Opinion Outpost

Opinion Outpost, Dynata's paid survey panel

Opinion Outpost is an online survey platform where registered users earn points for sharing their opinions and redeem them for rewards. The service is operated by Dynata, LLC (formerly Survey Sampling International, LLC), which is listed as the site's rights holder. The company presents itself as a community with more than two million members across various countries and notes that it has been rewarding opinions for more than two decades.

How the points system works

Signing up is free and, according to the website, takes about a minute. Once the account is created, the member receives a welcome email and, from then on, regular email invitations to take surveys; these messages include the information needed to take part. Each completed survey earns points, and the accumulated balance can be redeemed for the rewards available in the corresponding section. The platform states that users can leave at any time and keep any rewards they have already earned.

The rewards catalogue includes Amazon, App Store and iTunes gift cards and the option to redeem for cash through a points-for-cash scheme via PayPal. The website puts the amount paid out to its community at £350,000 a month and the number of surveys launched each month at more than three million. It also notes that each survey can earn up to 50 points.

Types of studies available

The platform describes several ways to take part, not limited to the conventional questionnaire:

• Product tests, reviewing prototypes before they reach the market.
• Advert reviews, giving feedback on campaigns before they launch.
• Diary studies, in which participants track and share their lifestyle habits.
• Focus groups on a variety of topics.
• Location-based services, with surveys targeted according to the user's location.
• Studies on ads seen on Google.

In addition to answering surveys, the website mentions the possibility of testing products, watching ads and taking part in real-world missions. Availability is presented for desktop, mobile and tablet.

Timelines and how rewards work

Before completing a study, the system asks a series of short questions to confirm the participant's identity and check whether they match the required profile. The reward is automatically credited to the account when the survey is finished. The website warns that certain rewards, such as those for diary studies and focus groups, may take up to six weeks to arrive.

Purpose of the studies and data handling

According to the platform itself, surveys are conducted because businesses, governments and public bodies are interested in learning about the views and attitudes of the people who use their products and services, so that they can improve and adapt what they offer. The company states that the information shared in the studies remains between the participant and its clients, and that it works to keep the data protected.

Operations and presence

Opinion Outpost operates through its website and an app accessible from various devices. The company states that it works with partners around the world who want to know users' opinions. The service is presented under the ownership of Dynata, LLC, which also manages the legal sections on terms, privacy and cookies.