YouGov review: A legit survey site?

Looking for new ways to earn extra cash? Then you can’t go wrong with a survey site. But there’s far more to YouGov than just simple surveys. Let’s take a look at how it works and how much you can expect to earn.

YouGov Panel

I’ve joined so many survey websites you would think I would be pretty bored of them by now. Strangely, nothing could be further from the truth. I’ve found myself earning a decent monthly income in my free time from online surveys – why not take a look at my top 10 best survey sites? 

But, truth be told, some survey sites can be a little samey, so I do like to find sites that offer something a little different from the norm.

Most survey companies will ask about your TV-watching habits or thoughts about particular brands. Although YouGov surveys sometimes cover these subjects, they also tackle more interesting subjects, often looking at current events.

But interesting and relevant is all well and good, but how much can you expect to be paid by YouGov and how often?

What is YouGov?

YouGov is an international market research company incorporated in 1998. Their headquarters are in the UK, but they operate across most of the globe. They conduct paid surveys on behalf of a diverse client group to better understand the public’s view on current affairs, consumer products and brands. There are also political polls in which you can take part.

By sharing your opinion, you earn points. And what do points mean? No, not prizes, but cash.

Is YouGov safe?

With over 20 years of experience as a paid survey site and over 11 million panellists across 40 countries, you can be assured that this is a genuine site.

Ultimately, you control what personal information you hand over to YouGov. If you don’t want to share something, don’t.

Is it a government website?

Despite the name, YouGov is not run by the government. They collect data about brands, politics and current affairs.

How does YouGov work?

Signing up is a fairly simple process. You’ll need to complete some basic demographic questions and let YouGov know how often you want to receive surveys. I suggest selecting as often as possible. The fact is, surveys don’t come rushing in, so it’s very unlikely that you will be snowed under.

You’ll then receive a notification to your email address when there’s a survey ready. Or, you visit your YouGov account to check.

You can complete surveys from the YouGov website on your computer, tablet or mobile phone.

Instead of rewarding you with money, YouGov will give you points instead. This is usually something that annoys me when it comes to survey sites, but it’s not an issue here. One point is worth £0.01. That means 100 points equals £1 and 5,000 points for £50.

Once you reach 5,000 points, your money can be withdrawn as cash to your bank account. Or, you can opt to withdraw it in the form of a gift card.

When your account is up and running, you’ll receive an email telling you when there is a new survey available. You can ask to receive push notifications if you have the YouGov app.

The good

The surveys are quite interesting. You’re often asked about your TV-watching habits, health, relationships and your thoughts on politics, although that line of questioning doesn’t require particularly deep thinking.

And you’ll also find that the results of some of the surveys you complete are featured in a national newspaper. Take a look at who users thought would be the new Mayor of London in the Daily Express.

The surveys generally take under 10 minutes (although YouGov says they take 15), so you don’t need to put too much time aside. You will sometimes receive longer surveys – up to 20 minutes, but that is very rare. The longest survey I have ever been sent lasted for an hour, although that did require me to watch a TV show.

Another plus point to YouGov is that because they have selected you for a survey beforehand, you won’t get thrown out of it halfway through. For any seasoned survey taker, you will know how frustrating this can be.

Every couple of weeks, YouGov sends a quick questionnaire asking whether you know certain celebrities or brands. It’s 30 questions, which you can speed through and it will help you earn extra points.

There is also a YouGov app available for your phone. Although this used to work independently from the main site, you’ll now find that both channels offer the same earning opportunities.

Any downsides?

You don’t receive many surveys. Of course, this depends on your demographic, but I tend to get one or two every week.

I have no solid confirmation, but looking through YouGov poll results and new stories, the majority focus on politics. So, if you have a strong interest in politics, you may have a better chance of receiving more surveys.

Because surveys aren’t particularly frequent, it requires quite some commitment before you reach the target of 5,000 points before you can withdraw your hard-earned money. However, I have received 12 surveys in one week, so you might be lucky.

Other ways to make money

YouGov isn’t just a paid survey site; there are a few ways to make extra money.

YouGov Connections

You can earn extra points by sharing your viewing history with YouGov. This involves downloading the YouGov Safe extension to Google Chrome and allowing it access to your data. Currently, they’re interested in your browsing history and your viewing habits on Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Paramount+ and Apple TV+. You can earn further points by sharing your Amazon shopping account and Steam gaming history.

Doing this will earn 75 points the first time you share each platform and 25 points the following weeks.

Originally, the points were far more generous, with 300 points for Netflix (£3).

YouGov Pulse

YouGov Pulse is an application you download and install onto your desktop, tablet or mobile device. It tracks your internet, app and media player usage and lets YouGov know how you use your device.

This information is shared with YouGov clients but is not personally identifiable to you unless you’ve given specific permission beforehand.

It does not collect any personal data you input into secure forms while browsing (such as usernames, passwords or online transactions).

For having Pulse installed, you’ll receive bonus points. The amount you’ll get depends on the number of devices you have and your location.

YouGov Banking

Formerly known as YouGov Finance, this feature (if you decide to use it) allows YouGov to see your banking transactions through Open Banking. You can connect current and credit cards. In total, you can link to up to three accounts (it used to be ten!), which could earn you 15 pence per day.

Flash Surveys

These are short surveys that are only available to complete for a limited time. They usually take just a minute to complete and pay around 20 points.

*Edited to add that I haven’t received any of these for a long while. However, I’ve been assured by somebody from YouGov that these are still running.

And look out for YouGov Plus

If you regularly complete surveys and tasks with YouGov (at least 80%), you may get an invite to their Plus scheme. You will receive extra surveys about shaping the site, which pay more than a regular survey. Plus, you’ll get 1,000 points for joining.

One thing to note though, you will need to verify your identity by uploading a copy of your passport or driving licence.

How much can you earn from YouGov?

1000 YouGov points are worth £10 and you’ll earn an average of 50 points per 8-10 minute YouGov survey. Longer surveys will proportionately pay more. However, I find surveys don’t take as long as they claim. With this in mind, YouGov pays around £5 per hour.

If you combine this with YouGov Safe and Pulse, this rises to an average of £6-7 per hour.

If you use YouGov to its full potential, you should be able to clear over £200 per year.

You can withdraw your earnings either as a gift card or by bank transfer and it should hit your account within two working days.

Gift cards include the likes of Amazon, Adidas, Nando’s, Primark and many more.

As you can see from below, I have earned 315,187 points over the last seven years. That’s £3,150.

Does YouGov actually pay out?

I have noticed a lot of negative reports from other YouGov users over the years. The main gripe comes from the lack of surveys – especially when they come close to the £50 mark.

I can only speak from personal experience, but I have had many payouts over the years from YouGov without issue and it’s always been a reliable site. Some months, I can earn just £2, while others earn over £10. If you’re frustrated, all I can suggest is to wait.

And don’t forget, they are looking for a particular demographic for many of their surveys. If you don’t meet it, they won’t send you anything.

How do you get more YouGov paid surveys?

There’s not much you can do as surveys are generally only sent out if you meet specific criteria. But when surveys come, ensure that if a question is open-ended, you write a detailed response. This will increase your chances of being seen as a useful survey taker. Otherwise, you have to sit and wait.

Referral program

One way of earning extra through YouGov is by referring friends and family. Just visit the homepage of your account and you’ll find your referral link. When your friend uses the link to sign up and completes six surveys, you’ll earn 200 points – worth £2.

What other people say

I have noticed a few reports on forums and review sites of people complaining that they have almost reached 5,000 points, and then the surveys have stopped coming through. This isn’t an issue I have ever faced though.

YouGov reviews on Trustpilot are generally positive, with an average score of 4.3 out of 5.

So, is YouGov a legit way to make money?

Overall, not the highest-paying survey site. However, I like YouGov as you never waste time being thrown out of surveys. The surveys can be quite interesting compared to some other sites. Plus, there’s little chance of you spending more than 30 minutes per week answering questions. This is certainly a site worth signing up for to earn alongside others.

YouGov

Similar sites to YouGov

If you’re looking to join other survey sites that pay you £50 each time over a longer period, then take a look at my Y Live review. Or, if you would prefer to earn a gift card as a reward, why not try newvista?

A word of warning…

Just so you’re aware, a couple of times my account has been put on hold. I would try to log in and request a code, but nothing. Emails to YouGov would go unanswered until about the fourth or fifth. Then, after a month, my account would magically be reinstated. I still have no idea why this is happening, especially since I’ve been a member for 7+ years.

FAQs