Frequently asked questions

BD Focus Groups is a free service that emails you paid market research opportunities - paid focus groups, online survey panels, home product tests and clinical research studies - run by independent research companies in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. You register once, confirm your email, and we send you opportunities that match your country and profile.

Yes. BD Focus Groups never charges members anything - not to join, not to stay a member, and not to access an opportunity. If anyone asks you to pay to take part in a study, it isn't us, and it's very likely a scam.

BD Focus Groups is paid a fee when you sign up to a partner's survey panel, study or offer. That fee comes from the partner, never from you. See our earnings and referral disclosure.

BD Focus Groups is operated by BD Media Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (company number 14080415), at 203 West Street, Fareham, PO16 0EN, United Kingdom. You can look the company up on the UK government's Companies House register. We never ask you for money or bank details by email, and every email we send has our address and a one-click unsubscribe link.

Each study is run by an independent research company, not by BD Focus Groups. That company decides who qualifies, schedules the study, and pays you on its own terms - for example by bank transfer, PayPal or gift cards. Payment questions should go to the company running the study.

It depends on the study. As a rough guide, online surveys usually pay a few pounds or dollars each, home product tests more, and focus groups typically pay around £40-£150 in the UK, $50-$250 in the US and $50-$200 in Canada per session. Pay is per study, not a wage, and most members earn occasional extra income rather than a regular living. Amounts are set by each research company and only paid if you qualify and take part.

Researchers need specific groups of people - for example a certain age, location or shopping habit - so most studies start with a short screener. Not qualifying is normal and isn't a mark against you. Answer screeners honestly: inconsistent answers can get you removed from a panel.

Anyone aged 18 or over who lives in the United States, United Kingdom or Canada and has an email address and internet access.

Up to one a day, and usually less while we're getting started. Every email includes a one-click unsubscribe link, so you're always in control.

We ask for your first name, email, country, postcode, year of birth and (optionally) gender, so we can match you to suitable studies. We don't sell your details, or share them with other companies for their own marketing, unless you've given us separate, specific permission. When you click an opportunity, you join that company directly on its own site. Full details are in our privacy policy.

Check your junk or spam folder - some providers, especially Hotmail and Outlook, can file new senders there at first. If you find it, mark it as Not junk and add our sending address to your contacts. Still nothing after 10 minutes? Sign up again with the same address and we'll resend it.

Click Unsubscribe at the bottom of any email from us - it takes effect immediately. You can also email [email protected] from the address you signed up with.

We only work with reputable partners, and we only send opportunities that are available in your country and suit your profile. If you ever have a problem with an opportunity we've sent, please tell us at the address below so we can look into it.

No. BD Focus Groups does not employ anyone, and taking part in research isn't employment. You choose which studies to apply for, and there's no minimum commitment.

Possibly. Research rewards can count as taxable income depending on where you live and how much you earn in total. Check the guidance from HMRC (UK), the IRS (US) or the CRA (Canada), or ask an accountant. This isn't tax advice.

Be wary of anything that asks you to pay a fee, to share bank or card details by email, to buy something and claim it back, or that promises guaranteed earnings. Genuine research companies pay you; you never pay them. If an email claiming to be from BD Focus Groups looks wrong, forward it to [email protected].

Email [email protected]. We aim to reply within 2 days.