These days, there are so many paid survey sites that it’s becoming increasingly hard to keep track of each and every one of them. Good thing I discovered this forum, so I can get feedback from the other members about which ones are legit, and which ones smell scammy. That said, I’ve made it my personal mission to look at both new and older GPT and survey sites and investigate if they’re the real deal. Think of it as my way of paying it forward to those who might be on the hunt for good GPTs
Today, I find myself investigating a site called Toluna, which looks to be promising at first glance. But as I’ve discovered about paid survey sites and people in general, first impressions aren’t always to be trusted (and don’t always last, even if the cliche says they do). So, is Toluna legit, or is it not? Let’s take a closer look.
What’s it all about?
A Toluna survey is a way for you and me to “inspire change in real time.” Sounds noble and lofty, doesn’t it? But that’s what the About Us page tells me, even if, in reality, I’m mostly in here for the possibility of a second income. Still, it’s interesting how Toluna calls members “influencers” whose opinions have the power to transform the products and services that matter most to them.
Basically, Toluna partners up with market research agencies and brands. These partnerships produce the kind of surveys available to users.
Is it a new site?
It’s been around since at least 2012 and has been backed by an award-winning company (The Toluna Group) for being one of the “most innovative” and “fastest growing” as deemed by a couple of corporate award-giving bodies. Today, Toluna is available in over 80 countries and boasts of millions of registered users worldwide.
Is signing up for free?
Yes, absolutely free, with no maintenance fees. In fact, signing up already earns you 500 points as a welcome bonus!
Will you get good extra income from it?
As far as I can see, yes. There are so many activities to do and earn from on Toluna that I actually don’t know where to start! Aside from the sponsored surveys, members can choose to do product reviews right in their homes, participate in “Battles” or in “Thumb It” (basically an opinion mini-forum), and answer mini-polls.
Toluna rewards come in the form of points to be redeemed for gift cards, sweepstakes tickets, cash, and even gadgets or getaways if you prefer them. Points you earn are valid for 12 months, after which they will expire, so make sure to redeem them right away. You can start redeeming points when you reach 30000. There are dozens of gift cards available from different retailers: Sears, Kohl’s, Starbucks, Redbox, iTunes, Xbox, Amazon , Lowe’s, GameStop, TJ Maxx, and more!
How do I start earning?
Aside from the aforementioned 500-point sign-up bonus, there are a number of ways to earn at Toluna. First, make sure to fill up your profile for your Toluna account. This will become a basis for the kind of surveys you will eventually qualify for. Then go to the Toluna survey center and you will be regaled with lots of topics you can choose from. The surveys can be completed between 15-20 minutes, and have a few preliminary questions to determine the user’s eligibility to complete it. Surveys can earn you anywhere between 15 to 50000 points, depending on complexity and length.
You can also refer friends to Toluna using your unique referral link, so you can get 500 points for every new sign up you referred. There is a monthly cap on referrals, though - you can only earn from up to 10 referrals per month. A pity, since I love earning a passive income from my referrals.
There’s also a daily lottery for a chance to win hundreds of dollars. Toluna throws in a list of usernames of their past Sweepstakes winners, in case you doubt if it’s real.
How and how soon can I get paid?
When you reach around $5 worth of points, you can start redeeming them. Gift cards can be delivered between two to 8 weeks. You can also choose to cash out via PayPal, which requires 90000 points and can be processed anywhere between 2-4 business days. Accounts in the US can also request for checks once they reach 75000 points (around $25).
The verdict
Toluna reviews often mention the site’s high Better Business Bureau rating as a factor towards it being legit. Aside from that, though, I like how Toluna offers many ways to earn by making your voice heard. And it’s available for users worldwide, which is neat.
Of course, there are the usual complaints of getting screened out or not even being able to qualify for a survey in the first place. These are the kinks that I think not only Toluna but GPT and paid survey sites, in general, should address so that there are more opportunities for anyone, anywhere, at any time, to earn well.
Toluna Screenshots
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Your turn
Are you currently a member of Toluna? How are you finding your experience? Please share them with us, along with a proof of payment, and if it is something you will recommend to the people in this forum.
Link: https://us.toluna.com
iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/ph/app/toluna/id1006391615?mt=8
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.toluna.webservice&hl=en
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