Ahh, Swagbucks surveys. They are the most consistent way to earn yourself 100 points every day. But these little buggers can also be super frustrating. Let me help you out with how to do them, as well as tips and tricks I’ve learned along the way.
What Is Swagbucks?
Swagbucks is a system whereby you earn points through internet searches, watching videos, playing games, taking surveys, and shopping. Points can be redeemed for gift cards to shops, restaurants, and even hotels and air travel. Using Swagbucks is completely free.
If you decide to sign up for Swagbucks, please use the link in this paragraph. I will then be able to earn a percentage of the Swagbucks you earn at no cost or effort on your part. And thank you if you do!
Accessing Surveys
Log in to your Swagbucks home page. From there are three ways to access surveys. The following screen has two access points to reach the survey screen (as well as four survey options):
And in the next screen–also on the Swagbucks home page–is the third access point: on the Swagbucks TO DO LIST.
Click on either “Attempt A Gold Survey” or “Complete A Gold Survey”; they each bring up the same screen, which gives the full option of surveys available. Below is the screen of surveys available plus the notification that I earned 1 Swagbuck for not qualifying for the survey. You can earn up to 5 Swagbucks per day by getting kicked out of surveys.
And below, I am notified that I successfully completed a survey and earned 75 Swagbucks. Ideally, surveys would always be so easy as to try one, get kicked out quickly and earn 1 Swagbuck, or persevere to the end and earn the promised number of Swagbucks. Unfortunately, Swagbucks surveys don’t always operate so smoothly.
Everyone gets kicked out of surveys, so don’t fret overly much. I would advise, however, if you make it through all or most of a survey (as in, you get into the meat of the content and spend a significant amount of time on it), then contact the Swagbucks help desk to get your points. You’ll need to give them the Survey# (see third column in above screenshot) and the number of points you’re missing, so don’t X out of the Gold Survey screen until you’ve completed the survey.
Also, take a screenshot at the end of your survey to prove you completed it, if possible. I’ve successfully gotten help from the help desk without it, but it can only help!
How to Contact Help Desk if You Complete Survey But Don’t Get Points
To access help, make sure you’re logged into Swagbucks. Hover on your total points in the upper-right corner to bring up a drop-down menu. Help is at the bottom of this menu.
Next steps are shown in following 3 screenshots:
Make sure you don’t get directed over to a Q&A. You should receive an email if you’ve correctly contacted the help desk. Then check that automatic email Swagbucks sends you to see if it requires a response. Sometimes the email asks you to verify the details, and other times it doesn’t. Do send them a return email if they ask or you may not ever hear back. 90% of the time, my issue is resolved within the same day.
Survey Tips
First, always tell the truth. Give your correct birthdate, age, and zip code. You may get disqualified from future surveys for giving inaccurate information. And yes, every survey will ask these same questions. Annoying but true.
Besides the above, you will be asked for certain details such as income, gender, and race. You should not be asked for anything as personal as an email or address. On the rare occasion I am asked, I quit the survey. An exception would be when the survey writer asks to set an appointment for a future survey that will take place at a specific date and time. I have said yes to these group surveys a couple times and been rewarded with a large number of Swagbucks.
Read instructions carefully. Some surveys will try to catch you not reading instructions by using screens like the following that ask you to select exactly 3 items OR tell you which response they want you to choose:
Decide for yourself how much information you’re willing to give AND how much time you’re willing to allot to surveys. Some days I spend way too much time on Swagbucks surveys and come away with nothing but the 5 points for getting rejected. Other days I might qualify for the first survey I try.
But, truth be told, Swagbucks surveys are addicting enough for me to try nearly every day. So, if you have a little free time, give one a whirl!