Amazon MTurk Review (2026): Mechanical Turk Has Closed. Here's What Workers Need to Know
On This Page
- Amazon MTurk in One Minute
- The Closure: Key Dates
- How Workers Get Paid After Closure
- What MTurk Was Like
- Watch Out for MTurk Lookalikes
- What to Do Instead
- Was MTurk a Scam?
- Pros and Cons
- Who It Suited
- Our #1 Recommendation for Making Money Online in 2026
- Other Programs Readers Compare
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Our Verdict on Amazon MTurk
Amazon MTurk in One Minute
Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) was Amazon's crowdsourcing marketplace, launched in 2005, where workers completed small online tasks called HITs (Human Intelligence Tasks), such as tagging images, transcribing audio or taking surveys, for businesses and researchers. Pay was usually small: often a few cents to a few dollars per task.
MTurk permanently closed on September 30, 2026. Its website now shows a closure notice and FAQs for workers and requesters. Here's what happened and what workers should do.
| Platform | Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) |
|---|---|
| Owner | Amazon |
| Launched | 2005 |
| What it did | Paid small online tasks (HITs) |
| Closed | September 30, 2026 |
| Payment setup deadline | October 30, 2026 |
The Closure: Key Dates
| Date | What Happens |
|---|---|
| September 30, 2026 | MTurk permanently closes |
| Until October 30, 2026 | Workers can verify payment preferences in the Worker Portal |
| Until October 30, 2026 | Requesters can approve or reject pending HITs and award bonuses |
| After October 30, 2026 | Unreviewed HITs are auto-approved; payment changes go through Customer Service |
How Workers Get Paid After Closure
- Completed and approved HITs are paid on your normal disbursement schedule.
- Check that a payment method and transfer schedule are set in the Worker Portal by October 30, 2026.
- Pending HITs not reviewed by requesters within 30 days are auto-approved.
- Tax documents are still issued through MTurk's usual process.
- If funds don't arrive on schedule, contact MTurk Customer Service.
What MTurk Was Like
MTurk was legitimate and paid reliably, but earnings were low. Many workers reported averaging a few dollars an hour, requesters could reject work, and finding well-paid HITs took time and browser tools. It suited people who wanted flexible pocket money rather than a real income.
| Upside | Drawback |
|---|---|
| Real, reliable payments from Amazon | Low pay per task |
| Work any time | Requesters could reject work |
| No experience needed | Good HITs went fast |
Watch Out for MTurk Lookalikes
When a well-known platform closes, copycat "task" sites often appear, promising easy pay for clicks or ratings and then asking for fees or deposits. Never pay to unlock earnings. The FTC's guide to job scams explains the signs, and you can report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
What to Do Instead
Microtask work never paid much. If you want more than pocket money, consider building something you own, such as a website, an email list or a small service business, rather than trading time for cents per task.
Was MTurk a Scam?
No. It was a legitimate Amazon service that paid workers for real tasks. It has simply closed.
Pros and Cons
What Stands Out
- Legitimate Amazon platform
- Paid approved work reliably
- Flexible
What to Weigh Up
- Low pay
- Rejections hurt workers
- Closed as of September 30, 2026
Who It Suited
People who wanted flexible, small extra income from simple tasks. That option is no longer available.
Our #1 Recommendation for Making Money Online in 2026
If Amazon Mechanical Turk isn't the right fit for you, here's what we suggest instead.
After comparing hundreds of programs over the years, we know what works and what doesn't. In fact, most of the business opportunities are either instant cash grab schemes or scams or they require experience. However, this beginner-friendly system stood out and is our #1 recommendation for 2026.
Other Programs Readers Compare
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Amazon MTurk Still Open?
No. It permanently closed on September 30, 2026.
Will I Get Paid for Completed HITs?
Yes, approved HITs are paid on your normal schedule.
What Is the Payment Deadline?
Verify your payment preferences by October 30, 2026.
Was MTurk Legit?
Yes, it was a real Amazon service with low pay per task.
Our Verdict on Amazon MTurk
MTurk was legitimate but low-paying, and it's now closed. Make sure your final payments are set up, and avoid copycat task sites.
Looking for a Better Starting Point Than Amazon MTurk?
Consider our #1 recommendation for making money online in 2026.