PermissionResearch Reviews and Features

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PermissionResearch

comScore, Inc., 11950 Democracy Drive, Suite 600 Reston, VA  20190 US
Tel: 1-866-638-7388   Contact: https://www.permissionresearch.com/supportform.aspx
Operated by: TMRG, Inc

KEY FEATURES:

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PAYMENTS OFFERED

checkmarkCash paid via check checkmarkRetail e-vouchers checkmarkSweepstakes entries checkmarkDonations to charity

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HOW TO PARTICIPATE

checkmarkBrowser add-on checkmarkOnline surveys checkmarkRefer-a-friend program

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REDEEMING REWARDS

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Entries into sweepstakes and occasional invites to surveys that offer cash and gift card rewards are offered to members of the panel.

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Over 2 million people around the world are a part of the PermissionResearch community. PermissionResearch is part of ComScore Inc., a large market research company which was founded back in 1936. The goal of the PermissionResearch project is to understand the patterns and trends that exist when individuals surf the internet. A better understanding of how people use the internet serves the ultimate purpose of helping companies make guided future business decisions on the web.

Identifying Trends

PermissionResearch has the goal of measuring how people engage online. They are collecting data on online usage and purchase information. In addition to collecting data used in research reports, the PermissionResearch software increases your eligibility for surveys. It uses your Internet surfing data to provide you with surveys, which are most relevant to the services/products you use.

When you sign up, you not only share your online browsing and shopping habits, you're allowing PermissionResearch to collect information about your TV viewing habits (including data such as the channels and programs you watch and record, and the on-demand programming you order) directly from your TV service provider on your behalf.

How to Become a Member

If you would like to become a member of PermissionResearch you must begin by filling out a registration form. PermissionResearch is invitation only, so be patient while waiting for your invite! If you qualify, you will be asked to download a special type of software that will be used to track your habits while you surf the internet. The software will not interfere with any of your surfing, and will run silently in the background. If you would like to participate in the TV tracking research project, you will be guided on how that can be set up.

Member Perks

  • Trees for Knowledge: PermissionResearch has partnered with a non-profit organization known as Trees for the Future. Trees for the Future has been helping thousands of communities in Central America, Africa and Asia by planning nearly 65 million trees since 1989. Trees for the Future plants a tree for each new person who joins the PermissionResearch community. When you sign up for PermissionResearch, you are recognized with a tree planted through the Trees of Knowledge program.
  • Monthly Sweepstakes: As a reward for members, each month one lucky panelist will receive $100. There are also other draws for bigger cash prizes of $2500, $5000 and even $100,000! Earn extra sweepstakes entries when you refer friends or family to the panel.
  • Free Software: PermissionResearch members also receive free software such as file protection, screensavers, games and online privacy tools!
  • Cash and Gift Cards: From time to time, PermissionResearch members may be contacted for special surveys that offer extra perks, like cash or gift cards as a thank you for participation.

Take Occasional Surveys

Periodically, members may be asked to complete special surveys about their internet or TV usage habits. Occasionally these will be emailed to you, and/or occasionally appear as a pop-up on your browser. These surveys may be rewarded with a cash or gift card for your participation. The reward will be outlined in the survey invitation.

Commitment to Privacy

PermissionResearch ensures that the software used to record internet usage patterns does not reveal your identity, as it collects data in aggregate form. This panel has a strict privacy policy set in place and has an A+ BBB accreditation.

Eligibility: International members accepted, 18+


PermissionResearch Reviews (15)

5 Star Reviews (5) 33.3
33.3
4 Star Reviews (0) 0.0
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3 Star Reviews (0) 0.0
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2 Star Reviews (0) 0.0
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1 Star Reviews (10) 66.7
66.7

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Privacy concerns and lack of rewards

November 1, 2016 by Steve from United Kingdom

I initially signed up due to a promotion elsewhere (probably on SwagBucks) but decided not to download the mandatory monitoring software because of concerns about exactly what was being monitored.

The privacy policy does give vague guidance on what may be monitored, but I didn't feel comfortable installing something that didn't specifically detail what I'd be providing. The company's reassurances about privacy concerns seem genuine, but I just don't want to take the risk e.g. their software may well be fine, but what if this gets hijacked by someone with malicious intent? They then have a ready-made vehicle for sending your personal data anywhere they like (due to permissions you granted to the PR software). It's just not a risk I want to take.

The rewards are pretty unexciting too, with prize draw entries and a suggestion that surveys *may* be paid - even the blurb is somewhat lukewarm about this i.e. "Take Surveys Sometimes!". The Trees for Knowledge tree-planting programme seems to be well-meaning, but I don't this is a good reason for signing up.

But the clincher for me were the disclaimers that basically say that they won't be held responsible if anything goes wrong; here's an extract: "UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL OUR COMPANY, ITS SERVICE PROVIDERS OR AFFILIATES BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT RESULT FROM THE USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THE PROGRAM, EVEN IF WE HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES RESULTING IN ANY WAY FROM THIS PROGRAM.". You can find the disclaimers near the bottom of this page: https://www.permissionresearch.com/privacy.aspx

Enough said...

virues found

October 14, 2014 by Brenda from Canada

I tried to download and my security found 8 viruses. Please a use caution. I would stay away from this site.

Slow but Steady

August 25, 2014 by Dennis from United States

Originally I got a decent amount of small surveys from them. I frequently qualified and if I do not, I get compensated about 8 cents for trying. Than the rules changed and you had to do offers for 50% of the reward and it became impossible to make money on the site.

Not much about it...

February 28, 2014 by Sharon from United States

Well, I signed up months ago, but I didn't want to use the software, just to give them free research. So, if you really like filling out surveys for the hell of it, try them. I get a few per week, screen out half the time, but even when I screen out I get an entry in the contest. That is the only reason they get half a star. The surveys are super hard or long, just kind of boring and there are other people who value my opinion enough to throw me a couple bucks so I'm going to spend my time with those companies instead of filling out surveys in hopes of a unlikely lottery win. Sorry.

Crappy Software

October 20, 2013 by Arcadio from United States

I haven't been a member of this site long enough to see if I would win anything but the software is so bad it will slow down your computer. After I uninstalled their software my computer ran a normal speed again. Do NOT install if you want your computer to run like a computer from the stone age.