YouGov Surveys: Legit Paid Surveys? Or Scam?
YouGov is an internet research company founded in the UK, in 2000. It’s since launched various platforms over the world, including the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
You can earn points by answering surveys on their website and these points can be exchanged for rewards – such as gift cards. In the UK, you can only exchange for a cheque at this time.
But is YouGov online surveys really legitimate? What reason to you have to join this platform – over others of its kind? I signed up to find out.
Company: YouGov
Money Making Opportunity: Pocket Money
Cost: Free to join
Overall Rating: Legit. I actually really like this website, despite the payout threshold and typically for one main reason: I’ve had NO screen outs! Which is just unheard of in comparison to other sites. Despite having to wait to reach 5000 points and £50, I am going to be sticking this one out.
What is YouGov Surveys About & How Does It Work
YouGov is quite unique and different from other paid survey sites that I have come across before.
So, whereas many sites offer surveys that can be quite mundane, (asking about your shopping habits and what restaurants you visit regularly, for example…)
YouGov tries to also ask your opinion about other topics relating to things like politics and the government, or controversial issues.
Now, in my experience so far, I have still been asked the usual kind of things such as… about what hobbies I have and how I use social media. But there have also been some political questions as well.
Upon arrival, for example; there was a poll asking if the UK would get a better outcome if Trump was negotiating Brexit. Which isn’t the sort of poll I’m used to seeing on a paid survey site.
YouGov collects all this survey data and then publishes the overall results on their website.
For answering their surveys, you will be able to save up points, which you can eventually exchange for rewards in some countries – but still a cheque in the UK right now.
Signing Up With YouGov
Signing up was very quick and simple.
You only need your name and email address and you can either sign up via connecting Facebook, or simply with your email adress.
Once you’ve confirmed you email address, you’re taken to the first survey immediately.
The first survey only takes 5 minutes and you will make 100 for this initial survey.
The initial survey is really just profiling questions. Things like your age, location, ethnicity.
It then asked some political questions. Whether I voted, who I voted for and how interested I am in politics.
I got through it quickly and made 100 points. I was then given the option to use these points towards entry into a prize draw,
There were various prizes available up until £2000 in the UK.
How Much Can You Make?
Every platform is different. Depending on your location, the amount of points you get per survey and how much they worth differs.
In the US, the standard minimum payout threshold is $15 and 25,0000 points for an Amazon voucher. But there are a variety of gift card options to choose from and they are worth different points.
As I’m in the UK it appears you can either exchange your points for entries into the prize draws, or simply save until I reach 5000 points and then ask for a £50 cheque, (sent in the post).
There are some sites that let you withdraw for as low as £1, (or $1) but £3-£5 is fairly common now. So, waiting untl £50 does seem like a lot.
Initially, I didn’t feel like I’d stick aorund to make the whole 5,000 points, (I changed my mind later) so I blew all my points on sweepstakes entries. Well… you never know….
I was sent my first survey two days after joining. It was about 10 minutes long. I wouldn’t say it was the most interesting survey… most of it related to how I felt about certain car brands! :/
Just a day later though, I was sent another survey.
This one was a bit more interesting and again, about 10 minutes long and seemed to be more balanced, with a variety of unique questions.
You can adjust how often you’re sent surveys. Mine is set to as often as possible.
The greatest aspect of all here was…. I didn’t get screened out once out of the surveys. I was able to complete the surveys with no problems at all and was awarded 50 points each time.
*update – I’m now sent surveys most days!
If it’s this simple all the time, I will stick with YouGov until I reach that threshold now.
I believe a reason so many people don’t stick with online surveys, (aside from the low pay) is they just get so fed up of the screen outs.
It’s true that there are MORE ways to earn via some other websites, such as Swagbucks.
But there is no problem signing up with a bunch of different sites like this and doing several.
These surveys have just been coming into my email inbox and I will now just do them whenever they pop up.
What Do Other People Say About YouGov?
YouGov has some mixed reviews, but a lot of people do like that the surveys are more interesting than your standard survey site and you get to share your opinions more.
There so seem to be many loyal users as well, with many people staying with YouGov year on year.
Many people in the UK do complain about the payout threshold… because £50 is really high and it will take most people a long time to reach.
To me, it sounds more like an opportunity to share your opinions in the UK righ now – but with the added benefit of a little reward for your effort in the long-term.
With many saying it takes them up to a year to make £50, you can tell that it’s not something that’ s going to help you out much financially.
That being said, you can have a meal out on £50 can’t you….. (well… just about!).
But, if you’re in the US… you won’t need to wait nearly as long!!
Some people have also complained that they nearly reach their target points to redeem and the surveys dry up.
I have heard this same complaint before from about other survey sites, but have also been repeatedly told by companies that this is purely a coincidence.
There will be less surveys at certain times, more at other times – that’s just the way it is. You WILL get those surveys sent you eventually and you will be able to withdraw.
PROS VS CONS
PROS
- Interesting surveys.
- Hardly any screening out.
- Surveys sent straight to your inbox.
- You’re able to share your opinion on some important issues.
CONS
- High payout threshold.
- In the UK, you can only redeem by cheque, or get prize draw entries.
Conclusion: Is YouGov Legit? Or is this just a waste of time?
YouGov is a legit site… But how worth it it is to you, will depend on a variety of factors – including where you’re located; as some locations will have different rewards and payout thresholds.
It also depends if you’re looking for a money making opportunity, or if you’re just happy getting a small reward for you time and would enjoy doing the surveys anyway.
To be honest, I would often review a site negatively if their payout threshold is over $10/£10…
I feel a little differently to this site though, because it’s different from your standard paid survey site and has some other interesting aspects that could make it worth the time for some, (they may enjoy it, payout or not).
Plus the biggest bonus being, you can actually do the surveys without being thrown off. Many people spend half their time TRYING to complete surveys and never actually managing to, because they get screened out.
I would just recommend checking it out and seeing what you think! It is a legitimate platform, it’s just not going to make you very much money.
Making More Beyond Surveys?
If you’re fed up of making pocket money and want to make more money in the long term.
There are many options and routes you could take.
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I hope you found this YouGov review useful!
Let me know in the comments, if you have any questions at all!
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