Many companies offer free products to consumers in exchange for honest feedback and reviews. This practice allows brands to gather valuable customer insights while providing participants with complimentary items. The process typically involves signing up with specific platforms, completing profiles, and engaging with product testing campaigns. Participants can often receive full-size products across various categories, including beauty, baby care, pet supplies, health, food, and household goods.
The general process for obtaining free products for review involves registering with dedicated platforms. These platforms match consumers with brands seeking feedback. Users are usually required to create a detailed profile, which helps in matching them with relevant products. After receiving a product, the expectation is to provide an honest review and often to share the experience on social media or other platforms. It is important to note that receiving products can take several weeks, and opportunities may be limited.
Several platforms facilitate these programmes. Each has its own sign-up process, product categories, and requirements for participants.
Platforms for Free Product Testing and Reviews
Influenster
Influenster operates by sending out "VoxBoxes" which contain a selection of free product samples for testing. To be considered for a VoxBox, individuals must create a profile, download the Influenster app, and fill it out with lifestyle and brand preferences. Following Influenster on social media channels is also part of the process. If a user qualifies, they may be sent a VoxBox. Sometimes, Influenster requires additional actions, such as taking a selfie with a specific brand of shampoo or conditioner, or reviewing products currently in use. Brands associated with Influenster include Pampers, bioClarity, and Rimmel London.
BzzAgent
BzzAgent requires a few steps to get started. First, you must sign up for the platform. Once signed up, you may be invited to apply for a campaign. If you submit an application and are selected, you will receive an email confirmation. Full-size samples are then sent within one to three weeks for free use in exchange for reviewing the products on your social media accounts. Brands associated with BzzAgent include Bissel, Conair, Melissa & Doug, and Hormel.
MomSelect
MomSelect is a platform for "Moms" or "Mom Bloggers". Participants can join to potentially receive free toys for their children, such as from LeapFrog and Fisher-Price. The platform allows participation in multiple programmes, which may involve answering questions, taking surveys, sharing samples, and posting on social media. Brands associated with MomSelect include Great Wolf Lodge, Chick-fil-A, and Crayola.
The Pink Panel
The Pink Panel focuses on beauty products and fragrances. To join, you fill out a short questionnaire. If chosen, you will start to receive emails with testing opportunities to try free products in exchange for reviews. In addition to products, The Pink Panel sometimes offers rewards such as gift cards for participation. L'Oreal is the parent company for brands such as Garnier, Lancome, Redken, and others, and they may send items to your home for review. The types of products include hair care, cosmetics, skincare, or suncare items.
Smiley360
Smiley360 offers "Missions" where you can be matched with products sent to your home for use and review. After using the product, you complete a review on their platform and share it on social media. Good sharers are rewarded with more missions and free products. Products include educational materials, books, toys, games, and electronics. There are a limited number of products available for review, so checking the website regularly is recommended. You can keep the product you received for free in exchange for your honest feedback.
Vogue Insiders
Vogue Insiders is a programme from Vogue magazine that offers free beauty samples and fashion products in exchange for reviews and feedback. Members can try skincare, makeup, haircare, scent items, apparel, accessories, and jewelry. They partner with brands such as Estée Lauder, Chanel, La Mer, and Dior.
MESH01 Product Testing Platform
Registering with the MESH01 Product Testing Platform provides a chance to receive footwear, apparel, equipment, and other products for free in exchange for honest feedback. In most cases, you get to keep the products after testing.
Tryable
Tryable is described as a large free product testing community. It is free to join, and you always get to keep the products you try.
SheSpeaks
SheSpeaks targets women influencers to receive complimentary products in exchange for giving reviews. You create a profile on their website, and based on your profile and demographics, you may qualify to receive products. Products include beauty and skincare, food and beverages, household products, and technology items. You share your experiences on social media and leave a review on the SheSpeaks website.
The Upside
The Upside is a mission-based programme focused on health, wellness, and self-care. Products may include Udderly Smooth, Charcocaps, Acnomel Everyday Facial Cleansing Bar, UrinoZinc, and Vanquish Headache Relief. Missions involve being matched with products sent to your home for use and review. You complete a review on their platform and share it on social media. Good sharers are rewarded with more missions and free products.
Product Report Card
With Product Report Card, you can earn cash by influencing product and service decisions with your reviews. You can turn earned cash into Amazon gift codes or free products for each online survey you complete.
Skeepers
Skeepers, formerly known as Octoly, provides exclusive access to try free products in exchange for your honest opinion. With Skeepers, you can even choose which products you want to try.
Conde Nast
Conde Nast offers a Try It Sampling Programme for free beauty products. You complete a survey for the chance to receive free products based on quantities available and your preferences. You have the opportunity to share feedback and receive special offers on the products you try. Spots are limited.
Ripple Street
Signing up to Ripple Street allows you to join brand communities to get free products, coupons, and exclusive offers. The company partners with brands like Dove, Nintendo, Kellogg’s, and Cannon.
Gathr
Gathr provides free stuff to try out. You register by filling out a profile and sharing preferences for the types of products you would like to receive. A Gathr shipment is then sent to your door, typically a box of free stuff. You use a QR code in the box to engage with products and unlock special offers. Product categories include makeup, skincare, haircare, bath and body, fragrance, grooming tools, personal care, beverages, healthy food, snacks, pet supplies, cleaning supplies, and nutritional supplements.
NetGalley
NetGalley is for those who enjoy reading and want free books. Librarians, booksellers, educators, reviewers, bloggers, and those in the media can request free digital review copies of books before they are published. You need to provide a review of the books and share them with others on social media.
VIP Power Club
The VIP Power Club allows you to save up to 99% on newly added or newly released products on Amazon.
Tips for Participating in Free Product Programmes
When signing up for multiple programmes, it is advisable to manage communication effectively. One suggestion is to create a new Gmail account and sign up for a Google Voice phone number to avoid spam. For product delivery, using an office address or a P.O. Box is recommended.
Compensation for participating in tests can vary. For tests conducted at a facility, compensation ranges from $30 to $100. For tests done in your home, compensation typically ranges from $10 to $15.
Conclusion
Participating in free product testing and review programmes is a viable way for UK consumers to try new items across various categories. By registering with platforms such as Influenster, BzzAgent, MomSelect, The Pink Panel, Smiley360, and others, individuals can receive full-size products in exchange for honest feedback. The process generally involves creating a profile, waiting for matching opportunities, and then sharing reviews. It is important to be patient, as it may take weeks to receive products, and to check for new opportunities regularly as they can be limited.