Just a few years ago, one of the top ways I earned extra money was by taking part in free online survey sites.
I didn’t make millions from taking online surveys, but I did earn a good side income by doing some relatively easy work.
Back then, I signed up for as many survey sites as I could (you can read more about why you should too below) and due to that I was able to complete at least a few surveys each week.
Like I said, it wasn’t enough to make me rich, but there were many times where I would receive an easy $100 check in the mail from completing surveys in a one-month period. The work is easy and it can all be done from home on your own schedule and timeline, so it’s a win-win!
Below are some of my tips for making online surveys a side hustle of yours. Plus, I have listed six of the best online survey sites for you to join.
Related content: 12 Easy Ways To Earn Free Amazon Gift Cards
Best online survey sites.
Sign up for as many free online survey sites as you can.
I recommend signing up for all of the free online survey companies below if this is a side hustle you are interested in.
This is because each survey company may only send a few surveys your way each month, so the more you sign up for then the more money you may be able to make. You can sign up for all six easily and quickly, so why not?
All six of the free online survey companies below are legitimate and can be a great way to earn money. These include:
- American Consumer Opinion
- InboxDollars
- Swagbucks
- Pinecone Research
- Survey Junkie
- OneOpinion
- Opinion Outpost
- Prize Rebel
Always be honest when signing up for the below best online survey sites.
When filling out the survey forms, you will be asked many personal questions.
You should always be honest when answering these because the survey companies want people who actually fit what they are looking for.
Plus, you don’t know what they’re looking for anyways so by lying you may actually be hurting yourself.
Make sure an online survey site is legitimate.
The free online survey sites below are all legitimate and some of the best online survey sites
out there, but there are many not-so-legitimate ones out there. I am often sent emails from readers asking whether so-and-so is real and what I would do.
Below are some warning signs that a survey site may not be legitimate:
- Are they promising you the world? It would be very hard to earn a full-time income just from answering surveys from one website. They are meant more as a way to earn side income so any get rich quick schemes are usually fake.
- Do they require an upfront fee? I have taken many paid surveys over the past several years and I have never had to pay a penny to take any of them. If they ask you to pay them, they are most likely a scam.
- Do you remember signing up? Some scam websites are just there to take your information. If you don’t remember signing up for the company, definitely ignore their emails and don’t click on anything!
Related articles:
- 75+ Ways To Make Extra Money
- 10 Ways To Make Money Online From The Comfort of Your Home
- 10 Things I’ve Done To Make Extra Money
- Ways To Make An Extra $1,000 A Month
- American Consumer Opinion Review
- Survey Junkie Review
- 21 Best Surveys With Instant Cash Payout
Below are five of the best online survey sites where you can take free online surveys so that you can start earning money! Like I said, everything below is free to join, so it doesn’t hurt to sign up.
1. American Consumer Opinion
American Consumer Opinion is one free online survey company I highly recommend. They pay you for each survey you complete.
You can sign up for American Consumer Opinion here.
2. Inbox Dollars
InboxDollars is an online rewards website I recommend. You can earn cash by taking surveys, playing games, shopping online, searching the web, redeeming grocery coupons, and more. Also, by signing up through my link, you will receive $5.00 for free just for signing up!
You can sign up for InboxDollars here.
3. Swagbucks – one of the best paid survey sites
Swagbucks is something I don’t use as much as I used to, but I do occasionally earn Amazon gift cards every month with very little work. They have surveys you can take and there are countless other ways to earn points.
You can sign up for Swagbucks here and you’ll receive a free $5 bonus just for signing up through my link.
Another one you may be interested in related to this one is Nielsen Digital Voice. Digital Voice is a part of Nielsen, which I’m sure you’ve heard of. All you have to do is surf the web and you may be able to start earning money.
4. Pinecone Research
Pinecone Research is a company I use to complete surveys and I believe they are one of the best online survey sites. I have personally used them several times, so I can honestly say that they are a legitimate company to use. They pay you for each survey you complete and they also occasionally send free products to review!
You can sign up for Pinecone Research here to learn how to make money for online surveys.
Well, there you go! Above are the best online survey sites for free online surveys so that you can start earning money
Related: The 9 Best Paid Survey Sites in Canada – Make Easy Money This Month
Are you a member of any free online survey sites? Why or why not? What do you think are the best online survey sites?
Leave a Reply
I just want to let you know that I really am enjoying your blog. I am able to relate to a lot of your posts.
I am currently taking my capstone course, Applied Management Project, to get my Master’s in Information Systems Management. I am writing an article about a chapter called “Fieldwork”. One of the sections in the chapter is talking about the types of surveys that are used in fieldwork. I decided to focus on internet surveys because I am interested in learning more about them to be able to earn more to achieve my financial goals faster. I remembered that you have talked about online surveys. I hope you do not mind that I referenced your post in my article. I can even send you the article if you like.
Thank you for your inspiration
No problem at all. Glad you enjoy my blog – you just made my day 🙂
I am curious about whether or not you feel that it is safe to put your children’s birthdays and such when it asks you for other people living in your home.I would really like to participate but that part makes me a bit nervous. What are your thoughts?
The sites I’ve listed in this blog post are all safe and have measures to keep your information safe. The reasoning for those questions is so that they can pair you up with the correct items and surveys. If you would rather not answer those questions, I’m sure you could just say that you don’t have children.
I am with most of them except pro opinion and pinecone. I am getting ready to quit Harris poll online though because I cashed out with them on Feb.8th and still have not received my amazon payout I contacted them and they said someone would get with me and they still have not gotten with me.
Can you send me an email with the username or email address you used for Harris Poll? I can contact someone I know over there after I have that information.
Do any of these sites work in Canada? Also, how do you get paid?
Thanks
I believe some of them do work in Canada. I would reach out to them and ask to make sure. Payment can come in the form of points, gift cards, checks, PayPal, etc.
Thanks so much for the quick reply!
I just signed up for the Harris Poll Online and Pro Opinion! Pinecone Research is not currently accepting people (or at least people with similar background to me) and I was already a member of the rest. Thanks for the referral links and I signed up through all of your links 🙂
Amanda
Hi there, I’m very keen on online surveys and the potential to earn extra income. I’m from South Africa though, could you possibly advise whether any of the survey sites you have mentioned would allow folks outside of the U.S to participate? Any advice would be appreciated! Take care, kind regards, Michelle
I am so tired of survey sites! How do you make money on them? Every time I try to do a survey I never get through. They make you answer all these questions before only to say “you don’t qualified for this survey”. i am honest about my answers and I never qualify. I have even lied once and I still didn’t qualify!
Survey income is all under affiliate income in my latest income reports. I don’t take surveys anymore, it’s all just referrals. I used to take surveys, though, and my favorite was Pinecone Research.
This blog is really helpful. I was actually trying out some online surveys and currently looking for information about this survey website called iglobalsurveys.com. I’m thinking if you have an idea about this site. Have you heard about it? Is this legit? I really wanna try it but just want to have some idea about it before joining their site. Thank you in advance for your information.
I have been really enjoying your blog and looking to many of the items you have suggested! Just read your June 2016 income report and would love to know a bit more about how much time you invest on a weekly basis to earn what you do (specifically from surveys). Thanks!!
Hello!
Thank you for being a reader. I don’t spend any time taking surveys. That’s all affiliate income from me referring people to survey companies. I did used to take surveys, though, but I no longer have the time for it.
I am in the process of getting all the pieces in place for a new blog myself so your blog has been extremely helpful and I can’t wait to purchase your affiliate marketing course to go with it soon so I can start everything off on the right foot. Thanks again!
Welcome 🙂
How in the world were you able to make $11,000 last month through survey sites?! Can you blog on this? I’d love to learn more!
Hey Jenny! That amount is all under “Affiliate income” which means that it’s all from me referring others to them.
On that same point Jenny brought up, Michelle, how do you sign up to even be a referrer? Do you have to contact them each individually/sign up that way?
They have affiliate programs. I highly recommend signing up for my affiliate strategy course as this is something that I teach in it – http://www.makingsenseofaffiliatemarketing.com
Thanks for the list. I have only tried Inbox Dollars and Amazon Mechanical Turk before. I’ll definitely be giving some of these a try!
Thanks for the advice! I’m always looking for legitimate survey sites so this is perfect:)
Awesome 🙂
Great! Great! Great!
Thank you!
Just curious if most of your survey income is from referrals or actually doing the surveys. Thanks for the info and providing ways to earn from home.
Hey Heidi,
All of my survey income these months is from affiliate income, as I specifically say in each of my income reports. It can be easy to look that part of the income report over, but it’s there, I promise 🙂
I used to make money from survey sites but I don’t have time to do so anymore.
OK, thanks for your reply. I think I’ll stick with keeping up with blog posts and pinterest.