Author: Scott Sweeney
-
Is a Local Gig Worth the Drive? Calculate the Real Return
A local gig’s fee is only the starting point. Use the full trip, reporting time and unreimbursed costs to decide whether an assignment is worth accepting.
-
Waiting for Prolific or Connect Approval? What to Try Next
A research waitlist needs a backup plan. Compare surveys, usability testing and selective interview applications without assuming instant acceptance or earnings.
-
Quiet Side Hustles for a 20-Minute Break: What Actually Fits?
A short break needs a short, silent task. Here’s how I would choose between Prolific, Connect and PaidViewpoint without rushing or chasing every opportunity.
-
Which Paid Research Sites Require Speaking or Recording?
Voice, screen and face recording are different requirements. Find a research format that fits your comfort level, equipment and available space.
-
Prolific vs. CloudResearch Connect: Which Is Worth Your Time?
I prefer Prolific for more studies, better pay and AI work. Compare both platforms on jury studies, waitlists, screening and my cashout experience.
-
Are AI Training Companies Harvesting Your Data?
GigReviewer / AI Training Industry Analysis Are AI Training Companies Just Collecting Our Data? Mercor, micro1, and Ethos recruit professionals to help train artificial intelligence. Some workers earn impressive hourly rates. Others complete lengthy assessments, pass onboarding, and watch projects disappear without explanation. A Reddit discussion raises a provocative question: are these companies providing legitimate…
-
Stellar AI Is Closing
GigReviewer / AI Work / Industry News Stellar AI Is Closing: What Its Downfall Means for AI Workers Stellar AI’s closure has brought a familiar question back to the surface: how much can you depend on a platform that controls whether there is any work to do? The reaction from contributors suggests this was more…
-
What to Expect for UX Testing in 2026
By Scott Sweeney · Updated October 16, 2026 · Participant guidance A practical update to the January forecast. The earlier version looked ahead to 2026. This revision replaces unsupported predictions about screening and test volume with a way to evaluate the opportunities actually offered to you. It does not claim that testing demand or participant…
-
1099-K Reporting for 2025 Taxes: What Gig Workers and Click Workers Actually Need to Know
By Scott Sweeney · Updated October 16, 2026 · U.S. federal reporting overview for tax year 2025 A reporting threshold is not a tax-free allowance. For 2025, the federal Form 1099-K threshold for third-party settlement organizations is more than $20,000 in gross reportable payments and more than 200 transactions. Payment-card transactions have no equivalent minimum.…
-
The Best OneForma Category for Beginners
By Scott Sweeney · Updated October 16, 2026 · Firsthand perspective and editorial guidance The best beginner category depends on the actual project. A small data-collection assignment can be a reasonable first project when its instructions, privacy requirements, and payment terms fit you. It is not universally easier, safer, or more profitable than annotation, judging,…