Is Survey Junkie Legit? Analyzing the Facts and Top Tips

Do you want to use the Survey app or website to get paid to answer online surveys?

You might wonder, “Is Survey Junkie legit?”

Yes. It’s a legitimate survey platform that gives you points in exchange for your answers. However, you must remember a few things when using this website.

In this Survey Junkie review, I’ll closely examine its legitimacy, user experience, and how it works.

I’ll explain why or why not Survey Junkie might be a scam. Read until the end to learn how to increase your earnings with this site.

Let’s begin.

Is Survey Junkie Legit?

Is Survey Junkie real?

Yes. Survey Junkie is a real and legitimate online survey platform.

We can trace back its history to 2005, but it wasn’t 2013 when it became the Survey Junkie website we know today.

Since then, it has become one of the biggest survey companies in the market research industry.

Its BBB (Better Business Bureau) accreditation further supports its legitimacy.

What Is Survey Junkie?

Survey Junkie is a legitimate platform that connects users with paid survey opportunities.

These surveys come from legitimate businesses. They use marketing companies like Survey Junkie to reach their desired audiences and get valuable insights as a part of their market research process.

The platform provides a simple and transparent way to earn money or rewards by sharing opinions and participating in market research surveys.

Is Survey Junkie reliable? I’ll discuss it next.

Is Survey Junkie a Scam? 

Survey Junkie isn’t a scam. 

However, some users may have concerns about the legitimacy of survey platforms like Survey Junkie because of the following reasons:

• Occasional negative experiences

• Misunderstandings about how such platforms work

• Shady platforms using the name Survey Junkie

Let’s clarify why some people think Survey Junkie is a scam.

Survey Junkie Asks for Your ID.

Survey Junkie may request your ID for identity verification purposes.

This is a common security measure to prevent fraud and ensure the platform’s integrity. They should use your ID only for verification and not for other purposes.

You Have To Provide Personal Information.

To participate in surveys, you must provide essential information, such as your habits and demographics.

Some people may find it off-putting to share so much information, especially today when unauthorized data usage is so common.

However, Survey Junkie needs these details. That’s why they pay you.

Survey Junkie uses this information to match you with surveys relevant to your profile.

As for the information you provide during surveys, only the company behind them will receive your answers. No one else can see what you enter.

Can You Choose Not To Answer?

You can simply exit the survey if you don’t want to answer any of the required questions.

Participation is optional, although you won’t get points if you don’t complete the survey.

The Website Uses Cookies.

Like many websites, Survey Junkie uses cookies to enhance the user experience and collect information about browsing activities.

This is common for all websites, though.

A good thing about Survey Junkie is it has an SSL certificate, which means your data is encrypted and secure when transmitted over the Internet.

You May or May Not Get Points From Participating in Surveys.

Most Survey Junkie users have experienced not getting points for at least one survey.

This typically happens because of two reasons:

• Survey Junkie says the survey has been filled up.

• You get disqualified for not meeting a specific set of criteria.

This makes the platform look sketchy, but such issues are customary for survey websites.

When either scenario happens, Survey Junkie may reward you a few points as compensation, or you may not get any.

Should You Use Survey Junkie?

Like other survey sites, Survey Junkie has terms and conditions that you should read and follow to ensure a positive experience.

You can take the following steps if you doubt the legitimacy of the Survey Junkie app or site.

Contact Survey Junkie Support.

If you have any concerns, feel free to contact customer service using any of the following methods:

• Email: pulse@surveyjunkie.com

• Phone Number: (949) 743-3217

• Contact Form: accessible on the Survey Junkie website

The website also has a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section where you may find your desired answers.

Review Survey Junkie’s Privacy Policy.

Unlike shady platforms, Survey Junkie’s privacy policy is publicly available on its website. It covers everything to know about how they use your information.

Survey Junkie collects data from its users and sells it to businesses. However, it only does so with your permission.

When you sign up, you agree for the platform to collect actively provided information along with passive information, such as:

Note: Actively provided information means anything you voluntarily provide through sign-up or by answering surveys.

To better understand its terms and all types of information it collects, I recommend reading through the site’s Privacy Policy.

How Survey Junkie Uses Your Information

Survey Junkie uses and shares your information with brands and market researchers. 

Doing so allows businesses to understand consumer behavior better and improve their products and services. 

Read Survey Junkie Reviews.

You can check what others say about Survey Junkie to clarify its legitimacy.

Here are some ways you can find reviews from real Survey Junkie users:

• Ask any friends or colleagues who may have tried the site.

• Look for blogs sharing their personal experiences.

• Check review sites, like Trustpilot, to see their average star rating.

Remember to filter through the unhelpful reviews to find legitimate experiences.

How Does Survey Junkie Work? Step-by-Step Guide

Before you join Survey Junkie, take the time to understand the platform first to have an overall positive and rewarding experience.

Survey Junkie has several earning opportunities, mainly around rewards in exchange for your data and opinions.

Here’s an overview of how it works:

1. Sign up on Survey Junkie.

2. Complete your general profile.

3. Complete demographic surveys.

4. Take surveys.

5. Explore other earning opportunities.

6. Earn points.

7. Redeem your rewards.

Keep reading to learn more about each step.

1- Sign Up on Survey Junkie.

Before you sign up, here are Survey Junkie’s basic requirements:

• You must be at least 18 years old.

• You must be residing in the United States, Canada, or Australia.

If you’re not from one of these countries, you won’t be able to access the survey site.

If you fit these qualifications, follow these steps to make money with Survey Junkie:

1- Visit Survey Junkie’s website.

2- Click the Join Now button to create a Survey Junkie account.

3- On the next page, complete the sign-up form. You’ll have to provide the following information:

• ZIP code

• Birth date

• Gender

• First name

• Last name

4- Receive your sign-up bonus.

5- Complete the Quick Start checklist to familiarize yourself with the platform.

2- Complete Your Profile.

After sign-up, you’ll immediately get access to your Survey Junkie dashboard. One of the first things to do here is complete your general profile survey.

It consists of around 17 random survey questions about you, such as:

• Pets

• Household size

• Education level

• Employment status

• Income range

• Interests and hobbies

You’ll receive some points after completing your profile.

3- Complete Demographic Surveys.

Aside from the general profile, you can also complete other profiles to let Survey Junkie learn more about you as a consumer.

I suggest you don’t skip this part, as you can increase your chances of getting more and better surveys the more profiles you complete. Doing this should also decrease your disqualification rate.

To see the other profiles, click your name on the top right corner of your dashboard, then select My Profile.

You should see the following options:

• Technology

• Shopping

• Health

• Household

• Interests

• Travel

Answering basic questions should take just a few minutes, with each profile having more or less 20 items.

After each one, you’ll receive immediate points as a reward.

Why Do You Need To Provide These Details?

Market research companies have certain characteristics they’re looking for. Survey Junkie uses your profile information to match them with the right people.

The more complete and accurate your profiles are, the higher your chances of matching with high-reward surveys.

4- Take Surveys.

From sign-up, it should only take at least ten minutes before start taking surveys.

You’ll immediately get opportunities on your dashboard. Here, you’ll see how many points you can get and how long it takes to complete a survey.

How Can You Take Surveys?

You can complete as many surveys offered on any device, including the Survey Junkie mobile app.

How Often Do You Receive Survey Opportunities?

Survey Junkie says an average user qualifies for one out of five surveys. It all depends on factors such as your profile information and demographics.

The platform generally gets fresh surveys daily, but there’s no guarantee they’ll all be available.

Wait for survey invitations in your email, or check your dashboard regularly to see any available opportunities.

What Are the Survey Topics?

Depending on your preferences, you’ll get all sorts of topics.

For example:

You might get surveys for gadgets and electronics if you mention you’re into technology.

This is why it’s important to be honest when completing your profiles – so the platform can accurately match you with opportunities that match your interests.

How Much Do Surveys Pay?

It varies greatly, but it mainly depends on the length and complexity of the topic. You should see how many points a survey pays before starting it.

When I checked some surveys on the platform, here are their lengths and rewards:

There seems to be no general average, so you’ll have to assess if the points are worth the time it takes to complete a specific survey.

Can You Get Disqualified From Surveys?

Yes. If your answers don’t match the specific criteria the survey provider is looking for, you may be unable to complete the survey.

Disqualification often happens early on, during the basic qualifying questions. However, it can occur at any point in the survey.

As mentioned, you won’t get the full reward if this happens.

5- Explore Other Earning Opportunities.

Aside from surveys, the platform presents other opportunities to earn.

If you have some free time and don’t have any surveys to answer, explore these options:

SJ Pulse

Survey Pulse is an optional program that lets you earn a few extra bucks passively. You automatically get reward points as long as you don’t opt out.

The Pulse Program is essentially a tracker you install on supported operating systems, such as:

• Windows

• MacOS 

• Android

Note: IOS is currently not on the list of supported types, but Survey Junkie says it’s coming soon.

Once you’ve installed the Pulse program onto your device, it will run automatically in the background and track your online activity.

It collects information like:

• Your searches

• Websites you visit

• Your apps

• Ads you view

• Products you shop

Aside from these, Survey Junkie doesn’t collect private information, such as credit card details and passwords. 

Furthermore, the platform encrypts any identifiable information it collects. This ensures any information you don’t want to share is safe and secure.

Product Testing

This option isn’t available initially, but you may be invited to opt in once you’ve completed all your profiles.

If you get this option, you can receive (free) products, which you can keep even after the study. On top of that, you’ll get a payment of $5 to $50.

Here’s how it usually works:

1. Receive an invitation.

2. Answer a brief online survey.

3. If you qualify, receive the free product and use it accordingly.

4. Take a survey about your experience.

Depending on your eligibility, you may get an offer about once a month or less.

Phone Survey

You may receive an invitation to talk with a researcher if you opt-in for phone surveys. You’ll have to answer a brief survey before the call.

Phone surveys pay around $5 to $100, depending on the product or service.

Online Focus Group

When you sign up on Survey Junkie, you can opt into focus groups. These involve in-depth discussions about any topic, including products or services.

If an opportunity is available, you’ll get an invitation to join it. You’ll have to complete a survey and then choose a schedule for the video call session.

The pay varies for online focus groups – anywhere from $25 to $100. 

Like surveys, focus group opportunities come and go. However, the average seems to be once a month.

In-Person Focus Groups

You can also choose to participate in an in-person focus group. It’s the same as its online variety, but you must physically go to a designated time and location to finish this task.

This option pays around $25 to $125.

6- Earn Points.

All these activities let you earn points, which aren’t worth anything until you redeem them for cash or e-gift cards.

The more surveys you do and activities you participate in, the more you earn.

Survey Junkie says you can earn as much as $40 monthly if you complete three surveys daily. This doesn’t include payment from focus groups, Pulse, etc.

7- Redeem Your Rewards.

After accumulating around 500 points or more, you can redeem your rewards. 

Does Survey Junkie pay real money?

Yes, but that’s not all. You can choose between these options:

How Does Survey Junkie Pay You?

To convert your Survey Junkie points to dollars or gift cards, follow these quick steps:

1. Click your name on the top right corner of the dashboard.

2. Select My Points.

If you meet the minimum Survey Junkie cash-out threshold of 500 points, you’ll see the option to withdraw.

You can choose between Cash or eGift Card, depending on your eligibility.

Cash Redemptions

You can cash out your rewards in the US via direct bank transfer. You’ll need to provide the following information:

• US bank account number

• Routing number

Otherwise, you can convert your points into cash via PayPal. For this method, you must provide a verified PayPal account.

You may also need to log into your PayPal account or confirm your email during redemption.

Note: You can’t redeem only a part of your points with this option. You must convert ALL points to cash at the time of redemption.

eGift Card Redemptions

If you choose this option, you can convert your points into gift cards in several denominations, such as $10, $15, and $20.

Survey Junkie currently offers these eGift cards for the following retailers:

• Amazon

• Groupon

• iTunes

• Sephora

• Starbucks

• Target

• Walmart

Note: eGift cards don’t expire and have no usage fees.

Identity Verification

Survey Junkie may have to confirm your account and identity through a brief phone verification call before approving your redemption to avoid fraudulent activities.

The Pros and Cons of Survey Junkie: Is Survey Junkie Worth It?

Survey Junkie is a popular platform that allows individuals to earn rewards by taking online surveys and other activities.

However, like other survey sites, it has some pros and cons.

Here’s a summarized overview to help you decide if Survey Junkie is worth trying:

Should You Try Survey Junkie?

After trying it out for myself, I can safely recommend this platform to the following individuals:

• Those who have some free time

• Those looking for easy, extra income

• Those with patience

• Those who want to share their opinions

If you fit any of these profiles, Survey Junkie is worth a try.

While it won’t make you rich, it can provide a valuable source of supplementary income for those with the right expectations and dedication.

Survey Junkie Alternatives

Survey Junkie is only one option, and you can sign up on other survey websites to further diversify your side income opportunities.

Here’s an overview of some popular alternatives.

Survey Junkie vs. Swagbucks

Swagbucks stands out for its versatility. It offers surveys and various earning opportunities, including cashback on online shopping and watching videos.

Survey Junkie vs. Branded Surveys

If you love Survey Junkie, you may also try Branded Surveys. It’s one of the best alternatives, etching its own space in the market research space.

Like SJ, it offers a range of survey opportunities, and you can redeem your points for cash or gift cards.

Survey Junkie vs. LifePoints

LifePoints provides survey and product testing opportunities. It allows you to exchange points for cash, gift cards, or charity donations.

Survey Junkie vs. Inbox Dollars

InboxDollars offers paid surveys, paid emails, and cashback offers. They also provide a $5 sign-up bonus.

However, some users have reported slow cash-out processes.

6 Tips To Earn More with Survey Junkie

Do you want to increase your earning potential within this platform?

Follow these tried-and-tested tips to get as many points as you can.

1- Check for Surveys Often.

The most active users get higher earnings because they can immediately grab opportunities.

Most surveys receive all the needed responses quickly, so ensure you take them as soon as they become available.

2- Be as Honest as Possible.

Some people abuse this easy money-making scheme by ignoring the questions. However, your honesty is crucial for brands to get valuable consumer insights.

Survey Junkie gives random quality control questions to test if you’re paying attention. You may be disqualified from taking the survey if you give incorrect or inconsistent answers.

Try to stick to the recommended completion time. If you’re too fast, you may not get reward points.

3- Download the Survey Junkie Desktop App.

Downloading the Survey Junkie app gives you instant 100 points, equivalent to $1. It’s not much, but it quickly helps you reach the minimum withdrawal threshold.

However, installing Pulse permits Survey Junkie to track your browsing behavior.

4- Complete All Your Profiles.

Fill out your profiles thoroughly and accurately. This helps Survey Junkie match you with more surveys relevant to your interests and demographics, resulting in lower disqualification rates.

5- Avoid Exiting the Survey Before Completing It.

Survey Junkie doesn’t save your survey progress. Once you exit, you can’t go back to finish it.

Before starting a survey, ensure you can commit to finishing it within the estimated timeframe.

6- Use Only One Account.

Survey Junkie’s terms of service prohibit users from maintaining multiple accounts. Stick to a single account to avoid any potential issues.

If you have an issue with your current account, I suggest contacting customer service before doing anything else.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Survey Junkie Pay Actual Money?

Yes. Survey Junkie can pay you actual cash. You can earn points by completing surveys on the platform and exchanging them for cash.

You can redeem them for e-gift cards from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target.

How Does Survey Junkie Pay Cash?

You can redeem points for cash in two ways:

• via PayPal cash withdrawal

• via direct bank transfer (for US only)

Is Survey Junkie Trustworthy?

Yes. Survey Junkie is a reputable platform with a large user base. As a company dealing with personal information, it has safeguards and privacy policies to protect you.

However, like with any other online platform, you must still protect your privacy and security while using the site. You can contact customer support for further clarifications.

Why Does Survey Junkie Need My ID?

Survey Junkie may request your ID for identity verification purposes. This helps ensure the security of the platform and prevents fraudulent activity.

Rest assured that they should only use this information for verification and not for other purposes.

Will Survey Junkie Pay Me?

Yes. Survey Junkie will pay you in points, which you can convert to cash or e-gift cards once you accumulate enough points. The minimum payout threshold is 1,000 points, equivalent to $10.

How Long Does It Take To Get Paid by Survey Junkie?

After requesting a payout, it may take a few days to process your payment. Payments are typically faster, while Survey Junkie gift cards may take longer.

How Much Can You Make on Survey Junkie?

The amount you can make on Survey Junkie varies from user to user. Keep in mind it’s not a platform for making a substantial income.

Rather, it’s simply a way to earn extra money in your spare time. Your earnings depend on the number of surveys you complete and your eligibility for higher-paying opportunities.

Are There a Lot of Survey Junkie Surveys To Complete?

It can vary depending on your demographics and profile. Some users receive more survey invitations than others. 

Why Am I Not Getting Any Surveys on Survey Junkie?

If you’re not receiving many survey invitations, it could be due to any of the following reasons:

• You haven’t completed your profiles yet.

• Your profiles don’t match the available surveys.

• There are limited surveys available in your region.

To improve your chances, make sure your profile is complete and up-to-date. Regularly check your dashboard for new survey opportunities, as well.

Who Owns Survey Junkie?

The market research company DISQO owns Survey Junkie. It’s a reputable industry organization with a 4.6 rating on employee satisfaction at Glassdoor.

Is Survey Junkie Free?

Yes, signing up on the site and taking surveys is free. You only have to meet the following requirements:

• At least 18 years old

• Residing in the US, Canada, or Australia

• Willing to submit to a verification process before withdrawal

Is Survey Junkie Safe for Bank Transfer?

Survey Junkie takes user privacy and security seriously, so transactions should be safe when using their platform.

The Bottom Line 

Survey Junkie can be an excellent option to make extra money in your spare time.

It’s particularly suitable for individuals who have a few minutes here and there to complete surveys and other paid tasks. However, if you want a way to earn full-time income, it may not be the ideal solution.

You can try other ways to make money. Did you know that many fun and easy side hustles pay weekly?