Mystery Shopping Tips

General Tips

1. Create a separate email address just for your research opportunities. Once you start signing up with multiple research companies, your inbox can get overwhelming quickly. Having a dedicated email makes it easier to:
   ✅ Keep study invitations organized
   ✅ Respond to screeners faster
   ✅ Find booking confirmations
   ✅ Track payment information


2. Never pay for product testing opportunities. Legitimate programs are free to join.


3. Enter your information carefully when signing up for product testing programs. Verify your email address and remember your password to receive updates and any applicable rewards via email or check.


4. Confirm your email address when signing up for surveys, focus groups, or product testing. Unconfirmed emails may result in missed invitations.


5. Avoid Paying Fees: Never pay to mystery shop; legitimate companies do not charge to apply. Look for free job listings online.
6. Consider Certification: Certification isn't required, but gold or silver certification may offer job preferences and helpful training.
7. Prepare for Hard Work: Mystery shopping requires attention to detail, clear writing, and strong organization. Many shoppers complete multiple shops per day.
8. Understand Earnings: Mystery shopping is not a get-rich-quick opportunity; most shoppers earn modest part-time income.
9. Plan for Solo Trips: Most mystery shops do not allow children, so plan childcare or solo visits ahead of time.

Practical Advice

6. Maintain Confidentiality: Never disclose which companies work with which clients. Confidentiality breaches can remove you from future assignments.
7. Operate as an Independent Contractor: Mystery shoppers are contractors, not employees. You may need to provide your SSN and report income for taxes.
8. Use a Dedicated Email: Create a separate email account for mystery shopping offers to stay organized and avoid inbox clutter.
9. Be Proactive: Research companies, sign up with multiple platforms, and check job boards regularly for new assignments.
10. Write Clearly: Use correct spelling, grammar, and complete sentences in your reports. Clear writing increases your rating with companies.
11. Save Confirmations: Keep records of payout requests, job confirmations, and completed assignments for your own tracking.
12. Confirm Your Email: Verify your email address with each company to ensure you receive all job notifications.

Scam Avoidance

13. Avoid Scams: Legitimate mystery shopping companies do not send checks for wire transfers or money transfer assignments. Report fraud at our blacklist page.
14. Verify Companies: Check company legitimacy using the Better Business Bureau before accepting assignments.

Additional Resources

15. Learn More: Visit our Paid to Shop Q&A for more information.
16. Use the Search Tool: Check our Monday-refreshed search tool for vetted mystery shopping companies.
17. Understand Country Codes: "WW" means worldwide; other codes indicate the countries each company serves.
18. Know Terminology: Mystery shopping may also be called secret shopping, undercover shopping, or guest shopping.
19. Protect Your Number: Use a Google Voice number to safeguard your personal phone number.
20. Organize Emails: Use Gmail's "+" feature (e.g., email+shop@gmail.com) to automatically sort incoming offers.
21. Be Honest and Use Modern Browsers: Answer questions truthfully and use Chrome or Firefox for the most reliable form submissions.

Adapted from a list by Christy Matte, expanded by Amy Lynn.

Follow Annika's for tips, tricks, suggestions, and work from home updates.

Sign up for our Newsletter: Join Now!