Pinecone Research is a market research platform where you can earn points and other rewards in exchange for taking surveys.
As one of the older survey platforms around, Pinecone Research is a legitimate way to make a few extra bucks online—and you won’t even need to change out of your pajamas to make it happen.
What is Pinecone Research?
Pinecone Research is an online survey platform owned by Nielsen Holdings, which is one of the largest market research companies in the world.
You might have heard the term “Nielsen ratings” before. That’s because the company is most commonly known for measuring consumer engagement across TV, newspapers, and the radio (these days, it’s mainly TV).
Features
As a Pinecone Research member, you’ll have access to exclusive market research surveys that you can take online at your leisure.
You will also receive survey invitations via email. Each survey that you interact with generates points in your Pinecone Research account.
Once you earn enough points, you’ll have the option to redeem them for an old-fashioned check or an online gift card.
Fees
Pinecone Research is 100% free to sign up. There are no monthly membership fees or other costs of any kind.
That said, Pinecone’s holding company Nielsen is probably monetizing every answer that you provide. As they say, when a service is free, you’re likely to use the product.
Signing Up
To sign up for Pinecone Research visit its website at Join.PineconeResearch.com.
You will be prompted for the following:
- Name
- Date of Birth (DOB)
- Gender
- Education Level
- Origin
- Race
Security
I do not see anything on the Pinecone Research website that talks about robust security or data protection protocols. The company does, however, appear to use SSL encryption, so at least they have some security measures in place.
There is also a security notice on the website that warns customers of potential scams. It appears that bad actors have used the Pinecone Research brand in the past to scam people on Facebook (where the company doesn’t have a presence) with false promises for money. Not cool!
Now is a good time to remind you to be extra careful when you come across any money-making opportunity on the internet. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Customer Support
Pinecone Research doesn’t offer phone or chat support. There is a FAQ section where you can find answers to some commonly asked questions. Let’s hope whatever is on your mind has been on the minds of many other folks before!
Pinecone Research can be contacted through snail mail at the following address:
Pinecone Research
250 E 5th St
Ste. 1000
Cincinnati, OH 45202-4127
What is snail mail, you might ask? Well, back in the day, people used to actually write letters by hand, put them in paper envelopes, and drop them into mailboxes. Then a post office employee would pick them up, and they’d be physically taken to their destination. (I kid, I kid!)
You can also submit your request through their website.
To be honest, I’m a little surprised by the lack of customer support options. One might think that its holding company Nielsen—which pulls in upwards of $6 billion in revenue every year—might invest a little more to bolster its customer support. Better customer support would probably also improve its abysmal BBB rating. But I guess that’s the way the cookie crumbles!
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Legit market research platform that’s been around for decades
- Decent points redemption options; get paid by check, Paypal, or gift cards
Cons:
- Outdated site; Nielsen does not appear very invested in Pinecone Research
- Limited customer support compared to other companies
- Poor BBB ratings, with lots of subpar customer reviews
Alternatives to Pinecone Research
If you’re looking for similar market research platforms to make money taking surveys, check these out:
| Survey Site | Sign-Up Bonus | Get Started |
|---|---|---|
| Swagbucks | $20 | Sign Up |
| Branded Surveys | $1 | Sign Up |
| Inbox Dollars | $5 | Sign Up |
| MyPoints | $10 | Sign Up |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pinecone Research legit?
Yes. Pinecone Research is a legit survey website. However, it doesn’t have the best reviews. For example, the company has an B-rating from the Better Business Bureau, and an ‘Average’ rating of 2.1 stars on Trustpilot. In full disclosure, these are some of the lower ratings I’ve seen, so you might consider taking your survey business elsewhere if customer reviews are an important consideration for you—like they are for most people.
How much can you make from Pinecone Research?
The amount of money you make depends on the number of surveys you qualify for and how many you complete. That said, don’t expect to get rich taking surveys on Pinecone Research—or any other survey website for that matter. I would guess your true earning potential is going to be around $50, give or take, depending on the surveys you are matched with. And that’s if you’re lucky!
How long do Pinecone Research surveys take?
Pinecone’s surveys can take anywhere from a few minutes to a half-hour or more. It depends on the length of the survey and on the level of detail required, as well as how quickly you move through them.
Is Pinecone Research Worth My Time?
Are you a survey fanatic who loves taking surveys at home and getting paid for sharing your opinion? If so, then yes, Pinecone Research is probably worth your time and could be a good side hustle for you.
Pinecone is a legit survey panel website that’s backed by one of the largest market research firms in the world, Nielsen.
On the other hand, if you don’t have a ton of extra time on your hands and if you genuinely value your time for every penny that it’s worth, Pinecone Research (and its alternatives) are probably not going to provide you with the most satisfying experience.
The journey to financial independence contains many distractions. At the same time, it provides many legitimate financial opportunities. By doing your research and trusting your gut instincts, you will be prepared to make the best decisions based on your unique situation.
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