Movie and TV critics like to say that we’re in a golden age of entertainment; there’s just so much good (and not-so-good) stuff coming out. This also means that every time something new comes out, our social media feeds get swarmed with opinions. Social media has brought out the inner cultural critic in people. It sure seems like everyone, from your kid sister to elderly grandmother, loves weighing-in on a variety of subjects.
Unsurprisingly (and let’s be honest here), most of these opinions don’t amount to much. You post it, get a few likes and comments, and then nothing. Another person posts their opinion, and the cycle repeats itself.
But it doesn’t have to be that way! I discovered that there are websites that actually pay you to share your opinions by taking surveys. I learned about these sites after Googling “how to make money from your opinions” after reading a friend’s rant on Facebook.
These sites are serious. They’re hired by corporations to run market research surveys. In today’s ultra-competitive business environment, companies need as much information as they can get. But there’s only so much research they can do on their own, which is why they hire survey sites to help conduct that research.
So if you have more than a few things to say about popular topics, I suggest giving survey sites a try. You get to help businesses make informed decisions, and you also get to earn in the process! I also recommend you stick to the larger, well-known survey sites. These sites are usually good, and often pay the best rates. (Avoid sites that ask you to pay an up-front fee! Legit survey sites earn from advertisers, not their users.)
To help you out, I’ve compiled a list of legit survey sites you can try out. Check them out, then share your experiences below.
1. Opinion Outpost
The name says it all: at Opinion Post, you share your opinions by taking surveys. These surveys usually take ten minutes to complete, but there are also shorter surveys you can take. It’s up to you how much (and how fast) you’d like to work, but to earn more, you’ll also have to work more.
Most of Opinion Outpost ’s surveys cover electronics, medicine, politics, sports, advertising, gadgets, and sometimes even personal stuff like what you had for breakfast. You earn points for taking surveys (remember, unfinished surveys won’t earn you points). You can then redeem your earnings as cash (which is paid by cheque or PayPal) or Amazon or iTunes cards.
What’s special about Opinion Post is that it holds a $10,000 giveaway every quarter! Every survey you complete gives you one entry to the prize draw. So keep taking those surveys, the more you do the greater chance you have of earning!
Link: https://www.opinionoutpost.com
2. Mindswarms
Most sites ask you to take written surveys, but Mindswarms is a bit unique because here you record your opinions on video. If you’re a budding video blogger, or enjoy creating multimedia content, this is the site for you.
“Studies” are made available on your dashboard, which you will then apply for. You will then answer up to five questions. The researcher will then pick respondents based on these applications. So make sure your application is good!
Once chosen, you will then respond to the study’s questions by making a video. These videos will be about 15 to 20 minutes long. This takes a bit more effort compared to other survey sites, but it also pays more: you can make up to $50 per study, which is paid through PayPal.
Link: https://www.mindswarms.com
3. iPoll
IPoll is a no-frills survey site. But what’s cool about it is its global scope. Residents of a wide range of countries, from Argentina to France to Kenya to United Arab Emirates, can apply and earn from the site. Points can be redeemed either as cash (via PayPal) or iTunes and Amazon gift cards.
The site also has some pretty awesome bonuses, too. Just by signing up, you get $5. And like Opinion Outpost, iPoll has a $10,000 quarterly giveaway. Keep completing surveys to increase your chances of winning!
Link: https://www.ipoll.com
4. Toluna
Toluna has conducted surveys for some of the largest, most popular brands today. Disney, CBS, Sony Music, Heineken, and Procter & Gamble have all run surveys through Toluna.
At Toluna, you don’t just fill out written surveys. Sometimes, you will be required to try out a new product or eat in a new restaurant. It’s almost like getting free swag. Pretty sweet!
Like other sites, you can redeem points Amazon gift cards and cash, or as free merch.
Link: https://uk.toluna.com
5. Pinecone Research
More and more sites are offering product testing in addition to written surveys, and Pinecone Research is one of those. The site provides just about any type of market research available. You can take surveys, test products, and participate in product surveys.
They pay around $3 per survey, which is paid as cash or cheque.
Link: https://www.pineconeresearch.com
6. Global Test Market
Global Test Market is one of the more popular sites out there, probably due, in part, to its international coverage.
I would consider this Global Test Market a “classic” survey site. You complete written forms. No product testing or creating video content. It’s simple, but it’s also super-easy to do.
Payouts are provided as Amazon vouchers, cash, or free merch.
Link: https://www.globaltestmarket.com
7. SurveySpot
Most survey sites pay as either gift vouchers (usually for Amazon and iTunes) or as cash. SurveySpot does all of those, but it one-ups the competition by providing airline miles. Yep, that means you can take surveys and use your points to offset the cost of that vacation you’ve been planning.
To stay competitive SurveySpot also has a $10,000 quarterly giveaway. I noticed this is becoming a trend among survey sites, which is a good thing. It means more people are taking surveys and the survey industry is booming.
Link: https://www.surveyspot.com
8. Darwin’s Data
Most sites cover consumer-related topics like entertainment and gadget. Darwin’s Data is pretty unique because it asks people for opinions on legal disputes. You will watch a video, then provide your feedback. Don’t worry, a law degree isn’t a requirement to start (although you will have to be a US resident and registered voter). The site simply gets opinions from laypeople to help companies engage and resolve disputes.
Every survey you complete will earn you a $25 Tango card, which you can use in a wide range of establishments, including Starbucks, Target, Gap, Amazon, iTunes, and Chipotle. Oh, and you also get a $10 bonus Tango card just for signing up!
Link: https://darwinsdata.com
9. Branded Surveys
Branded Surveys is one of the newest survey sites, but they’re already making their mark on the industry. Their research partners include companies such as Nielsen, Harris Interactive, and JD Power.
The provide payouts via PayPal or their own proprietary solution, Branded Pay. The latter will be useful to those who can’t wait for PayPal funds to clear. With Branded Pay, funds can go into your account in as little as 24 hours after approval of your payout request.
Link: https://surveys.gobranded.com
10. MySurvey
My Survey is a huge company. in 2014, they rewarded over $32 million to their members worldwide. What this means to you as a potential member is that you’ll always have lots of surveys across different subjects to take.
Points can be redeemed as cash (paid via PayPal) or gift cards for Macy’s, Amazon, or Bloomin’ Brands (which includes Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and Fleming’s Steakhouse)
Link: https://www.mysurvey.com
11. Paid Viewpoint
Paid Viewpoint may appear stiff and sedate compared to the other sites, but don’t take that against them. They just try to put on a more professional appearance. Paid Viewpoint is one of the most trusted survey sites out there, mainly because of its “TrustScore” system. This system checks for consistency of your opinions across different surveys. For example, if you say you don’t like vegetables in one survey, TrustScore will note if you react positively to veggies in another survey. So the key here is to simply answer the questions truthfully.
Payments are sent via PayPal, or as a reward for their Virtual Incentives. Minimum payout withdrawal is $15.
Link: https://paidviewpoint.com
12. i-Say
Link: https://social.i-say.com
The site is another example of the classic survey website. You complete surveys and polls, earn points, then redeem them as rewards or cash.
They have a pretty wide range of redeemable rewards (via the i-Say Market) as well as cool contests to incentivize participation.
13. SurveySavvy
SurveySavvy has been around since 1999, and is also considered a pioneer in the industry. They pay via cash only, but I don’t mind. Majority of the time I request payouts with these sites, it’s always as cash. They also have a robust referral system which lets you earn every time a contact registers and completes surveys.
Despite SurveySavvy’s tenure, it’s still pretty forward-thinking. They’ve created SavvyConnect, an app that’s like the enhanced version of SurveySavvy. Users get access to better-paying surveys, and faster payment processing times. Check out SavvyConnect via the links below:
Link: https://www.surveysavvy.com/ & https://www.surveysavvy.com/savvyconnect
iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/savvyconnect/id1167090176?mt=8
Android: Download available in website link above
The Verdict: Legit or Scam?
All these sites are legit! Most of them have been around for quite some time, and are pillars of the survey industry. This list gives you a wide range of sites, payment methods, and rewards. Since a few of them have that sweet $10,000 quarterly giveaway, I recommend focusing your efforts on those sites.
Your Turn
This review is based on my experience taking surveys and earning in the process. Now it’s your turn to share. Have you tried these or any other survey sites? How much have you earned?
Let’s hear your stories!
