> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.dscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.dscout.com/recruit-participants/bring-your-own-byo-participants-faq.md).
# Bring your own (BYO) participants FAQ
**Applies to:** **Usability tests** and **media surveys**
You can bring your own external participants to usability tests and media surveys. Below, you'll find a list of frequently asked questions and their answers.
How do I screen external participants for a BYO study?
There will be no screener questions or targeting attributes in BYO studies, so researchers should only invite pre-screened participants. You can access the invite link for your mission on the **Overview** tab.
How do I invite my participants to my BYO study?
You have two options to invite your own participants to a study:
* Invite via share link.
* Invite from Private Panels.
You’ll select your recruitment method when setting up your study. If you choose to invite using a share link, the link will become available as soon as you launch your mission. If you choose to invite participants from Private Panels, you’ll do so directly in the builder.
Which devices can participants use to complete a BYO study?
Usability tests and media surveys can be completed via a desktop/laptop computer or via mobile device. You will set this specification at the mission level. For example, if you set the device type to desktop, all participants will be required to complete the mission on a desktop or laptop computer.
Can I invite participants outside the United States?
Yes! As you’ll be pre-screening your participants and sharing the URL to your BYO study directly with them, you can invite participants from all over the world and gain perspectives from multiple global markets.
Is there a participant limit?
Participant limits for BYO studies are optional. For more information, see [Manage participant limit and incentive in a usability test](/usability-tests/create-a-usability-test/manage-participant-limit-and-incentive-in-a-usability-test.md) or [Manage participant limit and incentive in a media survey](/media-surveys/create-a-media-survey/manage-participant-limit-and-incentive-in-a-media-survey.md).
Can I add additional documentation that I may need my participants to complete before participating (informed consent, Figma consent, etc.)?
Yes, you’ll have the ability to add these documents to your BYO studies just like those that recruit from our Dscout Scout Panel. For more information, see [Custom informed consent](/getting-started/research-basics/custom-informed-consent.md).
Does my BYO study need to be submitted for review?
No! You can launch your BYO study whenever you’re ready. You do not have to submit a review request to a member of the Dscout team. However, we’re always happy to review your mission before you launch if you’d like.
How long will participants have to complete their BYO study?
Once they have started, participants will not have any set time limit to finish the BYO study. Participants will be able to start the mission as long as they have access to the shared link (and the researcher has launched and activated the mission from the builder).
{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Any participants that have started the mission before you deactivate the share link or before your participant limit is reached will still be able to complete the mission. Deactivating only prevents new participants from starting the mission, if they haven't already done so.
{% endhint %}
Can I reopen my BYO study to allow more participants in after I’ve deactivated my mission?
Yes! You can simply toggle your BYO study back to “active” if you’d like to allow more participants the chance to complete your mission. You’ll likely want to re-share your mission URL again to ensure that traffic is coming to your mission. The URL will remain the same regardless of how many times you activate or deactivate it. If your study has a participant limit, you'll need to increase it before you're able to re-launch.
How will my participants be paid?
BYO participants can either be paid via Dscout or outside of the platform. You'll make this decision when you build your study. If you choose to pay participants via Dscout, payments will be automatically sent via PayPal seven days after a participant completes their entry. If you choose to pay participants outside of Dscout, you're responsible for ensuring participants receive the incentive they're owed.
For more information on bringing your own participants to a study, see [Recruitment options in a usability test](/usability-tests/what-are-usability-tests-in-dscout/recruitment-options-in-a-usability-test.md) and [Recruitment options in a media survey](/media-surveys/what-are-media-surveys-in-dscout/recruitment-options-in-a-media-survey.md).
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