Is Survey World a Scam?

If you’re thinking of using Survey World, you need to know: Is Survey World a scam? 

Below, we explain whether Survey World is a scam and discuss some steps you can take to improve your safety when using this platform. 

What Is Survey World?

Survey World is a free platform that connects you with surveys from third-party companies and rewards you for completing them. 

To get started with Survey World, you need to create an account (and share details like your name, email address, and date of birth) and fill out your profile with additional information. You should then be able to see surveys you can take.

By taking surveys on Survey World, you earn points you can redeem for rewards like cash, gift cards, and contest entry. 

Is Survey World a Scam?

No, Survey World is not a scam. It’s a legitimate platform that connects you to surveys (similar to Testerup). 

However, as a way to make extra cash, it may not be worth it. 

Survey World does not get great reviews from review sites like FinanceBuzz, Paid from Surveys, Money Under 30, Side Hustle Nation, and The Budget Diet.

The overall rating from these sites is 2.5 out of 5.0 stars.

Some of the cons listed include the following:

• It’s a middleman between you and other survey panels.
• Confusing and hard to navigate website.
• Lack of customer support options.
• Limited information about the company or who runs it.
• Not Better Business Bureau accredited.

At the time of writing, Survey World gets a 1.5 out of 5.0-star rating on Trustpilot. 

Common complaints include low points for completing surveys, getting blocked just as you’re about to cash out, and unresponsive customer service. 

It is surprisingly hard to find mentions of Survey World on internet forums like Reddit. 

According to Survey World’s privacy policy, the platform is owned by Leadgency Marketing B.V.

Security

In its FAQs section, Survey World says it uses encryption and adheres to privacy protocols to keep your personal data safe. 

It also says it only works with partners with strong privacy policies, though it does not say who these partners are. 

Privacy

When signing up for Survey World, you need to share your personal information, including your date of birth.

Survey World says that it needs this information to be able to match you with surveys that fit your demographic. 

The platform says it only uses your data to match you with surveys that are relevant to you. 

It claims to delete your data if it can’t find suitable surveys for you. 

It also says that “your information is never shared without your consent and is only used for research purposes.” 

Your survey answers are apparently anonymized. 

In its privacy policy, Survey World explains the kind of data it collects, why, and with whom it shares it. 

Survey World collects personal data that:

• You provide yourself. 
• It gets through its website, newsletters, emails, etc.
• It obtains from other public sources, such as public registers and social media platforms.
• Leadgency’s (i.e., the marketing company that owns Survey World) clients share with it when Leadgency acts as a sub-processor. 

It collects this data to deliver and improve services you’ve requested, meet legal obligations, marketing, and customer satisfaction surveys.

Survey World may share your data with third parties, for example, to execute their agreement or if they’re legally obliged to do so. They can also share your personal data with third parties in the event of a reorganization or merger of the company.  

Data transfers outside the EEA are possible if services involve providers outside the EEA.

So, Should You Use Survey World?

Depends on what you’re hoping to get out of it, but our recommendation is to explore other options. 

Though SurveyWorld is legit, it’s not the one actually paying you. Instead, it connects you to survey providers who do.

According to online reviews, there are other survey platforms that offer a more straightforward experience. 

How to Use Survey World Safely

• Use the official site. Ensure you are on the official Survey World website by double-checking the URL to avoid phishing scams. Also, note that Survey World is free to use so avoid any site that asks for payment.
• Use a secondary or masked email address. Create a separate email address just for surveys to avoid spam in your primary inbox. 
• Be mindful about what you share. Provide minimal personal info.
• Read privacy policies. Especially for third-party sites SurveyWorld sends you to (each one may handle your personal data differently).
• Track your time vs. earnings. Be selective with surveys you take to avoid wasting time on low-paying or irrelevant opportunities.