Get invited
A research panel sends you a study invite link. You only ever see studies you've been personally invited to — there's no general feed and no surprise enrolments.
How it worksFrom invite
From invite
to reward.
Aura is invite-only. Each study you see has been chosen for you by a research panel you joined. Here's exactly how a study runs from start to finish.
Review the study
The study page shows what data is needed (browser, mobile, sometimes shopping or order history), how long it runs, what it's for, and exactly what you'll earn. Accept or decline — it's your call.
Join and contribute
Connect the data sources the study requires and use your devices normally. You can pause sharing or leave the study at any time. When the study completes, the reward lands in your wallet.
What it's like to take part
Setup in less than 5 minutes.
Once you've said yes to a study, only two kinds of things ever happen — and the invite tells you upfront which to expect.
Start with your invite
Open the invite link to see exactly what the study needs, how long it runs, and what you'll earn. Accept it, install the app or browser extension, and grant the permissions the study requires — all in a few minutes.
Mostly, just keep using your device
After a one-time setup, the study quietly notices how you naturally use your phone or browser. No surveys to fill in, no daily check-ins, no reminders — just go about your day.
Sometimes, a quick task
Once in a while, a study might ask you to do something small — try a site, share a quick reaction, snap a photo of a receipt. Each one shows you how long it takes and what extra you'll earn. Skip any you don't want; you stay in the study either way.
Understanding digital behavior
What we observe
- The sites you visit and how you navigate them
- How you use your phone day to day
- Where you shop and what you're looking for
- How you make decisions — from research to checkout
- The categories and interests you spend time on
What we never see
- Your name, email, or contact info
- Passwords or anything you type into a login or payment screen
- Bank account or credit card information
- The contents of messages, emails, or personal files
- Anything in incognito or private browsing tabs
How rewards work
Rewards are set and paid by the research panel that invited you. The reward amount, the study duration, and the data the study needs are all spelled out on the invite — so you know exactly what you're agreeing to before you join.
When you complete the study, your reward is credited through the panel. If a study has several connections (e.g. browser + mobile) and you only complete part of it, the panel may credit a partial reward depending on the study's terms — you'll see those terms on the invite.
Aura shows your study activity and reward status in your wallet. Each panel handles payout in its own way — some pay through Aura's wallet, others pay you directly. The invite makes the path clear.
Still got questions?
Read the FAQ, or open your invite link and review the study before deciding. You can always leave a study or delete your account at any time.