DollarBreak is reader-supported, when you sign up through links on this post, we may receive compensation. Disclosure.
American Consumer Opinion Review
American Consumer Opinions (ACO) is a legitimate market research company that has been around since the 1980s. With decades of industry experience, the company is one of the most well-established and trusted survey platform globally, with its parent company being a member of the BBB and having an A+ rating. To date, the company has paid out more than $30 million in earnings over 7 million members.
Pros
- Easy to understand point system – unlike some platforms with confusing point systems, each ACO point is worth $0.01, making it easy to track earnings.
- High earning potential – although they are quite rare, some longer surveys can pay up to $50. On average, surveys take 10 minutes and pay $1.
- High payout for product reviews – these are rare but if you manage to get one, you can earn up to $200 by reviewing a single physical product.
- Low minimum payout threshold – you can cash out via PayPal, gift cards, or even check, as long as you have a minimum of $10 in total earnings.
Cons
- Long payment processing times – PayPal payments usually clear within 10 days but check and gift card payments can sometimes take up to 8 weeks.
- Higher than average disqualification rate – disqualification rates can go up to 70%, making it hard likely that you’ll be rejected from most surveys.
In this American Consumer Opinion (ACO) review, I’ll share my experience of testing this survey platform that claims to pay you for participating in market research studies and sharing your opinions.
Over six hours of testing, I attempted 53 surveys, completing 9 of them to earn a total of $13.49 (1,349 points) – a 17.7% qualification rate. Here’s what you need to know:
- Survey rewards ranged from brief 5-minute surveys to 25-minute studies worth up to 400 points ($4)
- Topics included retail preferences, brand awareness, entertainment services, and food choices
- Earnings averaged $2.25 per hour with lots of time spent on failed survey attempts
- Payment via PayPal arrived in about 6 days, faster than the stated 2-4 week timeline
Let me share my detailed experience and findings to help you decide if American Consumer Opinion is worth your time as a survey platform for earning extra money.
Best ACOP Alternatives
Swagbucks
Redeem e-gift cards from $1
Free coupons and daily deals
100+ gift cards available (Amazon, Visa)
Branded Surveys
$0.50 – $5 on average per survey
Surveys length up to 20 minutes
$5 minimum withdrawal to PayPal
KashKick
Earn from $0.1 to $2 per survey
Get paid to play games and take surveys
Minimum withdrawal threshold of $10
How Does American Consumer Opinion Work?
American Consumer Opinion is a market research company that has been helping businesses gather market data since 1986. The company started as an offline survey panel and conducted surveys over the phone and via mail. Since the company expanded to online surveys, it has expanded its membership to all countries worldwide.
American Consumer Opinion conducts surveys on a variety of different topics, and you can answer these surveys to earn some extra cash. The types of surveys that you get will depend on your demographic profile.
You may be asked:
- To evaluate new advertising for a retailer.
- About how and why they purchase and use gift cards.
- Their opinions about the current economy.
- Their thoughts about tanning products and how often tanning products are used.
- To review an idea for a new fuel additive product for an automotive company.
- And many more.
Before answering a survey, you will need to answer some screening questions. These questions help the company determine whether you belong to the target demographic for the survey.
If you do not meet the criteria, you will be disqualified from the survey and will not earn any points. If you do not get disqualified and manage to complete the survey, you will then earn points that you can redeem for cash or other rewards.
Is American Consumer Opinion Legit?
American Consumer Opinion is a legitimate company that has been in business for over thirty years. Although its users have given it mixed reviews, its parent company has received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Reviewers generally praised the platform for offering high-paying surveys and other money-earning opportunities. Users were satisfied with the platform’s user-friendly interface and quick cash-out times for shorter surveys.
However, the platform has also received negative reviews from some of its users. Some reviewers complained that the platform did not allow them to withdraw their earnings after they completed longer surveys. Some users reported encountering problems after completing a certain number of surveys.
How Much Can You Make?
During 6 hours of testing American Consumer Opinion, earnings came from 53 survey attempts – qualifying for 9 and getting disqualified from 44.
Hourly earnings broke down to:
- $2.75 in the first hour,
- $1.85 in the second hour,
- $4.20 in the third hour (thanks to one of the $4 surveys),
- $1.45 in the fourth hour,
- $2.84 in the fifth hour,
- and $0.40 in the final hour.
Total earnings reached $13.49, averaging $2.25 per hour.
Surveys typically took between 5-25 minutes, with higher-paying surveys ($4) requiring around 20-25 minutes to complete while shorter surveys (under 5 minutes) paid less.
The majority of disqualifications happened mid-survey, meaning time was spent answering questions before being kicked out without compensation.
| Activity Type | Test Earnings | Time Spent | Average Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Hour Surveys | $2.75 | 60 minutes | $2.75/hour |
| Second Hour Surveys | $1.85 | 60 minutes | $1.85/hour |
| High-Paying Survey Hour | $4.20 | 60 minutes | $4.20/hour |
| Regular Surveys (Hours 4-6) | $4.69 | 180 minutes | $1.56/hour |
| Total/Average | $13.49 | 360 minutes | $2.25/hour |
Other Ways to Make Money on ACO
Inviting Friends
American Consumer Opinion offers a referral program, and you can earn rewards by inviting your friends to join the platform. For every person you invite who successfully signs up, you will earn a $0.50 bonus.
Although this may seem like a small amount, it can add up as you invite more people. Inviting friends is also simple; you only need to send them your referral link.
Joining Sweepstakes
Instead of exchanging your points for other rewards, you can also use them to join sweepstakes. You can enter the sweepstakes as many times as you want as long as you have enough points.
The sweepstakes on the platform function like lucky draws and give you the chance to win gifts and other rewards. If you win, the company will notify you by email.
Testing Products
American Consumer Opinion offers product testing opportunities that you can participate in to earn points. If you are selected to join a product testing opportunity, the company will send you a physical product to test. After using the product, you will need to answer a survey with your feedback and opinions about the product.
Although the product testing opportunities are rare, they are the highest-paying earning opportunities on the platform. You can earn between $50 to $200 by testing products, and you also get to keep the products.
Reviewing Ads
You can also earn money on American Consumer Opinion by reviewing advertisements. The company uses your feedback to help businesses improve their advertisements.
Depending on the advertisement, you may earn between 5 and 100 points for reviewing it.
How to Redeem Points With American Consumer Opinion?
PayPal
You can exchange your American Consumer Opinion points for cash via PayPal. The minimum withdrawal amount for PayPal withdrawals is $10. You must have a verified PayPal account to use this withdrawal method.
My PayPal Withdrawal Experience:
- Cashed out $13.49 (1,349 points)
- Received payment code in 6 days
- Additional 1-3 days for PayPal to bank transfer
- Much faster than advertised 2-4 week processing time
Gift Cards
Alternatively, you can exchange your points for an electronic gift card or prepaid Visa gift card. The prepaid Visa gift card enables you to shop online at any shop that accepts traditional Visa cards.
There is a $10 minimum withdrawal threshold for this withdrawal option.
Check
If you prefer, you can also request a check payment, although this is not the quickest payment method. It can take up to three months to receive your check via mail, and you will need at least $10 in earnings to request a check.
What Are the American Consumer Opinion Pros & Cons?
American Consumer Opinion Pros
- You can create an account and start participating in paid surveys within just a few minutes.
- You can earn a $0.50 bonus for every friend you invite to join the platform.
- There is a low minimum withdrawal amount of just $10, and you can withdraw your earnings via PayPal, gift card, or check.
- You can earn $0.50 to $2.50 for most of the surveys but up to $50 for completing longer and more complex surveys.
American Consumer Opinion Cons
- Most users only receive one to two survey invites per month, and you may not be able to answer as many surveys as you want.
- There is a high disqualification rate for surveys and you may get screened out even after starting a survey.
Is American Consumer Opinion Worth It?
American Consumer Opinion is one of the most popular survey panels for cash-paying surveys. The platform has received positive reviews from most users, and its parent company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
American Consumer Opinion also offers some of the highest-paying survey opportunities, enabling you to earn up to $4 per survey. Although these surveys are rarer, you will get more survey invites over time as you complete more surveys on the website.
There are also other ways for you to make money on American Consumer Opinion, such as product testing and ad reviewing opportunities. Once you earn at least $10 on the platform, you can withdraw your earnings using PayPal, check, or exchange them for gift cards.
How to Sign Up With American Consumer Opinion?
Signing up for an account with American Consumer Opinion is relatively straightforward. You can visit the American Consumer Opinion website to create an account. To create your account, you need to provide some information about yourself. The company uses this information to match you with the most relevant surveys.
Some of the information you must provide include:
- Age
- Gender
- Educational background
- Employment status
- And more
You will also need to take a general household survey to complete the account creation process. The minimum age to create an account is also lower than on other survey websites, and you only need to be at least 14.
American Consumer Opinion Rating Methodology
American Consumer Opinion Review
This rating system provides a detailed evaluation of survey and reward apps, focusing specifically on American Consumer Opinion. Our methodology examines four key aspects: Test Earnings, Earning Potential, Payout Process, and Users Reviews, enabling a balanced assessment of both quantitative metrics and qualitative user experiences.
American Consumer Opinion demonstrated exceptional performance in our Test Earnings category, scoring 4.5 out of 5. During our testing period, we earned $13.49 for 6 hours of surveys, translating to approximately $2.25 per hour. This significantly exceeds the industry average of $1.50 per hour and outperforms competitors like PrizeRebel ($4.71 for 5 hours) and ZoomBucks ($4.90 for 5 hours). While the platform focuses solely on surveys and product testing, the higher earnings per hour compensate for the limited variety of tasks.
In the Earning Potential category, American Consumer Opinion scores 2.5 out of 5. The platform offers potential earnings of up to $50 per month with 1-2 hours of daily engagement. This is notably lower than high-performers like MyPoints ($120) and Swagbucks ($90). The limited earning opportunities, focused primarily on completing surveys and testing products, restrict the overall earning potential compared to platforms offering diverse income streams like cashback and referral programs.
The payout process earns a score of 3.5 out of 5. The minimum payout threshold of $10 is moderate compared to competitors – higher than Swagbucks ($3) but lower than PaidViewpoint ($15). The platform offers standard payout options through PayPal and gift cards, though it lacks the versatility of platforms like Branded Surveys, which includes additional options like bank deposits and charitable donations.
American Consumer Opinion’s user reviews score a 2.1 out of 5, based on available Trustpilot ratings. The platform lacks presence on mobile app stores, which limits its accessibility compared to competitors like Survey Junkie, which maintains strong ratings across multiple platforms (4.3 on Google Play, 4.5 on iOS).
Considering all factors, American Consumer Opinion receives an overall rating of 3.2 out of 5. While it excels in Test Earnings, the limited earning opportunities, basic payout options, and lower user satisfaction impact its overall performance. The platform might best suit users specifically interested in survey completion and product testing rather than those seeking diverse earning opportunities.
American Consumer Opinion Survey Site FAQs
What is American Consumer Opinion?
Over eight million members actively use the platform to make money fast. American Consumer Opinion is owned by Decision Analyst Inc., a consulting firm with its headquarters in Dallas-Fort Worth. The company works closely with Fortune 500 companies and conducts market research for them.
American Consumer Opinion has paid its users over $30 million worth of rewards.
Is American Consumer Opinion free?
The platform is free to use and you will never need to pay any fees to access surveys on the platform.
American Consumer Opinion hacks
You can maximize your earnings on American Consumer Opinion by using the following hacks:
- Turn on your notifications so you can get updates whenever there are new survey opportunities.
- Provide accurate background information about yourself to get invites for relevant surveys and avoid getting disqualified.
- Check the number of points you will earn before starting each activity to avoid wasting time on lower-paying opportunities.
Who is American Consumer Opinion for?
American Consumer Opinion is ideal for individuals who want to earn money by answering surveys in their free time. By sharing your opinion through surveys on American Consumer Opinion, you can contribute to market research and earn rewards in return.
While you may not be able to get rich from the platform’s paid online surveys, they can be a good way to earn some extra cash in addition to your day job. The minimum age to answer surveys on the platform is also 14, making it a great platform for teenagers to make money online.
How much are American Consumer Opinion points worth?
American Consumer Opinion utilizes a simple conversion rate where one point is worth $0.01.
How to download the American Consumer Opinion mobile app?
American Consumer Opinion offers a mobile app that you can download on an iOS or Android device. The app offers the same features as the website, and you can use it to answer surveys conveniently regardless of where you are.
Where is American Consumer Opinion available?
American Consumer Opinion is available worldwide, and you can create an account and answer surveys from anywhere as long as you have an internet connection. However, you may receive fewer survey opportunities if you do not live in the United States.
Is American Consumer Opinion a scam?
American Consumer Opinion is a legitimate website and is not a scam.
Is your information safe with American Consumer Opinion?
American Consumer Opinion will not sell your private information without your consent. The company stores its data behind a firewall and encrypts all the data it gets from its members.
How to contact American Consumer Opinion customer service?
American Consumer Opinion has a fantastic customer service team, and you can access help via email, its postal address, and social media channels. There is also a contact form on the website.