just something about that burnt chilli mayo and schiacciata piccante. It's my favourite lunch to have on the go, and totally worth the mess. 

Umut 2000 in Dalston is my go-to for a kebab fix. They also do this amazing chargrilled lamb mince on a bed of tomato sauce with yoghurt and clarified butter. So good.

What's your go-to cheap meal at home?

I don't cook at home often, but when I do it's usually a big pot of spicy daal. It's super easy to make and keeps well in the fridge or the freezer. My secret ingredient for making the perfect daal is condensed milk - simply add a spoonful at the end to balance all of the spice.

We've spoken to lots of top chefs and bloggers - check out their cheap eats from around the country here...

Vinted has apologised for a tech issue that has left its sellers facing long delays to withdraw their cash. 

Users have been complaining over the past few weeks about their balance not updating quickly enough after being told they had been paid... 

We reached out to platform about the issue - it said its payment service provider Mangopay was aware of the problem and was "in the process of resolving" affected cases. 

It said a "very small number" of Vinted members have experienced an issue with funds being received by banks after payouts had been initiated. 

"The large majority of payouts are successfully completed every day," it added. 

"Vinted is in constant contact with Mangopay to resolve any cases brought to our attention, however, there may be a further delay as a result, for which we apologise.

"Many cases have already been resolved and we are working as quickly as we can to help resolve the remaining cases." 

Mangopay processes and stores transactions made through Vinted and then pays the cash into users' bank accounts. 

It told us part of its legal obligations require it to verify users' identities for the payment process to be successful.

"Our team works to carry out this verification process as quickly as possible so that users can continue using their accounts as normal," it said. 

"Marketplaces and platforms often have complex payment needs and as a regulated financial institution, we take our compliance, due diligence processes and regulatory obligations very seriously." 

However, it added that from "time to time" the process can be delayed, which means it needs to withhold funds for a certain amount of time, or it "may experience issues with the payout process".

"We apologise for any delays in receiving payments caused as a result of this and are working with Vinted to resolve each case as quickly as possible," it added. 

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Archewell Foundation has been labelled "delinquent" in the US for failing to submit annual records.

A letter was sent to the charity on 3 May by by California's Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, saying it has been "listed as delinquent" for "failing to submit required annual report(s) and/or renewal fees".

The letter said an organisation listed as delinquent is banned from "soliciting or disbursing charitable funds" and its registration may be "suspended or revoked".

It is understood that a physical cheque was sent by Archewell Foundation but not received, and a new one has been sent to resolve the issue.

It is believed the charity was only made aware of this when the delinquency notice was published.

Read more on this story below...

Shares of US video game retailer GameStop have soared again today, fuelled by the return of online influencer "Roaring Kitty" to social media.

Real name Keith Gill, the influencer's first online post caused shares to jump yesterday, with another surge reported today.

The retailer's shares rallied 132% in pre-market trading before falling back to about 80% up as US markets opened. 

Mr Gill shared a meme and more than 10 clips from movies including The Avengers and Tombstone. Though the posts didn't mention any company names, GameStop and US cinema chain AMC were the most-traded stocks by investors yesterday and today, according to data from JP Morgan.

He is credited with helping to fuel the "meme stock" craze during the COVID pandemic, which saw GameStop shares rise more than 1,000%. They later collapsed as interest faded.

Tesco's managing director has seen his pay deal more than double to almost £10m. 

That's 431 times the wage of the average £23,010 salary for a Tesco worker. 

Ken Murphy received a pay packet worth £9.93m for the year to February, the supermarket's annual report revealed.

His pay deal came to £4.4m in the previous financial year. 

The rise was driven by £4.91m from his performance share plan (PSP) after he helped lead the company to higher profits in the face of challenging inflation.

This PSP payment will be paid out in Tesco shares and is based on the company's performance since 2021.

It comes on top of an annual salary of £1.64m and an annual bonus of £3.38m. 

The group's chief finance officer, Imran Nawaz, also saw his annual pay package more than double.

He received a total £4.95m for the year, jumping from £2.27m in the previous financial year.

The retailer was criticised for revealing a £2.83bn profit for the year to February when many customers had been impacted by rampant food and drink inflation. 

Alison Platt, chairwoman of the Tesco remuneration committee, said the pay boost reflects the fact "Tesco has delivered for all of its stakeholders over the last year".

She added: "Tesco remains committed to a competitive and fair reward package for all colleagues and over the last two years we have invested more than £800m in colleague pay, as well as significantly enhancing the range of wellbeing benefits we offer."

Sony's operating profit  has climbed 5% this business year - even as it forecasts lower PlayStation 5 sales. 

The Japanese entertainment and electronics company said its operating profit is expected to come in at 1.28 trillion yen (£6.5bn) in the year ending March.

Sony, a major supplier of image sensors for smartphones, said its chips business is expected to book a 40% rise in operating profit on higher sales and lower costs.

At its gaming unit, revenues are expected to fall with the PlayStation 5 in its fourth year, but Sony said user engagement and cost control could drive future profitability at the business.

It predicted PlayStation 5 sales will fall to 18 million units from last year's 20.8 million. 

Cheaper energy deals for new customers could potentially return in October, with the industry regulator announcing a review of their ban. 

Ofgem is consulting on removing the block on acquisition-only tariffs in an attempt to encourage competition between suppliers. 

The ban was introduced as a short-term measure in April 2022 to protect consumers during the energy crisis, and was due to be lifted in March next year.

Now, the regulator has said that it is the right time to consider removing it as the energy market continues to stabilise.

MoneySavingExpert Martin Lewis welcomed the consultation, saying: "We need anything possible right now to stimulate competition and bring prices down." 

"In normal times, I wouldn't call for firms to be allowed to offer new customers cheaper prices than existing, yet these aren't normal times." 

Melinda French Gates has left the charity she set up with her former husband, Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates, after the couple's divorce. 

In a statement, she said she would step down from her position at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on 7 June. 

You can see her full statement below... 

The foundation was created in 2000 and it is one of the most influential charitable organisations in the world. 

It has spent billions working to tackle poverty and disease around the world. 

Bill and Melinda Gates announced they were divorcing three years ago after being married for 27 years. 

An AI-powered mortgage lender has cut rates for a second time this week. 

MPowered has reduced all its two and five year fixed deals, with rates starting at 4.37% down from 4.59%. 

"The swap markets are moving at pace at present, and it is important that as a responsible lender we are able to react and pass on any savings we can to borrowers," said Matt Surridge, sales director of MPowered Mortgages. 

"I'm therefore really pleased we are one of the first, if not the first, to cut rates this week, having already cut rates once in the past week." 

The company uses AI in its mortgage process and is a fully digital platform. 

McDonald's has decided to remove the iconic smile from its Happy Meal box in a bid to teach children about their emotions. 

Instead, a sheet of stickers depicting different moods will be placed inside, which children can use to express their feelings. 

A QR code for a mental health hub will also be placed on the red packaging to provide its younger customers with different resources about emotional wellbeing. 

The move comes as part of Mental Health Week, with research by the fast food chain finding nearly half of children feel pressure to be happy all the time. 

Football legend Rio Ferdinand has teamed up with the company to support the campaign, which runs until 19 May. 

The father-of-five said: "It's our job to empower our children to express themselves freely and support them every step of the way in understanding that it's okay to not be happy all the time." 

The Traitors' winner Harry Clark has revealed he's only spent some of his prize money so far, and it's gone towards clearing his relatives' debts. 

The 23-year-old won £95,150 after successfully convincing his fellow contestants that he was a faithful in the second season of the show. 

Speaking on the TV BAFTAs red carpet, the former British Army engineer said his dad has stopped him from spending the cash and has been looking after him. 

"He's got his head screwed on. He's been making sure I can get my first place," he told reporters.

"I've just given my family some dosh, just to pay off their debts and stuff like that, so they don't have to worry anymore. 

"That's all I've wanted to do in my life." 

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