Have you ever wondered whether you can actually earn money by taking online surveys? I decided to test it myself. I spent two focused hours on Survey Junkie, completing paid surveys, testing different approaches, and redeeming points to see how quickly I could cash out.
My result: $15 in two hours.
That amount isn’t life-changing, but it shows that paid surveys are a convenient, low-effort way to earn extra cash while doing something else—watching TV, sitting on the couch, or waiting for an appointment. Because surveys are available any time of day, they’re a flexible option for adding small, steady income to your budget.
Below I share my full Survey Junkie experience: how much I earned per survey, the strategy I used to improve hourly earnings, tips to reduce disqualifications, and how fast I was able to redeem my points.
How I Made $15 in Two Hours Taking Surveys — Is It Worth It?
Here’s a concise overview of what I experienced and what I recommend.
Which survey panel did I test?
I used Survey Junkie for this experiment.
Survey Junkie is a popular online panel that pays users to complete surveys for market research. Companies rely on real consumer feedback to shape products and services, and survey platforms connect respondents with those research projects. Survey Junkie is available in the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
- Who can join? Anyone 16 or older can sign up for free.
- How do you earn? Complete surveys to earn points, which can be redeemed for PayPal, bank transfer, or gift cards.
- How much can you make? Earnings vary widely depending on qualification and survey length; payouts range from a few cents to several dollars per survey.
There are many other survey platforms if you want to try alternatives as well, such as American Consumer Opinion, Swagbucks, Branded Surveys, Prime Opinion, and User Interviews.
What types of questions are typical?
Most surveys are straightforward and ask about shopping habits, brand opinions, household details, or lifestyle behaviors. Examples I encountered include:
- How often do you buy coffee from a coffee shop?
- Which shampoo brands have you used in the last three months?
- What streaming services do you subscribe to?
- Have you flown in the past year?
- Do you own a pet, and if so, what kind?
- How old is your child and what TV shows do they like?
Most surveys were quick and easy, though I found an unusual one with challenging math questions that led to disqualification when I answered too quickly. That seemed to be an exception rather than the rule.
How I Earned $15 on Survey Junkie in Two Hours
To evaluate efficiency, I focused on surveys that offered higher points per minute and tracked returns across the two-hour session.
Key findings:
1. Focus on surveys with the best payout per minute
Not all surveys are equal. Some offered only a few points for ten minutes of my time, while others offered much higher rates. I picked surveys that paid at least 5 points per minute and ignored the low-value ones.
Examples from my session:
- 205 points for a 10-minute survey — about 20 points/minute (very fast and easy).
- 110 points for 11 minutes — about 10 points/minute.
- 100 points for 17 minutes — about 6 points/minute.
- 40 points for 21 minutes — about 2 points/minute (not worth it in my view).
Survey Junkie conveniently shows total points, estimated time, and points-per-minute, which makes it quick to evaluate each opportunity. I also refreshed the available surveys frequently to see newly posted, higher-paying options.
2. Expect and accept some disqualifications
It’s normal to start a survey and then be disqualified if you don’t fit the target profile. Survey Junkie typically awards a small consolation point amount (for example, 3 points) when that happens. It’s not much, but the occasional small credit is better than nothing.
I experienced a few back-to-back disqualifications, which was frustrating, but I soon qualified for higher-paying surveys afterward.
3. Watch for attention-check questions
Many surveys include attention checks like “Enter C for question 13” to ensure responses are genuine. Failing to follow such instructions typically leads to immediate disqualification, so read prompts carefully.
4. Take advantage of bonus offers
Survey Junkie occasionally provides bonus incentives for consistent participation. I received an offer of 500 points for completing surveys seven days in a row. Daily micro-questions also pop up that award 1 point and help the platform match you to better surveys later; I always completed those.
How to redeem points and get paid
Survey Junkie allows cashouts starting at 500 points (equivalent to $5). Redemption options include:
- PayPal (typically 1–3 business days)
- Bank transfer (up to 5 business days)
- Gift cards (Amazon, Walmart, Apple, Target, Starbucks, Sephora, Groupon, etc.)
I redeemed my earnings for $15 in Amazon gift cards without any issues.
Pros and cons of Survey Junkie
Here are the main advantages and drawbacks I noted:
Pros:
- Simple way to earn extra money during spare moments.
- Low cash-out threshold ($5).
- Multiple payout options (PayPal, bank transfer, gift cards).
- Bonuses and daily micro-questions to boost earnings.
- Small credit awarded when disqualified from a survey.
Cons:
- You will be disqualified from some surveys after starting them.
- Not all surveys offer worthwhile pay for the time invested.
How to get started
Signing up is free and straightforward. Basic steps:
- Create an account on Survey Junkie and complete your profile.
- Answer profile questions to improve your match rate for paid surveys.
- Choose surveys with the best points-per-minute value and complete them.
- Redeem points for PayPal, bank transfers, or gift cards once you reach the minimum.
Is Taking Surveys Worth It? My Honest Opinion
Yes—taking surveys is a legitimate, low-risk way to make extra money, but it won’t replace a full-time income. It’s a good option if you want:
- Simple, no-cost ways to earn small amounts of extra cash
- A flexible activity you can do anytime
- Small rewards that accumulate over time
If you expect to make substantial income quickly, surveys aren’t the solution. For casual earners, however, my two-hour session that produced $15 demonstrates that strategic selection of surveys and consistent participation can yield quick, reliable small payouts.
Have you tried paid surveys? What was your experience and how much did you earn?
Recommended reading:
- 21 Best Free Surveys That Pay Cash Instantly
- 12 Best Online Surveys For Gift Cards
- 13 Best GPT Sites To Make Money Online
- 19 Best Places To Find Paid Research Studies
- 21 Ways To Get Paid To Answer Questions
- 21 Apps That Pay Real Money Instantly