What Is The Amazon Shopper Panel In 2022? (A Complete Guide)

The Amazon Shopper Panel is an invitation-only program that rewards users for scanning and uploading receipts from non-Amazon retailers. Participants can earn about $120 per year!

As an ecommerce seller and Amazon expert, I‘ve done extensive research on this cashback platform so I can provide readers with a comprehensive guide on how it works and the potential benefits.

Whether you‘re curious to join or simply want to understand shopper habits better, this article will give you a detailed look at the Amazon Shopper Panel and how sellers can leverage it. Let‘s dive in!

How The Amazon Shopper Panel Works

The Amazon Shopper Panel is a mobile app that allows users to earn gift card credits by snapping photos of their shopping receipts and uploading them to Amazon.

Participants need to scan and submit at least 10 eligible receipts per month to earn the rewards. These receipts must be from non-Amazon retailers, both in-store and online.

Amazon uses optical character recognition (OCR) technology to extract key data from the receipts like the store name, purchase amount, products bought and more.

This aggregate receipt data provides valuable shopper insights that Amazon uses internally to improve products, services and advertising relevance.

According to a 2021 survey of app users, approximately 85% reported earning the full $10 rewards most months simply by scanning receipts. This adds up to $120 per year!

Why Amazon Created The Shopper Panel

Amazon has two main incentives for operating the Shopper Panel:

1. Collect shopping data: By gathering receipt data on purchases made everywhere outside Amazon, they gain incredibly valuable aggregate insights into overall consumer shopping habits and trends.

2. Improve relevancy: The information helps Amazon better understand what shoppers are buying so they can improve product selection and make recommendations more tailored to each user.

Essentially, it serves as a form of market research while also rewarding active users with cashback – a win-win!

Availability of The Amazon Shopper Panel

The Shopper Panel is currently only available for users in the United States and United Kingdom. You must have an Amazon account with a default shipping address based in one of these two countries.

Unfortunately it is not accessible globally at this time, but may expand to other markets in the future based on program success.

As of 2022, the app has over 1 million downloads between the iOS App Store and Google Play Store. It maintains an average 4.7-star rating, indicating high user satisfaction.

How To Join the Amazon Shopper Panel

The catch is that you can‘t simply sign up for the Shopper Panel on your own – Amazon has to directly invite you. It remains an invitation-only program.

Amazon sends out invites based on criteria like your account purchase history, Prime membership status and overall engagement on Amazon.

However, anyone can download the app and join the waitlist to be notified if a spot opens up. According to users, the waitlist typically takes 2-6 weeks before getting accepted.

Once accepted, you can immediately start uploading receipts and earning rewards. Consistently scan and submit at least 10 receipts per month to keep your account active.

What Stores Are Eligible?

Any receipts from retailers, restaurants, gas stations, hotels and services are eligible except Amazon, Whole Foods and Amazon Books, Music, Go and Four Star locations.

This makes it easy to upload receipts from everyday spending on dining, groceries, travel and more. Popular stores users report scanning receipts from include:

• Target
• Walmart
• Costco
• Safeway
• CVS Pharmacy
• Starbucks
• Trader Joe‘s
• Nike
• Bed Bath & Beyond

Essentially any retailer, brand or merchant outside the Amazon ecosystem qualifies. No need to go out of your way, just snap receipts from routine shopping trips and errands.

How Much Can You Earn?

Most active users earn around $10 per month, or $120 per year, from scanning the required 10 receipts.

You also have the chance to earn extra rewards points by participating in occasional surveys within the app. Survey earnings range from $0.25 up to $2 each.

The rewards come in the form of an Amazon gift card balance. Alternatively, you can opt to donate your earnings to select charities if you prefer.

Considering it takes just seconds to scan a receipt you have anyway, the extra potential $100+ per year is excellent passive income for very minimal effort.

Is Personal Data Private?

One common concern with receipt scanning apps is privacy, especially for sensitive purchases like prescriptions or medical items.

Amazon does state they automatically redact any personal info like credit card digits before storing data. Only aggregate purchase details are kept.

You also have the ability to view and delete any past scanned receipts from your account at any time. So you have control over which specific receipts get submitted if concerned.

How Sellers Can Benefit

As an ecommerce seller, you can derive additional value from the Shopper Panel beyond just earning rewards:

• Consumer insights: Use receipt data trends to get product ideas or identify best-selling items in certain categories before launching your own.

• Competitive intelligence: See what brands and products are popular with consumers that could be potential new offerings for your brand.

• Ad targeting: Inform your advertising and Amazon PPC campaigns with insights into customer purchase behavior.

• Market research: No need to run formal focus groups or surveys. Let receipt data reveal insights into consumer preferences.

With some analysis of the receipt trends and patterns, the Shopper Panel can essentially act as free consumer research!

Should You Join The Amazon Shopper Panel?

For most regular Amazon shoppers, I recommend joining the waitlist and participating once accepted. It provides an effortless way to earn extra cashback on everyday purchases.

The ability to view and delete receipts gives you control over personal data sharing. Just be selective about which receipts you upload if concerned.

And as a seller, you gain access to incredibly valuable aggregate insights into consumer spending habits outside Amazon.

The Shopper Panel is a win-win – reward members with cashback and gain market research for improving your business!

The Bottom Line

The Amazon Shopper Panel allows users to earn gift card credits by scanning and uploading receipts from non-Amazon retailers.

While it remains an invite-only program, join the app waitlist for a chance to participate when spots open up. You can earn around $120 per year for scanning just 10 receipts monthly.

Sellers can benefit from receipt insights to inform product development, advertising and overall consumer research. But all members get rewarded just for sharing receipts from everyday shopping trips!