PermissionResearch is a division of comScore, Inc., one of the nation’s largest Internet research firms, boasting more than 2 million members worldwide. Our goal is to help companies understand digital content trends and patterns so that those companies can give people like you what you want. TV networks use rating services that collect data from sample populations to determine the most watched programs; then they decide which shows and commercials to air. Similarly, the businesses and media organizations rely on services like PermissionResearch to understand how people view and interact with content on the Internet and on TV. PermissionResearch panelists help influence the content and services that are available on the Internet and offline as well.

In order to participate in this research community, we ask that members install software on their computers. This research software monitors the community member’s Internet activity, allowing PermissionResearch to develop an understanding of how they and the members of their household use the Internet. In addition, PermissionResearch may occasionally invite its members to participate in online surveys that are designed to help companies understand the member’s attitudes and interests on a wide variety of topics. Participation in these surveys is optional.

We also ask that you authorize us to collect information about your TV viewing habits (including data such as the channels and programs you watch and record, and the on-demand programming you order) directly from your TV service provider on your behalf. We will use this information, together with the other information we collect about our panelists, to further enhance our understanding of how members use and interact with these services.

Member Internet usage information and survey results are used together with information from millions of other research panel members to create research reports on Internet trends and e-commerce activities. These results are regularly quoted by leading news organizations such as MSNBC, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Fox News, etc.

We value our members, and work hard to ensure the confidentiality of the information provided to us. In accordance with our privacy policy, we DO NOT provide our commercial customers with any personally identifiable information about PermissionResearch members. Moreover, as a research organization, our goal is to understand members’ browsing and buying habits - not influence them. To that end, we do not advertise on our site, nor do we use any personal information that members provide us to advertise or market products or services to them.