Second only to having your cake and eating it, too are paid online focus groups.
Imagine getting paid for your opinion! Now, before you roll your eyes and keep scrolling, it’s important to know that the demand for paid online focus groups is on the rise. More now than ever, companies want to know your thoughts and they have the money to put where your mouth is (or something like that).
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What is an online focus group?
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According to B2B International, an online focus group is basically a way for researchers to collect data and insight from respondents using an online platform and host a discussion with respondents to learn more about them.
Unlike surveys that are one-on-one, online focus groups are useful when researchers want to delve deeper into issues they are interested in. The entire purpose of a focus group-online or offline-is to bring a group of participants together and let them discuss topics. This allows members of the group to influence and interact with each other, which brings some very interesting data and insight to researchers.
Although focus groups are traditionally done face-to-face, online focus groups bring plenty of advantages. Those include reaching a wider demographic, the fact that online focus groups are flexible, as well as allowing participants to upload photographs and useful media using their smartphones.
Are paid focus groups legitimate?
The short answer to this is yes. Online focus groups are typically used by businesses to conduct consumer research, business-to-business research, and even political research. As a participant of online focus groups, you are essentially doing paid market research in order to help businesses improve their products and services.
In a nutshell, companies want to know how they’re doing, how they can improve products, which will in turn help increase their bottom line. Corporations agree that the best way to answer those questions is by asking the people that use their products on a regular basis.
Of course curiosity is not limited to consumer products. Politicians, local governments, modes of transportation, and hospitals rely on surveys to gauge their success. Sharing your voice on those matters is extremely vital to your community. However, our focus today is zeroing in on paid online focus groups and navigating how to sign up, how to make money, and what cash out will look like at the end.
In short, there are plenty of legitimate paid online focus groups you can participate in to make money. While the pay varies from $50 per hour to $500 per focus group, you can definitely make a good side income from online focus groups or market research surveys.
How Much do focus group participants get paid?
As mentioned before, every focus group survey is different in length and pays you a different rate.
Some online focus groups take about two minutes to complete while others may require an hour or more of your time. This is because every company has different needs and are in various stages of research.
While your take-home pay from participating in focus groups will vary widely, here are 17 of the best paid online focus groups for you to participate in to make money from home.
“If you’re consistently taking surveys and only spending time on those that help you meet your financial goal then you will succeed.”
17+ Best Online Focus Groups to make money from
We’re going to take a quick tour of the 17 best online focus groups. I’m confident that you’ll find the perfect fit along the way. Who knew you could be earning money for the thoughts you’ve been wishing to share anyway? Side hustles never looked so good!
1.Survey Junkie
Kicking off our list, SurveyJunkie is one of the most recognized names in online focus groups. Although SurveyJunkie mostly conducts surveys, they also do offer focus groups online as well as in-person or focus groups by phone. These opportunities typically appear about once a month on the website.
To maximise your chances of participating in the focus groups, it is a good idea to choose to be notified about these opportunities via email. That way, you will be ahead of the pack as you will know about them first thing as soon as focus groups are available.
Consumers are provided with surveys and online focus groups that are the most relevant to their household demographics. However, the name of the game here is being consistent.
You won’t make the big bucks overnight with SurveyJunkie, but participation pays off in PayPal cashouts or gift cards.
The pay out of SurveyJunkie for up to $140 per session for focus groups done in-person or online.
Start earning with SurveyJunkie by signing up for an account right here.
2.User Interviews
Users wanting to participate in this paid online focus group can fill out this form. User Interviews have several ways to get on board with responding to surveys. Those that are on Facebook or have a Linkedin account will be given more opportunities to join focus groups since your profile information can help match you to surveys.
Pay can range from $75 for 30 minute studies to $450 for specific surveys.
Earn with User Interviews right here.
3.Engage
The surveys through Engage in Depth are primarily in consumer and healthcare studies. The application is simple, but be sure to include as much information as possible so that you can be best matched to the surveys.
Pay from participating in Engage surveys typically pays between $50-$200.
Sign up with Engage to start participating with their online focus groups.
4.Experience Dynamics
Tech savvy people can rejoice with this paid online focus group! Experience Dynamics uses people just like you to gauge the useability experience of apps, software, etc.
Pay can be expected to range from $50-$150 per study.
Join Experience Dynamics here.
5.SIS Institutional Research
If you are a person that craves variety then SIS is a great option. Surveys cover a variety of topics. Everything from consumer research to social media insight are subjects that you may be giving feedback on. These surveys require a time commitment and cannot be completed on a whim.
Pay is generous given the time requirements of the in depth studies, typically $150/hour.
Sign up with SIS Institutional Research to join focus groups.
Related: 15 Legit Ways To Make $200 In A Day
6. Respondent.io
This may be one of the best paid online focus groups you can find. There are more steps involved which provides a safety net of accountability. Researchers are matched to your demographic and the surveys that you wish to participate in. See this handy flowchart to get a better understanding of the process.
Respondent pays an average of $50 to $250. A 5% fulfilment fee or $1 (whichever is highest) is withheld from the listed survey price. Payments are made via PayPal.
Join Respondent.IO to become an online focus group participant.
7. Recruit and Field
Established in 1977, Recruit and Field is a reputable research firm that values consumer feedback. Respondents are given flexible opportunities to participate–in person, on the phone, and of course, online.
Pay starts at $100 and caps at $275 per study.
Earn With Recruit And Field by registering as a participant here.
8.Ipsos i-Say
This next online focus group is a little different than the others. Participants are encouraged to answer polls pertaining to personal interests, entertainment, and global products. Every day presents new polls that range in topics.
Pay is $50 – $100 per hour. Participants can currently donate their earnings to COVID-19 research which is pretty amazing!
9. Survey Feeds
Think of this online focus group as the Craigslist of surveys. Scroll through a list of open surveys and apply to participate. Just head over and fill out this form to register. Some opportunities are available in person and offer larger incentive.
Pay averages at $300 per study. If studies are being held in a city near you then pay can be upwards of $2,000 for those.
Join Survey Feeds here to get started.
10. FocusGroup.com
If you have experience in the healthcare industry then there will be a lot of surveys available to you through Focus Group. The best paid online focus groups provide multiple ways to get involved and Focus Group ticks all of the boxes. You can sign up here.
Focus Group pays $75- $150 per survey.
11. American Consumer Opinion
ACOP takes pride in offering a free membership to all respondents. Highly rated, ACOP also offers a user friendly platform for completing surveys headache-free.
Pay averages at $50 per survey.
Sign Up With American Consumer Opinion
12. Probe Market Research
If you have vested interest in products across many categories then you’ll enjoy partnering up with PMR. The pay is well worth the time investment. You will be asked to complete surveys on beauty products, product design, commercials, etc.
Pay differs quite a bit from $50 to $400 depending on the depth of the study.
Join Probe Market Research and sign up here.
13.MindSwarms
If you’re not camera shy then keep reading. MindSwarms takes product reviews and surveys to the next level by having participants record their candid opinions of products.
Pay is $50 per video survey.
14.Plaza Research
Traditionally on an in-person basis, Plaza Research gathers respondents to review products or take surveys. Due to COVID-19, it is worth reaching out to Plaza to see if online or on-phone survey opportunities are available. To see if PR is in a city near you, view the full list here.
Pay can be expected to range from $50-$200 for in-person participation. Inquire about alternative options in light of social distancing.
Sign Up With Plaza Research as a focus group participant.
15. WatchLAB
Sign up for this paid online focus group by following this link. Priding themselves in valuing the time of respondents, WatchLAB goes above and beyond to match participants to surveys that align with their interests.
Pay is between $50-$200. Surveys are only open to US-based respondents.
You can sign up with Watchlab here.
16. Google User Experience Research
Most of us are online or using Google products the majority of the day working, researching products, or even managing our homes. Google asks that participants sign up to help perfect their products and services. You will be able to provide candid responses to the improvements you think would benefit Google users just like yourself.
Pay is about $75 an hour and can only be cashed out by choosing a gift card or supporting a charitable cause.
Become a participant with Google User Experience Research right here.
17. 20I20
Coming in as one of the best paid online focus groups, 20I20 makes the registration process simple. They’ll match you with the best surveys so you’re sure to qualify and get paid. Speaking of pay…
Pay averages at $5 per survey, but if you have the time to invest in several a day then you can make it lucrative.
Sign up to become a focus group participant here with 20I20.
Wrapping Up
How can you make $500 with these paid online focus groups?
- Set a goal. How much do you want to make per week or month?
- Be consistent– set goals to complete x amount of surveys a week to reach your goal.
- Turn on notifications and make sure emails aren’t going to your junk folder so you never miss an opportunity.
- Be honest. There aren’t any hard set rules or expected answers for surveys. Go with your first answer and stick to it. This will help you move through surveys at a good pace.
- Pair up with your significant other to optimize “free time” in your house. Tag team completing surveys if you fall within similar demographics.
Participating in online focus groups can be a fun side hustle for you! On top of making money from doing so, you can also serve the greater good by leading to the improvement of products and services you love.
Have you participated in a paid online focus group? If so, which one is your favorite and why? I would love to hear all about your experiences!