What are Online Surveys?

Online surveys are a way that market researchers survey their panelists. The process is as follows:

1. A market research company is contacted by a company or individual who wishes to conduct a survey. The survey can be about a new or existing product or service, a movie trailer, etc. The client typically knows who their target audience is. Ex. Females from Vancouver, 24-36.

2. The survey company puts together the survey questions and e-mails the individuals who have joined their survey panel and who fit their target demographic. The e-mail states what the incentive will be for completing the survey. For example, $25 for a 10 minute survey.

3. The panelists click on a link in the e-mail which brings them to a website where they answer questions about the client’s product or service.

4. After they have successfully completed the survey, the market research company tabulates the results, and creates a report for the client outlining the panelists responses and sends out the incentive to their panelists via paypal, cheque, Amazon, gift card, etc.

When you become a panelist for a market research company your participation helps shape the products, services, and advertising of the future.

Is this a scam?

No, this is not a scam. First off, we’ll never ask you for any money, and neither will legitimate market research companies.

The idea is that you provide your information so that you can be demographically targeted in order to participate in online surveys.

A true market research company will not send SPAM, but rather, only online survey invitations. If you’re not convinced, simply create a new e-mail account with a free e-mail provider such as Outlook Mail, Gmail, etc. specifically for online survey invitations.

A true market research company will not sell your information. Look for a privacy policy, and then read it if you’re still unsure. When you answer online surveys, your answers are anonymized when they are submitted to the client who commissioned the survey.

Still unsure? Register with one survey company and see how you like it. If you don’t, simply unsubscribe from the panel, and you’re finished with it. If you’re convinced that it’s for you, come back to our website and register with all of the survey panels listed – maximizing your chances of receiving online survey invitations.

How do I get paid?

Cash payments from survey companies are usually made via PayPal or cheque. Alternatively, rewards options such as gift cards, merchandise and charity donations are also frequently available.

When you initially register with a survey panel, you may notice that they ask you for your address. This is for demographic information purposes, but also so that the market research company has an address on file to mail payment to.

You may notice that some survey panels have a points system whereby they will give you a certain number of points for each survey you complete. This is often the case for survey panels who seek panelists in multiple countries. Instead of converting each survey incentive into a dollar amount, they simply assign a survey with a certain number of points. When the panelist is ready to cash out, they can usually do so in their own currency. Survey companies have these points systems simply for simplicity sake on their end. Currencies fluctuate daily, so having their own “currency” keeps things simple.

After you complete a survey, check the website to see how long it will take for you to receive payment. Then check your mail for your cheque!

Find our top list of Canadian survey sites