Is Survey Junkie Legit? Here’s What to Expect

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Key takeaways

Survey Junkie is a legitimate platform that allows users to earn money by completing surveys. It is well-regarded for its reliability and for making payments promptly.
It’s important to set realistic expectations for how much you’ll earn. Your earnings depend on the number of surveys you qualify for and complete.
The platform is user-friendly and lets you share your opinion and influence products for extra cash.

Do you enjoy sharing your point of view? Want to influence major companies and their products? Have free time to burn and like taking surveys? Then Survey Junkie is for you.

Get new surveys daily tailored to your interests and complete them whenever you want. Survey Junkie will then pay you for your efforts with a little extra cash. It won’t replace your full-time job or make you rich, but it’s a fun way to make a little money on the side.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about Survey Junkie and how to maximize your earnings.

What is Survey Junkie?

Survey Junkie is a popular online market research community that anyone can join. The site offers surveys and other activities in exchange for cash rewards or gift cards.

It is owned by the consumer insights platform DISQO and its purpose is to provide data and analytics to the market research industry. It’s a favorite site both for people looking to make some extra cash and businesses seeking feedback.

Is Survey Junkie legit?

As with any online platform that promises to pay cash, there’s always the concern that it’s a scam. Rest assured, Survey Junkie is legitimate. The site has been around since 2013, has more than 20 million members, and has paid out over $25 million.

How it works is simple. Companies hire DISQO, Survey Junkie’s parent company, to gather consumer insights so they can improve their products and services, create new ones, and make sure their message resonates with consumers. In other words, brands want to know how to appeal to potential customers like you and so are willing to pay for your opinions. In return for your help, Survey Junkie passes along some of its earnings.

Always Friendly and Helpful

“I have tried several different survey sites but Survey Junkie is the best by far. They offer excellent paid surveys, you can redeem points at 500 ($5.00). I have always received my money within 5 minutes of redeeming. Their customer service is fantastic. They are always friendly, and have always responded to my emails very quickly. They make it very easy to redeem your points.”

Curtis Mullen, Trustpilot Review

How to get started on Survey Junkie

First things first, you have to set up an account. It only takes about two minutes to do.

You’ll need to fill out some basic personal information: ZIP code, country of residence (you can only use Survey Junkie if you live in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, or Australia), date of birth (users must be over 18), gender, and your full name.

Next, fill out your profile. Market research companies are looking for specific types of people to complete surveys so a full profile increases your chances of getting more relevant surveys with higher rewards. Plus you’ll earn points for each answer you give. One point equals one cent.

Survey Junkie will ask things like pet ownership, how much shopping you do, relationship status, how many children you have, average household income, education level, and other personal details. The more data you share, the more surveys the platform will give you.

Be honest. Conflicting answers will lead to repeated survey disqualifications and possible account suspension.

Ways to earn points with Survey Junkie

1. Take online surveys

The most common way to earn points on Survey Junkie is by completing online surveys. You’ll find surveys on a wide variety of topics including food and beverage, technology, entertainment, personal care, apparel, retail, financial services, cars, travel, real estate, healthcare, and more.

Surveys can take anywhere from 3-30 minutes and most are worth 20-400 points (or 20 cents to $4). Before you start a survey, Survey Junkie will show you how many points you’ll earn and how long it takes so you can decide if it’s worth your time.

You’ll only see a handful of surveys at a time and Survey Junkie will email you when a new one becomes available. Be sure to take surveys as soon as they come since most fill up within 24 to 48 hours. Higher value surveys will of course go more quickly.

Like with all survey sites, you may be disqualified now and then but Survey Junkie will still pay you a few points for your time.

An Amazing Way to Earn Extra $

“Survey Junkies is awesome! It provides a quick cool way of earning extra money without any hassle. Most surveys are fun, short, & informative! Awesomeness!”

Kevin Lindsay, Trustpilot Review

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2. Answer phone surveys

If you prefer speaking over typing you’re in luck. Survey Junkie does offer phone surveys conducted by a market researcher. These typically require more time but often pay better with earnings ranging from $5-$100.

The catch is you’ll only get a phone survey once a month at most.

3. Install SJ Pulse

An easy way to earn points is by installing the SJ Pulse browser extension on your computer or opting into the program through Survey Junkie’s mobile app.

SJ Pulse lets you share your online activity with brands in exchange for bonus points and unlocks additional higher-paying surveys. The browser extension tracks your digital browsing history including:

What you search
Websites you visit
Products you shop for
Ads you see
Apps you use
Content you engage with

You need to have SJ Pulse on for at least 30 days to be compensated. This passive way of earning points is ideal for anyone who wants to earn additional rewards with minimum participation.

Survey Junkie guarantees that your data will be shared anonymously. Insights are shared with the brands, not your personal browsing history. SJ Pulse does not collect any sensitive personal information like usernames, passwords, email addresses, Social Security Numbers, credit card details, etc. Lastly, if you choose to browse in incognito mode, the extension will be disabled.

4. Test products

Occasionally, you get the opportunity to test products. This not only allows you to try out new products for free (and keep them) but also to earn $5-$50 by completing a survey detailing your experiences.

5. Join focus groups

For more in-depth discussions and higher rewards, joining focus groups is an excellent option.

There are both in-person and online focus groups, but you have to be invited to participate. These groups involve detailed discussions about products or services and typically meet once per month. The average compensation is $25-$150 per group participation.

How much can you Earn?

How much you’ll earn on Survey Junkie varies widely. It depends on the number of surveys you qualify for, your demographic information, the current companies offering surveys, the products and services they’re testing, and of course how many activities you participate in.

“Complete three surveys daily and earn as much as $40 monthly. Share more, earn more and make it worth your while.”

Survey Junkie website

Typically, you can expect to earn from $0.50 to $3 per online survey. More involved tasks like phone surveys, product testing, or participating in focus groups offer higher rewards, sometimes up to $150 for a single activity. The problem is, these higher-paying opportunities are less frequent.

If you go on the site a lot, you’re likely to earn between $10 to $50 per month. Survey Junkie itself states that it won’t make you rich, but why not earn enough to treat yourself to a coffee or buy a beer for a friend?

How to cash out

You can redeem your points for a cash reward or gift card when you have 500 points (equal to $5). Compared to other survey sites, this threshold is relatively low.

Choose from PayPal cash, direct bank transfers, or gift cards. Survey Junkie offers gift cards for Amazon, Visa, iTunes, Sephora, Starbucks, Target, Walmart, etc.

Before you receive your cash or gift cards you’ll have to verify your identity. Unfortunately, there are scammers out there who will try to take your reward. Verification methods vary, but they include text, email, phone call, or photo ID verification. It usually takes less than 10 minutes to do.

Happy, happy Survey Junkie user

“I really enjoy using Survey Junkie, they work hard to match me with surveys thet I find interesting to take, and the rewards are awesome! I am able to get funds deposited into my bank account very quickly, and the gift card options are nice at the holidays! I plan to continue to participate often, keep up the great work!!”

Eliane, Trustpilot Review

Who is Survey Junkie best for?

Survey Junkie is best for anyone who looking to make a bit of extra money or earn gift cards in their spare time. If you’re already online or have time to kill on the subway, waiting in line, or watching Netflix at the end of the day it’s the perfect way to make a few extra bucks.

If you enjoy sharing your opinions and influencing future products and services, then Survey Junkie is the perfect platform for you.

Survey Junkie pros and cons

Pros of Survey Junkie:

Easy to use: Survey Junkie has a user-friendly interface that makes it simple to navigate and complete surveys.
Flexible: You can take surveys at your convenience, fitting them into your schedule whenever you have free time.
Earn rewards: Accumulate points that can be redeemed for cash via PayPal or gift cards from popular retailers.
Variety of surveys: There is a wide range of survey topics, allowing you to provide opinions on products and services that interest you.
Influence brands: Your feedback can help shape the development and improvement of products and services.
Free to join: There are no fees to sign up and participate in surveys.
Transparency: Survey Junkie is upfront about how much each survey is worth in points and how long it will take to complete.

Cons of Survey Junkie:

Limited earnings: While you can earn some extra cash, Survey Junkie will not provide a substantial income.
Qualification criteria: You may not qualify for all surveys, which can be frustrating if you spend time answering initial questions only to be disqualified.
Time-consuming: Some surveys can take longer than anticipated, and the payout may not always feel worth the time invested.
Payment threshold: You need to accumulate a certain number of points before you can redeem your rewards.
Personal information: You need to provide personal information to participate, which may be a concern for privacy-conscious users.

Is Survey Junkie worth your time?

Whether Survey Junkie is worth your time or not depends on what you want. If you’re looking for a substantial income, it’s not the best choice. There are other side hustles with flexible schedules that pay a whole lot more. However, if you’re after a simple way to earn some extra cash during your free time, Survey Junkie can be a rewarding option.

It’s one of the best-paying survey sites out there, it’s easy to use, requires minimal effort, and has a low cash-out threshold making it an appealing choice for casual earners. If it’s a choice between playing Candy Crush or taking a survey, why not take the survey and earn extra cash?

Bottom line

Survey Junkie offers a fun and flexible way to earn rewards during your free time. While it won’t make you rich, it provides a unique opportunity to share your opinions and influence brands, all while earning a little something in return. The process is straightforward: you sign up, complete surveys, and earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards or cash. It’s an easy way to make your voice heard on various products and services that you use every day. Plus, the surveys are often interesting and engaging, making the experience enjoyable.

One of the best aspects of Survey Junkie is its flexibility. You can complete surveys at your own pace and whenever you have a few spare minutes, whether you’re waiting in line, commuting, or just relaxing at home. This makes it an ideal side activity that fits into any busy schedule without demanding too much of your time or effort.

While it’s true that you won’t become wealthy from Survey Junkie, the extra income can add up over time, providing a bit of extra cash for small luxuries or saving towards a bigger goal. You won’t know if it’s right for you until you give it a try. Who knows, you might just enjoy sharing your opinions and earning a little pocket money along the way.

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Rachel Alulis

Rachel Alulis has been the lead editor for Moneyfor’s credit cards team since 2015 and for the financial rewards team since 2023. Before joining Moneyfor, Rachel worked at USA Today and the Des Moines Register. She then established a successful freelance writing and editing business specializing in personal finance. Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and an MBA.

Is Survey Junkie Legit? Here’s What to Expect

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What is Survey Junkie?