How to choose the best survey websites

Like most online money-making opportunities, the paid survey website world is not free of scams. We did all the research for these 23 best-paying survey websites.

Here are the things you should investigate before joining a paid survey website.

1. Customer reviews:

Today, customer reviews from trusted online review sites like TrustPilot, Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Survey Police play a key role in helping you differentiate between legit and online survey companies. While here, pay close attention to the number and significance of the different customer complaints and if the company reached out to resolve them.

2. Social Media Accounts

Almost all paid survey websites have at least one social media profile on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Pinterest. Check those profiles for comments and updates. If there have been several months without any update from the company or unattended negative comments from the users, you should skip it from your list.

3. Data privacy protection:

One thing stands out when registering with the different online survey companies: they are all interested in as much personal information about you as possible. You must ensure they don’t go about selling this information to third parties. Go through their terms and conditions, paying close attention to their privacy policies. Avoid companies explicitly stating their intention to share information with unrelated third parties or are just silent.

4. The number of years in business:

All scams have one thing in common; they never last. You are better off registering a survey account with some of the oldest and most reputable sites.

5. Minimum withdrawal limit:

Most online survey scams profit from stolen personal data or a failure to honor payments. Avoid paid online survey companies with extreme minimum withdrawal limits or payment terms in this case. Using different and varied passwords when using this site would be best.

Sure Signs of a Scam Paid Survey Website

Although the sites on our list are trustworthy, you can’t trust every site that claims to pay you to take surveys.

Avoid survey sites if they: 

• Ask for payment. A legitimate survey site will never ask you to pay to join.
• Ask for private information upfront. It would be best not to be asked to provide your Social Security number unless you’ve earned at least $600.
• Have no history or ratings. Well-established companies are more trustworthy. You can read what real users say about them and verify their history of payments and available opportunities.
• Pay too little. Legitimate companies will have some higher-paying opportunities worth completing.
• Have a glitchy or outdated site. Companies that don’t care for their websites may not care for their members.
• Make it hard to qualify for surveys. Don’t waste time on a company if it consistently disqualifies you for surveys.

Paying Survey Websites DOS and DON'Ts

In summary, if you’re serious about making money taking surveys, here are some dos and don’ts:

Paying Survey Websites DOs

• Have a dedicated email address specifically for surveys to avoid flooding your email address.
• Spend your gift vouchers immediately so they don’t become invalid.
• Check your emails regularly so you can get paid for surveys in your inbox.
• Refer your friends. Most survey sites will reward you when you bring a new person to join.
• Set aside time every day for survey taking.
• Sign up for multiple reputable sites to increase the number of requests you qualify.

Paying Survey Websites DON'Ts

• Don't let cash pile up in your survey accounts; withdraw immediately when you reach the minimum threshold.
• Don't expect to get instantly rich from taking surveys.
• Don't pay any registration fee. All legit paid survey sites are free to sign up.

Best Practice for Making Money With Surveys Websites

Even if a survey site is trustworthy, there are still precautions you should take.

Here are the top 5 things you should do when taking online surveys:

1. Use a separate email address - You should create a separate email address for accounts on survey websites. You will get dozens of emails if you sign up for 5-10 survey companies. Most of them send multiple emails every day. If you stop doing surveys, you can check that email account instead of unsubscribing from many sites. Keep your work and personal inboxes clear of clutter.
2. Use anti-malware software - Anti-malware software can keep your laptop virus-free. Protecting your computer from malicious spyware and viruses is vital if you visit multiple survey sites daily.
3. Be mindful of what you share - Good survey companies will keep your identity a secret. But that doesn’t make it safe to provide them with sensitive information like your Social Security number, driver’s license number, or bank account numbers. Legitimate survey companies do not need this information.
4. Take frequent breaks - Completing surveys can be tedious. Take regular intervals from your screen so that you will not rush through surveys and provide wrong or inconsistent answers as you will not get paid, or you may even close your account.
5. Fees and false promises - Any survey site that promises you’ll earn thousands per month is either a scam or at least misleading. Please ensure the sites you join make realistic statements about your potential earnings and the time it takes to complete surveys.