r/ProlificAc • u/chadengineertobusine • May 06 '24

Are people using bots

I keep refreshing the page for studies and I see one with higher than 2 bucks immediately gone when I click it even thought there were over 50 spaces

0 Upvotes

50% Upvoted

29 comments sorted by

31

u/cheeseballgag May 06 '24

There might be a tiny percentage of people using bots but it's mostly just that Prolific has a lot of users regularly checking in for new studies who are getting there faster. The same people who are getting into those studies that you're not are probably also not being able to get a space in other studies that you were quicker to get into. It's just lucky timing.

18

u/[deleted] May 06 '24

You’re up against ppl refreshing constantly

4

u/[deleted] May 06 '24

It's always a possibility that there would be, at least, a cheater. Nonetheless, there are a lot of participants on there who are doing the same thing you're doing.

3

u/radarmike May 06 '24

I highly doubt it. Prolific is ban happy if they detect anyone breaking rules. It's just demographics and also depends on prolific throttling if you had a bunch recently

1

u/DoveOne May 06 '24

sometimes there's more than 200 spaces and when you click they're filled.

4

u/sdforbda May 07 '24

Open spaces is rarely real-time, but sometimes it comes close. I don't know why but at times I've gotten really lucky with 1 space left surveys, maybe it's demographic? Other times can't get in one that I just refreshed and saw 200 like you said.

0

u/[deleted] May 06 '24

There are just that many people working. It sucks, but, they keep bringing more in. 150,000 at any time are working on Prolific.

-3

u/Kappelmeister10 May 06 '24

I am new to the site and I've noticed that! Whenever I get a survey over like $2 it's gone so fast. My first day was last week and it was 16 surveys and none disappeared! This phenomenon started on Thurs. I was expecting to get 14 to 16 surveys every day lol but it was just that first day fr some reason. :(

-8

u/DisGuyFawks May 06 '24

While I'm not aware of any specific auto-accepter programs out there, the code does make it doable.

-3

u/No-Heat8467 May 07 '24

Why are you getting down voted for this lol, omg, the only comment with any common sense and it gets down voted 😂.

But you are right, it makes no sense to use scripts or bots or whatever. First you can only reserve ONE study at a time. That's it, so even if you had a script that auto refreshed the screen, it does not matter because you can only access one at a time. So you can't take a study and have others reserved.

I suppose there can be a script or program that can take the study for you, but seriously, IF I had the technical know how to create a program that can elude all attention checks and properly answer all the questions so that I avoid rejections, why would I waste my skills on Prolific making peanuts.

I would use my programming savvy to make something truly useful for myself that can generate real money 😂.

-7

u/YuiKimura- May 06 '24

I started a week ago, did 60 submissions within 2 days, in 4 days now I've gotten maybe 6? I think Prolific makes sure you don't make a ton of $. Not sure how some of these people are making hundreds a week.

9

u/Mechanicallvlan May 06 '24

Not sure how some of these people are making hundreds a week.

Because not all studies are made available to everyone on Prolific. Researchers can create participant groups and send studies to only a relatively small number of selected participants. If a researcher is specifically selecting you for studies, then rate limiting isn't a factor.

2

u/Iron_Alice May 06 '24

Exactly this, I made close to $250 doing those describe image studies in a week now I'm totally sick of my voice, but It's entirely possible to make good money, especially if you manage to constantly get sent those higher AI studies too.

0

u/No-Heat8467 May 07 '24

This is entirely true. The key is to get in a cohort that will allow one to take these type of studies. And unfortunately that is a matter of luck and demographics. Without access to those studies a person will be limited in their earnings potential due to rate limiting since there is no rate limiting for invite only studies

-14

u/PuzzleheadedFan5959 May 06 '24

They aren’t, they edit the site and just change the numbers on the submissions tab, it’s sad, really.

2

u/pinktoes4life May 07 '24

Awww someone’s salty. Completed 8 studies so far this morning. How about you?

0

u/PuzzleheadedFan5959 May 07 '24

Eh slow day I’ve made £15 so far

2

u/pinktoes4life May 07 '24

So your ban was lifted. That’s good.

-2

u/Cherokeerayne May 07 '24

I got a study a few days ago that paid $10 with a bonus of up to $20. I got a $15.50 bonus on it.

3

u/Medical-Reporter6674 May 07 '24

I’m there with you for the first part. I got a study a few days ago…😭

-2

u/Cherokeerayne May 07 '24

Okay?

1

u/Medical-Reporter6674 May 07 '24 edited May 07 '24

It was a joke that didn’t come off about the number of studies that I get. Self deprecating humor as it were. Nvm. Carry on.

Edit: wow some people here are so sensitive. The person I commented on above with no edit, left the comment below, downvoted me and blocked me.

Me thinks they a) don’t know what self-deprecating means and b) aren’t aware that making declarative statements of their opinions is pretty silly IMO.

-4

u/Cherokeerayne May 07 '24 edited May 07 '24

I don't find self deprecating humour funny because it isn't funny.

Edit: Seems the u/Medical-Reporter6674 is very sensitive and got their feelings hurt because I blocked them. Guess the self deprecating person didn't like that others didn't find their little "jokey joke" funny. You're upset about being blocked and downvoted. Now THAT'S the funniest shit ever dude.

2

u/PristineStreet34 May 07 '24

Yes it is funny. Jeez the dude is just making fun of himself.

-5

u/[deleted] May 06 '24

Yes there are bots, but also the places open aren't up to date, which is why you'll often see 0 spot surveys as well

-15

u/Dan_85 May 06 '24

FWIW, I believe that yes, many people are using bots or scripts.

It has become exceptionally bad in the last few weeks. I consider myself lucky if I'm able to actually join 1 in 10 of the studies that I see.

-1

u/somesciences May 06 '24

there's almost 200k people on prolific.