Online survey and microtasks have become popular ways for people to earn some extra money in their spare time. With legitimate online survey panels and microtask platforms, you can get paid for giving your opinions, testing products, performing data tasks, and more. This article explores strategies for maximizing your earnings from these online micro-earning opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

• Register with reputable survey and microtask platforms like Survey Junkie, Prolific, and Amazon Mechanical Turk. Check review sites to avoid scams.
• Provide accurate demographic information so you qualify for more surveys that pay well. Most panels want active, attentive participants.
• Consistently check your dashboard for available paid surveys, product tests, academic studies, and microtasks that match your profile. Prioritize higher-paying activities first.
• Pay attention to screening questions and give thoughtful, honest answers to qualify for surveys and get your work approved on microtask platforms. Quality work means more earnings.
• Cash-out earnings frequently instead of letting rewards accumulate over long periods. Transfer to PayPal or gift cards so balances don’t expire.

How to Get Started with Online Survey Panels

Signing up for legitimate online survey panels like Survey Junkie, Swagbucks, InboxDollars, Opinion Outpost, and Harris Poll Online is fairly straightforward. You’ll need to provide some personal information for screening and demographic purposes. Most panels require participants to be at least 18 years old. Then you can create a user profile and start receiving invitations to paid surveys via email or on your dashboard when you log in.

Some key things to keep in mind when getting started: check online review sites to avoid scam survey panels, confirm payment proof and cash-out options before investing time, use accurate demographic information to qualify for the most surveys, and set up accounts with multiple panels so you have a wider range of paid activities.

Choosing the Best Online Survey Panels

With so many online survey panels out there, do some research to determine which are the most legitimate and worthwhile to join. Check site reviews on places like TrustPilot and the Better Business Bureau to confirm valid payment practices. Make sure the reward system, minimum payouts, and cash-out options work for you before spending time on surveys that don’t pay as expected.

Some reputable panels with proven reward systems include:

• Survey Junkie – Known for having lots of surveys available with cash out starting at $5.
• Swagbucks – Rewards take the form of gift cards or cash. Minimum $25 cash out.
• InboxDollars – Cash out or redeem for gift cards at $30 minimum.
• Ipsos i-Say – Receive points per survey that are redeemed for gift cards or PayPal cash.

Focus on higher-paying surveys first whenever possible. Typically longer surveys with more detailed questioning will have increased compensation. Check for special opportunities like product tests, focus groups, and academic studies which often pay even more per hour.

Maximizing Your Survey Earnings

Here are some key strategies for earning the most possible money from online surveys:

1. Provide Accurate Profile Information – Your demographic profile directly impacts the surveys you will qualify for. So give truthful details on age, location, education level, shopping habits, household size, income range, etc.
2. Check the Dashboard Frequently – Make visiting your survey panel dashboard part of your daily online routine. Grab open survey spots as soon as they become available. The quicker you preview and attempt surveys, the more likely you’ll qualify before quotas fill.
3. Pay Close Attention to Screeners – Go through initial survey qualifying questions thoughtfully. Don’t get dismissed from a survey halfway through because you weren’t honest or attentive enough early on.
4. Prioritize Higher Paying Surveys – Judge the estimated time commitment versus compensation to maximize earnings. Start with the best-paying surveys before attempting shorter, lower-paying ones if you have limited time.
5. Meet Quality Standards – Read each question thoroughly and provide thoughtful, consistent responses that accurately reflect your opinions and demographics. This increases your chances of having survey responses approved.

Getting Started with Microtask Platforms

Signing up to complete online microtasks works much like online survey panels. The most popular microtask site is Amazon Mechanical Turk, but other options like ClickWorker, Appen, and Microworkers are also legitimate. Make sure to confirm pay rates, task variety, payment proof, and cash-out terms before spending major time working on any microtask platform.

You will likely need to take a short quiz to demonstrate your understanding of the platform’s guidelines and quality expectations. Then you can browse available tasks like data entry, transcription, content moderation, search evaluation, product review, image tagging, and more. Tasks pay a few cents to a few dollars and workers get to accept or pass on opportunities in their dashboard based on the compensation rate and work involved.

Strategies for Success on Microtask Websites

Follow these tips to maximize your productivity and earnings potential when completing online microtasks:

Complete Your Account Setup Properly

Provide accurate details when setting up your account or risk rejection and suspension. This includes confirming identity, meeting location requirements, and demonstrating an understanding of the platform’s policies.

Stick to Simple Tasks at First 

When starting, build skills and confidence by working on shorter, quicker microtasks first before attempting more complex or time-consuming ones. This allows you to get the hang of the platform.

Maintain High-Quality Standards

Complete all work fully and accurately to have your tasks approved. Rejected tasks mean no pay and can jeopardize your account standing if too frequent. Read instructions carefully and ask questions if unsure.

Check Task Earnings Before Accepting

Microtasks pay very little individually. Make sure to factor in the expected time commitment when considering taking on a task so you don’t end up working for below minimum wage.

Cash Out Frequently

Most platforms have minimum amount thresholds before you can request your earnings. But cash out every time you hit that minimum payroll requirement for faster payment. Don’t let account balances build up unnecessarily.

Microtask Platform Payment Proof

Because microtasks pay so little per individual task, workers need to complete high volumes to earn reasonable money. Yet payment proof shared on sites like YouTube and Reddit confirms that consistent daily effort on platforms like mTurk, Microworkers, and Clickworker does add up over time.

One mTurk worker reported averaging $960 a month working 2 hours a day doing surveys and tasks. Another user earned $200 in their first month by putting in 10 hours a week on mTurk while still new. These examples help validate that legitimate earnings are possible with online microtasks as long as you take the right approach.

Conclusion

Online survey and microtasks present flexible earning opportunities in today’s gig economy. By sticking with legitimate platforms, providing quality work, prioritizing your time effectively, meeting cash-out minimums quickly, and following the strategies outlined, you can consistently supplement your income. Just go in with realistic expectations around potential earnings and the time commitment involved.

Common Questions about Online Survey and Microtasks (FAQ)

How much can I earn with online survey and microtasks?

Income potential varies widely based on time invested, survey/task availability in your region, demographic factors, effort level, and more. Most survey panels advertise average monthly earnings between $100-$200 for casual participants putting in 5-10 hours per week. On microtask sites, workers can make around $5-10 per hour. Top performers make even more.

Are online survey panels legitimate?

Yes, many online survey panels like Survey Junkie and Swagbucks are completely legitimate and provide ways for members to earn real money. Always vet sites thoroughly before sharing personal information though. Check site reviews, payment proof, and terms to avoid scams.

Are microtask websites legitimate?

Popular microtask platforms like Amazon Mechanical Turk, Clickworker, and Appen are legitimate. But because tasks pay mere pennies, you need to complete high volumes to earn reasonable money. Payment potential makes microtasks best for supplemental income versus full-time work.

Can I get paid via PayPal for surveys and microtasks?

Many top survey panels and microtask sites offer PayPal as a cash-out option so you can conveniently receive earnings. Just take note of relevant cash-out minimums and processing fees. Otherwise, you typically redeem points/funds for popular gift cards.

How often do new surveys and microtasks become available?

Survey availability fluctuates daily based on open demographic needs identified by market researchers. Similarly, companies post new microtasks as ongoing business demands require. So make checking your dashboard a consistent daily routine to catch new opportunities right away.