Panel Research Boom Continues

In the US, the market for independent online panel suppliers grew 16.7% to $1.2bn in 2008, according to estimates contained in a recent study conducted by research and advisory firm Outsell.

The report includes a comparison of nine major suppliers: e-Rewards, GMI, Greenfield Online, LinkedIn, MarketTools, Peanut Labs, Research Now, SSI and Toluna. Outsell says that these players represented approximately 46% of the market in 2007, with SSI ranked top.

'Even though the industry has used the online panel approach for about 15 years, the companies which provide these services are still growing well,' said Vice President & Lead Analyst, Louise Garnett. 'We see this area of online panels as a continued growth area as the current economic climate dictates belt tightening and re-evaluation of how research has traditionally been done.'

The report also contains information about another 28 firms that are mentioned as part of the market or as competitors. In addition, it includes recommendations on quality issues, technology for weeding out non-quality respondents, the impact of social networks morphing into online panels, and the challenge of respondent willingness and engagement with survey participation.

Outsell provides independent, fact-based analysis and actionable advice about competitors, markets, benchmarks, and best practices. Last year, the firm acquired a specialist education and business research division from higher education consulting firm Eduventures.

Web site: www.outsellinc.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.