Getting started
What is Observa?
Observa is an app where you can get paid for completing surveys in stores, or “opportunities.” These involve answering a few questions, taking some photos, and speaking with a store associate or manager.
How do I submit photos for observations?
All photos must be taken within the Observa app. When completing an observation, click “Add Photo” and take the required photo there. To take multiple photos for a section, repeat this process. You cannot upload photos from your phone’s camera roll into the app, and any photos submitted via email will not be accepted.
What kind of opportunities can I do?
Most opportunities with Observa involve going to a retailer and answering questions about brands in the store. There are also Photo Challenge opportunities, which can be completed from anywhere. The Photo Challenges are contests, and submissions get entered into a drawing for a daily prize. (See more specific guidelines in the app.)
How much money will I get paid?
Payment differs for each opportunity. Most opportunities pay somewhere between $4-15, and typically require no more than 15-30 minutes of your time. There is no limit on the number of opportunities you can complete, but keep in mind you only have two (2) hours to complete the opportunity after accepting it.
How do I get paid / change my payment email?
We currently offer payment through either PayPal. If you do not have a PayPal account, you will not be able to receive payments from using the Observa app. You can update your payment email in the Settings section of the Observa app.
How quickly do I get paid?
Payment is issued immediately following the validation of your submission. The validation process involves ensuring you were at the correct location, and that you completely answered each question according to the instructions. During regular business hours the validation process is completed quickly, usually within 5 days of your submission. Validation may take longer than 5 days on the weekends or holidays.
Where is Observa available?
Observa has opportunities available across the United States. You will be alerted via email or the app, via push notifications, when there are opportunities nearby you once you create an account. Currently, you can only change the settings for your in-app notification preferences.
What are the rules on accepting observations?
- Observers can’t accept the same opportunity more than 5 times
- Continually accepting observations and allowing them to expire or declining them before completing them will result in fewer available attempts per opportunity.
- If you accepted an opportunity and do not complete the observation within the time limit, you will have to wait 30 minutes to accept it again.
- If you accepted an opportunity, but now other Observers are on the waitlist for that opportunity, you will have to wait 30 minutes to accept it again if you do not complete it within the time limit.
- Observa highly discourages “squatting” (accepting, declining, then re-accepting the same opportunity multiple times). All opportunities should be first-come, first-served. Please only accept the opportunity if you are sure you will be able to complete it within the two-hour time frame. If you are caught squatting multiple times, you may be contacted by Observa with a warning or be banned from the app.
When will you have more opportunities in my area?
All of our locations, and frequency of opportunities, are chosen by our customers. They provide us with a store list based on their retail needs, and we put those opportunities on the map. Although we do not have an exact date to expect more gigs, we hope to have more near you soon.