Is Vindale Research a Scam? (My Honest Review 2023)

Have you heard of Vindale Research? It’s a pretty sweet platform where you can make some extra cash by taking surveys and filling out bids.

One of the cool things about Vindale Research is that you can not only browse available jobs, but you can also earn rewards for referring your friends and family to the site. Who doesn’t love earning some extra cash just by sharing something they enjoy?

Nowadays, there are a ton of online survey sites out there, and it can be hard to know which ones are legit and which ones are sketchy. But I can vouch for Vindale Research – it’s definitely a legitimate way to earn some money on the side.

Don’t get me wrong, you’re not going to become a millionaire by taking surveys. But hey, every little bit helps, right? And Vindale Research will compensate you for your time, which is always a bonus.

As an Internet entrepreneur, I’m in a good position to share with you everything I know about online surveys. Over the years, I’ve reviewed many survey sites.

As a disclaimer, I’m not affiliated with Vindale Research. It means I’m not paid to write this review. So you can rest assured that you will get an honest and unbiased review from me.

At the end of this review, I’ll also tell you the best alternative that has enabled me to make a full-time passive income online.

Vindale Research Review – Key Takeaways

  • Name: Vindale Research
  • Website: https://www.vindale.com/
  • Overall Rank: 3/5
  • Dollars Per Hour: $3.5
  • Payment Options: Paypal
  • Minimum Payour: $50
  • Survey Quality: average
  • Countries Available: USA, UK, Canada, Australia
  • Referral Program: broken
  • Sign-Up Bonus: $1

What Is Vindale Research?

Vindale Research pays you to share your opinions on consumer goods, services, and brands, and you can even get some cool perks along the way. But, we know what you might be thinking, “Is this just another scam?”

Well, we did some digging and found out that Vindale Research is actually one of the oldest survey companies out there. They’ve been around since 2005 and are owned by SayForExample, Inc. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website, they seem to be legit.

You may check out this list of ways to make money online.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Red Flags For Vindale Research

High Minimum Payout

One of the biggest cons of Vindale Research is the high minimum payout amount. If you’re looking to make money quickly, this may not be the best option for you. It can take a while to reach the minimum payout threshold, which is $50. While this may not seem like a lot, it can take a considerable amount of time and effort to accumulate that much money.

Email Spamming

Another downside of Vindale Research is the amount of email spamming you may receive. When you sign up for the website, you’ll start receiving a lot of emails. While you can adjust your email settings, it’s a good idea to use a separate email account just for Vindale emails. This will help you avoid cluttering up your main email account and make things easier to manage.

Lengthy Screening Questions and Surveys

One red flag to be aware of when using Vindale is the time-consuming nature of the screening questions and surveys. Users often spend a significant amount of time answering these questions, only to find out that they don’t qualify to participate. This can be a frustrating experience and can feel like a waste of time.

No Guarantee of Payment

Even if you do complete a survey, there’s no guarantee that you’ll get paid for your efforts. Vindale may send a message saying that they no longer need the information you provided or that the survey is no longer accepting responses. This can be disheartening, especially if you’ve spent a lot of time on a survey.

Requires Patience

Lastly, it’s important to remember that using Vindale Research may not always be smooth sailing. You may need to be patient before you see any money in your account. However, if you’re willing to give it a shot and don’t mind spending some time on surveys, it can be a decent way to earn a bit of extra cash. Just be aware of these red flags and manage your expectations accordingly.

Vindale Research complaint on Trustpilot 1

 

Vindale Research complaint on Trustpilot 2

 

Vindale Research complaint on Trustpilot 3

 

Vindale Research complaint on Trustpilot

Green Lights For Vindale Research

Legitimacy: No Scams Here!

One of the best things about Vindale Research is that it’s a legitimate company. You won’t have to worry about getting scammed or not getting paid for your hard work. Vindale Research pays real money for real information, and they have a good reputation for being honest and trustworthy.

Easy Sign-Up and Bonus Earnings

Another perk of using Vindale Research is that they’ll pay you just for signing up. This is a great incentive to get started and start earning right away. And the sign-up process is super easy, so you’ll be up and running in no time.

Various Ways to Earn Money

Once you’re a member of Vindale Research, there are plenty of opportunities to earn money. You can watch videos, participate in surveys, send paid emails, and more. This variety means that you can find a way to earn money that suits your skills and preferences.

Flexible Payment Options

When you’re ready to cash out your earnings, Vindale Research offers two payment options: PayPal or check. This flexibility means that you can choose the option that works best for you. Plus, Vindale Research pays quickly, so you won’t have to wait long to get your money.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Is Vindale Research a Scam?

Vindale is not a scam. It’s a real company that’s been around for a while. In fact, it has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Of course, there have been some allegations and complaints against them, but I wouldn’t classify them as a scam.

It’s important to note that the term “scam” is sometimes used too lightly, which can be frustrating for those who have been genuinely scammed. For example, a friend of mine thinks that their cable company is a total rip-off.

When it comes to TV commercials using cute puppies, celebrities, and sex to sell products, those might not match up with the advertised benefits in reality. But are they scams? That’s up for debate.

So, to sum up: Vindale is not a scam, but like any company, it’s important to do your own research and decide if it’s the right fit for you.

How Does It Work?

Vindale is a site that compensates you for taking part in a series of “studies” – but here’s the catch: they’re actually offers that Vindale negotiates on behalf of its advertisers. Don’t worry though, it’s all above board! The advertisers pay Vindale for completed surveys, and then Vindale shares a commission with you.

Here’s an example: let’s say a Nevada-based auto insurer wants to find new policyholders. If you live in Nevada and own a car, you can provide this information to Vindale as part of an “auto study.” Vindale may then sell your information to a Nevada-based auto insurance provider. Once you complete the study, Vindale pays you a small amount of money. Easy, right?

Vindale has paid out almost $8 million to its clients over the years, so it’s definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a way to make some extra cash. Just keep in mind that you’ll be sharing some personal information with advertisers, so make sure you’re comfortable with that before you sign up.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Vindale Research Features

Paid Studies

As a Vindale subscriber, you can participate in paid studies and earn money. The amount you get paid depends on how long the study takes and how much personal information you need to provide. For example, the “baby food survey” takes 35 minutes and pays $10, while the “Pet Survey” only takes 10 minutes and pays $1.

Access to Other Panels

Vindale also gives you access to other survey sites where you can earn rewards like gift cards or cash. Some of the sites Vindale promotes include Ipsos, PointsClub, and VIP Voice. Vindale may receive compensation for promoting these sites, but once you sign up, you can earn rewards on these other sites.

Job Center

Vindale even has a job board to help you find local employment opportunities. While Vindale may receive a cut if you find a job through their board, they still provide suggestions on where to look for work.

Paid Referral Program

If you get your friends to sign up with Vindale through your referral link, you can earn money too! Currently, referrals are worth $5, so you can earn enough for a large pizza with just a few friends.

Reward Codes

Vindale’s Reward Codes program is an innovative way to make money. They regularly distribute promotional codes on social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and their company blog. Just cut and paste the code into your account settings, and the credit will be added to your account.

Get Paid via PayPal

The best part? You can withdraw your earnings once your PayPal balance reaches $50. This is a great feature that sets Vindale apart from other survey sites that only offer points or rewards with no actual monetary value.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How To Make Money With Vindale Research?

Vindale Research is used by many brands, stores, and companies to get feedback directly from their target audience. Plus, you can earn money from various activities. Here are some of the ways you can earn:

Paid Surveys and Studies

As a member, you’ll have access to a range of surveys on various topics, such as politics, news, sports, technology, and consumer products. Before you even apply to participate, you can see how much money you can earn from each survey. 

Typically, survey pay ranges from one dollar to fifty dollars, depending on how much time you spend answering the questions. Make sure to fill out your profile completely after signing up to increase your chances of being selected for surveys.

Watch Videos

Another way to earn money is by watching video surveys. While the payment for these quick video ads isn’t very high, it’s an easy way to earn some extra cash.

Read Reward Mails

Signing up for the reward mail offer is another easy way to earn money with Vindale Research. By opting-in to receive promotional emails from some of their partners, you’ll be compensated for opening and reading them.

Get Vindale Reward Codes

If you’re a fan of Vindale Research on social media (Facebook or Twitter), keep an eye out for reward codes that are occasionally distributed.

Refer Friends

Want to earn money without even leaving your house? Refer your friends to Vindale Research! When your friend signs up through your referral link and completes at least one survey, you both receive $5 from Vindale. The best part? There’s no limit to the number of friends you can refer!

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How Much Can You Make With Vindale Research?

In our experience, Vindale Research pays more than other survey sites. However, this depends on your continued participation in the more lucrative survey options. You’ll find that there are plenty of low-paying surveys, but if you’re lucky, you might come across some high-paying ones.

For example, we’ve seen surveys that pay $1.45 for just over two minutes of work. That’s an hourly rate of $43.5, which is pretty amazing. But keep in mind that these types of surveys are rare. On average, you can expect to make between $10 and $13 per hour, depending on your demographics and location.

Factors that Affect Earnings

How much money you can earn from Vindale Research depends on a few factors. Firstly, your location matters. If you’re not in one of the supported countries, you won’t be able to make money through the site. But if you are, payment options may vary depending on where you live.

Your profile information also plays a role in how much you can earn. Vindale Research uses this data to find surveys that are a good fit for you. So, be sure to fill out your profile as accurately as possible. You’ll get more interesting surveys, and you’ll also receive a $2 bonus once you complete it.

Lastly, the number of surveys you decide to take affects your earnings. Vindale Research offers a lot of surveys, and they make it clear whether or not you qualify for them. So, you won’t waste your time filling out surveys that won’t pay you.

How Do You Get Paid?

It’s worth noting that the only payment option available at the moment is PayPal, which is great news for those who like things quick and easy. 

However, Vindale’s payout threshold is quite high compared to other survey sites, so it might take a while to reach if you only participate in the low paying surveys. On the other hand, if you’re lucky enough to qualify for their higher-paying surveys, you’ll see a greater return on your time investment.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Why Vindale Research only works for USA, UK, Australia and Canada?

Hey there! If you’re thinking of signing up for Vindale Research, you might want to know that it’s only available for folks who live in the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news if you’re based elsewhere!

Right now, there aren’t any plans to expand to other countries. But don’t worry, it’s not because they don’t like you. It just makes sense for their business partners to focus on English-speaking countries, since that’s where their target audience is.

So, if you’re in one of those four countries, go ahead and sign up! But if not, no worries, there are plenty of other survey sites out there that might work for you. Keep looking and you’re sure to find something that suits your needs.

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How Much Does Vindale Research Cost?

Want to join Vindale for free? You can, and there aren’t any hidden costs. However, just so you know, Vindale is always trying to make money from your activities on their website and the data they collect about you. 

So, if you sign up, you may receive some promotional emails from Vindale and other companies. Just a heads up!

How to Contact Vindale Research?

If you need a hand with anything related to Vindale, you’ve got a couple of options for reaching out to the team. Firstly, you can check out the ZenDesk-powered knowledge base on their website. It’s chock full of helpful articles and answers to common questions.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for there, you can always shoot an email over to support@vindale.com. The team will get back to you as soon as they can!

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Alternative Survey Sites

Survey Junkie: Simple and Reliable

Survey Junkie is a great choice if you want a trustworthy site that’s been around for a while. They have a solid reputation for paying users for their opinions. 

While many of their surveys are low-paying, you can earn up to $18 per hour by focusing on the best paying ones. The site’s user interface is easy to use, and the minimum payout amount is just ten dollars. You can choose to receive your rewards as physical gift cards or PayPal cash.

Check out our full review of Survey Junkie here.

Pinecone Research: Accurate Predictions and High Quality Surveys

One of my personal favorites, Pinecone Research offers surveys that pay $3 each and take about 10-15 minutes to complete. While the surveys may only be available once or twice a month, the good news is that you always know exactly how much you’ll make and how long the survey will take.

Pinecone Research is picky about the quality of surveys they offer, so you can trust that you’ll only be offered the best ones. And because the surveys are invitation-only, you don’t have to worry about logging in frequently to check for new surveys.

Check out our full review of Pinecone Research here.

PointClub: Fun and Rewarding

If you’re looking for a survey site that’s both fun and pays well, PointClub is a great option. You’ll earn an initial hourly pay between $7 and $15, and you’ll even get a $5 bonus just for signing up. 

Plus, for every 5 consecutive days you log in, you’ll receive a bonus on your total earnings, up to a 100% bonus after 30 consecutive days. The site is a rewards program, and you can redeem your points for PayPal cash or physical gift cards. Just keep in mind that to earn close to the full $15 per hour, you’ll need to take advantage of these bonuses.

Check out our full review of PointClub here.

Swagbucks: More Than Just Surveys

Swagbucks may not pay as much for taking surveys as some other sites, but they offer many other ways to earn money online, including watching videos, shopping online, clipping coupons, and more. 

With Swagbucks, you can easily earn a near-passive income. While their sign-up bonuses can be unpredictable, you can redeem your Swagbucks for things like physical goods and PayPal cash.

Check out our full review of Swagbucks here.

Springboard America: High Payouts

If you’re a current US citizen or permanent resident, Springboard America is worth checking out. They offer a high payout percentage, and you can expect to earn similar or even slightly higher pay than Vindale Research. 

While there’s no sign-up bonus, the high payout rate more than makes up for it. Just keep in mind that there’s a minimum withdrawal amount of $50, and you won’t be able to take as many surveys as you’d like. However, most of their surveys pay well, so it’s still a great option to consider.

Final Verdict

Vindale Research is one of the oldest and most reliable survey sites that pays you money for your time. If you have a lot of free time and don’t mind spending it in front of the computer, you could try signing up for their surveys and earning $50 or more.

However, if you’re already busy and looking for something more efficient, taking surveys online might not be the best fit for you. There are plenty of other side hustles you could try instead. After all, the ultimate goal is to help you pay off debt, invest wisely, and live a financially stress-free life.

So, what’s the best way to make money online? Well, it depends on your skills and interests. Some people choose to sell items on Etsy or eBay, while others might try freelance writing or coding. You could also consider starting a blog, creating online courses, or even becoming an affiliate marketer.

Ultimately, the key is to find something that you enjoy doing and can commit to. With a little bit of effort and dedication, you can turn your side hustle into a successful online business.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Is There a Better Way to Make Money Online?

If you want to make a stable and secure stream of passive income, I would suggest you start an affiliate marketing business online.

Affiliate marketing is perfect for anyone who is new to online business. 

In fact, of all the online business models I’ve tried, affiliate marketing is the easiest and most rewarding so far.  

In affiliate marketing, you can actually run your business almost with zero cost and achieve a steady and sustainable passive income to pay for your bills. You don’t need any initial capital and can even do it as a side hustle.

And if you really want to learn affiliate marketing and build a business from scratch, I’d recommend you to get started with the most reputable platform for affiliate marketing: Wealthy Affiliate.

Wealthy Affiliate is an all-in-one platform for building your affiliate marketing business from scratch. It offers you a free account (including a free website) with comprehensive training on SEO (free traffic methods), which enables you to get started with affiliate marketing right away without paying a penny.

But How Much Can You Earn with It?

A 21-year-old student from Wealthy Affiliate was able to earn $7,395 in just 1 week, which means he made more than $1k a day…all while using free traffic methods.

Wealthy Affiliate Testimonial

Wealthy Affiliate has existed for 15 years and there are many success stories in the past decade.

You can read our full review of Wealthy Affiliate here.

Where to Join Wealthy Affiliate?

Wealthy Affiliate has a very simple pricing scheme. It has free and premium membership.

If you want to feel about Wealthy Affiliate, you can sign up for the free starter membership here (no credit card required). You can select to be a free member with no time limit.

And as a starter member, you can get instant access to the community, live chat, over 500 training modules, 2 classrooms, networking, commenting, 1 free website, access to the keyword tool.

You can enjoy all these values without paying a penny. 

So I strongly recommend you to register a free account and see it yourself.

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