In this article I'll explain what YouGov is and how you can earn money answering polls and surveys, plus a few newer ways to earn that have been added since I first signed up.

Sign up to YouGov here and start earning money answering polls today!

What is YouGov?

YouGov conducts polls about all sorts of current affairs and topics of interest to people in the UK. These results are often shared in the media and used by political parties or marketing agencies to assess public opinion on hot topics.

I signed up to YouGov myself back in 2018 to see if it really was a legit way to make money at home, and I can confirm they're a legitimate company and they do pay.

How can I earn money with YouGov?

If you sign up as a participant, you'll be invited to answer polls and complete surveys, and you'll receive points for each one you complete, which can later be exchanged for cash. There are a few different ways to earn now, not just traditional surveys.

Alongside the classic surveys, YouGov now also sends Daily Questions (quick, around a minute) and Daily Chats or Debates (a few minutes each) where you share your opinion on a specific topic. I do a mix of both these days rather than sticking to just the longer surveys.

There's also a Connections Hub, where you can earn points for linking accounts like Amazon, Netflix, Disney+, Google, or Apple TV+, or for sharing your browsing history. I haven't used this myself since I'd rather not link my accounts, but it's there if you're comfortable with it and want to boost your points faster.

You can also earn by referring friends, more on that further down.

How long are YouGov surveys?

There's no set length. Some are only a few quick questions, others run longer, I'd say anywhere from a couple of minutes up to 15 minutes depending on the survey. You can't always see the length before you start, but once you're in, it'll usually tell you the average completion time.

It's mostly checkboxes or multiple choice, so I generally find surveys quicker to complete than the time they suggest.

Here's an example of the starting page for a YouGov survey:

How much does YouGov pay per survey?

Standard surveys usually earn 50 points and take around 14 minutes to complete. There are also quicker surveys worth 25 points if you're short on time. Some surveys have bonus questions at the end worth extra points too, if you answer them.

Sign up here to join YouGov today and give your opinion for cash!

How many YouGov points do I need to cash out?

You need a minimum of 5,000 points to cash out, which equals £50.

It sounds like a lot, but a lot of the content is quick to complete, and you can often multitask, answering while watching TV or on an exercise bike, for example.

How will YouGov pay me?

I cash out via bank transfer once I hit the 5,000 point threshold, and it's usually processed within the next working day. YouGov also now offers gift card options, including Amazon, ASDA, ASOS, Adidas, and Airbnb, if you'd rather redeem that way instead, though I haven't tried these myself.

Here are some of the payment options:

What happens if my account is inactive?

Worth knowing, if your account sits inactive for 12 consecutive months, YouGov can forfeit any unredeemed points and deactivate the account. If you're sitting on a decent points balance, it's worth cashing out or staying at least a little active rather than leaving it dormant for too long.

Will YouGov make me rich?

No, definitely not. It's a simple side hustle for some extra pocket money in your spare time, depending on how much content they send you and how much you choose to complete.

I don't complete everything I receive, since I'm often busy, but I was able to cash out £50 in my first year, and it's also genuinely satisfying giving your opinion and later seeing similar results mentioned in the media.

How long does it take to get 5,000 points on YouGov?

It depends entirely on how much you complete and how much you're sent. I didn't do everything due to lack of time and was mainly testing whether it was legit at first, and it took around a year for me to cash out.

I've seen claims from others cashing out more regularly, several times a year, but most reviewers seem to land somewhere between every 6 months and a year.

Is YouGov legit?

Yes, you'll see this company mentioned in the media all the time. YouGov was founded back in 2000, so it's been around for over 25 years, and I've personally been a member since 2018.

I've tested it myself and successfully cashed out and received the money, here's a screenshot from my payment confirmation email:

How often do YouGov send you surveys?

There's no set amount for everyone. Most people seem to get 1-2 a week, others claim 5-10. I've noticed the more I take part, the more I tend to get sent, and when I go quiet for a while, they seem to send more of the shorter ones, maybe to tempt me back in.

How to get more surveys on YouGov

If you want more content coming your way, a few things help. Set your profile settings to receive surveys as often as possible, and make sure emails from YouGov aren't landing in your spam folder.

Answer honestly and don't rush through clicking randomly either, their quality checks will pick up on inconsistent answers, which can affect how much you're sent.

To get started, click here to sign up.

YouGov refer a friend

YouGov did have a refer a friend scheme, earning points for friends who sign up and complete a set number of surveys. I'm still receiving referral credit points myself, though this could be historic, people I referred a while ago only now getting round to completing their six surveys, rather than proof that brand new referrals are being tracked and rewarded today. I can no longer find the option displayed anywhere in my own account, which makes it hard to say for certain either way.

I've seen others mention the same thing online, some newer accounts don't seem to show it at all, while older referral links still seem to work. I can't fully verify why the account page itself doesn't show it clearly, but it's still worth trying if you're already a member.

Check out more refer-a-friend schemes worth using too.

What I'd improve about YouGov

Now you've read my YouGov review, hopefully you can decide whether it's worth your time. If you already like paid survey sites, it's an easy one to add to your collection.

A few things I'd genuinely improve: more points per survey, more of the shorter content, a lower payment threshold, and showing the length and topic of each survey in the email before you click in.

Otherwise, it's a great way to make some extra cash for minimal effort. If you love sites like this, I'd also recommend my Qmee review next, another survey site, but with instant cashouts.

For more ways to boost your income, check out 60 tried and tested ways to make money online in the UK, or my favourite side hustle in my matched betting blog.

Sign up here to join YouGov and give your opinion today!