Many of us spend most of our free time online, clicking and surfing the web to our heart’s content. You likely turn to the internet to search for anything under the sun, but have you ever wondered if you can earn from it?
If you’re looking for an additional income stream to supplement your work, you might be thrilled to hear about online researching jobs you can do in your free time. You may encounter popular platforms like AskWonder. But how do these sites work?
We also wanted to learn more, so we explored official AskWonder sources and other users’ reviews through independent sites to find helpful information about it.
We discovered, though, that the website isn’t accepting new researchers as of writing, but opportunities may open up in the future. So, find out our best tip to make the most of the platform, and avoid doing all the wrong things that can prevent you from earning.
Can you get paid as an online researcher at AskWonder?
Ask Wonder, or simply Wonder, is a Get-Paid-To (GPT) site that claims to pay users to research online. If you’re tech-savvy and have a knack for gathering information on the internet, it may be an excellent way to spend your time and earn a bit of money on the side.
AskWonder functions like a research site that business professionals can use to get detailed answers to specific questions about various topics, such as economics, market research, product recommendations, tech-related subjects, and more.
We’ve read on its website that Ask Wonder partners with thousands of analysts to act as personal research assistants. That’s where you, the researcher, can help. You can respond to these customer inquiries by searching thoroughly online.
You’ll act like a human search engine for paying customers and earn a few bucks by answering questions. We’ll explore how much money you can make later in this article.
The company Wonder has been around since 2012 and has its headquarters in Broadway, New York.
So, is AskWonder legit? With a decade of experience in the research service industry and numerous partner brands like Staples, Bloomberg Beta, and Citi Ventures, we think it’s a good sign that it’s a legitimate business.
Who can sign up for Ask Wonder?
We should start with a disclaimer that Ask Wonder isn’t accepting new applicants for their research team as of writing this article. The site hasn’t announced when it’ll recruit new online researchers.
Once the site accepts applications again and you want to join the platform’s network of analysts, you’ll have to be at least 18 years old.
Ask Wonder works globally, so you can sign up no matter where you live. Ideally, you have a knack for writing and online research and have some free time to spare. Moreover, because the site pays via PayPal, you must be in a location that supports this payment platform.
You can use AskWonder on any device, including your mobile phone. However, because it’s research-heavy and you have to type long passages, you may want to use a computer or laptop instead.
Making money on AskWonder: What opportunities does it offer?
Wonder is a specialized GPT website, and unlike survey sites like Swagbucks and PrizeRebel, it doesn’t have a diverse set of earning opportunities. Instead, the platform primarily banks on online research.
So, how does this work? Once you’ve signed up for Ask Wonder and it has accepted your application as a researcher, you’ll have to sign in on AskWonder.com.
After you log in, you can start by viewing your research dashboard. There, you’ll find a list of research assignments. Each one states how much you’ll earn, so you may pick the ones with high rewards. More complex tasks pay more, and we’ll discuss this later.
From the list on your dashboard, you can choose a topic you want to work on, and your research starts there. As mentioned above, tasks can involve various topics, so research experience gives you an edge.
The downside here is that you must complete your research task in one sitting. If you don’t, then you can’t pick up where you left off.
Once you’ve found and compiled the answers the customer wants, you can submit your work and earn money.
How much money can you make on Ask Wonder?
Although AskWonder pays you for every question you answer, we found that the earnings won’t be enough to replace your full-time job.
How much you earn will depend on the complexity of the questions you’ll answer and how many research projects are available.
Each research task you complete can pay you from $8 to $35.
Each one takes around 60–90 minutes to accomplish, but beginners may have to spend up to four hours working. Again, you’ll have to finish and submit the project in one sitting.
Although this is a decent amount of money you can earn in your free time, the platform has to accept the answer you submit before it pays you. That means the platform doesn’t guarantee you’ll get money every time you accomplish a task.
This is a huge consideration for us because we don’t want to spend time with research only to not get paid in the end. But then again, if you’re skilled and know that you can do an excellent job, you probably wouldn’t have to worry about your answers getting rejected.
How does AskWonder pay you?
You’ll earn money for every answer that AskWonder accepts and receive it via PayPal. So, setting up your PayPal account before applying for the platform is crucial.
The good thing about Wonder is that it doesn’t have a minimum payout threshold before you get your money. Instead, it automatically pays researchers every two weeks, which we believe is quite convenient.
Signing up for AskWonder: How do you become an online researcher?
Because of the site’s business model, it needs skilled researchers to answer the questions of its paying customers. So, you’ll need to undergo a rigorous screening process to become a researcher on AskWonder.
You’ll have to apply online through the website and answer questions. We also found that you also must submit a resume or CV.
The site will also examine your skills by asking you to accomplish a trial assignment (a short write-up test) and an online quiz. Afterward, you must wait around one to three business days to know if the site accepted your application. If so, you can start researching.
You’ll also receive $50 when the platform accepts you, which is a nice starting bonus to get the ball rolling.
Unfortunately, there aren’t many AskWonder tutorials available online, so you may have to learn the ropes yourself. Researchers also have a Slack workspace, so you may get some support there.
How to be successful on AskWonder?
If you want to earn as much as possible on Wonder, here are some tips you can follow:
- The site banks on research and writing skills, so research experience is a plus in the application process.
- You must log in and check your dashboard regularly to see if any projects are available for you.
Pro tip: It’s best to choose topics you’re already familiar with, as you’ll likely spend less time on those projects.
What are the pros and cons of AskWonder?
AskWonder may sound like a good opportunity so far, but a tech-savvy user like you must also pay attention to possible disadvantages.
Pros of AskWonder
- You can get paid well and cash out via PayPal.
- Payments automatically arrive every two weeks.
Cons of AskWonder
- There are limited earning opportunities.
- You must put in the time and effort to complete each research project.
- The registration process can be tedious and time-consuming.
- Rates will be low at the beginning.
What do other AskWonder users say?
AskWonder is a mixed bag, according to many researchers. On Indeed, users gave it a rating of 2.9 over 5.
Many users praised the site because it allows them to earn while learning about various subjects. Moreover, they claimed to receive their PayPal payments regularly and on time.
However, some users expressed disappointment because the site rejected some of their work. They also complain about poor management support.
What are the alternatives to AskWonder?
If you believe that AskWonder isn’t for you, we’ve discovered good alternatives to check out:
LifePoints is an app that allows users to earn points through surveys and other tasks. Unlike AskWonder, LifePoints only provides simple and easy tasks, but it pays in points you can redeem through Amazon gift cards or PayPal cash.
InboxDollars is similar to AskWonder, as it also operates as a market research company. Users can earn money here by sharing opinions and insights on products and services used through surveys. The platform hands the information over to the partner companies, and in exchange, you get rewards.
Final verdict
AskWonder is worth checking out. As a user, you can put your online research and writing skills to good use, which is different from the usual GPT sites we’re aware of.
Users say it also follows a smooth payment system, so you don’t have to worry about not getting paid on time.
However, as with most extra income streams, this shouldn’t be considered a full-time job replacement. You also need to render time, patience, and effort.
If you’re looking for better income streams, you may be better off with simple survey sites.
Aidan has been writing about personal finance for over 6 years. Prior to this, he worked as a Corporate Finance Analyst where he specialized in Due Diligence, Company Valuations and more. He is a CFA charterholder.
