New year, new answers: refresh your profile for the year ahead

Why researchers need your current details

When you first join Reward Hours, you fill out a set of profile questionnaires. These questions ask about your background, your work, and how you live. Market researchers use this information to decide who to invite to their studies. If a company wants to talk to people who buy dog food, they only send invitations to members who have a dog listed in their profile.

Your life changes over time. You might change jobs, move to a new city, or buy a new phone. If your profile still shows your old details, you will receive survey invitations that no longer fit you. This means you spend time answering initial questions only to be told you are not a match.

Updating your profile helps reduce these frustrating moments. If you understand why you get screened out of surveys, you know that having current details is the best way to improve your experience. Taking five minutes to refresh your answers tells our system exactly who you are today.

Career moves and business research

Work is one of the most common things to change from year to year. You might get a promotion, change industries, or start your own business. These changes are highly relevant to market researchers. Many companies run business-to-business research, which means they want to speak to professionals about their work lives.

If you took on a management role, researchers might want your opinion on hiring trends or team software. If you left a corporate job to work as an independent contractor, different researchers will want to learn about your new daily challenges. Update your job title, industry, and the size of your company to catch these opportunities.

You should also check the questions about decision-making. Companies often look for the person in a business who chooses which software, office supplies, or services to buy. If your new role gives you the power to make these choices, adding this to your profile makes you eligible for specialized business surveys.

Family, home life, and pets

Your household composition determines a large portion of the consumer surveys you see. If you had a baby or adopted a child in the last year, you are now part of a completely different consumer group. Brands constantly test new toys, diapers, and family food products. They need parents to give feedback on these items.

Moving to a new home also shifts your survey matching. A move from an apartment in the city to a house in the suburbs changes your shopping habits and your local services. Update your zip or postal code so researchers know where you live now. This ensures you get surveys about stores and services actually available in your area.

Do not forget your pets. Adopting a cat, dog, or even a smaller pet like a hamster opens up new categories of research. Pet care brands frequently ask members to review new food packaging or share opinions on veterinary services. Sometimes, having an updated pet profile even leads to product tests at home, where companies mail you items for your pet to try.

Cars, commuting, and travel habits

Transportation is a huge industry that relies heavily on consumer opinions. If you bought or leased a new car recently, update your profile with the make, model, and year. Car manufacturers run surveys to find out why buyers choose specific vehicles. They also look for drivers to share feedback on new dashboard designs or electric vehicle charging.

Maybe you decided to sell your car and rely on public transportation. This is just as valuable to researchers. City planners and transit apps often run studies to understand how people commute without a personal vehicle. Tell your profile if you started taking the bus, riding a bicycle, or using rideshare apps more often.

Your travel habits outside of your daily commute matter too. If you started flying more for work or taking regular train trips to see family, update your travel section. Airlines and hotels constantly look for frequent travelers to review their loyalty programs and booking websites.

Technology, devices, and internet habits

Think about the screens and gadgets you use every day. Did you upgrade your smartphone, buy a new tablet, or get a different gaming console? Technology companies need users with specific devices to test new software and websites.

You should also update your home entertainment choices. Add any new streaming services you subscribed to or canceled. Media companies regularly survey audiences about television shows, movies, and subscription costs.

If you use assistive technology, make sure this is recorded in your profile. Many companies want to ensure their websites and products work for everyone. If you use a screen reader, a magnifier, or captions, sharing this detail helps researchers design more accessible studies.

Health, diet, and lifestyle adjustments

Your lifestyle choices change as you try new things. You might decide to eat a vegetarian diet, cut out gluten, or start buying dairy-free milk. Food and beverage brands rely on people with specific diets to help them develop new products. Updating your shopping and diet preferences ensures you see surveys about the foods you actually buy.

Health conditions are another area researchers study closely. Pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers run research to understand patient experiences. If you were recently diagnosed with a common condition like asthma or high blood pressure, you can share this in your profile if you feel comfortable.

We always treat your health data with strict privacy and security. You never have to share medical information if you prefer to keep it private. Also, surveys are for sharing opinions, not receiving advice. Always speak to a qualified medical professional for health guidance.

How often to update your survey profile

You do not need to update your profile every single week. A good rule is to check your details every six months. Setting a calendar reminder in January and July works well for many members. When you log in for your review, pay special attention to these areas:

• Your employment status and job title.
• Your zip or postal code, especially if you moved.
• Any new children, pets, or people living in your home.
• Major purchases like cars, computers, or smartphones.

Taking a few minutes to review your answers keeps your account healthy. It shows our system that you are an active member who pays attention to detail. This makes you a trusted participant for all types of market research.

Start the year by giving your account a quick review. If you are not a member yet, you can create a free account and fill out your first profile today. Sharing accurate details from the beginning gives you the best possible start.

Common questions

Do I have to answer every single profile question?

No, you do not have to answer every question. You can skip questions you prefer not to answer, though completing more details helps match you to more surveys.

How long does it take to update my profile?

A quick review usually takes less than five minutes. If you had a lot of major life changes, it might take a few extra minutes to update all your new details.

Will changing my profile guarantee I get more surveys?

Updating your details does not guarantee a specific number of invitations. It ensures the invitations you do receive are a much better fit for your current life.