Most survey websites only pay a few dollars for an hour’s work. However, there’s a hidden side to the survey world that pays much better (up to $60/hour!): paid market research studies. I tried it myself for two weeks, and the results were shockingly good.
What are Market Research Studies?
Market research studies are more formal than traditional advertising research surveys. They’re often performed by universities, governments, or large companies. They’d rather pay a small group of people and really get to know them, than put out a mass survey and only look at an overview of people’s answers.
You won’t find these on your typical survey websites. You’ll have to go to a site specifically made for market research, like User Interviews or Respondent.
Is this too good to be true? I tried them myself to see if the hype is worth it.
My Experience Completing Market Research Studies
I focused on two apps: User Interviews and Respondent. I was accepted into 4 User Interviews over the course of two weeks. Here’s how they went:
Note: while the images show approximate time, I actually timed myself during each study.
Interview 1: 14 minutes, $18
- This was an AI interview where I had to record myself answering questions. It was a little bit awkward, but not too hard.
Interview 2: 14 minutes, $21
- This was an AI interview where I had to screen record myself using different apps while giving commentary.
Interview 3: 10 minutes, $5
- This was a simple quiz, actually about side hustles!
Interview 4: 30 minutes, $30
- This was a Zoom interview. It was about traffic in my local area, so I had to answer some personal questions about my household’s driving habits. I was a little nervous, but it wasn’t too bad.
- The interview itself paid $30, but the researcher offered another $30 if both my husband and I track our driving for one day, which we did.
As you can see, these paid up to $60/hour!
The only downside to these studies is that they’re not unlimited. The researchers are looking for specific people, so only some people will be accepted into each study. But when you do get in? You’re paid pretty well for your time.
Is Respondent Legit?
While Respondent had more studies available, I didn’t get into any of them. You can only apply to 5 studies per day. Not only that, they take 1% of your earnings (not a fan of that policy). While I wish I was able to review a Respondent research study, that wasn’t in the cards for me.
Is User Interviews Legit?
User Interviews had fewer studies available, but after two weeks of trying, I got into four of them – and yes, they were legitimate! The payouts were quick, usually within the day, in the form of an online gift card with options like Visa, Starbucks, and Amazon.
If you’d like to sign up for User Interviews, using my link will give you a $10 bonus when you complete your first study.
How Do You Qualify for Market Research Studies?
You’ll have to fill out a short form with some demographic information and relevant questions to the study. You must be comfortable giving out personal info like your gender, age, and income level. A researcher will review your application to determine if you qualify.
Can Market Research Studies Replace Your Job?
No – but they could buy your groceries for the week.
This is one of the best entry-level side hustles I’ve tried. Even though it’s inconsistent, the pay per hour is much higher than side hustles like basic surveys or delivery driving.
Have you tried market research studies or online focus groups? What was your experience like?