Respondent works by matching your profile to paid research studies: you answer a short unpaid screener, and if the researcher invites you and you attend or complete the study, you're paid through a Tremendous gift card, usually 7-10 business days later. The point people miss is that screeners are never paid; only finished studies are.
Respondent connects researchers with people who fit very specific profiles, often professionals in a particular role or industry. It can pay well for the right person, but the selection process is where most people stall. Here's how it works, from Respondent's own help centre.
How a Respondent study works
- Build your profile. Researchers search on role, tools, industry, company size, region, time zone, languages and availability, so fill in every field.
- Apply and answer the screener. It's a short, unpaid questionnaire that checks whether you fit.
- Wait for an invitation. Respondent sends an SMS and an email when you're invited.
- Book or start. For moderated studies you pick a time on the researcher's calendar; for unmoderated ones, the emailed link starts the study.
- Attend or complete it. Once the researcher confirms you took part, your incentive is issued.
A profile checklist
- Your current job title, written the way your industry writes it.
- Your industry and company size.
- The tools and software you use at work.
- Your region and time zone.
- Languages you speak.
- When you're realistically available for sessions.
- Verified phone number and email address.
Respondent says these are the fields researchers filter on, so a thin profile simply never appears in their searches.
Why screeners aren't paid
Respondent is clear about this: screeners are unpaid. You're paid only after you attend or complete the study and the researcher confirms it. Some projects run with trusted partners also ask for a second screener on the partner's own platform after the Respondent one.
The tip that matters most: stay consistent. Respondent says your profile is read alongside your screener answers, and a mismatch lowers your chances of selection. If your profile says one job title and your screener another, expect to be passed over.
The kinds of studies on Respondent
| Study type | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Remote interview | A scheduled video or phone session, usually 15-90 min |
| Remote focus group | A video call with several participants and a moderator |
| Unmoderated online study | A self-guided survey or task with a deadline |
| Longer tasks | Short entries or tasks spread over days or weeks |
| In-person interview or focus group | A session at a set location, so plan travel and bring ID if asked |
For unmoderated studies, Respondent suggests starting as soon as you're invited, because spots can fill. For moderated ones with no calendar slots left, use the 'There is no availability' box in the invitation email to contact the researcher.
How Respondent pays you
After the researcher confirms you attended, the incentive is issued and delivered through Tremendous. You get an email, choose a gift card, such as a Visa prepaid card or Amazon, and redeem it. Respondent doesn't hold balances, so there's nothing to withdraw; each study pays out on its own.
| Payment detail | What Respondent says |
|---|---|
| Timing | Most payments within 7-10 business days of the researcher confirming attendance |
| Status | Payment Sent, then Paid, under Your Projects |
| Currency | Listed and paid in US dollars; options vary by country and may involve conversion |
| Fee | A fulfillment fee of 5% is deducted from the incentive |
If the Tremendous email hasn't arrived 2 business days after Payment Sent, check your spam folder and search for Tremendous. If more than 10 business days have passed since attendance was confirmed, message the researcher in the project thread first, then support. Respondent also suggests adding Tremendous's rewards email address to your approved senders before your first study, so the payout email doesn't vanish into a junk folder. Remember the fee too: because 5% comes off every incentive, the amount you redeem is always a little below the figure in the study listing.
If the researcher doesn't turn up
It happens, and Respondent's rule is on your side. If a researcher doesn't show up for a scheduled session, they're still obligated to pay you. Message them asking to be marked as Attended and paid, offer to reschedule if you like, and Respondent says your status should move to Attended and then Paid within 10 business days. If it doesn't, contact support.
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What to expect from earnings
Respondent itself says earning is neither certain nor daily. Rates vary by study method and length, and it says the platform shouldn't be treated as a dependable daily income stream. The people who do best tend to have specific professional profiles that researchers are actively looking for.
My verdict on how Respondent works
Respondent is worth a carefully completed profile if you have a job, industry or set of tools that researchers want to hear about. Answer screeners honestly and consistently, act fast on invitations, and expect occasional studies rather than regular, predictable work. For similar options, see my guide to how much UserTesting pays and my guide to how much Prolific pays.
Frequently asked questions
Are Respondent screeners paid?
No. Respondent says screeners are unpaid; you're paid only after attending or completing the study and the researcher confirming it.
How long does Respondent take to pay?
Most payments arrive within 7-10 business days after the researcher confirms your attendance, delivered through Tremendous.
How do I withdraw money from Respondent?
There's no withdrawal. Respondent holds no balances; each incentive arrives as a Tremendous email where you choose a gift card.
Does Respondent pay in US dollars?
Yes. Incentives are listed and paid in US dollars, and redemption options vary by country.
What if a Respondent researcher doesn't show up?
Respondent says they're still obligated to pay you. Ask to be marked as Attended; your status should become Paid within 10 business days.
