Can you get paid to take online surveys?

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that the internet has never been more vital. But if you are stuck inside longing for the day you can sit inside your favorite restaurant once again, you might as well take the opportunity to make a few extra bucks, courtesy of online surveys.

While this concept isn’t new, the experience and results of those who tried it have varied, so read on for some tips and tricks on the best ways to get paid for taking online surveys.

Why Would I Want to Do This?

Let’s be real – you’re on the internet most of the day anyway. Getting paid to do that is just a bonus. Taking the surveys and getting paid for it can be done from virtually anywhere you have your phone or laptop or any other access to the internet.

While each survey will vary in length and topic, you won’t spend more than a few minutes at a time answering them, which means you can fit it in between work meetings or before you get ready for the day.

Where Do I Go?

There are a lot of options for online surveys, but be on the lookout for scams and sites that do not pay as advertised. It’s smartest to stick to the ones that people have verified as being legitimate and that have actually paid their participants as promised. According to some researchers who actually signed up and took surveys from several sites, there are several reputable options:

Survey Junkie: This website received top marks from multiple sources. It’s free to sign up and create an account to take your surveys, and you can also use existing platforms like Facebook or Google to add your information to make that process even simpler. When you take a survey, you earn points. You’ll get your first points by completing your profile, and from there, it’s up to you. Once you reach 1000 points, or $10, you can choose to cash out or keep taking surveys. Payment is made through either PayPal or through e-gift cards.

Swagbucks: This company made big news when it first rolled out the idea of paying people to take surveys. Since then, thousands of people have taken online surveys to earn extra cash. Swagbucks uses a similar point system as Survey Junkie, and also requires minimum point amounts be met before you can cash out your earnings. Aside from online surveys, Swagbucks also offers opportunities to earn points by watching videos and referring friends, along with other ideas you can find here.

OneOpinion: With a reputation for being one of the easiest online survey websites to sign up for, OneOpinion also makes a name for itself by being easy to navigate and providing customer support when needed. They also operate on the points system, though you may have to wait a little longer to cash out – 1,000 points equals $1, and you can only cash out at a minimum of 25,000 points. Still, they provide ample opportunity for you to earn those points, especially if you have some extra time.

Can I Take Every Survey?

Most of these websites are looking for a specific demographic to fill out their survey. Some of them may be more general, like anyone between the ages of 18 and 45. Others may be looking only for women between the ages of 30 and 35 who have two children. Most of the surveys have a screening process in place to determine if you are eligible to take the survey. Some sites, like OneOpinion, have a much lower disqualification rate than places like Swagbucks, which has a lot of survey options but is quicker to disqualify you based on its demographic needs.

Is it Worth It?

As with many of the treasures we discover on the internet, the success of this endeavor really depends on how much time you can devote to it. Taking surveys won’t replace your nine-to-five job. But if you are just interested in making a few extra bucks before the holidays and you have the time, you can definitely make these online surveys work for you.

Is it Safe?

There is always a risk involved when you give anyone your personal information. Before you decide to move forward, take some time to review each site’s policy on privacy and what information they will be sharing with others. If you decide to sign up using an existing account like Facebook, it’s a good idea to change your password every few months to ensure your information remains secure. You can even create a whole new email just for taking surveys, because you will likely be spammed with promotions from the site once you sign up.

Taking online surveys is not a guarantee, and it has its drawbacks. But if you are safe with your information and just want to add a little bit of spending money to your wallet, these surveys might be exactly what you need.