An opinion survey does not provide a truth that is valid everywhere and forever. It is a snapshot of a specific moment in time, in a given country. For example, if a major coffee brand wants to find out about the consumption habits of its customers or potential buyers, it will do so in all the countries where it distributes its products. It cannot conduct a paid survey in the United States and expect the responses from North Americans to be relevant to its Italian or French customers. If you have ever tasted the very weak coffee of the Americans or the very strong coffee of the Italians, you will understand what I mean.  

A major brand cannot assume that the paid survey it has conducted is valid indefinitely. Our habits change. They can change quickly, and the causes vary: reduced purchasing power as the country becomes poorer, reduced consumption because the product costs more due to sudden climate change, conflicts, etc. An example? The price of cocoa skyrocketed in 2024 because producing countries had to deal with a virus spreading from cocoa tree to cocoa tree, in addition to global warming, which also reduced the quantity and quality of harvests. The result was major upheavals in the consumption of the product and a need for manufacturers to adapt.

👉 This is why, when you register with Survimpact, you will not receive paid surveys for countries other than the country where you registered and reside. This ensures the reliability of responses. It is your consumption habits specific to your country that are taken into account.

Opinion surveys are not exclusively intended for major brands. Many health institutes rely on survey results, conducted on a large sample of people, to better understand the lifestyle habits of populations. Even if these are paid surveys, the purpose here is not commercial. It is for the public good. Very often, our preconceptions do not reflect our actual behaviour, and surveys are therefore an incredible indicator of our habits. Good or bad... Here are a few examples:

The fight against obesity is a major health issue in many countries. This is particularly true at a young age, when bad habits become ingrained. Health institutes question, analyse and make recommendations, and in most cases, public policies are implemented.

In 2025, in the United Kingdom, an opinion survey conducted by the British Nutrition Foundation revealed that 32% of parents did not know how much food to give a child, with a risk of overfilling their plates. However, 37% of parents force their children to finish everything on their plate. These two factors combined have been identified as a possible trigger for childhood obesity. The foundation recommends appropriate food guidelines with regard to portion sizes.

In 2018, an international study conducted in Australia, the United States, China and Mexico on children aged 4 to 13 revealed that more than 95% of Australian and American children eat snacks high in added sugars and saturated fats. These snacks, eaten between meals, account for 30% (Australia) and 25% (United States) of daily calorie intake.
 

The French, great gourmets... not always! In 2024, the Association Santé Environnement France (ASEF), recognised as a public interest organisation by the French government, conducted a survey on the eating habits of young French people. 24% drink sweetened syrup or soda at the table and 10% systematically add ketchup or mayonnaise to their food. The most surprising finding was that 87% did not know what a beetroot was and could not recognise leeks, courgettes, figs or artichokes.

In 2024, in the United Kingdom, an opinion survey conducted by University College London revealed a surprising finding: after monitoring 2,400 pairs of twins, it appears that 60 to 74% of food “selectivity” is linked to genetics, with the remainder influenced by the family environment. Researchers therefore recommend introducing children to a diverse diet from an early age.

An Indian study conducted for the Department of Psychology at Saurashtra University in India in June 2025 revealed that 81% of children under the age of 10 ate their meals while watching screens. Researchers warn of the negative impacts of these behaviours on sensory and social development.

Whether they relate to health, well-being or simply a desire for better service, consumer expectations are clearly reflected in paid surveys conducted by brands and public bodies. The opinion polls presented below show how useful and beneficial the responses have been for all parties involved.

In 2024, a survey of 1,010 people conducted by the CSA institute for CNews, Europe 1 and the JDD revealed that 51% of French people considered a product's origin to be the most important purchasing criterion. As a result, manufacturers and distributors have strengthened their partnerships with local players, seeking new sources of supply and promoting clearer and more detailed labelling.

In 2021 and 2020, an international study by Accenture and an international survey by Fashion Revolution clearly highlighted consumers' desire to reuse and/or recycle used clothing. As a result, major brands such as Levi's and Zara have improved their offerings. They have introduced eco-friendly materials and are now taking back, refurbishing or reselling used clothing. In conclusion, these opinion surveys have directly contributed to more sustainable fashion and a circular economy.

Illustration with an example of a survey conducted in the United Kingdom in 2017 among German, French, Spanish and English patients suffering from ulcerative colitis and gastroenterologists. Patients' comments about tablet size, number of tablets to be taken and frequency of administration directly influenced the formulation of more suitable medicines. Pharmaceutical companies manufactured smaller tablets with different dosages in order to reduce the number of doses.

Surveys answer specific, targeted, particular questions, and these questions do not concern us all in the same way. However, it is undeniable that opinion surveys are among the best tools for gathering the opinions of a population, understanding its needs and analysing its behaviour. This is why they are so popular for developing marketing strategies, improving products, developing public policies and responding to health issues. The stakes can be crucial, and it is your opinions that make all the difference. Your opinions are always useful if they are intelligently valued. Survimpact is committed to respecting and valuing them.

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