Are paid online surveys a scam? The simple answer is no.
However, the more complex answer is yes and no.
Let me explain.
It all depends on the survey provider and the position you want to partake in the survey process.
For example, you can get paid to do surveys from a consumers' point of view,but you can also send out paid surveys so that others can complete them allowing you to earn a commission upon each survey completion you incur.
You're probably sitting there saying "well, what are the best surveys that pay?" It depends on many different factors:

1. What is the target market(e.
   g.
   US,UK etc.
   )?
2. How much data is needed?
3. What type of questions are involved?
4. Is sensitive information needed?

These can all affect how much can be earned on any given survey.
Let's take a look at a real life scenario to make finding the best surveys a heck of a lot easier.

"A book publisher in the United States is trying to find out what their customers reallywant to read.
They decide to create a reading interest survey however, they have neither the time, nor the resources to get the survey to their target audience.
They choose anonline survey site to market their survey to qualifying individuals based on a pre-survey screening.
Since all they need to know is what their customers would like toread in the future and what they think of their service, the data required would be very little.
Also, being a book publisher, likely no sensitive information is needed from customers.
"

Now we can analyze the cost for this survey.
Let's analyze it in order from the factors listed further up.
The United States has very many residents owning computers(to complete the survey) and that read books.
This one factor will raise the cost of the survey a lot.
Numbers 3 and 4 don't necessarily make much difference.
Let's say that the survey takes 5 minutes to complete and the survey company charges the book publisher $5 per completion.
Generally, the cut that is given to the person that completed the survey is %50 or more.
This means that the publisher is really paying $2.
50 for the marketing of the survey and $2.
50 for each successful completion of the survey.
Now that you know the exact process, you have the answer to your question.
Are paid online surveys a scam? No, they aren't.
As you can see, there is a perfectly logical marketing process involved.
I almost to answer an important question from earlier.
Well, what are the best surveys that pay? I can only answer with the simplest of the simple answers.
That's for you to decide, although the highest paying would be an automatic choice for most people, sometimes it's not always the best choice.
Take a look at our book publisher and their reading interest survey.
Only half of the money went to the person completing the survey.
Here's a simple guide to size up the best.

1. How long do you want to spend on each survey?
2. How much do you want to earn on each survey?
3. Do you meet the qualifications for most of the available surveys?

All you have to do now is make the decision, do you want to get paid to do surveys as a provider, or as a consumer?