What is Mechanical Turk?
In effect, Amazon’s Mechanical Turk utilizes the same concept. Since human beings are better adept at solving more complicated, rational problems than computers, Amazon.com introduced an interface system which allows human beings to perform simple online “tasks” which computers are not fully equipped to complete. Software developers utilize what is described as “artificial artificial intelligence” in order to obtain information to use in their software. In the Amazon Mechanical Turk environment, these developers are known as Requesters-and the users completing the tasks, Workers. So what does this mean for the average consumer? First and foremost, all Workers completing tasks must have an active Amazon account. This is so that all payments can be streamlined through Amazon’s secure identity and payment structure. Payments are made either by direct deposit into the user’s personal bank account, or into his/her Amazon account (for the purpose of paying for future Amazon purchases).
Upon logging onto the site, the user is brought to what is called a Dashboard screen. This screen indicates all the available tasks that a Worker can complete. Some tasks consist of more than one assignment, which are called “Hits”. The hits a user completes are rewarded individually, and may be anywhere from $.01 to $6.00 or more. Mechanical Turk employs a system of tests which may qualify a Worker for more types of tasks. These Qualification tests (if applicable) are listed next to each task on the Dashboard. It is possible to literally earn dozens of dollars a day (if not more) by simply choosing the tasks carefully, and submitting them precisely according to the instructions. The types of tasks listed may vary from day to day. But here are some examples of popular Hits found Mechanical Turk:
PODCAST TRANSCRIPTIONS – Because the internet has become such a necessary method of transmitting audio data, some Requesters upload podcasts in an MP3 format, for which they need literal transcriptions. On the Mechanical Turk site, these podcasts are listed as tasks. The transcription of a podcast constitutes one Hit. The user then accepts the Hit, and then downloads the MP3 podcast. The reward earned for successfully completing the transcription depends on the length of the download. For instance, a podcast that lasts only 15 minutes may earn a user a reward of $2.50. However, a podcast lasting 35 minutes may earn a user a reward of $5.00 or more. Once the transcription is complete, it is then submitted to Mechanical Turk. The Requester then approves the task, and forwards the payment to Amazon for disbursement.
OPINION BASED TASKS – Because computers cannot provide opinions, many software developers submit tasks requesting users to simply provide their opinion on any number of topics. One example of a hit might be identifying one’s Top Three Favorite Fast Food Chains. These types of Hits usually reward $.01 each. However, there may be (25) Hits included in the task. A user may select the option of automatically accepting the next Hit in the group. Though it is not necessary to complete all (25) of the Hits, if he/she completes them all in succession to the Requester’s satisfaction, then that user will be rewarded a total of $0.25.
INFORMATION VERIFICATION – Some requesters simply need a human eye to verify information which has already been acquired. Tasks of this nature may require that a user visit a website and verify that certain information is present. This sounds simple. But since a computer can only identify specific things, human intervention is necessary. For example, a task may require a user to identify colors (i.e. Products in a catalog, etc.). This type of task may have thousands of hits. The reward for each hit may be $.01 to $.03 each. But since these Hits are relatively easy and quick to complete, it is possible to earn literally hundreds of dollars. Another task example might be the verification of restaurant information. In this instance a Requester would ask the user to complete an online form which outlines all of a restaurant’s “demographic” data. Since the research requires that the Worker call or investigate the restaurant online, these tasks generally reward around $1.00 per hit. Again, since most of these types of tasks contain hundreds of hits, it very possible to make a substantial amount of money.
RESEARCH/ RANDOM QUESTIONS – Another popular type of task found on Mechanical Turk, is the request for research. A Requester may ask that a user visit a website to search for specific information. Some of these tasks which can occasionally be fairly involved often reward higher amounts of money. In fact, some Random Questions submitted on Mechanical Turk, are so involved that Requesters sometimes offer as much as $10.00 per hit.
Most (if not all) tasks listed on Mechanical Turk are time-sensitive. Because there are limits, it’s important to continue checking the website for any new tasks. It’s also important to complete the tasks in a timely manner. The Dashboard screen also indicates a Worker’s Mechanical Turk statistics, which includes the number of Hits accepted, rejected, approved, and returned. If a User’s Hit approval rate dips below a certain percentage, that user may not be qualified to complete certain tasks in the future. In this regard, Amazon is able to monitor the quality of the results provided to its Requesters. Since there may dozens of other Workers attempting to complete the same Hits, which are accessed on a first-come/first-served basis, the trick to maximizing earnings is to choose tasks carefully, and complete as many simple ones in succession as possible. What separates Amazon’s Mechanical Turk from many other online sites is its simple and smooth monetary transaction. There are no Pay Pal accounts to set up. And there is literally no wait for monies to be deposited into one’s Amazon account. With online money-making opportunities continuing to flourish, Amazon’s Mechanical Turk may just be one of a kind.
