Why didn't I qualify for a paid study?

A research team isn't looking for “anyone”. They're building something for particular people, and they need to hear from exactly those people. A study about a new savings feature might need people who use mobile money every week. A study about a taxi app might need people who ride one at least once a month.

So a short set of questions, called a screener, comes before every study. It's there to find the few people the study is for. If you don't fit, it says nothing about you. It just means this study is about someone else's experience.

On myUsersInsight, you answer the screener when you apply, and your application always goes to the team. Some older applications show “Not a match”: that meant your answers didn't fit who the study needed.

• It's not about you, and it doesn't affect other studies.
• It isn't a strike, and it doesn't lower your rating.
• You can't retake the screener for that study, but there are always other studies.

For video calls, applying puts you on the team's list. They read the applications and invite the people who fit best, often only five to eight. If they fill their spots with others, the study shows “Not picked this time”.

Teams usually want a mix of people, so you might be left out just because they already have someone like you. Applying doesn't guarantee a place, so don't worry if you're not picked every time.

Tests and surveys work a little differently: when your answers fit everything the team is looking for, you can often start straight away. Otherwise the team may still invite you.

• All spots are taken. Popular studies fill up fast.
• The study has ended, or the team stopped recruiting.
• It's paused while the research team adds funds. Check back soon.
• It needs a device your profile doesn't list, like a phone, or a laptop with a webcam. Those studies don't appear in Studies for you.
• Your account is paused. Two strikes in 30 days, for example from missing booked sessions, pauses you from new studies for 14 days.

It's tempting to guess what a study wants and answer that way. Don't. The team needs your real experience: if you say you use an app every day and you've never opened it, the session is wasted for both of you, and it shows quickly.

Teams rate every session, and other teams see your average rating when you apply. Honest answers keep your rating high, and a high rating gets you invited more. A screener you don't fit today costs you nothing. A bad session can cost you future studies.

• Keep your profile up to date. Teams see the details that matter for their study when you apply.
• List every device you can really join from, so studies that need them can appear for you.
• Check Studies for you often. New studies open all the time, and spots go fast.
• Answer open questions clearly. A sentence or two about your real experience helps a team pick you.
• Turn up on time, take part well and cancel early if you can't make it. That keeps your rating up.

1. Remember that most studies won't fit you, and that's normal.
2. Answer every screener honestly.
3. Keep your profile and devices up to date.
4. Check Studies for you often, and apply early.
5. Turn up on time, so teams keep picking you.