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Hey guys! Today we’re taking a close look at YouGov, one of the most well-known paid survey platforms. The company has been around since 2000 and pays users for sharing opinions on public issues, brands, and everyday topics.
But the real question is:
Is YouGov worth signing up for?
How much can you realistically earn?
I tested the platform myself, and below I’ll break down everything—how it works, earning potential, pros and cons, and whether it’s a side hustle worth your time.
If you want more ways to earn online, you can also check out:
.Freecash – My personal favorite GPT site with 100+ earning methods
.Branded Surveys – A top survey site with fast $5 payouts
Key Points
.Free to join, available in dozens of countries
.Surveys typically pay $0.25 to $1.50 worth of points
.You need 25,000 points to redeem a $15 gift card
.Rewards include gift cards and bank transfers
.Works on desktop and mobile via the official app
Is YouGov Legit? Does It Really Pay?
Yes—YouGov is absolutely legitimate. Users earn points by completing surveys, and the company has a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot with more than 56,000 reviews.
YouGov accepts members from many countries and has been operating for over two decades. During my test, registration was quick and surveys were easy to complete.
However, the biggest complaint from users is the high cash-out threshold. Many competing survey sites let you withdraw as little as $1 to $5.
For example:
.Swagbucks: cash out from $1
.Branded Surveys: $5 minimum payout
YouGov is reliable when it comes to sending surveys, but earning enough points to redeem rewards takes patience.
What Is YouGov?
YouGov is a UK-based research and polling company that conducts surveys on global topics like:
.Consumer habits
.Public affairs
.Entertainment
.Food and health
.Politics
Despite the name, YouGov is not run by any government. It has been active since 2000 and has millions of members worldwide.
For users, YouGov is simply a way to voice your opinions and earn small rewards in your spare time.
How YouGov Works
I created an account to understand how the platform functions, and the setup process was extremely simple. As a side hustle, YouGov requires minimal effort:
(1)Sign up
(2)Complete surveys
(3)Accumulate points
(4)Redeem rewards
Here’s what the experience looks like step by step.
- Sign Up
You can join YouGov through its website or by downloading the free app from the App Store or Google Play.
When creating your account, you’ll fill out basic demographic details like:
.Age
.Gender
.Education
.Employment
.Languages
This helps YouGov match you with surveys that fit your profile.
- Complete Surveys
Answering surveys is the main way to earn points.
Your first few surveys collect personal data so the system can categorize you. Later, you’ll start receiving paid survey invitations directly on your dashboard.
A few things to know:
.Surveys refresh regularly
.Most pay a few hundred points
.Some pay thousands of points
.Survey payouts aren’t shown upfront, which can be frustrating
Generally, a survey’s reward equals around $0.25 to $1.50 in value. Once completed, points are added to your account immediately.
- Join YouGov Pulse (Optional)
YouGov also offers YouGov Pulse, an app that pays you for letting it track your digital activity. The company claims you can earn up to $50 per year just by browsing normally.
Pulse collects data such as:
.App usage
.Browsing history
.Media player activity
.Device type
.IP address
It does not collect passwords or data entered into secure forms.
This is similar to the Nielsen Computer & Mobile Panel. Personally, Pulse feels a bit too intrusive for my taste, but it’s another option if you want passive income.
- Refer Friends
YouGov gives you 200 points for every friend who signs up and completes six surveys.
This isn’t a great referral bonus—less than $1 in value—but it’s there if you want to invite others.
Rewards & Cash-Out Requirements
Once you have enough points, you can redeem:
.Gift cards
.Bank transfer (in some regions)
Popular gift card options include:
.Amazon
.Nike
.Sephora
.Macy’s
.Target
.Home Depot
.Various retail brands depending on your country
The cheapest reward is a $15 Amazon gift card, which requires:
25,000 points
That means 1 point ≈ $0.0006 in value.
Cash payouts require even more:
55,000 points = $50 bank transfer
There is no PayPal option, and that’s a downside for many users.
In short:
You need to complete a LOT of surveys before you can redeem anything.
How Much Can You Earn?
YouGov surveys usually award between 25 to 100 points—and sometimes more for special studies.
Many users report completing:
.1–2 surveys per week
.$1 worth of points every few days
At this rate:
It can take weeks or months to reach the $15 reward threshold.
Some surveys pay around $1 worth of points, but these are not common.
The surveys are fast and easy, but the point system requires patience.
Is YouGov Safe?
Yes, YouGov is considered safe. The company is well-established and doesn’t require credit card info.
However, if you use YouGov Pulse, keep in mind that it collects a significant amount of browsing data. Whether the extra money is worth it depends on your comfort level.
Pros & Cons
Pros
.Easy, beginner-friendly surveys
.Accepts users aged 14+ (16+ in the UK)
.Many gift card options
.Pulse app offers passive earnings
.Mobile app available
Cons
.High withdrawal threshold
.Lower payouts compared to top survey sites
.Privacy concerns with YouGov Pulse
.No signup bonus
.Surveys are the only earning method
.Slow to reach cash-out
What Other Users Say
I found YouGov easy to use, but the low rewards and slow cash-out were frustrating. To get a better picture, I checked reviews on Reddit and app stores.
Common praises:
.Surveys are simple
.Almost always qualify
.Legitimate payments
Common complaints:
.Not enough surveys
.Rewards take too long to claim
.High payout requirements
Here are a few user comments:
.xxPlsNoBullyxx: Took forever to reach the £50 minimum payment.
.lpstrong: Surveys are quick, but payouts can take 48 hours to 5 days. Usually cashes out every 6–8 weeks.
.OokeepeeeO: Always gets paid, but reaching the threshold takes time.
Overall, users trust the platform but dislike how long it takes to redeem rewards.
Better Alternatives to YouGov
I think YouGov is legit and easy to use, but the high payout requirement makes it slow to earn rewards.
Here are faster-paying alternatives:
.Branded Surveys – Fast payouts to PayPal and gift cards
.Freecash – My favorite GPT site
.Swagbucks – Earn from surveys, shopping, games
.Kashkick – Cash via PayPal for surveys and games
.InboxDollars – Popular survey site with a $5 signup bonus
.Survey Junkie – Reliable platform with a $5 minimum cash-out
.MyFreeApp – Earn by testing new apps
.Nielsen Panel – Up to $50/year for sharing device data
These won’t make you rich, but they cash out much faster than YouGov.
Is YouGov a Scam?
No—YouGov is not a scam. It’s a long-standing survey company with millions of users and a solid track record of paying members.
But…
Don’t expect to earn $100 a day or anything close to that.
This is a slow, low-paying side hustle.
FAQ
How long does YouGov take to pay?
Officially: 1–3 days
User reports: 11–15 days, sometimes up to 30 days
Who can join?
YouGov is available in:
Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Middle East, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UK, US, Vietnam, and more.
Ages:
.16+ in the UK
.14+ in many other regions
Final Thoughts
Paid surveys are a simple way to earn pocket money online. And YouGov is one of the most reputable survey sites on the market.
But the truth is:
.Earnings are low
.Rewards take a long time to reach
.The cash-out system is slow
If you want fast payouts, I recommend:
.Branded Surveys
.Swagbucks
.Freecash
YouGov is reliable and legit—but not the best choice if you’re trying to earn quickly.
Hope this YouGov review helps you decide whether it’s the right platform for you!