How to Become an Amazon Mechanical Turk

Think computers are taking over? You'll be relieved to know there are still things only humans can do. Amazon recognized this and created Amazon Mechanical Turks, a human workforce capable of completing tasks simple for humans but impossible for computers. Mechanical Turks, or MTurks, complete Human Intelligence Tasks (HITs) and earn small monetary rewards for each approved HIT. Tasks may include identifying a photograph or transcribing audio.

Instructions

1. Sign up for an Amazon Mechanical Turk account at the link below.

2. Browse through the HITs to find one of interest. The search engine allows various searches based on such things as reward amount, most time allowed and most recently posted HITs. View more detail on a HIT by clicking on "View a HIT in this Group." Successfully complete a Qualification Test to be qualified for certain kinds of HITs.

3. Accept the HIT by clicking the "Accept HIT" button. There will be a time limit to complete the HIT. You may do as many HITs as you want, in any order.

4. Complete the HIT within the time allowed. Submit it using the "Submit HIT" button.

5. Wait for HIT approval. Once the HIT is approved, the reward will be posted to the user's Amazon MTurk account as shown on the MTurk Dashboard. This account can either be converted to an Amazon gift certificate or transferred to a U.S. checking account.

Tips & Warnings

• HITs are added frequently, so check often to see what new HITs are available.

• Return any HIT that cannot be completed on time.

Resources

• Visit the Mechanical Turk website.