How to Get Paid to Join Focus Groups Online

By Lou Martin | Published: 8/10/23 | Updated: 2025-06-07T02:10:58Z

Have you ever joined a paid focus group before? I have, and they're quite fun and very rewarding! It is like doing paid online surveys, but more interactive and entertaining! It's not as repetitive like paid online surveys and it's a great way to make extra money for your household! Plus, you don't have to pay a thing to join!

Leading brands likes to get consumers opinions on a new product or concept they are currently working on. Brands hires Market Research Companies to help them find consumers to give their opinions about their latest ideas or creation.

The Market Research Companies ask the consumers questions if they like the idea or not so the brand can make improvement before the product is in its completion stage, ready to hit store shelves.

Unlike regular paid online surveys, focus groups pays a lot more. I've done focus groups that paid me $100 or more for just giving my opinions (AWESOME). The most I got paid with a focus group was $300 through paid online survey panels, actually! Focus groups payments ranges from $25-$500 or more depending on how long the focus group last. It can be a few hours or even months.

In a focus group, there will be a moderator conducting the questions to a small number of consumers. The moderator presents the future product idea and get the consumers feedback.

How to Get Paid to Join Focus Groups Online

There are several different types of focus groups you can join:

A Chat Room-You, along with a moderator and other consumers will be in a chat room discussion. The moderator will discuss the new product development with everyone and ask for feedback. The chat rooms I've done took about 1 to 2 hours, and the pay was $50-$100.

Online Survey- The Market Research Company will send you a survey for you to complete to give feedback on the product idea. These surveys are usually longer than the average paid online survey but the pay is much more.

In-Person- There are focus groups you can join in-person in your local area with other consumers. You'll get to see the actual product in person and give your feedback to the moderator. You are usually paid that very same day. I haven't been able to attend a focus group in-person due to my schedule lately, but I'll find a time to catch one. In-person focus groups are great if you're in need of extra cash right away.

Telephone Interview- The Market Research Company will provide you a date and time they'll call you to do the focus group. Again, there will be a moderator on the phone asking you questions about the product ideas, and you give them your feedback.

In Your Home- Some Market Research Companies will come to your home, sit down with you and present a product idea, and ask for feedback. These types of focus groups are high paying. (And no you will not have other consumers in your home)

Webcam- You will speak with a moderator through webcam to give feedback about a new product idea, or service. Moderator will record your responses and give it to the brand looking for opinions about their latest invention.

Not everyone will qualify joining a focus group, it depends on the demographic that the Market Research Company is looking for. Let say a company is looking for women with infants to give feedback on a new diaper development, I wouldn't qualify because my daughters are older. The Market Research Company will first have you fill out a screener to see if you qualify to join a certain focus group.

Are you interested in joining a focus group? Here are the Top 5 Companies to join their research panels:

1. FocusGroup.com

Focus Group by Sago (formally known as Schlesinger Group), is a Sago Group online community. It is comprised of people who are interested in sharing their opinions and views on a variety of topics to help influence the development of technology, food, healthcare and much more.

2. 20/20 Research

20/20 Research is a website that provides various opportunities for people to participate in focus groups and get paid for their opinions. You can search for groups based on your interests and demographics, and sign up to be notified when new opportunities become available.

3. FieldWork.com

Fieldwork.com is a website that connects participants with various market research opportunities, including focus groups, online surveys, and product testing. You can easily search for studies based on your interests and demographics, and sign up to be notified when new opportunities become available.

4. FindFocusGroups.com

Find Focus Groups have a wide range of opportunities available for people to participate in focus groups and get paid for their opinions. You can search for groups based on your interests and demographics, and sign up to be notified when new opportunities become available.

5. Focus Forward Focus Group

Focus Forward Focus Group needs new people all the time to be in research and share views to improve their products and services.

Paid Online Surveys that Offers Paid Focus Groups Opportunities

1. Branded Surveys

Branded Surveys is a market research community with over 10 million members worldwide. Users can earn points by completing surveys on various topics and redeem them for cash or gift cards. Learn more about Branded Surveys.

2. Toluna

Toluna Influencers is a market research company that rewards users for completing surveys, polls, and discussions. It has over 10 million members worldwide and operates in more than 60 countries. Learn more about Toluna.

3. MySoapBox

MySoapbox is a reliable survey platform that grants users gift cards in exchange for their valuable opinions. With its availability in the United States, Canada, and several EU countries, it provides a great opportunity for individuals aged 13 and above to sign up and start earning rewards. Learn more about MySoapBox.

4. Survey Junkie

Survey Junkie is an online survey company that rewards its members for sharing their opinions. As a subsidiary of DISQO, a market research company, Survey Junkie has over 20 million members worldwide and offers a variety of surveys on various topics, from products and services to entertainment and politics. Members earn points for completing surveys, which can be redeemed for cash or gift cards. Learn more about Survey Junkie.

5. Mindfield

Mindfield is a market research company that rewards members for taking surveys on a wide variety of topics, including products, services, and politics. Members can earn points that can be redeemed for cash or gift cards.

6. LifePoints

Lifepoints is a market research company that rewards members for taking surveys on various topics by accumulating points that can be exchanged for cash, gift cards, or other rewards. Learn more about LifePoints.

7. YouGov

YouGov is a market research company that gathers information from its members through surveys, which businesses, governments, and other organizations utilize to make decisions about their products, services, and policies. Learn more about YouGov.