Online Research Jobs

By: Dannie Phan | October 19th, 2020

In the age of the internet, most members of the younger generations know how to make their way around a search engine. However, there are some folks who thrive when they have the opportunity to determine which available keywords can help them find the answers to their questions the fastest.

If you’re one of these people, work as an online researcher may be ideal for you.

Is Internet Research A Skill?

Researching topics online takes practice and skill, though you can cultivate what skills you need to make the process faster over time.

Search engines, after all, do not always know precisely what it is a person is looking for, even after they’ve input the keywords that should take them to that information. To combat the delays that come along with a search engine’s misunderstanding of a person’s intent, work from home researchers must be able to input the exact keywords that can lead them to their preferred information. Similarly, they must know which websites are reputable and which ones are ninja sites, or sites that need to be avoided for their lack of reputability.

What Does An At-Home Researcher Do?

Online researchers can be hired by different companies, large or small. Alternatively, an online researcher may also work as an independent contractor, creating her own hours and providing her services to a client list at her own discretion.

As mentioned, work at home researchers are responsible for gathering together information about specific topics by deftly searching through reputable online sources. Some researchers may be required to bring this information together in a coherent document, whereas others may be able to provide their clients with raw data.

What Qualifications Do You Need To Be A Researcher?

The great thing about online researcher positions is that you do not need a degree to take them on. While an associate degree may help you out, the most important skill you may need for an internet research job is a basic understanding of search engine algorithms and SEO on Google and Bing.

Both areas of expertise can help you navigate your research at a more rapid pace. This way, you can determine which of the sources you have available to you provides you with the most reliable information.

How Do Online Researchers Make Money?

The amount of money you’ll take in as an online researcher will vary, but most of the time, you’ll be paid by the hour. Beginning online researchers often make $10 an hour, with wages increasing as you grow more familiar with what your clients want you to search for.

Note that some businesses may let you set your own rates, especially if you come to them as an independent contractor. In these situations, discuss what kind of pay a potential client is willing to provide you with, all the while ensuring you’re making at least minimum wage for your efforts.

Once you start taking on this kind of work more readily, you can accept money through any manner of online means. Some companies will offer you direct deposit payments, especially if you work for them as a full-time or part-time employee. Other organizations may prefer to use platforms like Bill.com. In many cases, though, especially if you’re an independent contractor or freelancer clients will let you file invoices for payment through platforms like PayPal.

How Do I Become An Online Researcher?

If you want to become an online researcher, you first need to pull together a resume that emphasizes your ability to conduct thorough and accurate research within tight deadlines. Then, it’s up to you to find the companies that are looking for someone with your particular skill set. The best way to do so is to identify your interests while looking at job posting on sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, Flexjobs, and Upwork to see what remote or local researcher jobs may be available to you.

If you’re looking for unique or unusual ways to make money, work as an online researcher can let you stretch your mental muscles while also making an income. If you’d like a side position in the meantime, you can also work with Swagbucks.

There’s no need to wait to start earning money while you’re at home. You can sign up for a Swagbucks account and pursue work as an online researcher while still wearing your pajamas.