Marketing Research and Insight Glossary

Definitions, common uses and explanations of 1,500+ key market research terms and phrases.

What are Internet panels?

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Internet panel Definition

A study in which participants are contacted and screened and then periodically sent questionnaires through the Internet. Also known as an online panel.

An internet panel is a pre-recruited group of individuals who have agreed to participate in online surveys or studies over time. These panels are managed by research firms or platforms and are used for ongoing or ad hoc data collection.

What are the key aspects of an internet panel in marketing research?

  • Members are profiled and categorized based on demographics, behaviors or interests.
  • Offers rapid access to targeted respondents.
  • Supports longitudinal and cross-sectional research.
  • Enables tracking of trends, opinions and brand perceptions.
  • Includes quality control measures like fraud detection and response validation.

Why is an internet panel important in market research?

Internet panels allow researchers to gather data quickly and cost-effectively from specific audience segments. They are especially useful for tracking studies, testing concepts and reaching niche or hard-to-find populations.

Who relies on internet panels in marketing research?

  • Market research firms.
  • Corporate insights teams.
  • Brand managers and advertisers.
  • Public opinion pollsters.
  • Academic and policy researchers.

How do market researchers use internet panels?

Researchers use panels to distribute surveys, test new products or messages, track customer satisfaction and analyze behavioral trends. Panels provide a ready pool of respondents that can be filtered to meet study criteria, enabling efficient and targeted research.