Dscout
Diary & mobileBest for multi-day “diary” missions, smartphone tasks, and real-life behavior over time.
- • Lots of short video or photo entries
- • Great if you’re responsive and detailed
- • Incentives often higher, but more work
Deep Dive
Participants
~8 min read
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Updated 2025
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Dscout, User Interviews, Respondent, UserTesting
How to do paid research
and how not to be “that” participant
This is a behind-the-scenes look at how to use four research platforms as a participant: Dscout, User Interviews, Respondent.io, and UserTesting. It’s not a sales page, it’s a practical guide for staying in good standing, understanding each platform’s “personality,” and deciding where your time is actually worth it.
Real participant perspective
Etiquette & best practices
Quick glance: who’s best for what?
All four pay for your time, but they lean into very different study styles and audiences.
User Interviews
1:1 & nicheBest for scheduled interviews and usability tests, especially if you match specific professional criteria.
- • Strong in B2B, professionals, and niche roles
- • Calendar-based sessions, good pay per hour
- • Lots of screening surveys
Respondent.io
High-value 1:1Best for higher-ticket interviews, often targeted at professionals or very specific demographics.
- • Fewer studies, but higher payouts
- • Many are 30–60 minute Zoom calls
- • Strong emphasis on truthful credentials
UserTesting
Live UX testsBest for “think-aloud” usability tests and live product walkthroughs on your computer or phone.
- • Short tests with screen + audio recording
- • Good if you’re comfortable narrating
- • Ratings matter for future invites
Platform-by-platform breakdown
What it’s actually like?
Dscout
Mobile-first diary studies, in-the-moment research, and missions that follow you through real life.
What it feels like as a participant
You’re usually completing many small “entries” over several days: short videos, quick snapshots, and check-ins about how you use a product or go through a routine. It’s chatty, casual, and very “real life” oriented. Great if you’re comfortable talking to your phone and capturing moments on the fly.
Strengths
- Excellent for longitudinal studies (multi-day or multi-week).
- Researchers often want authentic, unpolished responses.
- Pay is typically higher overall because missions require more effort.
Things to know
- Consistency matters: missing entries can impact your eligibility and payout.
- Good lighting and clear audio on your phone make a huge difference.
- You need push notifications enabled or a habit of checking the app.
User Interviews
A marketplace for scheduled interviews, usability tests, and surveys, especially strong for specific roles or demographics.
New to User Interviews? Sign up using my link and you’ll receive a $10 bonus from them as a new participant.
What it feels like as a participant
You browse a feed of open studies, answer screeners, and then (hopefully) get invited to a scheduled session. Most sessions are one-on-one video calls, moderated usability tests, or occasionally unmoderated tasks you complete on your own schedule.
Strengths
- Great for people in specific jobs, industries, or with certain tools/skills.
- Clear time commitments and incentive amounts listed up front.
- Scheduling tools integrate well with your calendar.
Things to know
- Screeners can be competitive; you’ll apply more than you’re selected.
- Researchers heavily rely on honest background info and work history.
- Show up on time and prepared—no-shows can impact your account.
Respondent.io
A platform focused on higher-value research sessions, often targeted at specific professional roles or experiences.
What it feels like as a participant
The study feed is smaller but the incentives are larger. You’ll often see targeted interviews for specific job titles, tools, or company sizes. When you do qualify, the sessions are usually well-structured with clear expectations.
Strengths
- Higher payouts per session, especially for niche expertise.
- Good for professionals comfortable speaking in detail about their work.
- Clear separation between your profile and studies you complete.
Things to know
- They care a lot about accurate job and income information.
- You may get fewer invites, but they’re usually more worth your time.
- Be ready to speak candidly and thoughtfully about your experience.
UserTesting
A platform built around usability tests, think-aloud tasks, and live conversations while you share your screen.
What it feels like as a participant
You’re walking through websites, apps, or prototypes while thinking out loud. Many tests are solo recordings, some are live with a moderator. Your voice, clarity, and ability to narrate your thoughts are the main “skills” here.
Strengths
- Quick tests you can do between other tasks.
- Great for people who naturally narrate what they’re doing.
- Faster feedback loop between test and payout once you’re established.
Things to know
- Your rating as a participant matters for getting more tests.
- Technical issues (mic, screen recording, extensions) can kill an otherwise good session.
- Silence is the enemy—talk through every thought, confusion, and reaction.
Personal recommendation
Which platform's for you?
You don’t have to pick a favorite, but each shines in different situations.
You like journaling & routine
Focus on Dscout missions. They reward consistency, reflection, and capturing real life.
You’re a talker with niche expertise
Lean on User Interviews and Respondent.io for deeper one-on-one sessions.
You like quick, structured tasks
UserTesting is ideal if you thrive on short, directed tasks and talking through your screen.
You’re optimizing for total income
Mix all four. Apply widely, keep a clean track record, and protect your reputation across platforms.
Participant etiquette: how to be the person researchers invite
Each platform has its own policies, but the core expectations are the same: honesty, reliability, and respect for people’s time and confidentiality. This is the standard to aim for.
Before you apply or join a study
- Tell the truth on screeners. Do not inflate your role, income, or experience to qualify.
- Read the full description. Time commitment, tasks, and tech requirements matter.
- Check your calendar. Only apply for sessions you can actually attend.
- Test your setup. Microphone, camera, and internet should all be working beforehand.
- Respect NDAs and confidentiality. Some studies prohibit sharing details with anyone else.
During the session or mission
- Show up on time. For interviews, join a few minutes early if you can.
- Think out loud. Especially on UX tests and Dscout missions, narrate what you’re thinking and feeling.
- Be honest, even if it’s “negative.” Researchers want reality, not flattery.
- Avoid multitasking. Close extra tabs and mute distractions where possible.
- Be respectful. You’re often speaking with someone who built or owns what you’re testing.
After the session or mission
- Complete any follow-up tasks. Some missions or interviews have quick wrap-up surveys.
- Watch for communication. Respond to clarifications or confirmations from the researcher or platform.
- Don’t dispute fairly-earned rejections. If you made a real mistake, learn from it, not fight it.
- Track your payouts. Keep your own log of what you’ve completed and when payments should arrive.
Immediate red-flag behaviors
- Lying about your identity, role, income, or access to tools you don’t actually use.
- Sharing confidential materials, prototypes, or screenshots outside the research context.
- No-showing without notice, especially repeatedly.
- Using AI or scripts to auto-complete diary entries or written responses instead of your own words.
- Harassing, insulting, or speaking inappropriately to researchers or support teams.
These notes are not official policy for any platform. Always check each site’s current terms, payment details, and rules. If you’re joining from this page, please treat that as a personal referral, not a guarantee.