Amazon Mechanical Turk is a global crowdsourcing marketplace. It offers various Human Intelligence Tasks (HITs), like: data entry, image processing, and surveys. People worldwide can complete these to earn money. These tasks, from simple surveys to complex data categorization, usually take a few minutes. So, it's possible to finish several in an hour and earn a decent income. At least, that's what Amazon would have you believe.
To qualify for high-paying, premium tasks in advanced categories, you must complete at least 5,000 "low-level" tasks. These include basic surveys and image tagging. You must also maintain a high rating for all your clients. Many scam requesters reject tasks and give negative ratings to avoid paying.
Amazon Mechanical Turk reviews are mixed, with a 3.4/5 rating on Indeed, 4/5 on G2, and 2.5/5 on Sitejabber. Users mostly praise the diversity of tasks and opportunities. Critics say that the better-paying tasks have a high learning curve. They also say that most tasks have a low dollar-to-hour ratio. Users outside of the US do not recommend the platform.
I've tried dozens of kinds of online side hustles. I can tell you that unless you have an in-demand specialized skill, most won't even pay you worth your time.
This Amazon Mechanical Turk review will cover three things. First, the types of tasks in the marketplace. Second, the rates for each HIT task. Third, how much you can realistically earn per month. Despite its advantages, this model pales compared to local lead generation. It's a digital marketing strategy. It can earn you thousands in passive income monthly. It avoids the monotony of daily tasks in MTurk's data entry or surveys.
Amazon Mechanical Turk Pros and Cons
Pros
It is run by the e-commerce giant, Amazon. This ensures stability and reliability in the crowdsourcing market.
You can do MTurk directly on your phone. It does not require any other equipment.
A highly flexible work model. Earn by completing tasks, from simple image IDs to complex surveys, at your own pace.
Cons
The platform mostly offers menial, repetitive tasks. These include basic image categorization and simple survey responses.
Doesn't earn you a lot - This is meant for extra income only.
Users outside the US or India face low profits. Payments are often limited to Amazon credits, not cash.
Steep learning curve.
Price:
Amazon Mechanical Turk is free to join.
Origin:
Amazon Mechanical Turk started in 2005.
Reputation:
Varied, with user feedback ranging from positive experiences in task diversity to criticisms regarding pay rates and task availability.
If you are just starting now, then you are too late. It was great back when I started in 2014. You’ll probably just end up with thousands of tasks and make $3-$4 a day.
How Much Can You Make with Amazon Mechanical Turk?
You can earn $10 to $20 for about 3 hours of work daily with Amazon Mechanical Turk. Tasks include audio transcription, survey participation, and data verification. MTurk pays less than a dollar per task, with most paying pennies.
Assuming you will work for 5 days each week, you can expect to earn approximately $200 to $400 each month. This can vary based on the number of tasks you can complete.Consider the following facts, particularly if you’re just starting out:
The Amazon payment differs from the U.S., India, and other parts of the world. Those two countries get paid in cash, meaning the money is transferred to your bank account. They will only pay you in an Amazon gift card if you live anywhere else in the world.
KEEP IN MIND:
These gift cards only work on Amazon.com, not your country’s respective Amazon page. This can mean more expensive shipping fees.
Amazon Mechanical Turk Reviews
Reviews for Amazon Mechanical Turk have been getting more negative as the years pass. Complaints range from beginners struggling to get task approvals to an increase in low-paying, time-consuming tasks.
This user mentioned on Reddit that they could earn $23 to $200 in a month doing tasks on MTurk. What you earn will really depend on the tasks you work on and how much free time you have to put into them. They also mentioned that some tasks have age restrictions, mostly the surveys. An important detail to know that many users have complained about is that you have to be quick to apply for tasks. Several users have taken advantage of night hours to get the good tasks that are requested at night.
A full-time MTurk user posted on Reddit that he was earning $350 to $400 a week. They said they earned this much because of their master's status. It let them access closed qualification tasks. They also noted the drop in work. This is likely because of more users seeking tasks.
What Tasks Do You Do in Amazon Mechanical Turk?
Tasks on Amazon Mechanical Turk include online surveys, image annotation, transcription, data entry, data verification, and content creation. As mentioned before, these human tasks are simple. But many former workers warn of unpaid hours.
You only get paid for completing a HIT task. Not for the hours spent learning about it, setting up scripts, or qualifying for more HITs. Your goal is to make your work environment more efficient, but even then, you may not notice a significant pay increase (keep in mind as well that a scam requestor can always reject your work!).
How Do You Sign up for Amazon Mechanical Turk?
Registration is free on the official website. You must enter some personal info, including your US social security number. Then, wait 48 hours for your account to be confirmed.
It’s typically faster to get approved if you live in the United States. Some UK workers say their first attempts to register in MTurk were denied for unknown reasons.
Once you’ve been verified, you will have a 10-day probation period. During this time, you can only finish 100 HITs a day. You also can’t withdraw your money.
The minimum payout is $1, and you can get paid either every 3, 7, 14, or 30 days.
What Qualifications Do I Need to Be an Amazon MTurk?
To qualify for Amazon MTurk, you must be at least 18. You need a reliable internet connection and some digital skills. This includes knowing Microsoft Office. You should also have basic data entry skills. You can learn the other skills as you go and as needed. It takes as long as 3 business days to be approved by Amazon MTurk.
Why Qualifying for HITs Is Now More Challenging
It’s a basic rule in economics that when supply is low and demand is up, suppliers can be pickier. It’s the same in Amazon Mechanical Turk. More experienced Turkers have scripts that let them monopolize many high-paying HITs. Requesters are more likely to accept these workers because of their qualifications. If you’re just starting out, you may need to fight tooth and nail for scraps.
Is Amazon Mechanical Turk a Good Side Income?
Amazon Mechanical Turk was a great place to earn side income back when it started in 2005. Not a lot of people knew about it, and you didn’t have to jump through hoops to get more meaningful jobs.
2024 is a lot different because the competition is fierce. There are many Turkers in the market. You are still earning the same pay as 10 years ago. You could earn over $1,000 a month on Amazon MTurk. But you would need to work hard at some mindless, inconsistent tasks each day.
To have a point of reference, the average hourly rate for a freelancer in the United States is $33.15 an hour. In a developing country like India, freelancers earn about $26 an hour. These are more than what you would earn on Amazon Mechanical Turk.
So, is it a good side income to earn money online? Yes, to a certain degree. It's great if you have some spare time and want to earn extra cash. But, it's not worth it if you seek a steady, decent income.
How Much Can You Realistically Make with Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) in 2024?
How is Amazon Mechanical Turk in 2024?
Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) in 2024 isn't as good as it used to be back in 2015 to 2018. It remains an active platform even though Amazon doesn't talk about it much. However, it can be hard to find good-paying tasks here, and people don't earn as much anymore. You can still make some money, though. The website is user-friendly, and you get your money in your bank account every three days. MTurk is now mostly for small side tasks, but it's not a big money maker.
What's not mentioned in the video: An article in The Online World mentioned that MTurk workers usually make between $1 and $10 per day. A 2017 Cornell University study found a median wage of $2 per hour for MTurk workers. Very few tasks paid above the U.S. minimum wage.
Is MTurk a Good Side Hustle for People Living in Developing Countries?
MTurk is not considered a good side hustle for people living in developing countries. A 2022 report by the Commission on Population and Development found that most Filipinos now work 2 to 3 jobs to meet daily expenses. Gas and vegetables now cost as much as in first-world countries ($600 to $2,000 a month). But, the average Filipino earns only $300 a month. When MTurks opened in the Philippines, many workers tried it. Even Filipino participants found the work too hard, repetitive, and low-paying to continue.
Consider this: If Filipino Mechanical Turk workers avoid MTurk for their survival, you probably cannot support yourself while living in another country. At best, Amazon Mechanical Turk is something that can earn you extra income
Do I Need to Pay My Taxes From Amazon Mechanical Turk if I Live in the United States?
As an independent contractor, you must report any income from MTurk. However, you do not need to submit your earnings through Form 1099 unless you make more than $600 per month. each month.
Amazon Mechanical Turk Tips
To make the most of your time, it is crucial that you set up the right scripts. There are several scripts you can use depending on what you need and how you work. I recommend joining an MTurk forum or Reddit group. You can also search for MTurk script guides to help you choose which ones to use.
Another tip I would give is to have patience. Amazon Mechanical Turk is not a get-rich-quick scheme. You need to be patient to earn real money. If you’re really set on using this platform to earn extra money, you need to keep your nose to the grindstone.
KEEP IN MIND:
To qualify for higher-paying jobs, there's no set number of small tasks to complete. But, 5,000 is a good target. Most students say that this is the number that “broke the ceiling” and allowed them to earn more.
Is Amazon Mechanical Turk Worth It?
MTurk is not worth it if you’re intending to replace the income you make from your full-time job. If, however, you have spare time and want to earn a few extra dollars each month, then maybe I’d suggest this. You'd still need to become an "experienced" worker. You must work 4 hours per day to earn a decent amount. At first, your MTurk earnings won't be enough. You'll spend most of your time just figuring out a simple task. Unless you just have free time and want to earn a few dollars, Amazon Mechanical Turk is not worth it.
Best Side Hustle Ideas in 2024?
The best side hustles in 2024 are online businesses and gig economy jobs. They range from local lead generation business to driving for Uber. For skilled individuals, freelancing can be lucrative and scalable. Areas include writing, web design, and tutoring. Renting space on Airbnb or co-hosting can create passive income. Creative pursuits, like starting a YouTube channel or reselling on eBay and Craigslist, can profit from hobbies. With the right hustle, there's a way for everyone to make extra money.
Earn Monthly Passive Income With Local Lead Generation
Earn $500 to $2,500 a month in passive income with local lead generation. As a type of digital real estate business model, you earn a predictable income every month. It works by using SEO to rank a website on Google, then renting it to local businesses. Once your site is launched, it's basically hands-free. You don't have to worry about looking for tasks and completing them.
A local lead generation business is also easily scalable. You simply need to repeat the rank-and-rent process. There is no limit to how many sites you can have, which makes your earning potential also limitless. This makes local lead generation the best business model to create passive income.
