I just completed a compensated focus group. Yes, online focus groups are a great way to make some extra cash from the comfort of your own home! I’ve participated in a few myself and they’re a lot of fun. Plus, you get to share your thoughts and opinions on things that interest you. Here are 19 best paid online focus groups in 2022 [Make $100/hour].
It’s worth a shot if you’re looking for ways to make money on the side.
What is a Focus Group?
A focus group is a form of study in which a small number of individuals gather to discuss the topic of the researcher and offer their thoughts on it.
Focus groups are a type of study that involves group interaction to gather data. A group made up of a few participants is used to discuss a certain subject.
Focus groups are utilized to determine why people think and act the way they do and what questions to ask and provide feedback on a topic, product, service, or message.
The aim is to use this information to determine the position of the general population on these same issues.
Getting paid to give your opinion is a dream come true. But it’s hard to find the right company that pays well and has good reviews.
Finding the best focus group companies can be difficult, but we’ve done all of the work for you!
We’re here to help you make money from home by showing you where to sign up for free online focus groups with top-rated companies.
Sign up now and get started earning some extra cash!
What are the best paid focus groups online?
- Respondent.io
- WatchLab
- User Interviews
- Focus Group by Schlesinger
- Engage
- Plaza Research
- Recruit and Field
- Survey Junkie
- Ipsos i-Say
- Contact Design dba Survey Feeds
- 2020|Panel
- Google User Experience Research
- American Consumer Opinion
- Mindswarms
- FocusGroup.com
- Fieldwork
- Probe Market Research
- Brand Institute
- FocusGroups.org
FindFocusGroups.com
1. Respondent.io
A worldwide marketing research firm that conducts interviews all over the world.
They recruit business professionals with verified work information through LinkedIn or Facebook profiles.
Respondent pays up to $250 or more an hour for a study, and participants are paid via PayPal after the research is complete.
The company charges a 3% fulfillment fee on the incentive they are paid.
Example
$100 incentive
$3 (3% transaction fee)
$103 total
2. WatchLab
WatchLab is one of the most popular companies for this.
This company is usually very strict about who can participate in their focus groups which means that you have to meet certain qualifications to participate in their focus groups.
They also offer highly competitive pay for their research, but many people are not eligible because they don’t meet the qualifications.
WatchLab is a market research company that has focus groups online, in-person, and in-home studies.
Focus group participants are paid from $60 to $150 per hour, with the average focus group paying around $100 per hour.
3. User Interviews
User Interviews is another great online focus group company.
They’ve worked with industry-leading clients such as Kaiser Permanente, Colgate, Overstock, Groupon, Tripadvisor, and other well-known clients.
Research studies are available in the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe.
To become a part of the research studies, sign up for an account and create a profile.
Your profile is used to determine opportunities you are qualified to participate in.
You’ll have a better chance of being chosen for focus groups if you join via Facebook or Linkedin since they’ll be able to see information in your profiles.
The pay ranges from $30 for a 30-minute study to $1500 for highly specialized research.
4. Focus Group by Schlesinger
These studies are accessible worldwide, and participants must be at least 18 years old.
There are research studies available for healthcare researchers, entrepreneurs, patients, and caregivers.
They have several options for participating in their market research studies, including:
- You may visit one of their 16 offices across the country in person.
- On the phone
- Online from anywhere in the world
Participants earn Focus Groups’ virtual currency for completed surveys; 100 points represents $1.
Before you can exchange your points for gift cards, you’ll need to collect 1,000 ($10) first.
5. Engage
A market research company that works with both businesses, institutions, and consumers.
It specializes in both healthcare and consumer research.
Participants are accepted worldwide.
The pay is $50 to $250 per survey.
6. Plaza Research
14 offices exist around the country. They specialize in in-person meetings. Online research is done in areas without any offices.
The paid research targets parents, kids/teens, students, physicians, and business professionals.
They offer opportunities to participate in various focus groups, including online surveys, phone interviews, in-person and in-home testing.
Focus groups are conducted during the day as well as at night.
The one thing I like about this company is that they pay immediately after the focus group.
For about two hours of your time, you may expect to make between $50 and $100.
7. Recruit and Field
The company specializes in healthcare and consumer research, focusing on the needs of both types of customers.
They offer online and in-person opportunities for adults, teenagers, parents, business professionals, and more.
When it comes to their payment options, you can expect to make between $50 to $275.
8. Survey Junkie
Survey Junkie mainly has opportunities for online surveys, but they also conduct in-person focus groups at one of their locations.
The pay for each survey varies, ranging from $0.50-$5 per survey.
They also offer various other opportunities, including focus groups, mystery shopping, and product testing.
The focus group requires answers to pre-qualification questions to be selected for a study.
The study pay may be as much as $150 per session.
Points are redeemed for cash via Paypal or through eGift cards to stores like Amazon, Visa, Walmart, and more.
Remember, this isn’t a guaranteed stream of income; you won’t be able to retire on it!
9. Ipsos i-Say
Ipsos i-Say is one of the largest worldwide research companies. Participants are accepted from all over the world and must be 18 or older.
Many of the opportunities pay from $0.40 to $1.50 per survey. Keep in mind that its type and length determine the payment for each survey.
Paid focus groups are also available; they pay between $50 and $100.
You’ll get points by completing surveys and exchanging them for various prizes, including Amazon and Visa gift cards. You also have the option to donate to a charity.
You’ll need at least 500 points to redeem.
10. Contact Design dba Survey Feeds
Both in-person and online focus group sessions are available through Survey Feeds.
They are one of the highest-paid market research companies.
Surveys are available in cities throughout the United States, including New York, Miami, Boston, Los Angeles, etc. The pay ranges from $50 to $475 per survey.
You may sign up on social media for notifications about paid research in your city.
11. 2020|Panel
20|20 is considered an established internet research firm with cutting-edge technology.
There are several options for participation, such as:
- In-person focus group for those living near Charlotte, NC, Nashville, TN, and Miami, FL.
- Online webcam discussion from the comfort of your own home that lasts between 30-90 mins.
- Surveys that pay between $1 and $10 are frequently available
- For several days, log in and participate in online discussion forums for at least 45 minutes.
- Survey plus change at an online chat interview
To share your thoughts, you may be paid $50 to $150; you’ll receive points exchanged for a gift card.
12. Google User Experience Research
The goal of Google User Experience Research is to deliver the finest product experiences for Google customers.
Studies can take place in a:
- Google office
- Research van
- In-person at home or a business
- Computer, smartphone, or tablet
The following studies are available to browse through:
- Usability study at a Google office
- Remote usability study
- Experiential sampling study
- Field study
- Surveys
The majority of the study is done in person at the California offices in Mountain View, San Francisco, San Bruno, the Washington branches in Seattle and Kirkland, and the New York office in Manhattan.
However, no specific pay range is given; after the study is completed, participants will receive a thank-you gift such as a gift card or a contribution to their favorite charity.
They’ll always inform you what the payment will be before you decide to join the study.
13. American Consumer Opinion
American Consumer Opinion is one of the market research companies with opportunities for online surveys.
They pay anywhere from $0.05 to $0.50 per completed survey.
However, if selected for a longer survey, you can make up to $50 per survey.
The participants are paid in points that are redeemed for cash via PayPal or by checks.
14. Mindswarms
Mindswarms is a video survey platform that provides three ways to assist companies in understanding their consumers’ emotions.
Brands including Nike, Verizon, Google, and more are some of the brands that use Mindswarms.
Create an account with a computer or smartphone, submit video footage that shows your camera is in good working order, and respond to a few questions. If
If you’re chosen for a study, record (video) your answers to the research questions and upload them to the Mindswarms app.
You’ll be paid $50 per completed study (via PayPal) to answer 10 questions for every study completed.
Once you post your responses, you’ll receive a payment within 24 hours via PayPal.
15. Fieldwork
Fieldwork has paid focus groups with facilities in the following cities:
Atlanta | Denver |
Boston | Phoenix |
Chicago | San Francisco |
Minneapolis | Seattle |
Chicago-Schaumburg | Dallas |
Chicago-O’Hare | NJ-Fort Lee |
Chicago-Downtown | Orange County |
Chicago-Flex | New York |
If you do not live near any of these cities, you may still apply to become a member of their national database.
Focus groups generally last between one and two hours.
They also conduct taste testing, product trials, in-home interviews, shop-along interviews, phone interviews, and internet research.
They pay with gift cards at the starting rate of $75 for 1 to 2 hours of your time.
16. Probe Market Research
Probes Research is a market research firm based in the US that conducts focus groups to gather data for a company’s new products, advertising efforts, and services.
Focus groups pay between $50 and $400 for conducting online interviews on popular products and ideas.
17. Brand Institute
Brand Institute is the world’s #1 naming company, according to their website.
They are the leaders in pharmaceutical/healthcare-related name development.
Brand Institute conducts focus groups on healthcare, pharmaceutical products, clinical trials, and much more.
Create an account and provide the requested information. If you meet the requirements, you are notified by email to apply.
General consumer surveys pay between $2 and $5, while specialized medical surveys pay between $5 and $30. However, there have been instances where specific medical surveys paid much more.
18. FocusGroups.org
This site gets many different paid research studies from other market research companies.
Focus groups, clinical trials, mobile app installations, online surveys, usability testing, and mystery shops are all included in the study.
To discover the available paid focus groups in your area, go to the homepage and, under “cities,” select your city to find out what study is available in your city and how much it pays.
Make between $50 and $200 per study (occasionally up to $1200!).
Payment is made via PayPal or with a check.
19. FindFocusGroups.com
FindFocusGroups.com assists you in locating genuine paid focus groups.
Every listing on the site is carefully evaluated and verified by us.
The pay varies per study.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find paid online focus groups?
To find paid online focus groups, there are several options. The first thing to do is research companies that offer market research surveys. Begin by searching for paid surveys” or survey recruitment agencies online. These will then lead you to websites that offer these types of trials.
The other option is to search for specific focus groups by selecting an interest group, topic, etc., and reading the postings listed on the site. These postings will lead you to websites where paid focus groups are offered.
How are online focus groups conducted?
Online focus groups are brought to you on a computer screen. You can participate in them from the comfort of your home, office, or wherever else you have access to a computer with an internet connection. Generally, there’s no need for special tools or equipment other than your web camera and microphone.
How much money can you make doing Focus Groups?
The amount you will be paid for a job depends on how long it takes; usually, this is an hour or two.
You can expect to make between $50 for a half-hour group discussion and up to $350 for a full hour in the US.
The majority of market research firms pay in cash via PayPal, check, or gift cards.
Make sure you know exactly how you’ll get your money before you agree to take part in a focus group!
How do I join focus groups?
You can find focus group study opportunities by doing a general internet search on “paid focus groups.”
Join as many companies as you can to maximize your chances of being selected.
How do focus groups work?
The process starts with the company recruiting members into the online forum, where they then ask for volunteers who meet certain criteria such as location, demographics, etc.
Once you’re accepted as an active member in the forum, you will be assigned tasks that can include surveys, polls, and questionnaires – all designed around what the company needs to be researched. For every completed task, you’ll receive cash through PayPal.
Are paid focus groups legitimate?
Paid focus groups are a genuine way to earn money.
Numerous big market research firms use focus groups to influence consumers’ behaviors, so they pay well for you to participate.
Where can I find a legit paid focus group?
Paid focus groups are facilitated by companies such as User Interviews, Mindswarms, and FocusGroup.com, all reputable providers of paid focus groups.
You may also try services like FindFocusGroups.com, which combines focus group opportunities from a variety of sources.
How often can I expect to be contacted for studies?
It can vary from person to person, but one thing is for sure-give it time!
There’s no way of knowing how often the market researchers will need participants like you.
What are my obligations as a participant in an online focus group?
The requirements for each study are different. Some studies are open to children, and in these cases, parental consent is necessary; parents must be present in certain situations.
You will need to provide your own personal data like your email address, age, and zip code.
And you’ll need to agree to every question asked, whether it’s on the questionnaire or by the moderator during the chat.
This means that you should answer honestly and openly-you won’t know what other participants say!
Is it possible to do more than one study at once?
No, it is not possible to do more than one study at once. It can be frowned upon by survey sites or participants if you do more than one study simultaneously.
What is the best site to go to for paid online focus groups?
To find the best site for paid online focus groups, you can do a bit of research. You can also use sites like the ones listed below to help achieve this goal.
- FindFocusGroups.com
- FocusGroups.org
Are there any fees for joining online survey platforms?
No, there are no fees for joining online survey platforms.
I’m not in any of these cities. Will they come to me from FocusGroups.org?
Focus Groups.org does not send out any focus groups in person because we only work with online focus groups.
Final Thoughts
So, how do you get paid for focus groups?
If you’re looking to make money by participating in an online focus group, you must find a reputable company.
I’ve found 19 Market Research Companies on the web that pays people well and has great reviews from their customers.
These are my top choices if you want to join a Focus Group and earn some extra cash!
Give one of these companies’ websites a browse – see what they offer, read customer feedback about them, then decide which option is best for your needs.
Good luck with your search!
Have you participated in a focus group that is not listed, please share in the comments below.
Thank you for reading this article.
I hope you found the information helpful.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.
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