Homescan Consumer Panel Reviews and Features

Homescan Consumer Panel

85 Broad Street, New York, New York  10004 US
Tel: 800.864.1224   Contact:
Operated by: The Nielsen Company, LLC

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KEY FEATURES:

The Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel, has existed for over 25 years and is a mini representation of consumers in every country it operates in. Panelists scan the barcodes on their every day purchases and complete engaging surveys, influencing the consumer marketplace via their purchasing decisions. The Nielsen Company is the world’s leading marketing information provider that measures audience and the effectiveness of business media products and services and operates this panel.

Becoming a Member

Start by filling out the online registration form on the website. Note that only one membership can be completed per household. Once the information is received you will be put on the "Reserve Status Waiting List". Nielsen Homescan will then randomly select households to join the community. This is to ensure that panel members are as diverse as possible. If you have registered, do not register again - you may be on the waiting list for a few weeks or even a few months before getting your acceptance email.

Scan and Earn!

Once you are a registered member, Nielsen Homescan will send you a handheld scanner in the mail (they will pay for the shipping on both sending and returning the scanner) or in non-EU countries such as Canada, you can select the option of scanning your purchases using Nielsen's mobile app. Use this handheld scanner/mobile app to scan the barcodes on all of your purchases. Once a week, simply transmit this information to Nielsen - a super easy and quick process!

Each time you scan an item, you accumulate points that can be used towards items in the Homescan Gift Catalog. When you scan items, note that your information will be aggregated with other participants', and your personally identifiable information will be removed. In addition to scanning your items, you can also take part in fun surveys to earn additional points.

Collecting Points

The amount of points you earn is dependent on the duration of your membership with the panel as well as how consistent you are with scanning barcodes weekly. 1,000 points are worth approximately $1 and the minimum cash out balance is $20, which can be used towards items from the Homescan Gift Catalog.

Homescan Gift Catalog

The Homescan Gift Catalog contains gift-cards that can be used towards electronics, toys and household items. Members can also use points toward sweepstakes entries. Gifts are listed at various points levels, so you can use your points right away, or save up for larger rewards like sunglasses, tablets, TVs and more.

Fun and Easy

Nielsen Homescan works by collecting scanned barcodes on consumer purchases. They also prompt members to complete fun and easy surveys which help with making your voice heard as a consumer!

Other Ways to Earn Points

Complete emailed surveys and earn additional points credited to your account. As a bonus, receive yearly gifts for your participation in the program. Regular participants are also entered into the Nielsen Homescan sweepstakes that are held weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly. Although points give you access to the HomeScan Gift Catalog, sweepstakes sometimes offer cash prizes.

Use the Mobile App to Scan Purchases

In non-EU countries, instead of using the handheld scanner, simply download the “Nielsen Homescan” mobile app, which provides an even easier way to scan your purchases. The app contains the exact same functions as the traditional hand-held scanner but some users find using their mobile phones for this purpose is easier. Note that the mobile app can only be downloaded if you are a panel member and is available in select countries.

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Homescan Consumer Panel Reviews (43)

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September 26, 2020 by Suzanne from United States

The program is fairly easy to use, but does take time. Surveys are to the point and don’t waste your time. I’d like to see more digital gifts cards/PayPal available, but it has been improving in that regard.

January 15, 2015 by Jason from Canada

Been a member since 2009, scanning purchased products, answering surveys and participating in diaries. Here are my thoughts on my experience thus far:

PROS:
+ Easy to use barcode scanner
+ Week-long Diaries every other month (typically $15 gift card upon completion)
+ Qualify 99% of the time for surveys

CONS:
- The software tends to crash when attempting to transfer scan logs
- Not as many surveys as before
- Can feel like a chore at first

OVERALL:
At first it felt like a chore having to scan every item I purchase; however, once it becomes second nature like brushing ones teeth, its quite easy to accumulate points. These days there appears to be less surveys but there has been a recent rise in online diaries which I qualify for almost 100% of the time.

September 17, 2010 by Arleen from United States

When I first joined the incentives didn't seem to good. Now if you scan every week, do the surveys, do the new perscription scan and get the extra pts for scanning every week you should be able to get $50 in @ 9 months

September 17, 2010 by Jackie from United States

It takes forever to scan everything, especially if you buy a lot of grocery at one time. It seemed like the points to a long time to accumulate and I got nowhere with this program. It would be great for stay-at-home parents who would like to pass time.

April 27, 2015 by Lorna from Canada

I have only been a member here for under a year, but it seems very long to earn many rewards that add up to any concrete rewards... I do scan all my purchases.. and submit it all, answer all surveys and try to participate in other surveys such as food consumption diaries.. this was a total time waster.. the program was not user friendly for uploading pictures as they requested.. and some days took over 2 hours per person to load the meals and put the details they wanted. They are supportive when they answer you. Have sent out some perks such as little grocery bag... but lots of info sent in for what I see as earned rewards at this point, but will come back once I have hit the year mark to give a fuller evaluation.