dscout

What Is dscout?

dscout is both a crowdsourcing marketplace and a rewards platform. Researchers can use it to conduct studies while Scouts can join and make money sharing their insights and experiences. The types of research conducted on dscout can include diary studies, photo/video responses, usability tests, and much more.

Who Is dscout For?

dscout is for two groups of people: Researchers who want to utilize an established research panel and Scouts interested in making some extra money by sharing their opinions and influencing brands.

How Does dscout Work?

There are 2 types of users on dscout: Scouts and Researchers.

Here's how dscout works for each of those user types:

For Scouts

dscout Scouts (i.e. participants, earners) can sign up for free and earn money by completing different types of missions, including diary studies, multiple choice surveys, photo/video response surveys, usability tests, and more. After completing a mission successfully, payments are sent automatically via PayPal.

Getting started:

To become a dscout Scout, download the app (either on Android or iOS) and create an account. When signing up, you'll need to provide your full name and email address.

Once your account is created, you'll want to complete your profile setup. This involves providing a profile picture, birthday, email, phone number, location, and ethnicity (U.S. only). You can update your profile at any time to keep it accurate. Providing this info will increase your chances of being selected for paid studies.

Earning money:

As a Scout, you can earn money by completing missions (i.e. research studies). Most of the time, you'll need to manually apply for these missions, but you may also be directly invited to participate in them from time to time.

There are three types of paid missions you'll come across on dscout:

1. Diary missions. These missions are completed over multiple days (or even weeks) and can be about product usage/improvements, your perspective on a specific subject, and more.
2. Live missions. These involve conducting face-to-face video sessions with researchers to answer questions in real time. During these missions, you may be asked to give feedback on a new app/product, show off recent purchases, answer questions, or similar.
3. Express missions. These are quick tasks that you can complete in a short period of time, possibly right away, but for a smaller reward (anywhere from $2 to $25). They can involve multiple-choice questions, video or photo responses, and more.

While many of the missions you'll find on dscout can be completed solely through your smartphone, some of them will involve desktop participation.

Before applying to a mission, you'll be able to see its description and requirements. For example, you'll be able to see if a mission requires you to record a video or take photos. Be sure to read these descriptions carefully before applying for a study.

Cashing out:

Once you have at least $0.01 in your earnings balance, you can cash out via PayPal. Payouts typically take 1-12 days to be sent out.

For Researchers

dscout Researchers can use the platform to conduct multiple types of research studies, including diary studies, live interview studies, and quicker "express" studies. With each study type, dscout offers multiple response types (including video and photo responses) and custom participant targeting and screening. Plus, there's a free sandbox mode for those looking to test the platform out.

Getting started:

As mentioned above, you can use dscout's sandbox testing mode for free to explore the platform and create test missions. However, a paid subscription is required to recruit participants and distribute your projects. Multiple subscription options are available depending on the size of your company and needs.

To create your Researcher account, head over to the dscout website and provide your full name, work email, company name, job title, and use case. From there, dscout will reach out with more information.

Launching missions:

Once you're signed up, there are three types of missions you can create on dscout:

1. Diary. Create multi-part studies that can span multiple days or weeks.
2. Live. Engage with Scouts in a 1:1 remote video session.
3. Express. Have Scouts complete quick tasks such as answering questions and uploading media content.

With each of these mission types, you can choose from a wide variety of participant response types, including open-ended writing, multiple choice, media, 1-10 scale, and more.

Once you've selected a mission type and built out your study, dscout's "Recruit" solution will help you build a screener and find your ideal participants.