Can I pay incentive off the platform

No, it is not allowed to pay participants outside of the app store research platform.

All participants recruited through the platform must receive their incentives via the platform.

Paying outside the platform is considered a violation of the rules and can result in restricted access or account penalties.

Why All Payments Must Go Through the Platform

Processing payments through the platform is important for several reasons:

1. Protection Against Disputes
   Payments on the platform create a verifiable record. In case of any dispute about whether the participant completed the project, both researchers and participants are protected.

2. Confirmation of Work
   Platform payments confirm that the participant fulfilled their responsibilities. This helps maintain accurate records and enhances the participant’s reputation on the platform.

3. Avoiding Fraud or Miscommunication
   Paying off-platform increases the risk of fraud, miscommunication, or incomplete transactions. The participant may not receive the correct amount, or payment may not be linked to the correct project.

4. Compliance and Reporting
   Platform payments ensure proper tracking for accounting, tax, and reporting purposes for both researchers and participants.

5. Fairness Across the Community
   Paying outside the platform creates an unfair environment for other researchers and participants, undermining trust in the platform and its processes.

Summary

Always pay participants through the app store research platform. This ensures:

• Safe and verifiable payments

• Proper recognition of participants’ work

• Compliance with platform rules

• Protection against disputes and fraud

If you have questions about payment processing or issues with a transaction, contact support at support@appstoreresearch.com.