Can You Make Money With MTurk?

These tasks don’t require any special skills, but they are things that computers just can’t do as well as humans. Some of the types of tasks you can find on the Amazon MTurk platform include data entry, taking surveys, transcription, and image tagging.

Amazon MTurk provides an opportunity for people to make extra money by doing simple tasks from the comfort of their homes. While you probably won’t get rich off of these online tasks, it’s a viable way to supplement your income, make ends meet (or save for a vacation), and work when it’s convenient for you.

Here’s everything you need to know to see if this is a good job possibility for you.

Amazon MTurk Ins and Outs, Pros and Cons

This platform is worth exploring if you’re seeking a convenient way to earn money in your spare time.

What Is Amazon Mechanical Turk

Amazon Mechanical Turk, or MTurk, is a crowdsourced platform that’s been around since 2005. Its primary purpose is to connect individual workers with requesters (people or companies needing help) to complete Human Intelligence Tasks (HITs), or quick gigs, that cannot be performed by computers.

The name Mechanical Turk comes from a chess-playing automaton built in the 18th century by a Hungarian nobleman (Wolfgang von Kempelen) who defeated nearly every opponent. MTurk refers to the blend of human and artificial intelligence on the platform.

How does MTurk work?

Workers (anyone completing microtasks) create an account so they can browse and complete tasks posted by the Requesters. 

Pros and Cons of MTurk

Here are a few pros and cons of being a Worker on MTurk.

Pros:

• Flexible work hours – You can work at your convenience, fitting tasks into your schedule as you want.
• Variety of tasks – There’s a wide range of gigs available, so you won’t get bored.

Cons:

• Low pay – Many tasks can be underpaid, resulting in making less than the minimum wage. The average hourly rate typically falls between $8-$12 per hour, especially for new workers, but that rate can increase with experience.
• Income inconsistency – The number and quality of tasks can fluctuate, leading to inconsistent earnings.
• Limited tasks – The high competition for work may result in fewer opportunities for new or less experienced workers.
• HIT jobs are subject to approval – Requesters must approve or reject completed HIT tasks, and they have 30 days to do so.

Getting Started with MTurk

Every online earning platform has its nuances. Here are a few helpful things to get you started on Amazon MTurk.

Creating an Account

To begin earning, start by creating an MTurk Worker account. If you already have an existing Amazon account, you can use it to sign up for MTurk. The process is simple and straightforward. 

Just follow the prompts and enter the information requested from independent contractors on the site (basic personal information, your country of residence, and social security number). The process will lead you through setting up an Amazon payments account so you can receive your earnings.

Next, you must agree to the Amazon Mechanical Turk Participation Agreement. Once you do that, it usually takes about three business days to hear back regarding approval into the program.

Understanding HITs

Once your Worker account is set up, you can browse the available Human Intelligence Tasks (HITs). HITs are tasks posted by Requesters and range from simple to more complex tasks. 

Here are some examples of what you might find:

• Transcribing audio files or handwritten text
• Categorizing or tagging images, articles, or websites
• Participating in short surveys or market research tasks
• Writing product descriptions or reviews
• Completing data entry work, like filling out basic forms

How to Qualify for Tasks

Certain tasks require meeting specific qualifications set by the Requester. These qualifications ensure that workers have the necessary skills, experiences, or demographics needed for the task. 

Earning Money on MTurk

Can you make money with MTurk? If you’re looking for a simple side hustle that doesn’t require special skills, MTurk may fit your needs. 

Types of Tasks Available

You can find a variety of tasks on Amazon MTurk, ranging from simple ones like data entry, surveys, and image tagging to more complex tasks such as transcription and content moderation. 

Since you have the flexibility to choose your tasks, you can pick the ones that best fit your time and talents.

Pay Rates 

The pay rates for tasks on MTurk can vary widely, with some jobs only offering a few cents and others paying a couple of dollars. As a beginner in this crowdsourcing marketplace, you’ll notice that many HITs pay less than minimum wage, but as you gain experience and achieve a high HIT approval rating, you can be more selective when choosing tasks to increase your compensation.

I see the Amazon MTurk online marketplace as a viable source of easy supplemental income, but it wouldn’t earn enough to be a full-time job replacement. 

Maximizing Earnings

Here are a few tips that can help you make the most of your time on the platform:

• Be selective – Focus on tasks that pay well and fall within your expertise or skillset. You’ll be able to complete them more efficiently and earn more with your time.
• Use scripts and extensions – There are various browser extensions and scripts, such as Turkopticon, that can help improve your experience on MTurk by providing better task filtering and automating some actions.
• Join online communities – I’ve found valuable information and support from forums and communities discussing MTurk where experienced workers share tips and insights on maximizing earnings. 
• Build your skillset – As you complete more HITs, you can add more complex skills to your skillset to increase your ability to qualify for higher-paying tasks. 

The MTurk Community

Want to earn more through MTurk? Online communities and forums offer a treasure trove of information!

Forums and Support

Various forums and online MTurk communities are available for Workers to discuss their experiences and share valuable information. One popular forum is r/mturk on Reddit, where you can find discussions on efficiency tips and tricks, task availability, and how to handle occasional problems (like dealing with rejections).

External Tools and Scripts

One popular tool that I find very helpful is MTurk Suite. The suite offers several features, such as HIT Finder, HIT Tracker, and HIT Catcher. These tools help us track tasks, monitor earnings, and catch high-paying HITs as they become available.

Additionally, various user-created scripts can enhance the MTurk experience by automating or streamlining different aspects of the platform. For instance, you can use scripts to help filter out low-paying tasks or alert you when specific Requesters post new HITs.

Payments and Rewards

Payout Methods

Workers in the United States can withdraw their earnings directly to a bank account or get an Amazon Gift Card. Workers in India can transfer earnings to an Indian bank account. The availability of these payout methods may vary depending on the user’s location.

Bonuses and Incentives

Requesters occasionally provide a bonus for tasks that exceed their expectations or for completing a certain number of tasks within a given period. These additional rewards can boost your overall earnings.

Receiving Earnings

There is typically a waiting period before the payment for those tasks is approved. This waiting period can vary, but once the funds are approved, they are added to your MTurk account balance. You can then transfer the money to your chosen payout method. 

Note: New Workers have a probation period of 10 days, during which they must complete tasks and cannot request to withdraw earnings.

Is Amazon MTurk a Scam? 

Amazon MTurk is a legitimate online opportunity; however, some gigs pay pennies per task, which is one reason why many people rate MTurk poorly. 

Here is a sampling of reviews from other sites: 

Reviews on Reddit are mixed. Some users on Reddit state that they are able to bring in an extra $100-$300 per week.

Because gigs can be sporadic and low-paying on Amazon MTurk, you’ll likely want to sign up with multiple short-task companies. 

Here are some alternatives to Amazon MTurk: 

Amazon MTurk Review Wrap-Up

Although Amazon MTurk isn’t one of the highest-paying gigs, it offers a decent way to make some extra money in your spare time. With different payout methods, potential bonuses, and relatively easy access to earnings, it can be a useful platform for those seeking to monetize their skills and available time.

Check out this list of ideas, if you’re looking for other ways to earn free Amazon gift cards.