Paid online surveys have been one of the most popular side hustles for a few years now, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many folks working from home. However, different people can benefit from paid online surveys in different ways, and you may not expect some of the demographics that benefit from paid surveys the most.
In this article, we’re going to be talking about who can actually get paid to take surveys and the kinds of benefits they offer. So, if you have ever been curious about whether you should try paid online surveys, keep reading!
Short Answer: Anyone!
The short answer to this article’s central question is that anyone can participate in paid online surveys. As long as you meet the minimum age on your preferred website to sign up for an account (varies depending on the site), you can take surveys and get paid online! Later in the article, we’ll discuss the benefits of paid surveys for teens, retirees, single parents, and more. Whatever your current situation is, there’s a way that paid surveys can help.
What Are Paid Online Surveys?
Paid online surveys are exactly what they sound like; you take surveys online offered by researchers, companies, or institutions, and then you get paid for submitting your answers. Of course, the amount you get paid, the subject of the survey, and the length/requirements of the study vary for every survey you take. However, the basic elements remain the same across sites. If you qualify for the study based on your experiences or demographic information, you will get paid through the website for your answers—as long as you answer all of the questions accurately and truthfully,
How Do Paid Online Surveys Work?
Paid online surveys are actually quite simple. Brands, companies, and institutions use market research for many different scenarios.
For example, many professors at colleges and universities need research to gain tenure. For brands and companies, research needs to be done on the market to help with the development of future products as well as see the successes/failures of their current ones.
These organizations need real, honest opinions, but most people won’t participate in surveys simply because they don’t have the time. However, if a monetary incentive is involved, people are much more willing to take a few minutes out of their day to share their opinion. Institutions, brands, and companies pay survey websites to host their research, and then the website directly pays you, the participant.
Do You Get Paid A Lot From Paid Online Surveys?
Taking surveys for cash is undoubtedly one of the easiest and most accessible side hustles in recent years. It won’t replace a full-time job, but you can definitely earn enough for some of the little extras you need.
Typically, paid online surveys hosted on popular and reputable sites like Branded Surveys offer users between $.50 and $2 for every survey taken. However, some surveys can pay significantly more if the study is longer and more intensive. How much you will make taking paid online surveys depends on your personal demographics and experiences, how much time you have to take them, and how efficiently you can finish them.
Who Benefits From Paid Online Surveys?
Now that you are familiar with what paid online surveys are and how they work, we can talk specifically about who benefits from paid online surveys and who qualifies to participate.
Virtually anyone can take paid online surveys and make money from them. However, there are specific groups who might be able to benefit from paid surveys more than others due to the flexibility and accessibility they offer. Some of these groups include retirees, teens, single parents, and college students.
Paid Online Surveys for Retirees
Retirees are in a unique spot where, while they may still be physically capable and want to work, they have retired and are no longer part of their previous careers. At times, living off of your saved retirement funds can be limiting in terms of what you can afford to do. For retirees, paid online survey work can supplement their retirement payouts and help them afford to do more enriching things with their time, such as travel, visit museums, or even have a special latte at a cafe once a week. Additionally, since paid surveys are done online, they aren’t physically taxing on aging bodies.
Paid Online Surveys for Teens
Teenagers may want to work but are sometimes not of legal working age in the city or state they live in. Also, they may not be able to drive or have someone who can bring them to a job. Additionally, many jobs are simply unavailable to teens. However, paid online surveys can be done by teens of most ages (though this does depend on the site). At some sites, teens can start as early as 13 making cash with surveys, while other sites require that you be 16 years old to participate.
Paid Online Surveys for Single Parents
Single parents are likely adjusting to a new phase of life, whether they are just leaving a partnership or their child has just been born. When you are moving into a new phase of life, things can feel overwhelming, and you might not have time for an additional job. The additional issue of paying for childcare also comes into play. We all know kids are costly, and you may want to have some extra funds for things like toys, clothes, or formula. Paid online surveys can help single parents supplement their singular income with additional funds to pay for these things. Additionally, because paid survey work is flexible, you can do it after the baby goes to sleep or the children are at school.
Paid Online Surveys for College Students
College students typically have hectic and demanding schedules between classes, assistantships, homework, work studies, and extracurriculars. Taking on a part-time job is often out of the question for full-time college students, but paid online surveys are great for those students who have some extra time between classes or before they Users can complete surveys 24/7, 365 days a year. So a two am survey sesh can buy you lunch the following day.
Are Paid Online Surveys Safe?
Paid online surveys are typically safe unless you are fooled into using a fraudulent website. Institutions and brands want to protect your personal data, as not doing so would incriminate them and make their research invalid and not applicable to their business. Many survey sites, such as Branded Surveys, use multiple layers of site encryption to protect your data from being infiltrated and sold by hackers. As long as you use a site you trust, you can get paid to take surveys and know your information will be safe.
Should I Take Paid Online Surveys?
If you are a part of one of the groups mentioned above (or even if you aren’t), paid online surveys likely have some financial benefit if you have the time to participate. So whether you want to buy some extra treats, go to the movies once a month, or save up for a huge trip, paid online surveys can help you reach your financial goals.
