Yes, Prolific.com is a legitimate platform for participating in paid academic and market research surveys. Established in 2014, Prolific collaborates with universities and institutions worldwide and maintains transparent and ethical payment practices—typically offering at least £6/$8 per hour and allowing cash-outs via PayPal once you reach about $6. User feedback is generally positive: many praise the fair pay, engaging surveys, and straightforward interface
The Income Informer though several point out that survey availability can vary and the app doesn’t exist (beware of scam apps). Some users report challenges with ID verification or account holds, often citing limited explanations from support
Prolific has become one of the most popular and trusted platforms for people who want to earn money by participating in online research. Its focus on academic studies, fair pay, and participant respect makes it stand out from other survey sites. However, one challenge many participants face is the limited availability of surveys. Since spots for each study are often capped, being proactive and strategic is key if you want to get more survey opportunities. With the right approach, you can boost your chances of qualifying for studies and increase your overall earnings.
Keep Your Profile Updated and Complete
Your profile is the first thing researchers see when deciding who qualifies for their studies. Prolific matches you to surveys based on the demographic, lifestyle, and background details you provide. The more complete your profile is, the higher your chances of getting matched with relevant studies.
Spend time answering every profile question thoroughly and honestly. Even small details, such as your hobbies, employment type, or household information, can make a difference in eligibility. Check back regularly to update your profile when your circumstances change—like a new job, new location, or education level—since these can open new doors to surveys you may not have qualified for before.
Log In Frequently and Stay Active
Many Prolific surveys fill up quickly, often within minutes of being posted. If you only log in once in a while, chances are you’ll miss the best-paying or most interesting studies. To maximize your opportunities, make it a habit to check your dashboard multiple times a day.
Some participants keep a browser tab open with Prolific running in the background so they can quickly see when a new survey appears. Others use Prolific’s notification feature or browser extensions that alert them when a study becomes available. Whichever method works best for you, staying active is the simplest and most effective way to grab more surveys.
Enable Notifications for New Studies
Timing is everything on Prolific. Because spots are limited, being among the first to accept a study invitation is crucial. Enabling email notifications or push notifications can help you act quickly when a new survey is released. Some participants also use unofficial browser add-ons that refresh the Prolific page automatically and alert them the moment a new survey is available.
Just be mindful of how often you’re being alerted—constant notifications can become overwhelming. Instead, find a balance by setting up alerts during the hours you’re most likely to be available to take surveys.
Aim for High Approval and Reliability Scores
Prolific monitors participant behavior through approval and reliability scores. If researchers consistently approve your submissions, it signals that you are providing quality and thoughtful responses. On the other hand, if you rush through studies, skip questions, or provide inconsistent answers, you risk lowering your reliability.
Maintaining a high score makes you a more attractive participant, which can indirectly lead to more opportunities. Researchers often prefer to include participants with strong track records, so always take your time to answer honestly and carefully.
Respond Quickly but Read Carefully
Speed is important when claiming a spot, but accuracy is even more critical. Many Prolific studies include attention checks to ensure participants are engaged. If you click too quickly without reading instructions, you might fail these checks and risk losing access to future studies.
A smart approach is to claim the survey quickly to secure your spot, but then slow down and carefully read each question before answering. This ensures you maintain both speed and quality.
Focus on Peak Times
Like any research platform, Prolific has busier periods when more studies are released. Since much of the research is conducted by universities, surveys are often more plentiful during the academic year, especially between September and May. Weekdays, particularly mornings and early afternoons (depending on your time zone), tend to have more survey availability compared to late evenings or weekends.
By recognizing these patterns, you can plan your login times around peak hours. This doesn’t guarantee more surveys, but it significantly improves your odds.
Join Specialized or Longer Studies
While short surveys are common, longer or more specialized studies often offer higher pay and sometimes allow for repeat participation. For example, researchers may run multi-part studies where you return for follow-up sessions over days or weeks. These opportunities can pay more per hour and provide a steady stream of income once you are accepted.
If you have expertise in a certain field or belong to a specific demographic group, make sure your profile reflects that. This increases the likelihood of being invited to niche studies that pay better and are less competitive.
Use Multiple Devices When Allowed
Some Prolific studies are designed for desktops, while others may be mobile-friendly. By having both options available, you won’t miss out on studies that require a particular device. Keep in mind, though, that you should never attempt to complete the same study on multiple devices—that would violate Prolific’s rules. Instead, use device flexibility to broaden your pool of available studies.
Stay Patient and Consistent
Prolific is not a platform where you’ll earn large sums overnight. Instead, consistency is what pays off in the long run. Some weeks may be slower than others, but by maintaining an updated profile, logging in frequently, and acting quickly when surveys appear, you’ll gradually build up a steady stream of opportunities. Patience is key because researchers often target specific participant groups, meaning you may go through quiet spells before new opportunities match your profile again.
Final Thoughts
Getting more survey opportunities on Prolific requires a mix of preparation, consistency, and smart strategies. By keeping your profile updated, staying active, and responding quickly when studies appear, you can significantly increase your chances of being selected. Remember that quality matters just as much as quantity—maintaining a strong reputation with honest, thoughtful responses will keep the opportunities flowing.
Prolific may not make you rich, but it offers a rewarding and ethical way to earn side income while contributing to meaningful research. If you’re patient and committed, you’ll not only see your earnings grow but also enjoy being part of studies that impact real-world knowledge and discoveries.