YouGov Review – The Definitive Australian Guide

Updated 22 July 2023

We reveal how much you can earn from working for YouGov‘s platform, who they’re looking for and what’s involved.

Our review covers the following:

• What is YouGov, and is it Legitimate?
• Earning and Redeeming Rewards
• Must-Know Facts
• Pros and Cons
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

What is YouGov, and is it Legitimate?

• YouGov is a popular and widely used online survey rewards platform. Unlike other platforms like Ipsos iSay and Opinion World, which have operated for decades, YouGov launched in 2000 in the UK but only came to Australia in 2017 after the company bought Galaxy Research, a Sydney-based polling company to get exposure to the Australian market. YouGov is a listed company in London and conducts surveys globally. Locally, it’s heavily quoted during state and federal elections given the amount of polling it undertakes. For all the reasons above, we believe it is legitimate and actively recruiting new members throughout Australia.
• Furthermore, YouGov describes itself as an organisation with the idea that “the more people (who) are able to participate in the decisions made by the institutions that serve them, the better those decisions will be”.
• YouGov states that their company is focused on a “global online community, where millions of people and thousands of political, cultural and commercial organisations engage in a continuous conversation about their beliefs, behaviours and brands”. Australia is a key market for YouGov, and survey participants are always welcomed to the platform.
• While there are some negative reviews online about the YouGov platform, this is typical of any survey site and our users rarely report any issues with the platform. We have listed these in our Pros and Cons section below.

How Do I Sign Up?

Signing up for YouGov is a straightforward process:

1. Visit the YouGov website and complete the questions – you’ll be prompted to provide some basic information, such as your name, gender, email address, and date of birth.
2. You’ll receive 50 points for signing up, worth around 20 cents (as 1 point = 0.4 cents ,based on 5,000 points can be redeemed for a $20 voucher).
3. Next, you’ll fill out a more detailed profile survey which asks your marital status, living situation, household size, income level, number of pets etc. This survey collects demographic information that YouGov uses to match you with relevant surveys. It’s important to provide accurate and complete information here to increase your chances of qualifying for surveys.
4. Once completed, you’ll be able to see the dashboard and the surveys available. 

MoneyHub Head of Research Christopher Walsh walks through YouGov’s sign-up process in the video below:

Earning and Redeeming Rewards

Each survey on YouGov has an associated point value, which can vary depending on the survey’s length and complexity. After completing a survey, points are added to your account. As stated above, 1 point = 0.4 cents, and each survey offers a set amount of points (150, 250, even as high as 500 etc) which will be credited to your account when you complete it. As a reference point, 500 points is around $2, so please keep in mind that a lot of effort (e.g. 20-40 mins of work) is required for what is arguably a small rewards. 

Know This: Some survey sites can be sluggish or even elusive when crediting points to your account. Our research suggests YouGov is a no-nonsense operator who credits promptly and accurately. If you have any comments on this matter (or anything else to do with the platform), please contact our research team.

What Can I Earn?

• Once you’ve accumulated enough points, you can redeem them them for cash via PayPal transfers and Gift Cards. The minimum reward cost is 5,000 points, which is worth $20 (e-Gift Card), but if you build up more points, 10,000 points can be exchange for a $50 e-Gift Card which means you get 25% more voucher credit for your points.
• Each survey will take around 10-40 minutes to complete, and we estimate you’ll earn around $4+ an hour if you continuously complete surveys, however this is near-impossible so YouGov will, for most people, serve as something you access every few days for 10-30 minutes.
• YouGov states that they “add new rewards all the time, based on your feedback” but our research team has not noticed any new additions since first publishing this review, although we continue to monitor YouGov’s initiatives.

Must-Know Facts

Before signing up, be aware of the following:

1. Your demographic profile determines your survey eligibility. Therefore, updating your profile regularly can help you qualify for more surveys. However, if you’re over a certain age and single, it’s realistic you’ll be less ‘in demand’ for surveys than someone with young children aged between 25 and 45. This is because YouGov, like any survey company, is paid to do research for brands that mass consumers buy. If you’re not spending regularly, you’ll be less relevant to YouGov (and arguably many other survey sites). 
2. YouGov is committed to data privacy and security. They follow strict procedures to ensure that your personal information is secure and used appropriately for research purposes. Their Privacy Policy is comprehensive, and states what data they collect and how they use it. While every question you answer is recorded, the integrity of YouGov’s business relies on privacy, and your details are carefully guarded. 
3. YouGov’s rewards system is straightforward. However, it may take time to accumulate enough points to get to 5,000 or 10,000 points; how many surveys you do will directly influence how much you earn. 

Pros and Cons

YouGov is a popular survey site across Australia, but before signing up it’s important to understand its limitations alongside its benefits:

Pros:

• Global trust: YouGov is arguably the most media-friendly survey company, polling elections in many countries and providing consumer insights to big companies across Australia. YouGov has 5+ years of experience in Australia is a committed local player with an established Sydney-based team.
• Continuous opportunities: There are a wide variety of surveys on different topics, with numerous surveys appearing weekly.
• Clear and straightforward points system: There are no tricks or complexity; every time you complete a survey, your points are promptly credited.
• Simple earning: 1 point = 0.4 cent, based on 5,000 points redeeming a $20 e-gift voucher.  Each survey states upfront how many points will be rewarded so you can pick the most relevant and lucrative options and easily see the dollar (or cent) value.

Cons:

• You need to be ‘transactional’ to be surveyed: The number and type of surveys can be limited based on demographic profile; the more you spend and behave like a typical consumer, the more you’ll be invited to surveys.
• High threshold for pay outs: 5,000 points is the minimum, whereby you’ll be given a $20 voucher, is high compared to other survey sites which offer $5 or $10 redemptions. In most cases need to complete 15- 30 surveys to earn enough to generate the minimum reward.

User Testimonials

Over 90% of YouGov’s online feedback is positive, and the platform is one of the most trusted survey sites in the world. However, while the vast majority of YouGov’s members have no issues completing surveys and cashing out rewards, some common themes and issues are mentioned by a minority of users. Please note the reviews we inspected are international; we cannot isolate Australian-specific feedback but have not come across anything problematic in our research. The general negative experiences are as follows:

1. Inadequate Customer Service: Users frequently reported poor customer service, such as automated responses that don’t resolve issues and ignored emails.
2. Difficulties with Redemption: Some users noted issues with redeeming points, whether through PayPal, bank transfers, or receiving gift cards.
3. Issues with Survey Allocation: Several reviewers reported receiving fewer surveys as they got closer to the threshold for redeeming rewards. Others stated that they stopped receiving surveys altogether after giving the platform a positive review.
4. Bias in Surveys: One user alleged that the survey questions were heavy with left-leaning bias, suggesting that the platform’s surveys are not impartial.
5. Repeated Surveys: A user complained about the repetitive nature of the surveys, stating they are constantly asked for the same information and given surveys scarcely different from each other.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often can I take surveys?

The number of surveys you can take depends on your demographic profile and the current research needs of YouGov. It’s a good idea to check the platform regularly for new survey opportunities and promptly respond to email invitations. 

What happens if I don’t qualify for a survey?

If you start a survey but don’t qualify to complete it, you’ll usually receive a small number of points to compensate you for your time. Always provide accurate and consistent responses to improve your chances of qualifying for future surveys – survey sites actively use fraud prevention and look for inconsistencies to ensure their data has integrity, so always be truthful. 

What types of surveys can I expect on YouGov?

YouGov offers a wide variety of surveys spanning various subjects. These can range from product and brand opinions to advertising effectiveness, political polling, and more. The types of surveys you receive will largely depend on your demographic profile.

How long does each survey typically take to complete?

This can vary widely; between 10 to 40 minutes is the average. Longer and more complex surveys typically offer more points.

How many points do I earn per survey?

The number of points you earn per survey depends on the survey’s length and complexity. While specific point allocations may vary, each survey’s point value is clearly stated upfront, so you’ll know how many points you’ll earn before you start. Each point roughly equates to $0.4 cents, so if a survey states you’ll earn 200 points, that’s worth around 80 cents.

Can I participate in surveys on mobile devices?

Yes – YouGov is accessible on multiple devices, including smartphones and tablets. This means you can take surveys at your convenience, whether at home or on the go.

I signed up and haven’t received any survey invitations. What’s going on?

The number of survey invitations you receive can depend on various factors, including your demographic profile and the current needs of YouGov’s clients. If you’re not receiving many survey invites, consider updating your profile to ensure it’s accurate and complete.

How long do my points stay valid?

We understand YouGov points will never expire as long as you are an active member. However, this can change at any moment without notice.

Conclusion

• YouGov is a legitimate survey site that allows you to earn rewards for sharing your opinions and insights.
• While it will take some time to earn a $20 voucher (and even more to work towards $50), it can be a productive and rewarding way to utilise your spare time and YouGov’s trusted presence means you are likely contributing to valuable research.
• We like the fact that the dashboard is simple to navigate, and the points system is transparent.
• While not specific to Australia, a Scottish YouGov user raised the question of endless surveys for little reward in 2017 in The Guardian. The newspaper responded with a message consistent to ours – every survey site, it has pros and cons, and success requires understanding how the system works and being relevant to the research it wants to complete. There are plenty of alternatives, and it will take some time to build up to a $20 award.
• YouGov won’t be for everyone, but we see it as one of the best available, given its track record in Australia and straight-forward PayPal payment rewards.