Amazon is paying consumers to share data on their purchases from other stores

Amazon today launched a new program that aims to gather information about consumers' purchasing activity beyond its ecosystem. The Amazon Shopper Panel will provide monetary incentives to consumers in exchange for that data and for answering short surveys.

Under the new program, participants can earn more than $10 per month if they share receipts for purchases made outside of Amazon's marketplace. These pieces of data will be collected anonymously before Amazon uses the information to improve advertising measurement and relevance. Consumers can pick any of the following options: submit receipts, complete surveys, or do both. The goal is to help advertisers evaluate "how their ads support their sales at other retailers" and improve their products through panel surveys.

The opt-in program is invitational, and participants must upload 10 eligible receipts per month using the Amazon Shopper Panel app, available to download via the App Store and Play Store. Alternatively, consumers can send email receipts to receipts@panel.amazon.com. Amazon will give rewards to participants for every survey they complete each month, credited to their Amazon Balance.

For now, the program is open only to select Amazon customers in the U.S. Those who are interested but did not receive an invitation can join the waitlist in order to receive an email notification in the future. Of course, participants can opt out at any time.