> 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/working-with-participants/paying-participants/pay-participants-in-a-usability-test-or-media-survey.md).

# Pay participants in a usability test or media survey

Depending on your recruitment approach and study setup, payments can be issued for usability tests and media surveys in one of two ways: Participants will either be paid by Dscout automatically via PayPal, or you can manage incentives on your own outside of the platform (for bring-your-own participants only).

### Paid via Dscout <a href="#h_01hqkscmj0d0e5s34k67v0ymdp" id="h_01hqkscmj0d0e5s34k67v0ymdp"></a>

For the majority of usability tests and media surveys, participants are paid automatically. This includes studies with the following recruitment approaches:

* Recruit from the Dscout Scout Panel.
* Recruit from Partner Panels.
* Invite via share link (when **Paid via Dscout** is enabled).

For studies using these recruitment methods, participants with completed submissions are put on a seven-day payment hold in which you can review their entries for quality. If you spot any issues, you can report an entry to prevent the participant from being paid. Otherwise, payments are automatically released to participants via PayPal after their seven-day payment hold. For more information reporting or flagging entries, see [Exclude responses from a usability test](/usability-tests/analyze-a-usability-test/exclude-responses-from-a-usability-test.md) or [Exclude responses from a media survey](/media-surveys/analyze-a-media-survey/exclude-responses-from-a-media-survey.md).

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** You must have a verified form of payment on file with Dscout as you will be charged for these incentives, incentive fees, and the associated activity credits. Speak with your Dscout Account Manager to learn more about how your account manages incentives and activity credits.
{% endhint %}

### Paid manually <a href="#h_01hqkscmj02re90qv3sd2jsv8v" id="h_01hqkscmj02re90qv3sd2jsv8v"></a>

In some cases, you will be responsible for managing payments on your own outside of the Dscout platform. This includes studies with the following recruitment approaches:

* Invite via share link (when **Paid via Dscout** is disabled).
* Invite from Private Panels.

For studies using these recruitment methods, participants will *not* be paid automatically upon completion of your study. Instead, you must facilitate payments to ensure participants receive the incentives they are owed.


---

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