I want to create an online survey. Are there any free sites? How do I get it out to a large number of people?

Mailchimp, SurveyMonkey and Google Forms are the easiest places to start. Think about running a smaller survey to understand, if the results give the picture, you are looking for - and scale after the initial testrun(s). And make sure, that the platform supports an export format, that you are happy with, when you need to process the responses of the survey.

Scaling it can be done in multiple ways. You can do it organically by posting your survey on online platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, etc. etc.) depending on where you believe your audience is. You can find a number of groups, where you can post the survey. Or you can buy marketing of the survey, if you can afford it. Or give prices to participants.

But if you want a lot of participants, you have to make it a topic that generally interests a lot of people, and you need some good introductory copy to convert the interested audience to participants. Be honest about your intention; if it is a survey for lead generation, say so.

No way around promotion - either paid, or through the grind of posting and expanding yourself.

Always happy to set up a call, if you want to discuss further options.

Best of luck and best regards
Kenneth Wolstrup

My answer will:
1️⃣ Show you where to create a free survey
2️⃣ Explain simple ways to get it in front of a large audience
3️⃣ Highlight what the previous answer missed or made too complicated

✅ TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)
Yes — there are free survey platforms like:
Google Forms (easy, no signup needed if you use Gmail)
SurveyMonkey (limited free tier)
Typeform (great design, free up to a point)

To reach a large audience:
✅ Post in relevant online communities (Reddit, Facebook Groups, LinkedIn)
✅ Share through your network, email, and niche forums
✅ Make your intro short, clear, and honest — tell people why it matters

🧠 Full Answer
🛠️ 1. Best Free Tools to Build Your Survey
Tool Best For
Google Forms, totally free, unlimited responses, easy export to Sheets
SurveyMonkey, cleaner interface, free for up to 10 questions
Typeform, interactive feel, limits apply, looks great on mobile
🔧 Tip: Google Forms is the fastest if you just want results quickly — no bells and whistles.

📢 2. How to Reach a Large Audience (Without Paying)
Start with where your ideal audience already hangs out:
Reddit → Search for subreddits by topic (e.g. r/marketing, r/college, r/startups)
Facebook Groups → Join groups relevant to your niche and ask admins if you can post
LinkedIn → Post from your personal account, tag people who might care
Email → Ask friends, contacts, or newsletter subscribers to take and share it
✅ Keep your intro short:
“I’m doing a quick survey on [topic]. It takes 2 minutes and would really help. Thanks in advance!”

If it’s sensitive or personal, reassure them that it’s anonymous and quick.

🔍 What Others Missed or Overcomplicated
❌ “Buy marketing or offer prizes” – True but not helpful if you’re just starting out
❌ “No way around promotion” – Technically true, but didn’t give practical methods for free outreach
✅ I focused on actionable steps using free tools and organic promotion

🧭 Final Word
✅ Start with Google Forms
✅ Keep your survey short and focused
✅ Use Reddit, FB groups, and your network to spread it
✅ Be transparent about why you’re collecting answers

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