Earning a few extra dollars is almost always a good thing, especially if you can do it without leaving your home.
This is why paid survey sites like Springboard America are such heaven-sent companies.
Still, the questions remain, “Is Springboard America legit? Are its survey opportunities worth your time?”
Below, I will discuss Springboard America’s legitimacy and how you can earn money with it. I’ll also introduce you to other survey sites in case this one’s not your cup of tea.
What Is Springboard America?
Springboard America, also known as Maru Springboard America or MSBA, is a Chicago-based online site that lets you earn cash by taking surveys or joining online focus groups.
Launched in 2009, it has grown to be one of the leading survey sites in the US, claiming to pay its members up to $30,000 every month.
Its parent company, Maru/Blue, is also an industry leader in the North American and UK market research industry.
Is Springboard America Legit?
Based on what I have dug up and personally tried, Springboard America is a legit survey site.
Although it is not registered with the Better Business Bureau, its surveys and payment system worked well enough when I tried it.
It also has well-made social media pages and a comprehensive FAQs section.
Moreover, the website uses two-factor authentication and SSL to protect your financial and account information.
What Do People Think About Springboard America?
Most user reviews I found online paints Springboard America positively.
Generally, they liked how easy it is to qualify for most studies and how the company notifies them when there are available surveys.
Below is one such review:
“I have had this site for about five years or so. In the beginning, it was a site that I truly liked, and I took surveys on it every day or whenever I could. Then, it tailed off and almost shut down for me. I was stuck on less than a thousand points for a long time.
It has a new name now called MARU, and it has completely turned around for the better. Surveys are coming into my email more than ever, and I qualify for 95% of them. With those two factors in my favor, this site is now one of the best I am on.
A complete turnaround for the better in a drastic way. I highly recommend them.”
Then again, like other companies, Springboard America is not without its flaws.
I have noticed that most users complained about sudden account termination and an unresponsive customer support team.
Below is one such review:
“I was a long-time survey taker with them for years, and suddenly, out of the blue, they closed my account and said there were quality errors. I asked them to pinpoint the error, and they couldn’t.
They listed offensive possibilities as to what may have happened, such as leaving gibberish which I never would do since I’m a serious survey taker.”
How Does Springboard America Work?
If you want to join Springboard America, simply follow the steps below.
Step 1: Visit the website and sign up.
Signing up with Springboard America is relatively easy. It has a well-functioning and easily navigated website optimized for PC and mobile devices.
To sign up, simply go to the Springboard America website and click “Join Now.” Upon clicking, you will be redirected to a registration page.
To go forward, input the necessary information in the text fields, such as your name, email, birth date, gender, age, education level, and habits.
Write as detailed as you can so that you will be given more surveys that fit your profile better.
Upon clicking submit, Springboard America will send you an email confirmation. Click the link in it to verify your account, and you’re finished!
New members get a $5 sign-up bonus, so don’t forget to collect that!
Step 2: Qualify for surveys or focus groups.
Upon successfully signing up, you are now free to participate in different surveys or focus groups. You can find most of these in the Studies panel.
Springboard America will also sometimes send you email notifications for associate surveys, which no longer need a screening process.
Completing associate surveys is voluntary. You can opt-out of this opportunity if you do not want to disclose your information to third-party companies.
How To Earn Money With Springboard America
Springboard America uses a points system to track your earnings. Essentially, you will have to earn points before you can convert them to cash.
Note that $1 is the cash equivalent of 100 points. That said, you will have to have a minimum of 5,000 points to convert them successfully to an e-gift certificate worth $50.
Typically, you can expect to answer up to four surveys per month. However, you will need to answer surveys every three months to maintain your account’s active status.
Below are the ways you can earn points with Springboard America:
1. Online Surveys
Being an online survey site, completing surveys is one of the most common ways to earn points on Springboard America.
Surveys can last between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on the length and complexity. One survey can get you 50 to 500 points or about $0.5 to $5.
Online surveys are further categorized into three types: profiler surveys, weekly mosaic surveys, and associate surveys.
- Profiler Surveys
These are surveys that allow the site to know more about you.
They don’t pay much compared to associate surveys, but they give you an entry to the profiling sweepstakes, which I will talk about more later.
- Weekly Mosaic Surveys
Weekly mosaic surveys perform a similar function to profiler surveys.
They can be about a range of different topics designed to help you find the most appropriate surveys for your profile.
Like a profiler survey, completing weekly mosaic surveys give you a smaller number of points.
However, you gain an entry to win the quarterly draw for profiling sweepstakes, where you can win up to $750.
- Associate Surveys
Last is the associate surveys, which Springboard America’s partner companies conduct.
You can expect to earn most of your points this way since it comprises most surveys on the platform. However, you should first be eligible to take associate surveys.
Typically, you will have to answer some screening questions before you can proceed with the actual survey.
Fortunately, Springboard America’s surveys have some of the most straightforward screening processes.
2. Focus Groups
Another way to earn points with Springboard America is by joining focus groups.
Typically, these require a longer and more extensive screening process, depending on the length of the study. With this route, you can expect to earn up to $100.
3. Sweepstakes
To ensure its members remain active, Springboard America offers sweepstakes draws you can enter depending on their type.
Generally, there are three types of sweepstakes: Participation, Recruit, and Profiling Sweepstakes.
- Participation Sweepstakes
Participation sweepstakes are drawn monthly. You get an entry each time you complete any surveys or focus groups, except profiler or weekly mosaic surveys.
Each draw will give one winner $500 worth of gift certificates and five winners $50 worth of gift certificates.
- Recruit Sweepstakes
Recruit sweepstakes are drawn yearly, and one winner will get $1,000 worth of gift certificates.
You automatically get an entry upon joining Springboard America, which means you will only get one chance.
- Profiling Sweepstakes
Last are profiling sweepstakes, which are drawn monthly and give 10 winners $100 worth of gift certificates. To gain entries, simply answer profiler or weekly mosaic surveys.
4. Referral Program
While most survey sites hold their referral programs indefinitely, Springboard America only does this periodically. Moreover, its referral program is a bit different.
Essentially, only randomly selected members can refer their friends. To get successful referrals, your friend should sign up and complete surveys within their first month.
Each successful referral can get you around $10, but it depends on that period’s conditions.
An Alternative Product Testing Company To Check Out
Still trying to figure out if Springboard America is for you? Check out this alternative!
Stan’s Gigs
Stan’s Gigs is an excellent survey site if you want gigs and other opportunities to come your way.
I have been in the market research industry for a long time, so I can confidently guide and introduce you to new companies, tips, and tricks.
You also won’t need to go through the arduous sign-up process.
Simply subscribe to my newsletter and gain access to the highest-paid survey sets, focus groups, samples, clinical research, and more!
Final Thoughts
So, is Springboard America legit?
After personally trying the site and further investigating it, I can confidently say it is a legitimate online survey site.
Springboard America pays its members the average amount you can expect with surveys, but the sweepstakes program offers higher rewards for regular members.
However, Springboard America could be more flawless.
Its users complain about the minimum withdrawal amount and account suspensions on sometimes questionable grounds.
Fortunately, I can introduce you to more survey sites if this one doesn’t float your boat.
Just subscribe to my newsletter to get the opportunity to come your way and not the other way around.
I am a father to a beautiful baby girl, a husband and a serial gigster 🙂 I live in Toronto, Canada. My claim to fame: I made thousands of dollars from focus groups and surveys over the last 15 years. Studied Marketing in Ryerson Univerity and worked in Marketing and Marketing Research for the last 14 years+ My mission is to educate others how to be successful with side hustles. You can contact my be email or on Facebook.
