I used to think “market research” meant those boring phone calls where someone tries to sell you a new insurance plan. No thanks.
But then I found out you can actually get paid really well just for giving your opinion — no selling, no experience, no stress.
So I signed up. I tested some cleaning products, joined a few online chats, answered questions about TV shows and politics… and suddenly, I had an extra £300 in my PayPal account.
Here’s how I did it — and how you can too.
So, What Is Paid Market Research?
Companies need honest feedback before they launch products or services. They want to know how real people (like us) think, shop, scroll, and decide what to buy.
That’s where you come in. You might:
- Test a new app
- Give feedback on an advert
- Talk about your shopping habits
- Try a product at home
- Join a video call and share what you like (or hate)
And in return? You get paid. Sometimes a lot.
Who Can Take Part?
Honestly, anyone. I’ve done research projects as a parent, a shopper, and just a regular person with an opinion. They want a mix of people — different ages, jobs, locations, and lifestyles.
You don’t need qualifications or fancy words. In fact, the more honest and casual you are, the better.
What Kind of Projects Can You Do?
Here’s what I’ve personally done (and got paid for):
Online Surveys
Quick and easy. You just tick boxes or type short answers. Most pay £1–£5 and take 5–15 minutes.
Try:
- Prolific (amazing for academic studies — I love this one)
- YouGov (great for political and product-based surveys)
Video Interviews
You join a video call (usually Zoom), share your screen, test something, and talk about it. I've done interviews on mobile contracts, finance tools, and even shampoo.
Try:
- User Interviews
- Respondent (this one paid me £100 for one hour!)
Focus Groups
These are my favourite. A bunch of people on a video call, chatting about ads, habits, or new ideas. You hear other people’s thoughts and get paid £50–£150 for 60–90 minutes.
Try:
Product Testing
They send you something to try — pet food, washing powder, oven cleaner — and you fill out a survey later. You often get to keep the item plus earn cash or vouchers.
Try:
- TestingTime
- Influenster (free beauty/lifestyle products in exchange for reviews)
- Swagbucks
How Much Can You Actually Earn?
Here’s what I’ve seen (and earned):
- Surveys: £1–£5
- Phone/Video Interviews: £20–£75
- Focus Groups: £50–£250
- Product Testing: Free items + £5–£50
Niche projects (like medical or finance-related) pay more. I’ve had months where I earned over £400 just doing these around my usual work and family life.
How Do You Get Paid?
Every company is different, but most pay via:
- PayPal
- Bank transfer
- Amazon/Tesco gift cards
- Tremendous (used by Respondent, lets you choose your gift card)
Payout times range from instant to a couple of weeks. I’ve found most are super reliable.
My Personal Tips to Make This Worth It
If you want to make this a real side hustle, here’s what I learned:
- Sign up to at least 5 companies. The more you’re on, the more invites you’ll get.
- Complete your profile properly. If they don’t know you’re a parent or a renter, you won’t get matched to those studies.
- Use a separate email to manage invites and notifications.
- Apply fast. The best-paying gigs fill up quickly.
- Always test your tech before a video call. I once missed out on £100 because my webcam failed. Never again.
- Be yourself. They don’t want perfect answers. They want real ones.
My Go-To Sites for Paid Research (UK-Based)
Here’s my list of top legit companies:
| Name | What They Do | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Respondent | High-paying interviews | respondent.io |
| User Interviews | Loads of US + UK projects | userinterviews.com |
| TestingTime | App and product testing | testingtime.com |
| Take Part in Research | General UK focus groups | takepartinresearch.co.uk |
| Angelfish Opinions | Family, TV, parenting topics | angelfish-opinions.com |
Final Thoughts
This isn’t going to make you a millionaire, but it can absolutely give your budget some breathing room.
I’ve bought groceries, paid bills, and even saved for holidays just from answering questions or chatting online with researchers.
If you’ve got an internet connection, a webcam, and an honest opinion, you’ve got everything you need.
So why not try it? Sign up. Test it out. And let your voice be worth something.
Let’s keep growing it cheap — and smarter.