Amazon Mechanical Turk UK Review 2024: Is MTurk Worth It?

If you're looking for a side hustle in the UK, you've likely heard of MTurk. In this Amazon Mechanical Turk review, we'll delve into what Amazon Mechanical Turk is all about and help you decide if it's worth your time.

As always, we aim to provide unbiased and truthful reviews about products that work. We use a mixture of personal research and the experience of others to conduct reviews and make an assessment of products. If Amazon Mechanical Turk sounds like a platform that you would be interested in using to make extra money in 2024, it is a good idea to conduct your own research alongside this review.

Amazon Mechanical Turk Review - The Rundown

Amazon Mechanical Turk is a micro-tasking platform that pays people to complete data entry side hustles online. The platform is a subsidiary of Amazon and was created to help businesses find workers for small tasks and projects. The platform pays real money for every task that is completed however, hourly rates are low. It is difficult to earn more than £15 per hour on Amazon Mechanical Turk in 2024. Nevertheless, MTurk could be a good option to consider if you are looking to make money immediately in the UK.

amazon mechanical tur uk review

What Is Amazon Mechanical Turk?

Amazon Mechanical Turk, often abbreviated as MTurk, is an online marketplace where individuals and businesses can outsource tasks to a distributed workforce. It's a platform that connects "requesters" who need various tasks completed with "workers" who can earn money by completing those tasks.

The platform provides people with a way to make money from simple data entry jobs. MTurk has become a popular option for people in the UK who want to make some extra cash quickly from the comfort of their own homes.

Unlike some other remote side hustles, Amazon Mechanical Turk offers guaranteed work and fast payouts. Anyone can sign up and start completing tasks today. It is possible to use MTurk on a desktop or mobile device, making it accessible to everyone in the UK 2024.

How does Amazon Mechanical Turk work?

MTurk operates on a microtasking model. Requesters post tasks, or "HITs" (Human Intelligence Tasks), and set a payment for completing them. Workers browse available HITs, choose the ones that interest them, complete the tasks, and receive compensation once approved by the requester.

Anyone can sign up to the platform and start working on tasks. Most tasks require just a laptop and wifi connection. Some more advanced tasks may require specific skills or knowledege. MTurk offers flexibility for workers who are able to pick and choose which tasks they complete. This makes it a very popular side hustle for students and other busy people who want a side hustle that works around their lifestyle.

It is possible to manage worker profiles, track earnings and withdraw funds from the Amazon Mechanical Turk platform. Workers can also review requesters to ensure that the platform is used correctly and that the compensation that is paid for tasks is fair.

The main MTurk dashboard is easy to use. Workers can see a list of available tasks - this changes daily depending on the volume of tasks that are available. Workers can also view their earnings and profiles through the dashboard.

amazon mturk review UK - dashboard

What kind of work can you expect to find on MTurk?

The tasks available on Amazon Mechanical Turk are small ‘micro’ tasks that can all be completed online. Most tasks take a very short time to complete and don’t require any industry experience or specific skills. Here are some of the most common types of tasks that you might find on the platform.

  • Data entry and transcription

  • Surveys and market research

  • Image and video processing

  • Content moderation

  • Sentiment analysis

  • Academic research participation

  • Text annotation and categorization

This list isn’t exhaustive. During our Amazon Mechanical Turk review, we found the tasks to be very varied and noticed different tasks each day. MTurk is a good platform to use if you are looking for a free side hustle that offers a diverse range of jobs.

Are Amazon Mechanical Turk Tasks Easy?

During our MTurk review, we found most of the tasks available to be relatively easy. However, the complexity of tasks on MTurk varies. Some are straightforward, while others require specific skills or qualifications. The ease of tasks depends on your abilities and preferences, so you can choose tasks that suit you.

Most new users start with very simple tasks such as taking surveys or proof-reading text. Over time, it is easy to build up confidence and move onto the more complicated, an higher paid, tasks that are available.

Can anyone apply to Amazon Mechanical Turk?

Yes, anyone in the UK can apply to become an MTurk worker. You need an Amazon account and can start working once you've been accepted. You also need a laptop and a good WiFi connection to be able to complete the tasks that are available.

Unlike other micro tasking platforms, you do not need to pass any qualifying tests to start earning money from Amazon Mechanical Turk. In fact, it is possible to start completing tasks even before your account gets approved.

Amazon Mechanical Turk is a good side hustle for you if:

  • You have a lot of patience when it comes to mundane tasks.

  • You are able to contribute 1-3 hours per day.

  • You have a good laptop and fast wifi.

  • You are looking for a way to make money fast and can accept low hourly rates.

Amazon mechanical turk review uk 2023

How to Start Using Amazon Mechanical Turk in the UK 2024

In our Amazon Mechanical Turk review UK, we found the application process very easy. We had an existing Amazon account which means that it took less than 5 minutes to register to the platform. After about 48 hours our account was approved and we could access tasks.

Here is how to apply for and start using MTurk in the UK 2024.

Step 1: Create an account

Go to the Amazon Mechanical Turk website and click ‘get started with Amazon Mechanical Turk’. Here, you will be able to use an existing Amazon account to register or create a new account.

If you choose to create a new account, make sure to use an email address that you have easy access to. MTurk will send notifications to your inox when you get approved.

It can take up to 3 days for your Amazon Mechanical Turk account to get approved. During this time, you will be able to access a small selection of tasks to get started with. The remaining tasks will be unlocked once you get approval.

Step 2: Add a payment method to your account

Once you have recieved approval from the Amazon Mechanical Turk team, you will be able to access your account. Add a valid payment method to your account so that you can withdraw earnings from tasks.

You can choose to recieve payments directly to your bank account or as an Amazon gift card.

Step 3: Start earning money by completing tasks

After choosing a payment method, go ahead and start completing tasks on the MTurk platform. Try to increase productivity by using AI tools to assist you with some tasks. This can help to increase the hourly rate that you earn.

According to a Reddit of ‘Turkers’, the best time to log onto the platform to find high paying tasks is between 2am - 4am and then at 8am - 10am. However, it is a good idea to check the platform throughout the day to find the best paying tasks. These tasks ge taken quickly.

During our Amazon Mechanical Turk review, we found that there is always work available on the platform no matter what time of day you choose to log on. When you accept a task, you are obligated to complete it. Therefore, try to avoid accpeting a large quantity of tasks at once as this may become difficult to keep ontop of.

Step 4: Withdraw earnings

Finally, you can withdraw your earnings from the MTurk platform as soon as you reach $1 on earnings. This target could easily be reached within minutes of the platform, as long as you choose the right tasks to complete.

To withdraw funds from Amazon Mechanical Turk simply head to your account and withdraw earnings to your selected payment method.

How long does it take to get approved for Amazon Mechanical Turk?

The MTurk platform claims that approval can take up to 3 days. However, our account was approved by Amazon Mechanical Turk after just 2 days. The approval process duration can vary. Some get approved within a few days, while others may wait longer. Patience is key.

There is no way to speed up the approval process. The time that it takes to get approved mainly relies on demand. If a lot of new users signig up at the same time, the approval may be delayed.

MTurk UK review

How Much Money Can I Make on Amazon Mechanical Turk?

After reviewing the tasks available on Amazon Mechanical Turk, we found that it is possible to make around £7.50 per hour in the UK (on average). While this isn’t exactly high, MTurk is a good platform for people who need a little extra cash each month to cover coffee, fuel or even social activities.

Here is a breakdown of the average hourly rate that you could earn from different types of task of Amazon Mechanical Turk.

Task Type Average Earnings per Hour
Data Entry £5 - £8
Surveys £0.50 - £2
Content Moderation £6 - £10
Transcription £6 - £12
Image Processing £4 - £7

The amount of money that you could earn per hour on MTurk will vary depending on your efficiency and the type of tasks that you complete. The faster you work, the more you could earn.

Pros and Cons of Amazon Mechanical Turk

During our MTurk review, we came across several pros and cons that are worth considering before joining the platform. The main advantage of Amazon Mechanical Turk is that the platform offers flexibility and instant earning opportunities. The main drawback of using Amazon Mechanical Turk is that the pay is very low compared to other promising side hustles that pay well in the UK.

Here are the main pros and cons of Amazon Mechanical Turk.

Pros:

  • Flexible work schedule

  • Wide variety of tasks

  • No geographical restrictions

  • Low entry barriers

  • Potential for steady income

Cons:

  • Low initial pay for some tasks

  • Inconsistent task availability

  • Quality control issues

  • No guaranteed income

  • Not a replacement for a full-time job

Is Amazon Mechanical Turk Worth It?

The main question that people ask when they first come across the Amazon Mechanical Turk micro tasking platform is, ‘is it worth it?’. In truth, Amazon Mechanical Turk is worth it for people who are looking for a quick way to make extra money in the UK. However, if you are looking to make more than just a few pounds per hour, you may want to consider a more lucrative side hustle idea.

Take a look at our list of 40 passive side hustle ideas for a higher-paid alternative.

Amazon Mechanical Turk has no startup costs which means that it is possible to make profit as soon as you complete a task. Furthermore, this side hustle can be done whenever and wherever you like, making it a popular side hustle for travelers.

From our review, we can conclude that Amazon Mechanical Turk probably won’t replace a fulltime income. However, it can be a good way to earn extra cash for your daily coffee or even to cover your utility bills each month.

Amazon Mechanical Turk UK Review Conclusion

Amazon Mechanical Turk offers a flexible way to earn money in the UK. It's suitable for those looking for a side hustle with minimal entry barriers. However, it's essential to manage your expectations and choose tasks wisely to make the most of this platform. MTurk can be a valuable addition to your income sources if used effectively.

At The Rich Girl Guide, we want to help everyone make extra money and live their dream life. We chose to review MTurk because it is a legitimate way to earn extra cash from home in the UK. Our experiences with the platform have been positive. However, always conduct your own research before making any final decisions.

FAQs

  • Amazon Mechanical Turk is a legit platform that allows people to earn money by completing micro tasks. The platform is a subsidiary of Amazon which means that payments are secured. Amazon Mechanical Turk has thousands of users around the world who earn extra money on the platform.

  • MTurk is considered to be a low-paid platform however, there are always a good number of tasks available and it is possible to increase your hourly income by streamlining the task completing process. However, average hourly earnings from MTurk in the UK sit at around £7.50.

  • Amazon Mechanical Turk may reject your application if you provide false or incorrect information. If you application isn’t approved, you will be able to reapply with the correct information.

  • It is possible to withdraw earnings as soon as tey are available in your Amazon Mechanical Turk account. However, the time that it takes for requester to approve tasks can vary.

About The Author

Ruby is the founder of The Rich Girl Guide and has been writing content around personal finance, side hustles and wellbeing for over 3 years. You can find some of Ruby’s published articles on The Motley Fool UK, Tradingplatforms.com and Buyshares.co.uk.